Feel the festive spirit in Cheltenham! Our guide will connect you with all the community events.
One of the highlights is the Cheltenham Christmas Market, where you can explore an array of festive stalls offering unique gifts and delicious treats. The Christmas at Cheltenham Racecourse also stands out, featuring dazzling lights and a magical atmosphere perfect for families and friends. And the Christmas Tree Festival is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing beautifully decorated trees by local businesses. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Cheltenham
- Cheltenham Christmas Market
- Christmas at Cheltenham Racecourse
- Christmas Tree Festival
- Pittville Pump Room Christmas Party Mansion
- GWSR Santa Specials
- Christmas Lights Switch-On
- Carol Concert at Cheltenham Town Hall
- Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Tour
- Christmas Arts & Crafts Fair
- Santa's Grotto at The Brewery Quarter
Cheltenham Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Tree Festival
What to Expect:
Community-decorated tree showcase
Description:
St. Mary's Church hosts a dazzling display of Christmas trees, each uniquely adorned by local community groups and businesses. The medieval church's stone walls provide a striking backdrop for the illuminated trees. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree, with proceeds supporting local charities. This event highlights Cheltenham's community spirit, bringing together diverse groups to create a forest of creativity.
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Christmas Lights Switch-On
What to Expect:
Town-wide celebration of light
Description:
Cheltenham's streets burst into brilliance as the town's Christmas lights are switched on. The event kicks off with a lively parade featuring local performers and illuminated floats. Cheltenham's lighting tradition dates back to the Victorian era when gas lamps first lit up the Promenade. Spectators can join in a community sing-along of carols as the town center is bathed in a warm glow.
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Cheltenham Holiday Markets and Shopping
Cheltenham Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Traditional German-style market stalls
Description:
Cheltenham's Promenade transforms into a bustling German-style Christmas market. Wooden chalets line the historic street, offering artisanal gifts and local delicacies. The aroma of mulled wine wafts through the air as visitors browse handcrafted ornaments and regional specialties. This market pays homage to Cheltenham's twinning with Göttingen, Germany, established in 1951. You can sample authentic German bratwurst while exploring the diverse array of stalls.
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Christmas Arts & Crafts Fair
What to Expect:
Showcase of local artisans' holiday creations
Description:
The Cheltenham Christmas Arts & Crafts Fair spotlights the talents of regional artists and craftspeople. Held in the historic Town Hall, the fair features an array of unique, handmade gifts and decorations. This event continues Cheltenham's long tradition of supporting the arts, which began in the 18th century with the town's development as a cultural center. You can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafting techniques as you browse the stalls.
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Cheltenham Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Pittville Pump Room Christmas Party Mansion
What to Expect:
Regency-era holiday celebration
Description:
Pittville Pump Room, a stunning example of Regency architecture, hosts an elegant Christmas party. The grand ballroom echoes with live music as guests dance in period-inspired attire. Built in the 1820s, this historic spa building now serves as a backdrop for a sophisticated holiday gathering. Attendees can sip champagne and admire the ornate decorations that pay homage to Cheltenham's spa town heritage.
Website:
Pittville Pump Room Christmas Party Mansion
Carol Concert at Cheltenham Town Hall
What to Expect:
Acoustic carol performance in historic venue
Description:
Cheltenham Town Hall's impressive auditorium resonates with the pure voices of a carol choir. The concert showcases both traditional and contemporary carols, performed without amplification to highlight the venue's natural acoustics. Built in 1902, the Town Hall's Edwardian Baroque architecture provides a fitting backdrop for this musical celebration. Audience members can experience the spine-tingling moment when the entire hall joins in for a final carol.
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Carol Concert at Cheltenham Town Hall
Cheltenham Other Holiday Activities
Christmas at Cheltenham Racecourse
What to Expect:
Festive horse racing experience
Description:
Cheltenham Racecourse combines the thrill of horse racing with holiday cheer. Spectators don their winter finest to watch top-class racing while enjoying seasonal refreshments. The racecourse, dating back to 1815, buzzes with excitement as hooves thunder past decorated grandstands. Racegoers can place bets on their favorite horses and savor a traditional Christmas lunch between races.
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Christmas at Cheltenham Racecourse
GWSR Santa Specials
What to Expect:
Vintage steam train ride with Santa
Description:
The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway offers a nostalgic journey through the Cotswolds countryside. Passengers board beautifully restored carriages pulled by a steam locomotive, traveling through frost-covered landscapes. This heritage railway, which began restoration in 1981, now delights families with its Santa Special rides. Children receive a gift from Santa himself as the train chugs along the scenic route.
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Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Tour
What to Expect:
Iconic red truck photo opportunity
Description:
The famous Coca-Cola Christmas truck rolls into Cheltenham, bringing its distinctive holiday cheer. This larger-than-life red truck, adorned with twinkling lights, has become a modern Christmas icon since its first appearance in 1995. Visitors can pose for photos with the truck and enjoy a free sample of Coca-Cola. The truck's arrival signals the start of the holiday season for many in Cheltenham.
Website:
Coca-Cola Christmas Truck Tour
Santa's Grotto at The Brewery Quarter
What to Expect:
Santa's grotto in modern shopping complex
Description:
The Brewery Quarter, Cheltenham's contemporary leisure and retail destination, hosts a charming Santa's grotto. Children enter a winter-themed space to meet Santa, blending modern surroundings with timeless tradition. The Brewery Quarter stands on the site of the former Cheltenham brewery, linking the town's industrial past with its present-day vibrancy. Families can capture the moment with a professional photo of their Santa visit.
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Santa's Grotto at The Brewery Quarter
Santa's Coming to Regent Arcade
What to Expect:
Santa meet-and-greet in glass-roofed shopping arcade
Description:
Regent Arcade welcomes Santa to its central atrium, beneath the stunning glass roof. Children can share their Christmas wishes with Santa in a specially designed grotto, surrounded by the arcade's elegant Victorian architecture. Built in 1985, Regent Arcade stands on the site of the former Plough Hotel, preserving elements of Cheltenham's Regency heritage. Visitors can admire the arcade's unique 'Wishing Fish' clock as they wait to meet Santa.
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Santa's Coming to Regent Arcade
Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
What to Expect:
Hands-on wreath-making using local materials
Description:
Local florists lead an intimate workshop on creating personalized Christmas wreaths. Participants use fresh greenery and natural materials sourced from the Cotswolds to craft their own unique door decorations. This workshop connects to Cheltenham's horticultural heritage, which flourished in the 19th century with the development of its famous gardens. You'll learn traditional wreath-making techniques passed down through generations of local artisans.
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Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
Nearby Events
Sudeley Castle Spectacle of Light (Winchcombe)
What to Expect:
Illuminated trail through historic castle grounds
Description:
Sudeley Castle's gardens come alive with a breathtaking light installation. Visitors follow a carefully crafted illuminated trail, discovering artistic light sculptures and interactive displays. The castle, with its royal connections dating back to the 15th century, provides a majestic setting for this contemporary light show. Along the route, you'll encounter sound and light experiences that bring the castle's rich history to life.
Website:
Sudeley Castle Spectacle of Light
Pantomime at Roses Theatre (Tewkesbury)
What to Expect:
Interactive family theater experience
Description:
Roses Theatre in nearby Tewkesbury presents a lively pantomime, a quintessential British Christmas tradition. The show combines humor, music, and audience participation, creating an atmosphere of shared joy. Pantomimes have been a part of British holiday culture since the 18th century, evolving from Italian commedia dell'arte. Audience members can join in with well-known catchphrases and boo the villains in this immersive theatrical experience.