Christmas is fast approaching, which means the time has come to eat and drink your way into the festive spirit, all in the name of research of course.
Mince pies, pigs in blankets, and mulled wine and cider will soon be on sale at Christmas markets, craft fairs, and artisan stalls across the country, including in Olney, Milton Keynes, and Buckinghamshire.
You might even pick up some gift ideas for family and friends while you’re there!
To help you successfully navigate the Christmas market season, here’s your rundown of all the local events you won’t want to miss this year.
1. Christmas Festival Weekend, Leighton Buzzard
The Leighton-Linslade Christmas weekend kicks off on Friday, 29 November with a winter market featuring handmade crafts and gifts and a festive food court to ensure you’re fed and watered.
Also, expect a Christmas lights switch on and live entertainment courtesy of local acts and performers.
On Saturday, the Leighton Fun Runners Santa Dash will take place with 2K, 3K and 5K races and Santa suits available on the day (£6 for adults and £4 for children’s sizes), with proceeds going to Citizens Advice.
Sunday, meanwhile, provides the perfect opportunity for Christmas shopping.
2. Dickens of a Christmas, Olney
Is it just us or does “season creep” mean that these events are getting earlier?
Sunday, 1 December is packed with local markets and craft fairs so you’ll be able to take your pick. First up, though, and highly recommended by the whole Jane Smith Financial Planning family is Olney’s Dickens of a Christmas.
The town will be transformed into a scene from Victorian England between 10 am and 4 pm. Fight your way through the Scrooges and Little Dorrits to take your pick of locally produced and hand-crafted products from stallholders in Dickensian dress. With stalls all along the High Street to the Market Place, you’re sure to find the perfect something for your loved ones.
And you’ll be entertained too. The town’s own Christmas Carols will be provided by street organ entertainers, singers, and the Olney Brass Band.
A park-and-ride service runs from Emberton Park and the Yardley Road Industrial Estate.
3. Christmas Tree Festival, Olney
The same weekend (30 November to 1 December) will see the annual Christmas Tree Festival at St Peter and St Paul church.
Come and view the impressive Christmas tree display and enjoy live music at Saturday night’s Christmas concert.
More than 50 local businesses and community groups will decorate trees which are displayed in the church and local schools. Go along for your chance to vote for your favourite tree while enjoying entertainment in the form of local choirs and musicians.
Refreshments are available, alongside storytellers, and the opportunity to add the name of a loved one to a very special Memory Tree.
The community carol singing takes place at 4 pm on Sunday and officially marks the end of the festival.
The Saturday night concert, meanwhile, features the Bedford Gallery Quire. It starts at 7:30 pm in the church and tickets are available (£10 for adults and £5 for children) from the Phonebox office (cash only please) or the Olney Pancake Parlour.
4. The Bedford Christmas Gift & Craft Fair, Bedford
The Bedford Christmas Gift & Craft Fair takes place on Sunday, 8 December between 11 am and 4 pm at John Bunyan Sports Centre. It promises to be the organiser’s biggest event yet, with over 100 stalls!
You’ll find a variety of handmade crafts, artwork, and unique gifts alongside foodie presents and plenty to keep you occupied.
There are also beginner craft workshops. These need to be pre-booked but could see you learning how to make Christmas tree decorations, handmade cards, slow-stitched robins, and jewellery.
Entry is £2 for adults, while under-18s are free.
5. Candle ‘N’ Sip, Milton Keynes
On 15 December, between 4 pm and 6 pm, head to Revolution in Milton Keynes for a Christmas tree candle and bauble-making class, run by Melanin Minds.
Billed as a break from the hectic Christmas schedule, sit back, relax, and be mindful as you unleash your creative side to produce beautifully scented candles and festive decorations.
Enjoy a festive cocktail and a salted caramel crumble mince pie as you hone your new skills, learning about vegan, cruelty-free, and UK-sourced candle-making techniques. And take home your very own Christmas-scented soy coconut wax candle and six tealights to fill your bauble. Beginners welcome!
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