As we head towards the end of the calendar year, it can feel full on academically, with deadlines ramping up and exams creeping closer. This, twinned with the nights drawing in and the drop in temperatures, can contribute to feelings of stress, fatigue and low mood. It is therefore important to ensure that within the darkness we find the light, and the notion of hyyge (pronounced hooga) is one way of doing just that; something the Danes do very well .

In brief, hygge is about taking time away from the daily rush to be together with people you care about – or even by yourself – to relax and enjoy life’s quieter pleasures (Denmark.dk, 2023). So if you feel like you’re drowning in deadlines, or haven’t seen daylight in some time, take that break and do something that is going to bring you joy and relaxation. Christmas time offers several opportunities for this.

Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, engaging in your local community events, either alone or with loved ones, can be a great way to connect with the principle of hygge, i.e., relax, switch off and connect. Christmas events can give you a healthy dose of sparkle, togetherness, laughter and light-just what we need in the winter months. We have therefore put together a list of Winter events which we hope will help you get through and enjoy the last few weeks of the year…

Carlisle

Festive Fun Day at Carlisle’s Market Hall-Saturday 25 November – 11am-3pm.
Festive Wreath Making Workshop at Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery-Wednesday 29 November.
The Carlisle Creative Winter Pop-Up Shop at Intro-Tuesday 7 November to Sunday 3 December.
Carlisle Christmas Markets Friday 1st-Sunday 17th December 2023 outside the old town hall
Various Christmas events at Carlisle Cathedral

Ambleside

Rydal Christmas Fair Saturday 2nd- Sunday 3rd December Rydal Mount & Gardens 10am-4pm
Christmas Pudding 10Km Run -Saturday 9 December Great Langdale Hawkshead Christmas Fair 2nd-3rd December- 10am-5pm Hawkshead Village Centre

Lancaster

The Big Christmas Day out 16&17th December Williamson Park Christmas Carol: The Musical at The Dukes Christmas Crabbing Morecambe Bay 23rd December The Big Santa Dash 17th December Carols by Candlelight Monday 18th December; search local listings for other festive music events

London

Winter Festival at Poplar Union 2nd December East London Community Band Christmas Concert – 16th December Urban Makers Christmas Markets Ecology Pavilion Mile End – 25-26 Nov & 9-10 December Search Tower Hamlets Events calendar for more Winter events