Heart of Lincs Newsletter - December 2024

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Experience the magic of Christmas at WinterLight!

Join us for WinterLight - a weekend of FREE Christmas festivities in Sleaford Market Place. There’ll be free 30-minute ice skating sessions across the weekend, plus a community lantern procession, carolling and entertainment on Saturday December 21.

St Denys' Church and Christmas lanterns will light up the night, and there’ll be festive specials by nearby businesses. Join us on 21 and 22 December to experience the magic of Christmas in Sleaford.

For more event information, plus more Christmas in Sleaford, visit www.heartoflincs.com.

WinterLight poster

WinterLight is funded by the Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, being delivered by North Kesteven District Council in partnership with local businesses and creatives including the Hub, Lumo Workshop, and Popcorn Media. 


December is filled with festive cheer and events across the District!

Join the Sleaford Christmas Market and Light Switch-On, on Sunday, December 1, featuring live music and entertainment. There'll also be markets at Millstream Square, the Mosaic Youth Club and Bristol Arcade, filling Sleaford with holiday cheer. 

Also on Sunday, December 1, will be the Heighington Christmas Market, with lots of market stalls and festive treats.

Don’t miss the Hub's Christmas Contemporary Market and the Sleaford Christmas Tree Festival on November 30 and December 1.

Throughout December, explore Christmas at Doddington, where you can enjoy classic tunes and stunning scenes, over three floors of Elizabethan Hall.

Christmas at Doddington

The Drawing Room at Doddington Hall

There's lots of spots to meet Father Christmas too - pay him a visit at Heckington Windmill on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 December or at Mrs Smiths Cottage on Saturday 14 December. Plus, don’t miss Mrs Claus at Navigation House on December 7!

Enjoy festive tunes at the Sleaford Choral Christmas Concert on December 21, and on December 22, catch the Christmas Concert at Sleaford Masonic Rooms and the Christmas Carol Service at St. Denys' from 4pm-5pm.


Explore a wintery Whisby this festive season

Whisby

Get into the festive spirit at Whisby Nature Park, in the heart of Lincolnshire. Join exciting events designed to spread Christmas cheer with friends and loved ones.

On 30 November, bring your dog to meet Santa, where they'll receive a present and pupcake, plus an opportunity for photos. Enjoy a delicious breakfast with Santa on 21 and 22 December, featuring stories and festive sing-alongs.

For those seeking a quieter visit, Whisby Nature Park offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the season. Enjoy a leisurely stroll, a hearty meal at the café, or simply soak in the serenity of the natural surroundings.


Free December parking in Sleaford - welcoming more visitors to the town

Free Parking

Throughout December, enjoy Free Saturday parking in Sleaford, in all North Kesteven District Council-owned car parks, starting with Small Business Saturday on December 7 and continuing on the 14th, 21st, and 28th - no ticket needed!

This initiative aims to attract visitors to Sleaford, boosting local businesses and encouraging festive shopping. Take advantage of this opportunity to explore Sleaford’s scenic walks, leisure centers, cafes, and museums. 

Don’t miss out on supporting the community while enjoying a festive day out! Visit Heart of Lincs for inspiration for places to eat and things to do.


Celebrating the success of tourism businesses across Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland

Exciting news! Heart of Lincs is sponsoring the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year award for the Tourism Excellence Awards 24-25.

These attractions draw visitors to cities and regions, helping them discover local dining, history, and accommodations. Congratulations to those shortlisted! We look forward to celebrating the winner at the awards ceremony on February 28.


New exhibition preview night

Save the Date! Join the Hub on Friday, December 6, from 6-8pm for the opening of Jason Wilsher-Mills: Looking Back, Looking Forward. This major retrospective exhibition celebrates the internationally renowned artist's vibrant work, inspired by his experiences with disability.

Visit the Hub's website for more information.


Feature in our newsletter header

Have you taken a beautiful photo of the district that you'd like to share?

Snowy NK

Email heartoflincs@n-kesteven.gov.uk with your favourite photo and you could feature in our next newsletter.

This month's photo was sent to us by Michelle T - a snowy picturesque view of Bracebridge Heath.



Events & Activities in December

Christmas Tree

Weekly & ongoing throughout December

Explore two illuminations in Sleaford this December: Starlight Spectacle on Eastgate Green and Santa's Rest Spot in Monument Gardens

Exhibitions, Workshops, Clubs and Dance Programme: Hub-Sleaford

Weekly Wellbeing Walks: Across North Kesteven

High Flying Women Exhibition: Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum, Fri-Mon, 10am-2:30pm

Uncovering Sleaford Castle Exhibition: Navigation House, Fri-Mon, 10am-2pm

Christmas at Doddington: Doddington Hall, Mon-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm

Christmas Trail: Navigation House, Fri-Mon, 10am-2pm

Silk Willoughby: Weekly Art Group & Coffee Morning dates

Weekly French Conversation Cafe: The Horseshoes, Silk Willoughby


Sunday 1 December

Christmas Contemporary Makers Market: Hub Sleaford, 10am-4pm

Sleaford Christmas Market and Light Switch On: Sleaford, 10am-5pm

Christmas Tree Festival: Sleaford Methodist Church, 11am-5pm

Santa's Grotto: Cogglesford Watermill 12pm-3:30pm

Free festive portraits at the Starlight Spectacle: Eastgate Green 3pm-5pm

Heighington Christmas Market: Heighington 11am-4pm


Wednesday 4 December

Alice in Wonderland: Sleaford Playhouse Theatre, 7:30pm-9:30pm


Friday 6 December

Christmas Trail: Navigation House, 10am-2pm


Saturday 7 December

Junior Wardens Club: Whisby Nature Park, 10am-12:30pm

Meet Mrs Claus: Navigation House, 10am-2pm

Bracebridge Heath Christmas Tree Festival: St Johns Church, 10am-7pm

Christmas at Doddington: Doddington, 10am-4pm

Christmas at the Mill: Heckington Windmill,12:30pm-15:30pm

Festive lantern making with Lumo: St Denys', 1pm-4pm

Wartime Christmas Gifts: The IBCC, 10:3am-3:30pm


Sunday 8 December

Traditional Milling Day: Cogglesford Watermill, 12pm-3.30pm

Festive lantern making with Lumo: St Denys' 10am-3pm


Wednesday 11 December

Christmas at Doddington: Doddington Hall, 11am-4pm


Friday 13 December

NavenBees Toddler Group: Mrs Smith's Cottage, 11am-12pm

The Singing Windmill Steampunk Society, Heckington Windmill, 6pm-9pm


Saturday 14 December

Wildlife Watch: Whisby Nature Park, 10am-11:30am

Christmas Trail: Navigation House, 10am-2pm

North Hykeham Christmas Market: The Ark, 12pm-7pm

Christmas at Doddington: Doddington Hall, 11am-4pm

Father Christmas at the Cottage: Mrs Smiths Cottage, 1pm-3pm

Ruskington Christmas Fair: The Red Lion, 2pm-5pm


Sunday 15 December

'Uncovering Sleaford Castle' Exhibition: Navigation House, 10am-2pm


Monday 16 December

Christmas Trail: Navigation House, 10am-2pm


Saturday 21 December

WinterLight 2024: Sleaford Market Place, 2pm-7pm

Sleaford Choral Christmas Concert: St Denys', 7:30pm

Breakfast with Santa, Natural World Centre, 10:15am-12:30pm


Sunday 22 December

WinterLight 2024: Sleaford Market Place, 11am-4pm

Christmas Concert: Sleaford Masonic Rooms, 7pm

Christmas Carol Service: St Denys', 4pm-5pm

Breakfast with Santa: Natural World Centre, 10:15am-12:30pm


Tuesday 31 December

The Band from County Hell - New Years Eve: The Yard VENUE, 1:30pm-1:30am

Quiz Night at the Horseshoes: The Horseshoes, 7:45pm-9:30pm


Have an event for our 'What's On' calendar?

Send us an email: heartoflincs@n-kesteven.gov.uk