Mark Your Calendar: Great Grimsby Christmas Festival Returns This November!

Get ready for a full day of festive fun as the Great Grimsby Christmas Festival 2025 comes back on Saturday 22nd November, from 12pm to 7pm, right in the heart of Grimsby town centre.

This much-loved community event offers a wide range of free activities, live entertainment, and seasonal treats to enjoy together and kick off the festive season. Events will take place across St James’ Square, Riverhead Square, Grimsby Minster and Freshney Place.

Some of the highlights of this year’s festival include:

• The Main Stage at St James’ Square, sponsored by Keepmoat, will feature a packed programme of live music throughout the afternoon, spotlighting brilliant local talent including Spencer Booth, Palm Trees of Venice and Lola + The Cosmic Gateway. As a sponsor, Keepmoat continues their commitment to the community - creating places people love to call home.
• The Community Stage at Riverhead Square, sponsored by Orsted, showcasing festive favourites and carols with All For One Choir, Grimsby Symphony Orchestra, Back to Brass and more. Lauren Little, Senior Stakeholder Advisor from Ørsted said: "We're so proud to be sponsoring the community stage again this year. The event brings a magic time for Grimsby to get together and enjoy the festivities. Our teams are looking forward to attending with our families."
  Shop at the Merry Makers’ Market on both St James Square & Riverhead Square for handmade gifts, crafts, and seasonal goodies from brilliant local traders.
• Treat yourself to tasty food & drink options from authentic German sausages and Yorkshire pudding wraps to mulled wine and Baileys hot chocolate.
• Get a Festive Glow Up with Free Face Painting from JelliNelli
• Winter Wonderland opens at Freshney Place: Meet Santa and his elves along with his snow princesses, for a photo opportunity along with taking part in festive themed arts and crafts. To support the event, Freshney Place and its car parks will be opening until 7pm on the festival day.
• ​As part of the festive activities taking place in the town centre this Christmas, Freshney Place is proud to also host the Have A Heart Campaign – a heart-warming initiative inviting visitors to donate gifts for local children who might otherwise go without, running from Monday 10th November to Wednesday 17th December.

The Great Grimsby Christmas Parade is Back!

After last year's success, don’t miss the Great Grimsby Parade through the town centre - a true highlight of the day, leading up to the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in St James’ Square at 5:45pm, followed by a festive party on the Main Stage.

Proudly sponsored this year by GMI Construction Group, the parade promises to be bigger and brighter than ever, with dazzling performers, live brass band, and community-made lanterns lighting the way.

Parade Lantern Making Workshop

Join the fun early by creating your very own festive willow lantern to join the parade! Bookings for the FREE lantern workshop on Saturday 15th November are now open with local craft geniuses What If We Create, held in their brand new unit at Freshney Place called People Make Grimsby, located next to Next. Book here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/greatgrimsbyschristmasfestival/1898707

🎁 Window Dress Competition

Local businesses are invited to show off their creative flair in this year’s Christmas Window Dress Competition for a chance to win a £100 local restaurant voucher to treat your team!

Judging takes place on Saturday 22nd November, with the winner announced the following week. Entries will be judged on creativity, festive spirit, and community appeal. To take part, email production@swansevents.co.uk so our judges don’t miss you!

Councillor Hayden Dawkins, Cabinet member for Tourism and Culture, said: “It’s great to have this event back again – it’s a real highlight of the season and one that kicks off the Christmas celebrations in a fantastic way. It’s one of those days that, as well as supporting the local economy, brings whole families and communities together, whether shopping, singing, taking part in the lantern parade, or just enjoying being together and making those memories that will last for years.”

Whether you're looking for a great day out, to start your festive shopping, or a chance to come together with the local community,  the Great Grimsby Christmas Festival is the perfect way to start the season.

For more information and updates, visit: www.discovernortheastlincolnshire.co.uk/event/grimsbychristmas2025/

This year’s festival is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (#UKSPF) and made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of Orsted, Keepmoat “Creating places people love to call home” and GMI Construction Group.

Ed Weston, Regional Director for Yorkshire at GMI Construction Group, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting this year’s Great Grimsby Christmas Festival, a fantastic event that brings the whole community together to celebrate the start of the festive season.

“As the principal contractor delivering the regeneration of Freshney Place, one of the most significant projects in Grimsby’s recent history, we’re incredibly proud to be part of the town’s ongoing transformation. Supporting events like this reflects our long-term commitment to the area, its people, and its future.

“We look forward to seeing families and visitors enjoying the celebrations, especially in and around Freshney Place, which will once again be at the heart of the festivities.”

To keep up to date with all Great Grimsby Christmas Festival news and updates, follow Discover North East Lincolnshire on Facebook, Instagram or visit the website