Our 2022 guide to getting festive – Sheff style.
WITNESS THE BEGINNING
After the huge success of their first Christmas light show in 2019, Sheffield Cathedral will be welcoming back projection art specialists Luxmuralis for festive spectacular ‘The Beginning’. Visitors will be able to witness the historic building’s façade being transformed on the outside before heading inside to enjoy a stunning sensory experience of light and sound describing the story of the Nativity. PS: Grab yourself a 15% discount by using the code ‘EXPOSED15’ at the ticket page.
30 Nov – 5 Dec // £3-£7.50 (Under-3s free) // sheffieldcathedral.org
Photo: Luxmuralis
ATTEND A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS MARKET
Gather under the gaslamps and celebrate the start of the festive season at Kelham Island Museum. With 80+ market stalls selling an array of Sheffield-made wares, quality gifts and seasonal goods, you’ll find the perfect presents and stocking fillers for your loved ones. Enjoy food and drink from traditional hog roast to wood-fired pizza, relax in the Millowners Arms, or warm up with a mulled wine and watch the live band play some festive classics.
4+5th Dec // £7.50 (U-16s free) // simt.co.uk
Get into the festive spirit, Dickens style!
COME ALPINE WITH ME
Sheffield Christmas Markets are back – bigger and better than ever! Joining the Alpine Bar will be the all-new, two-floored Alpine Lodge, the former situated on the top of Fargate and the latter nestled in the Peace Gardens. The markets themselves boast 50+ traders, Santa’s workshop, Ferris wheel, fairground rides and a vast assortment of food and drink offerings. Fill yer winter boots.
Open 10am to 6pm Sunday – Thursday // 8pm Friday – Saturday.
The new Alpine Lodge has gone down a treat.
GET YOUR DICKENS ON
Join the critically acclaimed Chapterhouse Theatre Company in the atmospheric surrounds of Sheffield Cathedral, where they’ll be bringing Charles Dickens’ classic ‘A Christmas Carol’ to life, complete with beautiful period costume, song, dance, and a magnificent musical score.
14th Dec // £12-£18 // sheffieldcathedral.org
Chapterhouse Theatre will bring the festive classic to life on stage at Sheffield Cathedral
VISIT A TRIMMED-UP CHATSWORTH
The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire’s stately gaff looks incredible all year round, but it’s particularly worth a visit during December when the famous venue is given a festive makeover. Enjoy an illuminated walk around the atmospheric gardens from dusk, experience the house in all its Christmassy splendour and enjoy plenty of fun family activities while you’re at it.
Until 9th Jan // £15-£70 // chatsworth.org
There’s always plenty to see at Chatsworth during the Christmas hols.
GRAB A GIFT AT YELLOW ARCH
There’s the chance to grab some last-minute prezzies and settle into the Christmas feels at The Bar at Yellow Arch this month. The iconic venue will be hosting an Xmas Market featuring a wide selection of makers’ stalls, Santa’s Grotto, carol singers, mulled wine (plus various other festive drinks), and street food courtesy of Flavour and Flame. 11am to 4pm.
12 Dec // Free // yellowarch.com
BOARD GAME BONANZA
Picking a decent board game is a key part of the Christmas festivities, and by paying a visit to Treehouse you can do much better than dusting off the old Monopoly set. There are over 300 games to choose from, staff to help out with rules/officiate any disputes, a fully-licensed bar and a menu of homemade food to peruse.
treehousesheffield.com
Put away the battered Monopoly set and browse Treehouse’s far superior board games selection.
BRING OUT THE BELGIAN BLUE
Something of a Sheffield winter institution, you know you can start counting down the days until Crimbo when Bradfield Brewery’s famous Farmers Belgian Blue arrives in the pubs. You’ll find it at plenty of self-respecting local boozers, but you can also pick up kegs and cases online at the below website.
bradfieldbrewery.com
What. A. Pint.
TAKE A WINTER STROLL
Get wrapped up warm and take advantage of our proximity to the Peak District, or find one of Sheffield’s many green spaces and woodlands to traverse. Ecclesall Woods is as close as you can get to Narnia after a dusting of snow, while following the Porter Brook up to Ringinglow can result in a well-earned fireside pint in The Norfolk Arms.
A nice, bracing walk in the Peaks. Image: Benjamin Elliott
DECK THE HALL
Situated in the River Wye valley, the Grade I-listed stately home Haddon Hall harks all the way back the 11th century. In recent years the house has been opened during December for candlelit tours, plus dining options, where visitors can learn about 900+ years of history and enjoy a tour around one of oldest stately homes in the country.
Tour dates and prices at haddonhall.co.uk
Explore the gorgeous surrounds of Haddon Hall.
LOVE ACTUALLY – LIVE!
Love Actually, the seasonal romcom that has become synonymous for so many with the festive period, will be coming to Sheffield City Hall this month with a full orchestra performing Craig Armstong’s evocative score soundtrack live to picture.
7th Dec // £35-£75 // sheffieldcityhall.co.uk
All the Christmas feels.
THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL OF MUSIC
Over the last ten years, the Christmas Festival of Music fronted by singer/songwriter John Reilly and musical director Lewis Nitikman has become nothing short of a local festive tradition. Helping the duo kickstart the Yuletide spirit will be Stannington Brass Band, Sheffield Community Choir, tenor Gareth Lloyd and soprana Emily Robinson, plus others, who will unite to perform a selectin of spinetingling musical arrangements inside the beautiful Victoria Hall.
10th + 11th Dec // £20 // artmusicltd.com
The Christmas Festival of Music has become something of a festive Sheffield tradition.
GET MERRY AT THREE MERRY LADS
A traditional pub with countryside views and the wonderful Loxley Silver Band knocking out Christmas tunes and a few “local carols” – what more do you want this time of year? Music kicks off from 8:30pm and carol books will be on-hand for anyone struggling with the words!
7th Dec // facebook.com/thethreemerrylads
Traditional pub, roaring fire and live Christmas carols. A thing of beauty.
HAVE A CRAFTY CHRISTMAS
The team behind Plantology are hosting a wreath-making workshop at Trafalgar Warehouse so you can jazz up the front door with your very own homemade decoration. All materials are supplied along with gentle step by step instructions during the two time slots (2pm and 5pm) to ensure you leave with an enviable design.
11th Dec // £45+bf // eventbrite.co.uk
Make your own Christmas wreath with guidance from the Plantology team.
PS: LET CITY GRAB BRING CHRISTMAS TO YOU!
Popular Sheffield food delivery app City Grab are on-hand to take the stress out of the festive season. Download the app and have a tree delivered to your front door from Trees R Us, or use them to cover your Christmas parties with alcohol and party snacks from Spar 24/7, pizzas from local dough legends Proove or even a three-course meal from Nonnas. If you’re looking for gift inspo, City Grab have also launched a selection of gift vouchers, so you can give a loved one the gift of a takeaway from a wide selection of beloved local restaurants and brands.
City Grab is available on the App Store and Google Play store. Download the app, browse the menus on offer, pop in your address and your food will be on its way.
