A Calm and Bright
Advent and Christmas
Northstowe 2024
Join us this December for a season of peace, joy, and community, as we celebrate Advent and Christmas together in Northstowe.
Whether you're part of a faith community or simply looking to enjoy some festive cheer, you are warmly invited to participate in a variety of events throughout the month.
December can often feel overwhelming—filled with social events, shopping, and the pressure to create the "perfect" Christmas. Yet, in the midst of all the busyness, the Christmas Story invites us to pause and experience the calm and peace that comes from knowing the Light of the World.
As the carol "Silent Night" beautifully reminds us:
“Silent Night! Holy Night!
All is calm, all is bright...”
This timeless song invites us to reflect on the moment when Mary held her newborn son, Jesus. It speaks of both the calm of the present and the hope for a bright future. Through events across Northstowe, we aim to bring that same sense of calm and light into our community celebrations.
Event Highlights:
- Light Up Northstowe (Postponed to Nov 29)
- Advent Windows (all December)
- Advent Complines (Thursdays from 28th Nov)
- Little Explorers Christmas Party (19th Dec: 915am)
- Northstowe's Beer and Carols (Friday 20th Dec: Carols at 7pm (food trucks 5-8pm, Brass Band from 6.40)
- Christmas Eve (24th December):
- Christmas Morning Celebration (25th Dec, 9.30-10.30am)
Event Details
Thank you to everyone who joined in with Light Up Northstowe
Our friends at Northstowe Arts again coordinated a brilliant community event
This year, at Light Up Northstowe, we were on The Green with a stand celebrating Northstowe's Advent Windows, and inviting you to "Get in the Picture" with our Nativity Scene photo board.
We also enjoyed taking part in the Lantern parade, showing off the creations for our Lantern Making Workshop.
When: Friday 29th November
FULL DETAILS on the Northstowe Arts webpage
Advent Windows 2024: a festive alphabet!
Northstowe's larger than life Advent Calendar! Each day in the run up to Christmas, one house will unveil their window,
Where: Windows all over Northstowe, starting with The Pathfinder CofE Primary School
When: 1st-26th December
VISIT THE ADVENT WINDOWS PAGE FOR FULL DETAILS: www.northstowe.church/advent
🌟📖🕯️ Advent Book and Complines 🕯️📖🌟
Join us for a peaceful and reflective Advent season as people across the Northstowe Church Network read Rachel Mann's Advent Book: "Do not be Afraid" a book of daily meditations for Advent.
You’re also invited to be part of our weekly Advent Complines on Thursday evenings, where we’ll gather to share the beautiful and calming words of Night Prayer, accompanied by readings and reflections from that day's meditation in the book.
Whether you’d like to join the community in person or simply follow along at home, we’d love for you to take part in this peaceful pause during the busy Advent season.
📍 Where: Church House, 6 Woodpecker Close, Northstowe, CB24 1AW
🕤 When: Thursdays from 8:00 PM (arrive from 8:00 PM, start at 8:15 PM, finish by 9:00 PM)
Dates: Thursday, 28th Nov | Thursday, 5th Dec | Thursday, 12th Dec | Thursday, 19th Dec
✨ No RSVP needed, but please feel free to bring your Advent book if you have one!
#AdventComplines #DoNotBeAfraid #AdventBook #NightPrayer #NorthstoweChurch
🌟🎄🍴 Little Explorers' Christmas Party 🍴🎶🌟
Little Explorers, big siblings, friends, and ‘graduates’ are all invited to our festive Christmas Party! Come and join us for a fun and friendly celebration as we retell the Christmas story together. We’d love for you to wear a simple nativity costume—maybe come dressed in blue, pop on a tea towel or a paper crown, or simply wear something festive!
As always at Little Explorers, we’ll kick off with a drop-in breakfast, followed by a special Circle Time to sing, share, and enjoy the Christmas story. This year, we’ll also be making Christingles as part of our celebration.
📍 Where: The Cabin, the temporary Community Centre on The Green (instead of our usual venue at the primary school)
🕤 When: Thursday, 19th December | 9:15–10:45 AM
✨ Please RSVP: Let us know if you plan to join us and the ages of your children so we can make sure we have enough breakfast and materials for Christingle making! Contact us at contact@northstowe.church.
#LittleExplorersChristmas #ChristingleMaking #FamilyFun #ChristmasParty #NorthstoweChurch #ChristmasStory
Northstowe’s Beer and Carols
It’s back by popular demand! Gather with us Friday, 20th December for a magical evening of carols, community, and cheer around Northstowe’s Christmas Tree.
Where: Around the Tree on The Green, Pathfinder Way
When:
5–8pm: Foodies’ Food Trucks serving delicious eats & drinks (including a bar for those who wish to indulge).
6:30pm: Free hot chocolate from Northstowe Hub (while stocks last).
6:40pm & 7:45pm: Brass Band Christmas music (weather permitting).
7pm: Community Carol Service led by the brass band, featuring Northstowe’s favorite carols, festive readings, and poems from community figures.
Bring your own warm drinks to keep cozy, or enjoy the free hot chocolate! Let’s sing, celebrate, and share the joy of the season together.
Thank you to @Phoenix Events East Ltd for Stewarding again this year
Scratch Nativity: A Christmas Eve Celebration
Step into the story of Christmas! Join us for a Scratch Nativity, where everyone is invited to come dressed as a nativity character and take part in retelling the story of Jesus—the Light of the World.
Where: The Pathfinder CofE Primary School Hall
When: Christmas Eve, 24th December | 3:30–4:45pm
Whether you’re a shepherd, angel, wise person, or star, there’s a place for you in this festive and interactive celebration. No costume? We have crowns and teatowels a-plenty! Perfect for children and families. Why not bring along friends, neighbours, and relatives?
🔥🌟 Midnight Campfire Communion 🌟🔥
One of Northstowe's most cherished Christmas traditions! After the preparations are done—potatoes peeled, presents wrapped—join us around a crackling campfire to welcome Christmas with bread, wine, and sacred words celebrating the miracle of God made flesh: love present among us.
📍 Where: Around a campfire outside The Pathfinder CofE Primary School (inside if wet).
🕦 When: Christmas Eve, 24th December | 11:40pm – 12:20am
Feel the warmth of the fire and the wonder of the season as Christmas Eve tips into Christmas Day. All are welcome to this peaceful, reflective celebration under the stars (weather permitting).
Christmas Morning Celebration 
Start your Christmas Day with joy, community, and celebration! We’ll begin with a delicious breakfast of pastries before a short, family-friendly retelling of the Christmas story, interwoven with prayers and carols.
Where: The Pathfinder CofE Primary School Hall
When: Christmas Morning, 25th December | 9:30–10:30am
Come as you are—whether in festive jumpers, comfy jeans, or sparkly dresses—and celebrate the heart of Christmas with us!
No cost to attend, but an idea of numbers will help us plan. Please RSVP to contact@northstowe.church.
