Your guide to Christmas events in Luton, Dunstable and Houghton Regis this year
A wave of Christmas celebrations will sweep across Luton, Dunstable, Houghton Regis and nearby villages from this weekend, with town centres, parks and community venues gearing up for weeks of festive fun.
Luton’s festivities start on Saturday, November 22, as Luton Point starts its ‘countdown to Christmas’, bringing free family activities to Central Square every weekend from now until Christmas Eve.
Children can get creative in the bauble arena on November 22 and November 23. The town’s annual Christmas lights switch-on also takes place on November 22, with festive entertainment throughout the afternoon and early evening. Paddington Bear will be visiting for photo opportunities between 2pm and 6.30pm.
The following weekend, Peppa Pig will greet children on November 29, and SpongeBob SquarePants on November 30, with Father Christmas handing out gifts each day. Families can also enjoy Family Christmas Bingo on December 6 and 7, a Christmas Concert on December 13, and a Christmas Disco on December 14.
From December 20 to December 24, children can decorate treats in Mrs Claus’ gingerbread kitchen, while a daily festive trail runs from November 22 until Christmas Eve, with prizes (including a family bundle worth over £200).
In Dunstable, Christmas officially starts on November 28, with the torchlight procession at The Square. More than 350 children from 12 schools, alongside the Priory Church Choir, will perform carols, and Father Christmas will help switch on the Christmas tree lights, accompanied by the Salvation Army band. Food and drink stalls will line Middle Row, with the evening ending in a festive light show.
On Wednesday, November 26, the Caddington Grove Care Home’s Christmas lights will turn on at 175 London Road, Dunstable, from 6pm to 7:30pm. The event will feature live music, choirs, mulled wine, mince pies, and a community celebration. Families, friends, and neighbours are invited to attend and share in the festive cheer.
Dunstable Downs also begins its 2025 festive programme this weekend. Wreath-making workshops with Maples Flowers take place on November 30, and December 9, while a festive craft evening on Thursday, December 4, will have mini-wreath making, bauble decorating, watercolour card-making, late-night shopping, and seasonal refreshments.
From Saturday, December 6 to Sunday, January 4, 2026, families can take part in the knights’ festive feast trail, a medieval-themed adventure featuring ten activity stations and a prize at the end. Breakfast with the elves returns on Sunday, December 7, Sunday, December 14, and Sunday, December 21 to Tuesday, December 23, while the new Festive Knights’ Banquet on Thursday, December 19, will include medieval storytelling, knightly challenges, royal dress-up, crafts, and a celebratory feast.
Let us know if you have a festive event you’d like to share with us.