Cambridge City Council has granted Christmas in Cambridge – a new Christmas event – planning permission. Seventa Events – organiser of Bournemouth Christmas Market – has been awarded a seven-year contract to deliver the festive event in Cambridge’s Parker’s Piece.

Having worked alongside Cambridge City Council, Seventa Events has designed a “new offering” for Cambridge, which has considered the results from public feedback surveys of past Christmas events held on Parker’s Piece.

The first event will take place in 2024 and run from the middle of November until January 1.

Christmas in Cambridge will feature a Christmas market, ice rink and domes, an Alpine lodge, Santa’s Grotto, a Christmas tree maze, an Après Terrace, and a big wheel.

Simon Brooks, director of Seventa Events, said: “We are really excited to be bringing a Christmas event to Cambridge that represents the quality and festive ambience that the residents of Cambridge can enjoy daily. We look forward to spending the next 12 months planning and developing the perfect offering for Christmas in Cambridge. With the addition of mains power to Parker’s Piece, we are also delighted to be able to offer a sustainable alternative to the use of generators for the event.

“We already have some fantastic local businesses involved, including the suppliers of our equipment through to our retail and food traders. We wholeheartedly believe in supporting the local economy. This free entry event is open to all ages and on hand to deliver the perfect festive experience for the residents of Cambridgeshire and beyond.”

Brooks continued: “We have been awarded a seven-year contract and look forward to growing the event over these years. With the support of Cambridge and its residents, we will create an event that Cambridge will be proud of, and one that will create local jobs, revenue for local suppliers, and income generation for hotels, restaurants, retail, and other local businesses.”