Your ultimate holiday season resource for Mendip is here! Explore our guide for all the best events and activities. Whether you're rediscovering Mendip or seeing it with fresh eyes, this guide enhances your holiday spirit.
Kick off the festivities with Carols by Candlelight, an enchanting evening of traditional carol singing in a cozy, candlelit atmosphere. Experience the bustling Bath Christmas Market, brimming with unique gifts, festive treats, and holiday cheer. And the Glastonbury Frost Fayre is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring an array of winter-themed stalls and live performances. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Mendip
See these and even more events listed below!Nearby Events
Carols by Candlelight (Wells)
What to Expect:
Atmospheric candlelit carol singing in historic Wells Cathedral
Description:
Candlelight flickers across the ancient stone walls of Wells Cathedral during this cherished annual tradition. Voices rise in harmony, filling the vaulted ceilings with timeless carols. The cathedral, dating back to the 12th century, provides a stunning backdrop for this musical celebration. Visitors can join in singing beloved Christmas songs alongside the renowned cathedral choir. The event honors the rich choral heritage of Wells, known as England's smallest city.
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Bath Christmas Market (Bath)
What to Expect:
Georgian architecture backdrop for artisanal market stalls
Description:
Bath's elegant Georgian streets transform into a bustling marketplace, with over 150 chalets lining the historic avenues. Local artisans showcase handcrafted gifts, from intricate jewelry to aromatic bath products. The market pays homage to Bath's Roman origins with specially curated goods inspired by ancient traditions. You can sample regional delicacies while exploring the stalls. This event seamlessly blends modern craftsmanship with the city's rich architectural heritage.
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Glastonbury Frost Fayre (Glastonbury)
What to Expect:
Mystical winter celebration in the heart of Glastonbury
Description:
Glastonbury's spiritual essence infuses this winter celebration with a unique atmosphere. Colorful stalls line the town's medieval streets, offering everything from locally crafted jewelry to healing crystals. Street performers entertain crowds with fire-eating and acrobatics. The event draws inspiration from ancient winter solstice traditions, connecting visitors to the town's mystical past. Explore the shadow of Glastonbury Tor while discovering treasures from local artisans.
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Christmas at Longleat (Warminster)
What to Expect:
Drive-through safari park combined with holiday light displays
Description:
Longleat's majestic grounds come alive with twinkling lights and animated displays. Lions roar in the distance as visitors drive through the UK's first safari park, now adorned with festive illuminations. The event blends wildlife encounters with holiday cheer, creating a truly unique experience. Guests can marvel at the 50-foot Christmas tree projection mapped onto the Elizabethan façade of Longleat House. This celebration marries the estate's 450-year history with cutting-edge light technology.
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Cheddar Festive Night (Cheddar)
What to Expect:
Christmas celebration in the birthplace of cheddar cheese
Description:
Cheddar Gorge provides a dramatic backdrop for this charming village celebration. The aroma of mulled wine wafts through the air as local shops stay open late, offering special discounts. Visitors can sample artisanal cheeses made using traditional methods dating back centuries. Street performers and carol singers enliven the atmosphere, echoing through the limestone cliffs. The event highlights Cheddar's rich culinary heritage while embracing the spirit of the season.
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Frome Christmas Extravaganza (Frome)
What to Expect:
Artisan-focused Christmas celebration in a creative market town
Description:
Frome's independent spirit shines during this vibrant celebration. The town's cobbled streets buzz with activity as local artists and makers showcase their wares. Live music performances featuring homegrown talent fill the air with joyous melodies. Visitors can participate in hands-on craft workshops led by skilled artisans. This event embodies Frome's reputation as a hub for creativity and independent businesses, a tradition dating back to its days as a thriving wool town.
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Christmas Eve Special Trains (Cranmore)
What to Expect:
Vintage steam train rides through Somerset countryside on Christmas Eve
Description:
The East Somerset Railway springs to life on Christmas Eve, offering a nostalgic journey through the winter landscape. Passengers board beautifully restored vintage carriages, pulled by a magnificent steam engine. The countryside rolls by, dusted with frost, as travelers enjoy hot cocoa and mince pies. Children can meet Father Christmas in his special grotto car. This event celebrates the golden age of rail travel, preserving a piece of British transportation history.
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Winter Wonderland at Avon Valley (Keynsham)
What to Expect:
Adventure park transformed into a winter-themed playground
Description:
Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park transforms into a frosty playground. Visitors can glide across a synthetic ice rink, surrounded by twinkling lights and festive decorations. The park's resident animals receive special Christmas-themed enrichment activities, delighting onlookers. Guests can warm up in cozy tepees while sipping hot chocolate. This event combines the park's focus on outdoor adventure with seasonal cheer, creating a unique winter experience.
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Winter Wonderland at Avon Valley
Wookey Hole Christmas Experience (Wells)
What to Expect:
Underground cave system decorated for Christmas
Description:
Wookey Hole's ancient caves sparkle with festive decorations, creating an otherworldly Christmas experience. Stalactites glisten with carefully placed lights, illuminating the caverns' natural beauty. Visitors can explore the decorated chambers while learning about the caves' geological history and folklore. Children can meet Santa in his underground grotto, a truly unique setting. This event marries the natural wonder of the caves with holiday spirit, creating an unforgettable subterranean celebration.
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Wookey Hole Christmas Experience
Festive Afternoon Tea at The Bishop’s Palace (Wells)
What to Expect:
Christmas-themed afternoon tea in a medieval bishop's residence
Description:
The Bishop's Palace, home to bishops of Bath and Wells for 800 years, hosts an elegant festive afternoon tea. Guests dine on seasonal treats in rooms adorned with garlands and twinkling lights. The menu features locally sourced ingredients, honoring Somerset's rich culinary traditions. Visitors can stroll through the palace's 14 acres of gardens, including the wells that give the city its name. This event offers a taste of refined holiday dining in a setting steeped in ecclesiastical history.
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Festive Afternoon Tea at The Bishop’s Palace
Radstock Christmas Lights Switch On (Radstock)
What to Expect:
Community-focused light switch-on event in former mining town
Description:
Radstock's mining heritage takes center stage during this community celebration. The town's streets, once walked by generations of coal miners, light up with colorful displays. Local choirs perform carols, their voices echoing off buildings that once housed mining offices. Visitors can enjoy traditional fairground rides and browse stalls selling local crafts. The event honors Radstock's industrial past while bringing the community together in a spirit of holiday cheer.
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Radstock Christmas Lights Switch On
Santa Specials at the West Somerset Railway (Bishops Lydeard)
What to Expect:
Santa train rides along England's longest heritage railway
Description:
The West Somerset Railway, England's longest heritage line, hosts special Santa trains through picturesque countryside. Passengers travel in vintage carriages, enjoying views of the Quantock Hills and the Bristol Channel coast. Father Christmas visits each compartment, distributing gifts to excited children. The journey celebrates the golden age of steam travel, preserving an important part of British railway history. You can disembark at historic stations along the route, each decorated for the season.
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Santa Specials at the West Somerset Railway
Midsomer Norton Christmas Lights (Midsomer Norton)
What to Expect:
Small town light display inspired by local history
Description:
Midsomer Norton's high street transforms into a glowing tribute to the town's past. Illuminated displays highlight key moments from the area's rich history, from its Roman roots to its days as a thriving market town. The air fills with the sound of traditional carols performed by local musicians. Visitors can join guided walks to learn about the stories behind each illuminated scene. This event weaves together community spirit, local history, and holiday cheer in a unique celebration.
Website:
Midsomer Norton Christmas Lights
Axbridge Christmas Carnival (Axbridge)
What to Expect:
Medieval town hosts vibrant Christmas carnival parade
Description:
Axbridge's narrow medieval streets come alive with a colorful carnival procession. Elaborately decorated floats wind their way through the town, accompanied by costumed performers and musicians. The event draws inspiration from Somerset's rich carnival tradition, dating back to the 17th century. Visitors can sample local cider and regional delicacies from food stalls lining the square. This celebration brings together historical pageantry and festive spirit in a uniquely Somerset fashion.