5 local Christmas events taking place in the Three Counties area

‘Tis (almost) the season once again.

Even if you feel like you only just finished putting away your decorations from last year, the 2025 Christmas period is well on the way.

To help you get into the holiday spirit, it’s always worth heading to a local festive event. Whether you prefer traditional markets in wooden chalets or a classic carol concert, there are great options across the Three Counties.

So, discover five fantastic Christmas events taking place across Beds, Herts, and Bucks in the run-up to Christmas.

1. Pick from a variety of Christmas events at Dunstable Downs

Dunstable Downs is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the whole of Bedfordshire, and the National Trust organises a range of festivities each Christmastime.

• Festive wreath-making workshop – Get the perfect wreath for your front door with this two-hour workshop. Running on 30 November and 9 December from 6.30 pm until 8.30 pm, it costs £60 per person.
• Festive craft evening – Browse a selection of handmade Christmas gifts or take part in creating some yourself. The evening takes place on 4 December from 5 pm until 8 pm. It costs £3 per person, per craft, and there’s no entry fee, but you do need to book your place in advance.
• Breakfast with the elves – Perfect if you have children or grandchildren. Enjoy a magical morning of meeting the elves with a warming meal and a view of the Downs. Breakfasts take place on 7, 14, and between 21 and 23 December from 9.30 am until 11.30 am.

You can find more information on these events on the National Trust website, as well as details of all the other celebrations taking place at Dunstable Downs this Christmas.

2. Christmas at Waddesdon, Waddesdon Manor

This former Rothschild estate, located in the village of Waddesdon just outside of Aylesbury, is now a National Trust property and hosts a Christmas event every year.

Running from 22 November until 4 January 2026 (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day), there’s plenty to see and do at Waddesdon.

The inside of the house itself is adorned with ornate Christmas decorations. This year will also feature The Grand Festive Tour, an exploration of Europe’s various festive celebrations.

Meanwhile, the façade of the house will feature an immersive light show. Then, around the grounds, there are other displays and Christmas shops and huts selling gifts, food, or something stronger to keep warm.

One of the highlights of Waddesdon Manor’s Christmas event is the festive light trail. Weaving between the woods surrounding the manor, the light trail features incredible installations that dazzle more and more as the evening pulls in.

Visit the Waddesdon Manor website to purchase tickets. You can choose between grounds admission only, or grounds and house admission if you want the full experience.

3. Festive Weekend, Chiltern Open Air Museum

Situated between Chalfont St Peter and Chalfont St Giles in Buckinghamshire, the Chiltern Open Air Museum is one of the most well-known attractions in the Chilterns.

The museum’s Festive Weekend returns this year, taking place on 6 and 7 December from 10 am until 4 pm.

Across the museum’s 45 acres, you can explore:

• Historic buildings decorated with ivy and natural foliage
• A recreation of a 1940s home, showing the restrained Christmas that Brits would have enjoyed during the period
• Actors demonstrating what life was like for poor Victorians
• The festive photo studio, where you can get a Christmas portrait taken by a professional photographer
• Light lunches, drinks, cakes, and snacks at the Skippings Barn.

To find out more and book tickets, visit the Chiltern Open Air Museum website.

4. Ashridge House Illuminated 2025

Originally the site of a monastery and later a royal residence of Henry VIII, Ashridge House is a National Trust property near Little Gaddesden, a stone’s throw from Berkhamsted.

Each year, the estate hosts Ashridge House Illuminated, a remarkable array of light installations and fixtures.

Making the most of the expansive gardens, the lights are always thoughtfully and creatively assembled. 50% of the trail will be powered by green energy, too, meaning it is one of the most environmentally friendly displays of its kind.

This year also features a 115-foot observation wheel, perfect for surveying all the light spectacles across the estate.

Before exploring the trails, you can also head to the expanded festive food village for something to eat and drink.

Ashridge House Illuminated 2025 takes place from 27 November until 1 January 2026. Tickets are available on the Ashridge House website, starting from £23.50 for adults, £19 for over-60s, £14.40 for children between 4 and 16 (under 4s go free), and £68 for families of four.

5. Choose one of the Christmas events and activities at St Albans Cathedral

The historic buildings and cobbled streets of St Albans in Hertfordshire feel like the perfect location for festive celebrations. While you might not get your moment to star in a cosy Christmas film, the city does host a range of events you can enjoy.

In particular, you can enjoy a range of activities and experiences at the cathedral in the lead-up to Christmas and beyond. That includes:

• The Christmas Orchestra 2025, 29 November – Get into the festive spirit right at the start of the Advent period with a performance of Christmas music by a live 16-piece chamber orchestra. With everything from Christmas film scores to classic festive sing-alongs, this is a great way to kick off the holiday celebrations. Tickets are available on the St Albans Cathedral website.
• Live Nativity trail, 13 December – Complete with characters and animals from the Nativity, enjoy this dynamic retelling of the Christmas story as you follow the trail map around the Cathedral. The trail takes place from 12 pm until 3 pm.
• Carols on the Hour, 13 December – Whether you’ve been on the Nativity trail or you’re just in St Albans for a spot of Christmas shopping, head over to the cathedral to enjoy some quintessential Christmas carols. Every hour from 11 am until 5 pm, various St Albans choirs will perform carols for you to join in with. No tickets required – just arrive whenever you like.
• Carols on Boxing Day, 26 December – Once all the mayhem of dinner and presents is out of the way, sign off the celebrations and relax with carols at the Cathedral again from 4 pm until 5 pm on Boxing Day.

Visit the St Albans Cathedral website to find out more about these events, and buy tickets if necessary.

Get in touch

For support managing your wealth in the lead-up to Christmas, into the new year, and beyond, please get in touch with us at Caliber Financial Management.

Email contact@caliberfm.co.uk or call 01525 375286 to speak to one of our team today.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.

All information is correct at the time of writing and is subject to change in the future.