There is no better time to be a student living in Lancaster than at Christmas. And whilst the city may be small in size, it is big in festive spirit! That means there’s plenty of exciting things happening here this winter that you won’t want to miss out on! Don’t worry, even if you are not staying in your Lancaster student house over Christmas break, there are still plenty of things you can get involved in whilst you are still here. From the glistening lights in the town centre to the fantastic ice-skating rink in Dalton Square, take a browse at what this year has in store…
Lancaster on Ice
Lancaster on Ice is one of the biggest Christmas events happening in the city this winter and is loved by both locals and students alike. Located in Dalton Square, Lancaster on Ice offers more than just an 800m ice rink for you to enjoy, such as a Ferris wheel, a selection of Christmas market stalls and the famous Tipi bar offering a range of festive drinks, fire pits and lots of seating. Lancaster on Ice takes place from the 27th of November 2021 until the 9th of January 2022 and is open 7 days a week (closed Christmas day). So, if you do happen to be leaving your Lancaster student house over the festive period and travelling home for Christmas, there are still plenty of opportunities for you to visit this wonderful winter event.
Lancaster on Ice supports local charities, so you know that the money you pay for your tickets is going towards an amazing cause. Some of the charities that benefit from Lancaster on Ice, are St John’s Hospice, Morecambe Bay Foodbank and Unique Kidz and Co. Trust us, this award-winning event is perfect for all ages and interests and is not one to be missed, to learn more about Lancaster on Ice, or to book your tickets online, click here.
Reindeer Day
Is there any better way to get into the festive spirit than to visit the reindeers in Lancaster city centre? On the 5th of December, Santa’s reindeer are stopping off in St Nic’s Arcade to say hello! Whilst doing a little bit of Christmas shopping in town, why not pop over to see the reindeers, this magical event will be sure to please all ages so don’t miss out. Lucky for you, St Nic’s is located close to almost all of our Lancaster student accommodation.
Bloom and Grow Christmas Wreath Workshop
This Christmas, make your own festive wreath up at the Ashton Memorial Hall in Williamson Park. Whether it’s for you, a friend or a family member, making your own Christmas wreath this wintertime is a perfect way to get you in the Christmas Spirit. All the resources you will need to build your wreath will be provided to suit your personal style, and sustainable methods of floristry will be taught. With a trained professional walking you through how to make your wreath step by step, festive music and free refreshments provided, the bloom and grow wreath workshop is a wonderful way to get Christmas started. Whilst this workshop may be more on the expensive side at £45pp, all materials and everything you need are provided and of course you get to take your wreath home to display at the end. Your wreath is the perfect way to make your Lancaster student accommodation feel that little bit more Christmassy.
Christmas Drive-in Cinema
Coming to Morecambe this December is the fantastic ‘small town, big screen’ Drive-in Cinema showing a selection of popular Christmas films. Over the 9th and 10th of December why not drive to Jump Rush in Morecambe and settle down to watch some of the nation’s favourite Christmas films, such as Home Alone, The Grinch and Elf.
You can book your tickets for the drive-in cinema here.
Late Night Shopping
If like a large majority of the country, you leave your Christmas shopping until the last moment, late-night shopping in Lancaster is an excellent opportunity to get those Christmas presents bought and keep your family and friends in the good books over the festive period. Late night shopping begins on Thursday 2nd December and what a better way to get there than on the bus! Lancaster Bid has worked with Lancaster City Council to offer completely FREE Shoppers buses on Sundays and for late-night shopping. These busses will be running from 28th November until Christmas. The free buses will operate on the 7, 10, 11 and 18 bus routes, taking you from your Lancaster student house into the city centre on the selected dates, for more information on late night shopping and the free bus service, visit the Lancaster Bid Website.
As well as a fantastic free bus service, there will also be free parking in all Lancaster City Council car parks on Sundays and Thursday evenings from the 28th November until Christmas. Just make sure that you have checked that you’re in the correct car park because normal parking charges will apply to all private car parks.
By December, Lancaster’s Christmas lights will already have been switched on, the town centre will be lit up like a Christmas tree and decorated beautifully for the duration of winter. Walking around the city centre looking at the Christmas lights and getting some last-minute gifts should be on the festive tick list.
Head over to the IPM Lancaster blog page to see all our other Christmas/winter blog posts to help you settle into the festive period, as well as keeping up to date with all things student housing Lancaster. Keep an eye out to see our ‘Ultimate Winter Bucket List’ blogs and tips for ‘Cooking Christmas Dinner for your flat’ coming out soon!