Ely Scene

Hello you 👋

Ely’s settling into full festive mode this week, with sparkling lights, cosy creative workshops and community gatherings bringing neighbours together. From magical museum evenings and craft fairs to local theatre, there’s a real sense of warmth across the city. Whether you’re getting ahead on gifts, heading out with family or trying something new, there’s plenty to brighten these crisp November days.

🎟️ Events This Week

• 🎄 Festive Family Evening – Ely Museum

  Bring the kids along on Saturday 29 November, 4pm ‑ 8pm for a magical pre‑Christmas evening at Ely Museum. Storyteller Marion Leeper shares festive tales while you play games in the galleries and make Christmassy crafts. The museum will be twinkling with trees and lights, and timed tickets help keep things relaxed. It’s a lovely way to start Advent together. Entry is £5.

• 🛍️ Xmas Art & Craft Fair – Arkenstall Village Centre, Haddenham

  On Saturday 29 November, 10am ‑ 3pm the Arkenstall Centre buzzes with over forty small businesses selling unique arts and crafts. Enjoy free entry, browse handcrafted gifts and sample refreshments while supporting local makers. Parking is free too, making this a great trip out of town for families and gift‑hunters. Find your perfect handmade treasure!

• ✨ Christmas Lights Switch‑on – Witcham Village Hall

  Head to Witcham on Sunday 30 November at 4pm to see the village lights sparkle to lie. Doors open 3:45pm and after the big switch‑on there are free hot drinks, mulled wine and mince pies, plus a children’s crafts table and a festive hamper raffle supporting Reenie’s Wish. It’s free and everyone’s welcome – a real community celebration.

• 🎭 Not Getting Inn – Vista Academy, Littleport

  4Front Theatre’s panto returns by popular demand on Saturday 29 November, 4pm ‑5:30pm. This hilarious festive farce blends the Nativity with Fawlty Towers: a census’s worth of guests, a fussy inn‑spector and a young couple with a baby on the way. Expect slapstick, songs and a heart‑warming message. Tickets are £5 (children free); under‑16s must be accompanied. Laughter guaranteed for the whole family.

• 🎤 Christmas Social Evening with Quiz and The Littleport Community Singers – Littleport Village Hall

  Join your neighbours on Tuesday 2 December, 7:30pm ‑ 9:30pm for festive songs and a fun Christmas quiz. Hosted by the Littleport Society, this free event is a great way to share some cheer, flex your quiz‑brain and enjoy live singing. Bring your friends or make new ones - everyone’s welcome!

• 🌅 Wetland Wakeup – WWT Welney Wetland Centre

  Set your alarm for Saturday 29 November, 6:30am ‑ 9am and experience dawn at the Fens. This fortnightly event invites small groups to meet a warden before sunrise, watch swans and wading birds take flight and enjoy breakfast afterwards. Tickets are £25 for adults and £10 for children, and the unique soundscape and views make the early start worthwhile. A magical way to start the day.

👋 Local and Sponsored Picks

• 🛡️ Ely Safer Initiative: Building a Safer, Stronger & More Resilient Ely Together – Countess Free Church

  On Thursday 27 November at 7pm - 9:30pm join the Ely Safer Initiative for an evening focused on strengthening community safety, resilience and neighbourhood connection at Countess Free Church. This session brings residents together to explore practical ways to reduce risks, support one another and build a more confident, connected Ely. Booking is required but entry is free.

• 🖼️ Richard Neal – Character & Countryside – Old Fire Engine House

  From Thursday through Wednesday, step into the Fens through Richard Neal’s large watercolour paintings and sculptures. Running until 7 December, the free exhibition captures fenland landscapes and characters with a wry humour and unique style. Pop into the Old Fire Engine House to enjoy this local artist’s work and perhaps grab lunch in their tearoom. It’s a delightful escape on a chilly day.

😊 Good News in 60 Seconds

• 🤔 Witchford Quiz Night Raises Spirits and Funds
  The Friends of St. Andrew's Church in Witchford held a brilliant Quiz Night that brought the community together for an evening of friendly competition and festive fun. In a truly heart-warming gesture, the winning team generously donated their cash prize straight back to the church, showing the incredible spirit of generosity that makes our local communities so special. Organisers thanked the Petrous Brothers for supplying fish and chips, and Richard and Jacky Tyler for their excellent quiz mastering.

• 📮 Scouts Deliver Festive Cheer with Christmas Post

  The Ely District Scouts are bringing back their much-loved Christmas Post service, offering a personal and affordable way to send festive greetings across the area. For just 40p a card (or 4 for £1.50), local Scouts and their leaders will hand-deliver your Christmas cards to Ely and 14 surrounding villages, with all deliveries completed by Christmas Eve. It's a wonderful initiative that supports young people in the community while adding a special touch to the season.

• 🎄 Cathedral Christmas Fair Welcomes Over 9,000 Visitors

  Ely Cathedral's Christmas Gift and Food Fair proved to be a spectacular success, drawing over 9,000 visitors from across the country to enjoy four days of festive shopping and entertainment. The event featured over 170 boutique stalls showcasing high-quality gifts and festive treats, along with a brand-new 35-metre-high observation wheel offering breathtaking bird's eye views of the city. Widely regarded as one of East Anglia's finest Christmas shopping experiences, the fair brought a wonderful buzz to Ely and showcased the very best of our local festive spirit.

Great to have you here again. Time to head out and enjoy what’s happening 🎉