Christmas is a time of year for making memories, whether it’s moments of togetherness or moments of giving. From local traditions to new favourites, there’s plenty going on in Milton Keynes to pop into your calendar this festive season.
Join our festive events
Lights of Love | 5 December
When: Saturday 5 December, 2 – 4pm (Doors open 1.30pm)
Where: The Ridgeway Centre, Wolverton
Entry: Free to attend (please register online)
In the midst of the hustle and bustle of Christmas, our Remembrance Service gives you a quiet dedicated time and space to celebrate the life of those no longer with us. Look forward to readings, performances and poetry.
Entry is free, we just ask you to register online before attending.
When: Sunday 13 December, 10am
Where: Willen Hospice, Willen
Entry:
Santa Dash and Reindeer Run: £15
Story time with Santa: £15
Christmas Market: Free
This year we’re putting the ‘festive’ into ‘festival’ with a day of Christmas activities for the whole family.
Santa Dash
Starts: 10am
Dress up as Santa or your own festive fancy dress for a sponsored walk or jog 1 mile around Willen’s North Lake. Well-behaved dogs welcome. For all ages.
Fundraising target: £75
Reindeer Run
Starts: 12pm
If you want to go further and faster, then our new 5K Reindeer Run is for you. With everyone wearing reindeer antlers, this novelty run is one of the only festive runs taking place in Milton Keynes.
For ages 12+
Fundraising target: £75
Storytime with Santa
Starts: 9am – 3pm
This inclusive event is for children and anyone who loves Santa. Book a 30 minute slot, which includes a sausage sandwich (or vegetarian alternative), story with Santa and a selection box.
Add a letter from Santa or Santa Paws for your fur-babies, delivered straight to your door.
Christmas market
Starts: 10am – 2pm
We’re excited to welcome over 15 local, independent sellers to the Hospice gardens. Come along and get your last-minute gifts, stocking fillers or something special for yourself. We’ve made sure there’s a range of stalls, covering everything from food, florists, and personalised treasures.
When: Sunday 13 December, 10am
Where: Willen Hospice, Willen
Entry:
Santa Dash and Reindeer Run: £15
Story time with Santa: £15
Christmas Market: Free
This year we’re putting the ‘festive’ into ‘festival’ with a day of Christmas activities for the whole family.
Santa Dash
Starts: 10am
Dress up as Santa or your own festive fancy dress for a sponsored walk or jog 1 mile around Willen’s North Lake. Well-behaved dogs welcome. For all ages.
Fundraising target: £75
Reindeer Run
Starts: 12pm
If you want to go further and faster, then our new 5K Reindeer Run is for you. With everyone wearing reindeer antlers, this novelty run is one of the only festive runs taking place in Milton Keynes.
For ages 12+
Fundraising target: £75
Storytime with Santa
Starts: 9am – 3pm
This inclusive event is for children and anyone who loves Santa. Book a 30 minute slot, which includes a sausage sandwich (or vegetarian alternative), story with Santa and a selection box.
Add a letter from Santa or Santa Paws for your fur-babies, delivered straight to your door.
Christmas market
Starts: 10am – 2pm
We’re excited to welcome over 15 local, independent sellers to the Hospice gardens. Come along and get your last-minute gifts, stocking fillers or something special for yourself. We’ve made sure there’s a range of stalls, covering everything from food, florists, and personalised treasures.
Willen Hospice Christmas Float | December
Our festive float will be heading to neighbourhoods around Milton Keynes this December. Keep an eye on our website and social media for announcements.
We’ve tried – unfortunately our float can’t reverse, so locations are limited to where a circular route is possible, with limited obstructions. But with more dates and new locations coming soon – we can’t wait to see you!
When: Thursday 7 – Saturday 9 January
Where: MK1-MK19, MK43, MK46, LU7 and NN12.
Cost: £12.50 suggested donations for homes, £20 for businesses.
When the decorations are down, we’ll come and collect your Christmas tree. Help raise money for the Hospice and tick something off your post-Christmas clear up!
Join us for a Christmas themed Prosecco afternoon tea in our lakeview cafe at the Hospice. Indulge in a delicious selection of homemade cakes, delicate finger sandwiches and a glass of Prosecco-all while raising much needed funds to keep our expert care free for local families.
£30 per person on selected Tuesdays and Thursdays in November and December.
When: now – 4 February
Where: online/Willen Hospice shops
Cost: £1 a play (must be 18 or over)
Be the winter blue and enter our Winter Draw! Enjoy the thrill of a chance to win £3,000 plus runner-up prizes, while supporting our care.
Buy online or in any Willen Hospice shop, just ask at the till.
When: Thursday 5 November to January
Where: 3 High Street, Newport Pagnell (next to Cake Secret)
Following on from the success of our Christmas pop-up in Stony Stratford last year, we’ve opened our doors to a dedicated Christmas shop in Newport Pagnell! Find new goods as well as pre-loved finds, for a sustainable shopping experience that goes back into the community.
Plus did we mention the in-store Dog Grotto? Find out more and book your dog’s visit to Santa Paws.
Late night shopping
We’ll be supporting our local Christmas light switch-ons and community Christmas events with late-night openings in our shops.
18 November: Towcester-open until 7pm
21 November: Stony Stratford shop and our Bookshop– open until 6pm
26 November: Buckingham – open until 7pm
26 November: Winslow – open until 8pm
27 November: Leighton Buzzard – open until 8pm.
27 November: Woburn Sands– open until 8pm.
28 November: Olney – open until 8pm
28 November: Newport Pagnell shop & Christmas shop – open until 6pm
29 November Seasonal Sunday Special at The Bookshop in Stony Stratford open 11am – 3pm
6 December Seasonal Sunday Special at The Bookshop in Stony Stratford open 11am – 3pm
Pop into our Willen Hospice shops from 22 – 30 November to make the most of our 3 for £10 Black Friday special offers!
Visit our online shops and Off the Record in Midsummer Place for their specials too!
Donate during The Big Give | 1 – 8 December
You don’t have to go anywhere to get that feel-good feeling this Christmas.
We’re delighted to be part of The Big Give Christmas Challenge. For one week in December, donations made to Willen Hospice via The Big Give website will be doubled. Donations can be made at any time, helping us to fund care for families, but will make double the impact for this week.
Keep an eye on our socials and website for more information.