UK events in December 2022

Winter Island – Manchester, 12 November – 24 December 2022

Winter Island is the UK’s largest heated outdoor and indoor winter festival. Featuring a Christmas tree forest, festive traders, and a pop-up market, plus curated Christmas workshops and the finest entertainment.

Making Modernism, Royal Academy of Art – London, 12 November 2022 – 12 February 2023

Making Modernism is the first major UK exhibition devoted to pioneering women working in Germany in the early 1900s: Paula Modersohn-Becker, Kӓthe Kollwitz, Gabriele Münter and Marianne Werefkin.

Celebrated in their native homelands, this exhibition will introduce their innovative paintings and works on paper, alongside key pictures by Erma Bossi, Ottilie Reylaender and Jacoba van Heemskerck.

Bath on Ice – Bath, 12 November 2022 – 3 January 2023

With the days getting shorter and the holidays drawing near, Bath is getting ready for Christmas. It’s time for festive decorations, wonderful gifts, delicious food, and Christmas Markets.

Bath on Ice is back for its 10^th year with a huge outdoor ice rink, allowing skaters plenty of space to learn to skate or show off their talents. It’s just around the corner from the Christmas Market in Royal Victoria Park and right in front of the iconic Royal Crescent.

Christmas at Kew – London, 16 November 2022 – 8 January 2023

Take an enchanting journey into a glittering wonderland with Christmas at Kew at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew.

The popular after-dark Christmas event hosts a trail through the famous botanic gardens, lit up with lights and spectacular projections.

Get together with family or friends to follow the illuminated path around the gardens and be treated to immersive installations and spectacular displays.

The World Cup – 20 November – 18 December 2022

I am totally with you that a football world cup in November is a bit naff. However, if you are a fan of the beautiful game then it’s a great way to socialise with your mates. Whether that be at home, toasty warm, or inside a busy pub soaking up the atmosphere. Whoever you support I am sure it will be an exciting tournament!

The Garden of Wales Winter Light Trail – Wales, 1 December 2022 – 2 January 2023

Luminate comes to the National Botanic Gardens of Wales this winter. Enjoy the Garden of Wales Winter Light Trail, a spectacular illuminated trail full of wonder and intrigue, to delight and enthral your senses.

Queen’s Big Band – Christmas Concert – Belfast, 7 December 2022

We invite you to join the QUB Big Band Christmas Concert. This event will be a festive affair, a showcase for rising jazz talent among the younger generation, with the support of local jazz stars to dazzle in the solo limelight.

The programme will feature seasonal Christmas medleys and favourites like The Christmas Song, but also classics such as Count Basie’s April in Paris. Join them for a Big Band fiesta.

Christmas Market & Steam, Papplewick Pumping Station – Nottingham, 11 December 2022

The pumping station hosts a Christmas Market at its winter steam event. 10:30am-4pm. Featuring over 30 craft and artisan stalls showcasing some of the finest goods for Christmas. Entertainment from Lily Taylor-Ward. All engines in steam plus a display of vintage steam toys and memorabilia. Tours of the underground reservoir also available (extra charge applies).

Glasgow Santa Dash 2022 – Glasgow, 11 December 2022

Santa Dash is back with an exciting new route. The hugely popular 5k charity fun run will take place on Sunday 11 December.

The Santa Dash has raised more than £350,000 for various charities since it started in 2006 and is now a firm favourite in the city’s events calendar. This year they are raising money for The Beatson Cancer Charity and The Lord Provost’s Children’s Fund.

Northern Ballet, The Nutcracker – Leeds Grand Theatre, Leeds, 20 December 2022 – 7 January 2023

Share in Clara’s adventures as she is swept away by her Nutcracker Prince into an enchanting winter wonderland. Don’t miss dazzling dancing snowflakes, the famous Sugar Plum Fairy and the notorious Mouse King in the ultimate festive entertainment.

Tenby Boxing Day Swim – West Wales, 26 December 2022

Named as one of Britain’s top ten barmiest winter dips, TENBY’s famous Boxing Day Swim has been an institution in the small West Wales town for decades and has recently featured in the ITV Wales series The Harbour, which was filmed in Tenby and shows a year in the life of the seaside community.

The Tenby Boxing Day Swim is organised by the Tenby Sea Swimming Association, which also stages the summertime Caldey Swim from the monastic island to the Tenby mainland.

The two events have enabled TSSA to raise nearly £300,000 for local, national and international charities and good causes over the years.

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay – Edinburgh, 30 December 2022 – 1 January 2023

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is back with a bang! Join revellers from around the globe for three days of incredible events from Friday, 30 December 2022 to Sunday 1 January 2023, featuring incredible live music, spectacular fireworks, and Street Party extravaganzas.