Winter Gatherings

This festive season we’re bringing Winter Gatherings, an interactive Christmas trail created by The Colour Foundry, to Lincoln’s iconic Steep Hill. Come along to experience Lincoln’s unique charm on 7th-8th December, 11am-5pm. Free, no booking required!

Discover eight “Magic Lanterns” along the historic route from the bottom of Steep Hill up to the corner of Westgate and Bailgate, and peek inside the automata boxes to find playful animated scenes of whimsical creatures busily preparing for festive fun. Scan the accompanying QR codes to enjoy custom-composed soundtracks that bring these charming characters to life.

“We hope the audience walks away with a sense of joy, wonder, and connection—not just to the festive spirit, but also to the unique charm of Lincoln itself.

Winter Gatherings is about sparking curiosity, celebrating togetherness, and creating magical moments that bring people closer to the city, each other, and the season. Whether it’s spotting a whimsical winter creature, discovering a hidden corner of the city, or hearing a delightful soundtrack, we want visitors to feel like they’ve been part of something playful, creative, and a little bit magical.”

– The Colour Foundry

Perfect for all ages, Winter Gatherings blends creativity, culture, digital technology and heritage to celebrate Lincoln’s natural and built beauty. This enchanting experience has been made possible thanks to government funding from Be Lincoln Town Deal Fund, as part of the Lincoln Connected programme. In partnership with the City of Lincoln Council, Visit Lincoln and Threshold Studios.

We will be delivering more memorable experiences as part of Lincoln Connected project in the coming months. Including a new city-wide event in February, more info coming soon!

Winter Gatherings is part of a wider event taking place in Lincoln over the weekend of 7th and 8th December, Lincoln Ice Adventure – which is set to be a magical event with impressive ice sculptures and additional festive activities in the heart of the city.

Inspired by last year’s popular Ice Trail, the event will showcase 16 intricately designed ice sculptures by Ice Box. Organised by the City of Lincoln Council Events team, in partnership with local businesses, the ice sculpture trail winds through iconic locations such as Cornhill, Steep Hill, and Lincoln Cathedral. Highlights include live ice-carving demonstrations of the Lincoln Imp at St Paul in the Bail from 12pm–3pm on both days. Visitors can also get creative by submitting a design for the 2025 event, posting their drawings into the High Bridge ice sculpture post box.

Enjoy festive shopping, seasonal treats, and additional attractions such as a carousel in Castle Hill car park, a Glühwein stall, and the Makers’ Market in Castle Square. There will also be a variety of free public entertainment during the live hours of the event including carol singers.