As the nights draw in and the academic deadlines loom, it’s important to make sure that you’re taking time for you and doing something that you enjoy.

We so often talk about ‘triggers’, which are associated with events, incidents or situations which evoke negative emotions, such as stress, fatigue, anxiousness or low mood. While being aware of our triggers can be helpful in managing such emotions, it’s also important to look out for our ‘glimmers’ too. Glimmers are the things in our day which cause positive emotion, such as joy, laughter, contentment or a moment’s peace. It may be an unexpected interaction which puts a smile on your face: doing better than expected on an assignment, enjoying a tasty lunch or witnessing a moment of kindness. Once you start to view your day through the lens of a glimmer, you’re more likely to have a positive outlook and a feeling of gratitude.

November and December can feel like a dark time, with many of us impacted by the shortening days and colder weather. There’s no better time therefore to look for your glimmers, and if they are proving hard to find, do something proactive to foster their appearance. Something as simple as an Advent Calendar can offer a daily glimmer to start each day in December.

Spending time with loved ones and doing something you enjoy are also sure-fire ways to experience a glimmer in your day. Below we offer you some suggestions of seasonal events which we hope will help you find some glimmer amidst the darker winter months.

Ambleside

• University of Cumbria Christmas Fair – 4th December at 12pm – Ambleside Campus (Transport available from Carlisle and Lancaster Campuses)
• Santa Splash – 1st December 12 noon – Keswick
• Kendal Christmas Celebrations -1st December 10am -8pm – Kendal
• Hawkshead Christmas Fayre – 7th- 8th December 10am – 5pm -Hawkshead
• A Victorian Christmas – 6th – 21st December Fridays and Saturdays, 11am – 3pm – Townend

Carlisle

• Tree decoration with seasonal drinks and snacks – 27th November at 1pm – Fusehill chapel
• Carols around the piano with seasonal drinks and snacks – 11th December at 4:30pm- Fusehill Chapel
• Devonshire Street Christmas Party– 24th November – Carlisle
• Massaoke: Christmas Live at the Old Fire Station – Saturday 14th December – Carlisle
• Carlisle Christmas Markets – 30th November -15th December – Carlisle City Centre
• A range of events at Carlisle Cathedral, including the Christmas Tree Festival – Throughout December – Carlisle

Lancaster

• Decorate and sing – Come and decorate the chapel and sing along to carols played on the organ – 27th November at 12.30pm – Lancaster chapel. Seasonal drinks will be available.
• Regimental Carol service – Come and experience a traditional carol service run by our local regimental groups – 10th December at 7.30pm- St Martin’s Chapel Lancaster
• Icelandic style book swap- 11th December at 12.30 – St Martin’s Chapel Lancaster
• Lancaster Christmas Markets – 22nd to 24 November – Lancaster Brewery
• Lancaster on ice – skate on Dalton Square, enjoy Christmas markets, drinks and ferris wheel: from 23 November to 5th January
• Lancaster lights switch on in Market Square – 24 November – includes CancerCare Santa dash, stage show with local musicians and tribute artists.
• Christmas Reindeer Workshop for kids – 30th November at Heysham Nature Reserve and then meet some real reindeer in St Nic’s arcade on 1st December
• Pub Carols with Lakeland Voices Community Choir – Gregson Centre, Lancaster, 10th December
• Xmas Jumper Whoops Wednesday – 11th December, 10:30 pm, Sugarhouse, Lancaster
• Christmas by Candlelight at Lancaster Priory – 2 concerts on 14th December

London

• Chrisp Street, E14 – Light switch on – Thursday 21 November from 3.00-7.00 pm, for food, music, crafts, prizes and more Facebook; Instagram; #ChrispStreetE14
• East Village Christmas Lights switch on – Thursday 28 November from 4.30-7.30 pm, for live music, street food, activities for little and big kids, giant snow globe and more
• The Big Xmas Market Comes to Riverside East – Christmas gifts, festive drinks, independent street food traders, workshops, DJs and festive films – Sunday 15 December, 12:00-6.00 pm
• Wick Wonderland – festive market in Barge East Gardens during December weekends
• East London’s Community Band 50th Anniversary concert – Sat 14 December, 5.30-8.00 pm
• Kid friendly Christmas Events in East London – 24 suggestions of things to do leading up to and throughout the festive season
• Free Christmas Events in London 2024: things to do with kids : whether you’ve got kids or this time of year brings out the kid in you, a bit of winter cheer doesn’t always have to cost. See this post from “Museum Mum” for ways to have free festive fun.