Christmas might still feel a little way off, but if you’re anything like me, the moment the autumn evenings start drawing in, my thoughts begin turning towards Christmas markets, festive days out and finding gifts that are a little more special than something picked up during a last-minute dash around the shops.
One event worth putting in the diary this year is Lincolnshire Food & Gift 2026, which returns to Lincolnshire Showground on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November 2026.
The annual event brings together independent retailers, artisan food and drink producers, handmade gifts and plenty of festive entertainment. This year there is an even bigger emphasis on families too, with an enhanced Santa’s Workshop and a new festive cinema experience for children.
What is Lincolnshire Food & Gift?
Lincolnshire Food & Gift is an annual Christmas shopping event held at Lincolnshire Showground. Thousands of visitors attend each year to browse gifts, discover local producers and generally get themselves into the Christmas spirit.
For me, this is the sort of Christmas shopping I enjoy far more than walking around a busy shopping centre. Events like this give you the opportunity to discover smaller businesses and independent makers that you might never otherwise come across, while hopefully finding some more unusual Christmas presents along the way.
There’s also something lovely about being able to meet the people behind the products you’re buying.
Visitors can expect everything from locally produced food and drink to handmade gifts, decorations and other festive finds, making it possible to tick a few names off your Christmas shopping list while supporting independent businesses at the same time.
A Bigger Santa’s Workshop for 2026
One of the biggest changes for this year’s event is an enhanced Santa’s Workshop, designed to make the experience even more special for younger visitors.
New for 2026 will be a festive cinema experience, where children can settle into a cosy Christmas setting before taking part in some of the other activities on offer.
Heatherbelle Crafts and the Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers are already confirmed for the event, giving children the opportunity to enjoy creative activities, try hands-on crafts and learn some traditional skills.
The popular Reindeer Food Bar will also be returning, so children can prepare a special treat to leave out for Rudolph and the rest of the reindeer on Christmas Eve.
I always think activities like these make Christmas events work much better for families. Instead of children simply following their parents around while they shop, there is something for them to become involved with too.
Discover Lincolnshire Food and Drink
Food is, unsurprisingly, a big part of Lincolnshire Food & Gift, and there will be plenty of opportunities to stock up on Christmas treats or find presents for the foodies in your family.
The 2026 line-up is set to include familiar regional producers such as Boston Sausage, Tiffin and Co. Bakehouse, Blue Gnu Fudge, Cote Hill Cheese and Pin Gin, alongside new artisan producers from Lincolnshire and further afield.
This could be particularly useful if you like putting together your own Christmas hampers. Choosing a few locally produced cheeses, sweet treats and other goodies can make a much more personal gift than buying a ready-made hamper, while also putting money back into local businesses.
And, of course, there’s nothing to say that everything you buy has to make it as far as somebody else’s Christmas stocking!
Christmas Cooking Inspiration at the Lincolnshire Kitchen
If you enjoy cooking – or you’re responsible for feeding everyone over Christmas – make time for the Lincolnshire Kitchen during your visit.
Local chefs and food producers will be hosting live demonstrations, sharing seasonal recipes and showcasing Lincolnshire produce.
I particularly like this element of food events because you don’t just come home carrying bags of things you’ve bought; you can pick up new ideas and inspiration to try at home too.
With Christmas dinner, Boxing Day food, festive buffets and all those unexpected “we’re just popping round” visitors to think about, a few new seasonal recipes might come in very handy.
Why Events Like This Matter to Lincolnshire
One of the things that makes Lincolnshire Food & Gift particularly appealing is its focus on local producers, makers and retailers.
Christmas is one of the busiest shopping periods of the year, and choosing to spend even part of our Christmas budget with independent businesses can make a genuine difference.
It’s also a lovely way to discover businesses on our doorstep. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve found a brilliant local brand at an event, only to wonder afterwards how I hadn’t heard of them before.
Charlotte Powell, Chief Executive of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, describes Lincolnshire Food & Gift as a festive tradition for families across the region, combining Christmas shopping with local food and drink, family experiences and Christmas inspiration.
How Much Are Lincolnshire Food & Gift 2026 Tickets?
Advance tickets are already on sale, and buying before the weekend will save money compared with purchasing tickets on the day.
Advance ticket prices for 2026 are:
- Adults – £8
- Children aged 3–16 – £7, including Santa’s Workshop
- Children aged 0–2 – free
Parking at Lincolnshire Showground is also free for visitors.
Tickets purchased on the day will cost more, so it’s worth booking ahead if you already know you’d like to go.
When and Where is Lincolnshire Food & Gift 2026?
Dates: Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November 2026
Venue: Lincolnshire Showground
Parking: Free
Advance adult tickets: £8
Advance children’s tickets (ages 3–16): £7 including Santa’s Workshop
Under 3s: Free
More exhibitors, entertainment and activities are expected to be announced as the event gets closer.
Is Lincolnshire Food & Gift Worth Adding to Your Christmas Calendar?
If you’re looking for family days out that combine Christmas shopping with something for the children, Lincolnshire Food & Gift certainly sounds promising for 2026.
I particularly like the combination of independent shopping and family activities. Christmas events can become expensive very quickly when you have children, so having Santa’s Workshop included within the child’s admission price – along with free parking – is useful when you’re working out the cost of a family day out.
Holding the event at the end of November also makes the timing ideal. It’s close enough to Christmas for everything to feel properly festive, while still giving you a few weeks to finish the shopping rather than realising on 23rd December that you’ve forgotten somebody.
For those of us living in Lincolnshire, it’s also an opportunity to support some of the fantastic producers and independent businesses we have here in the county.
Lincolnshire Food & Gift 2026 takes place at Lincolnshire Showground on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November. Advance tickets are available now from the Lincolnshire Showground website.
Lincolnshire Food & Gift 2026 FAQs
When is Lincolnshire Food & Gift 2026?
Lincolnshire Food & Gift 2026 takes place on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November 2026 at Lincolnshire Showground.
How much are tickets for Lincolnshire Food & Gift 2026?
Advance tickets cost £8 for adults and £7 for children aged 3–16, with Santa’s Workshop included in the children’s ticket price. Children aged two and under can attend for free. Tickets will cost more if purchased on the day.
Is parking free at Lincolnshire Food & Gift?
Yes. Free parking is available for visitors attending Lincolnshire Food & Gift at Lincolnshire Showground.
Is Lincolnshire Food & Gift suitable for children?
The event includes several activities specifically for younger visitors. For 2026, Santa’s Workshop is being enhanced with a new festive cinema experience, children’s crafts and the returning Reindeer Food Bar.
What can you buy at Lincolnshire Food & Gift?
Visitors can shop from independent retailers, artisan food and drink producers and gift exhibitors, with products including locally produced food and drink, handmade gifts, Christmas decorations and festive treats.
Where can I buy Lincolnshire Food & Gift tickets?
Advance tickets are available directly from the Lincolnshire Showground website. Booking in advance also offers better value than purchasing tickets on the day.