Ely Scene

Hello you 👋

Glitter, giggles and good vibes in Ely this week. From riotous drag bingo at The Maltings and festive cake decorating at Burwell Museum to soothing sound baths, family storytelling at Ely Museum and a bumper Christmas craft fair in Littleport, there’s plenty to warm up a chilly November weekend. Dip in, wrap up and make it a memorable one.

🎟️ Events This Week

• 🎉 Ms Amber Guity's Drag Bingo Show – The Maltings

  Drag, comedy, cabaret and boylesque collide as Ms Amber Guity brings her sell‑out drag bingo extravaganza to The Maltings on Saturday 15 November, doors at 7pm and show at 8pm. Expect riotous games, prizes and hilarious performances from CJ Cabaret and DJ Lord Ant B – it’s not your usual quiet bingo! Get your pals together for a wild night out (over‑18s only). Tickets £16.26.

• 🎂 Christmas Cake Decorating Workshop – Burwell Museum

  Get hands-on at Burwell Museum on Saturday 15 November, 10am with a festive Christmas cake decorating workshop. Learn professional tips for icing, piping and finishing touches, then create your own show-stopper to take home. All materials are provided and the session is suitable for enthusiastic beginners. Tickets £37.73. A deliciously creative way to kickstart your Christmas baking.

• 🧘‍♀️ Sound Bath – Hammock & Floor Spaces – The Pole Shed, Littleport

  Sink into stillness at The Pole Shed on Saturday 15 November, 8.10pm with a gentle one-hour sound bath in a cosy rural setting. Choose a hammock (very limited, £16) or a floor mat space (£13) as soothing sounds and new dragon frequency tubes wash over you under soft sensory lighting. A dreamy way to reset body and mind before the week ahead.

• 🌌 Wild Roots: Tales of Light & Dark – Ely Museum

  Families can join storyteller David Smith and artist Jacqui Stevens at Ely Museum on Sunday 16 November, 2pm – 4:30pm for live storytelling, drawing and refreshments. Inspired by traditional tales of light and shadow, this creative session invites all ages to unleash their imagination. Materials and refreshments are included, and every drawing is treasured! General admission is £38.62.

• 🎨 Affordable Art Fair – Arkenstall Village Centre, Haddenham

  Browse a treasure trove of original artwork from local creators at the Arkenstall Village Centre on Saturday 15 November, 10:30am – 3.30pm. Entry is free, with refreshments available and proceeds supporting the village hall charity. Pick up a unique piece for your home or start your festive shopping, there’s something for every budget

• 📜 The Great Plague in Cambridge, 1665‑1666: A People’s History – Ely Museum

  Travel back in time at Ely Museum on Tuesday 18 November, 7pm for a fascinating illustrated talk exploring how the Great Plague affected Cambridge. Hear stories of ordinary people, their remedies and superstitions, and what we learned from the epidemic. A perfect night for history lovers to discover local resilience. Tickets are £8.50.

👋 Local and Sponsored Picks

• 🎄 Christmas Craft Fair - Indoor Littleport Leisure Centre (Sponsored)

  Shop local at this indoor festive market with Free entry on Sunday 16 November, 10am - 3pm. Browse 85+ stalls from local crafters, enjoy free parking, wheelchair access, a licensed bar and hot/cold snacks. Meet Santa 11am – 12:30pm. Supporting WGAS, EAAA and CamSAR, with the 3rd Ely Guides and Ms Fox raising funds for The Foxangels Foundation.

• 🌟 Nativity! – The Musical - The Maltings (Sponsored)

  November 20 – 23. Thursday – Saturday at 7:30pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. Kick off your Festive Season with “Sparkle and Shine” as the children and staff of St Bernadette’s Primary bring Hollywood to Coventry in a stage adaptation of this modern classic Christmas film. Great family entertainment, full of warmth, joy and little bit of festive magic. Tickets are selling fast - book your seats here.

• ⛪ Ely Cathedral Youth Evening – Ely Cathedral

  Young people in school years 7‑13 can enjoy a free, faith‑filled night of games, food and friendship at Ely Cathedral on Friday 14 November, 7pm - 9pm. The evening finishes with a short service of Compline, and bookings are essential. Bring your mates – it’s a warm, welcoming space to unwind and connect.

😊 Good News in 60 Seconds

• 🎁 Christmas Toy Bank Springs into Action

  Generosity is overflowing as Ely’s Christmas Toy Bank prepares to help families struggling to afford presents. Former councillor Peter Harris, who founded the initiative in 2022, hopes this year’s donations will bring smiles to even more children. Collection boxes for new or ‘good as new’ gifts are dotted around town until 9 December, and volunteers are warmly welcomed.

• 💂 Council Pledges Support for Armed Forces Community

  East Cambridgeshire District Council has strengthened its support for veterans and service families by achieving the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze Award. The scheme recognises employers who value military skills and experience; councillors say the pledge ensures the council remains welcoming to reservists, veterans and partners seeking work

• ⚽ Girls’ Football Tournament Celebrates Teamwork

  Young athletes from Ely St John’s, St Mary’s, Isle of Ely and other schools braved the fog for the second Inter‑Primary School Girls’ Football. Ten student leaders helped referee and score matches, and Ely St John’s clinched the trophy after a thrilling final. Every team displayed skill and sportsmanship, proving that local sport is about friendship and fun.

Appreciate you hanging out with us. Go soak up the local magic ✨