The festive season is right around the corner, and there are plenty of events and activities happening on the Islands of Guernsey to help you get into the holiday spirit.
Whether you want to find unique gifts at our independent shops and Christmas Markets, attend a Christmas concert or enjoy a relaxing festive cocktail, there is something for everyone.
We've compiled a list of things to do in Guernsey this Christmas to help you plan your trip.
Family Festivities
Ice Skating & Santa's Grotto
Grab your skates and head to Guernsey's ice skating rink at Le Friquet Garden Centre. Spin around the Christmas tree, and then head to the cafe where you can enjoy a hot chocolate and some baked goods. Skate aids are available for younger visitors, just make sure to reserve one on your booking as they are very popular.
A 2025 addition, you can now also visit Santa's Grotto at Le Friquet. You will begin your adventure at the North Pole, where little ones can help mix the reindeer food ready to sprinkle on Christmas Eve. Then, experience a brand new VR-enchanted elevator ride through to Santa’s living room for a one-to-one meeting.
The magic doesn’t stop there! In the Present Room, each child will choose a toy to take home from Santa’s carefully picked selection.
Winter Wonderland
This annual event sees the St Saviour’s garden, owned by the Bachmann family, turned into a festive wonderland. With lights, decorations, Father Christmas, family activities and Christmas treats, the event is dedicated to raising money for charitable causes.
Official dates are yet to be released for 2025, but it is anticipated to open in early December.
Christmas Tractor Run
The Guernsey Christmas Tractor Run is an annual event, with tractors from around the Island covered in fairy lights taking a tour of the Island to spread festive cheer. You can sit on a coastal wall or head into town to cheer on the tractors as they parade around the Island.
This year, the event will take place on 13th December.
Christmas Escape Room - Elf Academy
MTG Escapes, run by the Music Theatre Guernsey, invites you to a family-friendly, festive escape room.
This year's room is the Elf Academy Escape Room. As an elf-in-training, you will need to solve puzzles, crack codes, and embrace your inner elf.
Whilst they can accommodate 6 players at a time, it is recommended to have smaller teams of up to 4 adults in order to prioritise your enjoyment and comfort.
Christmas Shopping
Late-Night Shopping
Every year during the run-up to Christmas, businesses in St Peter Port in Guernsey stay open until 9pm on Thursdays in December for visitors and locals alike to enjoy some Christmas shopping. Whether you are looking for the perfect gift or want to treat yourself, you’re guaranteed to find something. You can find some recommendations for Guernsey gifting in this guide.
During the festive period, local small businesses and stall holders also feature in the Market Square of St Peter Port, typically every Thursday evening and Saturday. Often, there will be live music accompaniment from various performers to get you in the festive spirit!
Official dates for 2025 late-night shopping coming soon.
Herm Christmas Shopping Trips
Sail over to Herm throughout November and December for the perfect pre-Christmas shopping trip and day out. The Herm Shop will have plenty of decorations, cards and ornaments, as well as beautiful and unique stocking fillers and gift ideas to make your Christmas extra special.
You can even bring your letters to Santa to post in the Puffin post box! After shopping, enjoy a walk around the island and tuck into a festive meal at the Mermaid Tavern.
2025 Christmas Markets
The Islands of Guernsey have traditional markets all year round, but the fairs and markets during the festive season are truly special. With attractions, stalls selling homemade goods and plenty of festive food and drink available, these unique markets are a must-visit.
- Shopping Events at Earlswood Garden Centre - Dates to be confirmed
- Winter Fayre at The Peninsula Hotel – Sunday 9th November, 11am - 5pm
- Oatlands Courtyard Christmas market – Dates to be confirmed
- Annual Christmas Markets at Les Cotils – Sunday 9th November, 10am - 4pm
- Christmas Fayre at The Farmhouse – Dates to be confirmed
- National Trust of Guernsey Christmas Courtyard Market - Monday 8th December, 5pm - 8pm
- Christmas Fayre at St Pierre Park Hotel – Sunday 23rd November, 11am - 5pm
- Festive Fayre at Le Pommier Hotel – Dates to be confirmed
- Christmas Fayre at St Martins Community Centre – Dates to be confirmed
The Victorian Christmas Shop at 26 Cornet Street, St Peter Port will also open on Friday 14th November until Saturday 20th December.
Christmas Courtyard Market at the Folk and Costume Museum
This market features artisan stallholders, warming winter food, carols around the courtyard tree and Christmas spirit.
Run by a dedicated and wonderful team, these shops have become a cherished tradition and the highlight of the year for both staff and visitors alike. Bursting with holiday spirit, they offer a magical selection of gifts, decorations, and seasonal delights that capture the essence of Christmas.
This year, the market will take place on Monday 8th December between 5pm - 8pm.
Food & Drink Experiences
Alpine Lodge at the OGH
Each year, the terrace at the Old Government House is transformed into a stylish and cosy Alpine Lodge, complete with snowy scenery and everything you’d want in an après ski experience.
The bar is fully stocked with festive drinks including mulled wine, hot spiced cider, beer and a wide selection of schnapps and flavoured vodkas to get you into the Christmas spirit. There are also hot chocolates and platters of delicious food. You won't want to miss Family Sundays, where children are welcome with festive activities and a chance to meet Father Christmas.
Christmas Lunches at The Mermaid Tavern
Join The Mermaid Tavern for a festive party lunch!
This December, The Mermaid Tavern is offering a 3-course Christmas Party Menu, filled with festive favourites and island charm.
Bookings are available for just £37 per person, including return ferry travel.
Domes at the Duke of Richmond
The highly anticipated Domes at The Duke return this November, with scenic views of Candie Gardens and the sea beyond. This unique setting is the perfect festive haven to enjoy the new party menu, afternoon tea, breakfast and an exclusive winter à la carte menu.
You can also enjoy a complimentary drink upon arrival before you begin your meal.
Three domes are available for booking; two can accommodate up to 6 guests, while the third can comfortably seat eight.
Visit the Christmas Lights
Christmas Lights Switch-On
Join in the Christmas Lights Switch On in St Peter Port on Saturday 29th November, where Santa Claus will be travelling through town to greet children, before turning on the lights.
He is expected to start at the Model Yacht Pond before heading through town to Market Square, where he will host the official light switch-on for the town.
Petit Train Tours
Get in the festive spirit and jump aboard Victor the Petit Train for a tour of the wonderful Christmas lights in St Peter Port.
These evening tours take place on various dates between 30th November and 23rd December.
Christmas Lights Tuk Tuk Tours
This Christmas, book a ride in your own motorised sleigh!
Tuk Tuk Guernsey will be running their annual Christmas Lights Tours again this year, with bookings available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays, from the 7th December - 23rd December.
Starting from the Albert Pier, the 30-minute tour travels through St Peter Port, with the 5 Tuk Tuks seating 2 passengers each.
To give you the best view possible, the Tuk Tuks will have their roofs down, so ensure to wrap up warm!
Age requirement: 6+
Little Black Bus Tours
Each year, Little Black Bus offers Christmas lights tours, where you can sing along to Christmas classics as you travel across the Island to see light displays!
The bus typically seats 8 people, and you're welcome to bring drinks and snacks for the journey. Perfect for a festive evening out with friends or family. Departures are usually from the Albert Pier on Sunday and Wednesday evenings throughout December.
Keep an eye on their Facebook page for 2025 announcements.
2025 Christmas Shows and Concerts
22nd November: SOPM Christmas Concert - Matinee
Join SOPM at Beau Sejour for a heart-warming celebration of their students’ hard work and progress this term.
This special matinee marks the first time the Minis and Risers will take to the big stage — joined by a selection of other young performers — for a joyful mix of festive favourites and music they’ve been perfecting since September.
It’s part of SOPM’s Beau Sejour Takeover Weekend, which also features the Under 18s Battle of the Bands, Corporate Battle of the Bands, and the Music for Everyone show.
Come and cheer them on, share the moment, and kick off the festive season.
25th November: Royal Ballet: Cinderella
Enjoy a live screening of Cinderella by the Royal Ballet at The Princess Royal Centre for the Performing Arts.
Stuck at home and put to work by her spoiled Step-Sisters, Cinderella’s life is dreary and dull. Everything changes when she helps a mysterious woman...With a little bit of magic, she is transported to an ethereal new world – one where fairies bring the gifts of the seasons, where pumpkins turn into carriages, and where true love awaits.
This enchanting ballet by The Royal Ballet’s Founding Choreographer Frederick Ashton is a theatrical experience for all the family.
11th - 13th December: The Big Band Collective: It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
Come and join The Big Band Collective once again for an evening of all your favourite Christmas Songs to get you in the festive mood.
With a 25-piece Big Band, singers and choir, this evening is sure to get you in the mood for this Christmas season. With songs including It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, Step Into Christmas, Santa Baby, White Christmas, Fairly Tale of New York, Jingle Bell Rock and many more, it really is an evening not to be missed.
What better way to get you into the swing before Christmas than being immersed in the sounds of Christmas, featuring some of the best musical and vocal talent on the island.
All in aid of the Dementia Friendly Guernsey and kindly supported by Ravenscroft Capital.
Doors: 6.30pm | Show: 7.30pm
14th December: Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker
Enjoy a live screening of The Nutcracker by the Royal Ballet at The Princess Royal Centre for the Performing Arts.
The magician Herr Drosselmeyer needs to save his nephew. Hans-Peter has been transformed into a Nutcracker, and the only way to save him is for the Nutcracker to defeat the Mouse King and find a girl to love and care for him. A flicker of hope comes in the form of young Clara, whom Drosselmeyer meets at a Christmas party. With some magic, a cosy Christmas gathering turns into a marvellous adventure.
Featuring Tchaikovsky’s most familiar melodies and brought to life by Julia Trevelyan Oman’s exquisite designs, The Nutcracker is sure to be a festive firecracker for all ages.
19th - 20th December: Guernsey Choral and Orchestral Society Christmas Concert
A family-friendly festive concert with choir and audience carols and a selection of seasonal music, featuring a children’s choir from the Guernsey Music Centre.
Doors 6.30pm | 7.30pm
23rd December: Guernsey Chamber Choir and Instrumentalists: A Ceremony of Carols
Celebrate Christmas and the 40th anniversary of St James with an unforgettable evening of music, marking the grand finale of the year’s celebrations.
The choir will be joined by accomplished instrumentalists, a string orchestra and a guest harpist, ensuring a rich and festive musical experience.
Highlights include:
- Performance of Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols
- Choruses from Handel’s Messiah
- Fantasia on Greensleeves for flute, harp and strings
- A mix of traditional and modern carols and Christmas songs, catering for a variety of musical tastes
Doors: 6.30pm | Music: 7.30pm
Festive Dips and Swims
Year-round wild swimming has been growing in popularity on The Islands of Guernsey over the past few years, and is something that many Islanders enjoy. You can head down to any bay you wish and take a dip, or you can get involved in one of the festive swimming events happening across the Islands.
Swimming outdoors in the winter is particularly cold, so you will need to prepare - grab your fluffiest hats, flasks of tea and lots of layers before heading to the beach.
The 12 Bays of Christmas
This important fundraiser for Les Bourgs Hospice is a great way to catch up with friends and family over the Christmas period. All you have to do is take a dip in 12 festively themed bays around the island between 1st - 31st December.
2025 information coming soon.
The Polar Bear Swim
The Guernsey Swimming Club will hold their annual Polar Bear Swim on Christmas Day at La Vallette Bathing Pools.
This event is open to everyone of all ages and always has a great atmosphere.
Timings to be confirmed soon.
Boxing Day Dip
Join thousands of islanders as they brave the cold and take a dip in the sea.
The Boxing Day swim is an extremely popular annual event taking place at Cobo Bay, and funds raised go towards the upkeep of a vital local charity, The Guernsey Cheshire Home.
2025 details coming soon.
