Last updated: 11 November 2024
Join your neighbors in festive fun in Hereford! Our guide highlights all the community events and activities. For Hereford natives and holiday explorers, this guide is your path to the city's seasonal magic.
One event to enjoy is the Hereford Christmas Markets, where local artisans showcase their crafts alongside seasonal treats and mulled wine, creating a perfect festive atmosphere. The Ludlow Winter Festival features an array of food stalls and entertainment, celebrating the local culture with a charming winter vibe. And the Croft Castle and Gardens Illuminate is something you definitely don't want to miss, transforming the gardens into a dazzling light display. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Hereford Holiday Light Displays
Croft Castle and Gardens Illuminate
- What to Expect
- Illuminated outdoor light show with indoor Christmas activities.
- Description
- Explore the illuminated outdoors around Croft Castle and Gardens, featuring the Gothic Arch and Church, and enjoy the special sparkle of ancient trees. Go indoors to see the castle dressed for Christmas and enjoy a varied programme of activity including fire performers, musicians, storytellers, and carol singers. External caterers and tea-rooms serving festive snacks and mulled wine are also available.
- Where
- Yarpole | More Info : Croft Castle and Gardens Illuminate
Ludlow Winter Festival
- What to Expect
- Historic castle light trail with local choirs and food vendors.
- Description
- Ludlow Winter Festival at Ludlow Castle features a light trail, festive entertainment, and local food vendors, set amidst the historic castle ruins.
- Where
- Ludlow | More Info : Ludlow Winter Festival
Ludlow Christmas Light Switch On
- What to Expect
- Synchronized light display with live music and local performances.
- Description
- The Ludlow Christmas Light Switch On transforms Ludlow Castle and town centre with festive lights, music, and local choirs, offering a memorable holiday experience.
- Where
- Ludlow | More Info : Ludlow Christmas Light Switch On
Bridgnorth Christmas Lights Switch-On
- What to Expect
- Synchronized lighting of historic town center buildings.
- Description
- The Bridgnorth Christmas Lights Switch-On is an annual event where the town's festive lights are officially turned on, marking the beginning of the holiday season. The event features live music, local performances, and a festive atmosphere.
- Where
- Bridgnorth | More Info : Bridgnorth Christmas Lights Switch-On
Hereford Holiday Markets and Shopping
Hereford Christmas Markets
- What to Expect
- Vibrant Christmas market with 30-40 stalls featuring local and regional products.
- Description
- Hereford Christmas Markets in High Town and Commercial Street offer a variety of local and regional products, including crafts, clothing, accessories, and unique gifts. Enjoy an abundance of festive treats and sample delicious hot street food and drinks while browsing the traditional market stalls.
- Where
- Hereford | More Info : Hereford Christmas Markets
Maylord Orchards Christmas Extravaganza
- What to Expect
- Christmas celebration with craft fair and food stalls.
- Description
- Maylord Orchards hosts a Christmas Showcase event featuring a Christmas craft fair, various food stall holders, free face painting, balloon modelling, and a Herefordshire Board Gamers area.
- Where
- Hereford | More Info : Maylord Orchards Christmas Extravaganza
Courtyard Festive Market
- What to Expect
- Local artisans showcase unique handmade gifts.
- Description
- The Courtyard Festive Artisan Market offers a day filled with local talent, unique creations, and festive cheer. Over 30 stalls feature handmade gifts and seasonal items, while the Courtyard Café Bar serves mulled wine and mince pies.
- Where
- Hereford | More Info : Courtyard Festive Market
Bodenham Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Local artisans selling handmade goods in a charming village setting.
- Description
- The Bodenham Christmas Market, held at Bodenham Village Hall, features 30 quality local crafters and businesses showcasing their products in a lovely village setting. The event offers free parking and entry.
- Where
- Bodenham | More Info : Bodenham Christmas Market
Leominster Farmer’s Market
- What to Expect
- Direct sales of locally produced goods by local farmers.
- Description
- Leominster Farmer’s Market offers a diverse array of locally produced goods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, preserves, chocolate, and plants. Regular stall holders provide a wide variety of products, ensuring that consumers can purchase high-quality, locally sourced items.
- Where
- Leominster | More Info : Leominster Farmer’s Market
Hereford Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Hereford Cathedral Christmas Sparkle Concert
- What to Expect
- Free admission with a retiring collection to support the Father Willis Organ.
- Description
- Hereford Cathedral's Christmas Sparkle Concert features an organ performance by Peter Dyke, showcasing festive favourites in a beautiful cathedral setting.
- Where
- Hereford | More Info : Hereford Cathedral Christmas Sparkle Concert
Santa’s Enchanted Grotto
- What to Expect
- Fully immersive Christmas experience with live show and festive activities.
- Description
- At Santa’s Enchanted Grotto, families can immerse themselves in a fully immersive Christmas experience. The event features a live show with singing, dancing, and festive characters, an authentic Santa Claus, and various activities like decorating Christmas-themed cookies and making reindeer food. Each child will receive a special gift and an embossed nice list certified gold coin. Complimentary refreshments are provided, and adults can enjoy a free hot drink while kids delight in free milk and cookies.
- Where
- Hereford | More Info : Santa’s Enchanted Grotto
Blists Hill’s Victorian Christmas Weekends
- What to Expect
- Traditional Victorian Christmas celebration with festive entertainment and food.
- Description
- Step back in time to a traditional Victorian Christmas at Blists Hill, where you can enjoy festive entertainment, buy seasonal food, and meet Father Christmas.
- Where
- Bridgnorth | More Info : Blists Hill’s Victorian Christmas Weekends
Westons Cider Comedy Club
- What to Expect
- Live comedy performances by up-and-coming comedians.
- Description
- Gather your friends and enjoy laugh-out-loud comedy from some of the best up-and-coming comedians at Westons Cider Comedy Club. This event features a hilarious lineup of comedians, including previous acts like Russell Howard, Bill Bailey, and Al Murray.
- Where
- Hereford | More Info : Westons Cider Comedy Club
Christmas with Contrepoint
- What to Expect
- Choral music celebration with traditional and newly commissioned pieces.
- Description
- Join Contrepoint for a captivating evening of choral music celebrating the spirit of Christmas with elegance and grace. The concert features a beautifully curated selection of traditional carols and newly commissioned pieces, all delivered with the group's signature precision and artistry. Enjoy traditional and sacred music in College Hall, Hereford Cathedral, amidst moments of quiet reflection and jubilant cheer.
- Where
- Hereford | More Info : Christmas with Contrepoint
Ghost Stories for Christmas with Edwyrdian Tales
- What to Expect
- Haunting ghost stories by the fireside during Christmastide.
- Description
- Join Edwyrdian Tales for an evening of ghostly stories by the fireside, set during Christmastide. The event follows a fine festive tradition of telling haunting dark delights.
- Where
- Ledbury | More Info : Ghost Stories for Christmas with Edwyrdian Tales
A Christmas Carol
- What to Expect
- Immersive recreation of Dickens's first public performance.
- Description
- A heart-warming evening featuring Charles Dickens's famous performance of his best-loved story, A Christmas Carol, faithfully recreated by actor John O'Connor. This event brings to life the first public performance of Dickens, offering a glimpse into the author's original presentation.
- Where
- Hereford | More Info : A Christmas Carol
Hereford Other Holiday Activities
Santa’s Grotto at St Michaels Hospice
- What to Expect
- Immersive theatrical experience with singing reindeer and real elves.
- Description
- Visit Santa's Grotto at St Michaels Hospice for a fully immersive theatrical experience through beautifully decorated gardens, meeting singing reindeer and real elves before boarding a train to meet Father Christmas.
- Where
- Bartestree | More Info : Santa’s Grotto at St Michaels Hospice
Tudor Farmhouse Hotel Wreath Making
- What to Expect
- Hands-on flower arrangement using locally grown, unique flowers.
- Description
- Create your own seasonal wreaths using vintage and natural flowers at Tudor Farmhouse Hotel's flower arranging workshops. Enjoy coffee and croissants or cake, and indulge in afternoon tea. The workshops last two hours and offer a unique opportunity to craft your own wreaths.
- Where
- Forest of Dean | More Info : Tudor Farmhouse Hotel Wreath Making
Christmas at Clearwell Caves
- What to Expect
- Interactive Christmas story with festive stalls and hot drinks.
- Description
- Explore the enchanting world of Clearwell Caves, where you can follow the adventures of Bernard and his baby polar bear. Enjoy festive stalls and hot drinks amidst the cave's unique caverns.
- Where
- Forest of Dean | More Info : Christmas at Clearwell Caves
Vineyard & Wine Tasting Tours at Wythall Estate
- What to Expect
- Unique wine tasting experience in a historic setting.
- Description
- Explore Wythall Estate's vineyard with a guided tour, learning about grape varieties, pruning methods, and vine management. Enjoy a tutored wine tasting in the historic Manor house, featuring a selection of Wythall Estate's award-winning wines.
- Where
- Ross on Wye | More Info : Vineyard & Wine Tasting Tours at Wythall Estate
Potters Wheel Weekend Course
- What to Expect
- Unique pottery-making experience in a rural setting.
- Description
- Spend a relaxing weekend learning how to make pottery on the potter's wheel at Eastnor Pottery. Enjoy a therapeutic and creative experience amidst the idyllic Herefordshire countryside. Learn various techniques like throwing, turning, and decorating using under-glaze and coloured slip. Participants will work with terracotta clay and have the opportunity to develop their skills at their own pace with individual tutoring.
- Where
- Ledbury | More Info : Potters Wheel Weekend Course