Last updated: 11 November 2024
Step into the festive season in Salisbury with our detailed guide. From Salisbury residents to wandering spirits, this guide ensures you catch every moment of seasonal magic.
One highlight of the season is the enchanting Christmas at Salisbury Cathedral, where stunning decorations and festive choral performances create a truly atmospheric experience. For a different vibe, Christmas on the Square features charming market stalls and a lively community spirit. And the Fairytale Christmas at Mompesson House is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing beautifully themed decorations in a historical setting. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Salisbury Holiday Light Displays
Lantern festival
- What to Expect
- Exquisite willow lanterns paraded through the town centre.
- Description
- The Trowbridge Lantern Festival and Christmas Lights Switch-on features a spectacular lantern parade through the town centre, accompanied by a colourful samba band. The event includes a wide range of family-friendly activities, holiday-themed entertainment, and a charity Santa Dash.
- Where
- Trowbridge | More Info : Lantern festival
Christmas at Westonbirt
- What to Expect
- Illuminated trail featuring luminous installations and seasonal sounds.
- Description
- Explore Westonbirt Arboretum in a new light with over a million twinkling lights and seasonal sounds. Discover luminous birds, colourful neon trees, and sparkling tunnels of light amidst iconic trees from around the globe. Enjoy seasonal snacks and warm drinks while experiencing a unique festive atmosphere.
- Where
- Tetbury | More Info : Christmas at Westonbirt
Glow Marwell
- What to Expect
- Interactive light trail with UV face paint designs and festive treats.
- Description
- Explore Marwell Zoo in a new light with breathtaking displays and interactive experiences featuring fire, earth, air, and water elements. Enjoy vibrant UV face paint designs, visit Father Christmas, and savor festive treats.
- Where
- Winchester | More Info : Glow Marwell
Salisbury Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas on the Square
- What to Expect
- Artisan market with local crafts and festive decorations.
- Description
- Christmas on the Square features an artisan market, food and drink vendors, fair rides, and various entertainment in Guildhall Square, showcasing local crafts and festive decorations.
- Where
- Salisbury | More Info : Christmas on the Square
Christmas Market - Friday
- What to Expect
- Free entry to explore seasonal delights and unique gifts.
- Description
- The Christmas Market at Civic Trowbridge offers a delightful experience with a variety of festive food and drinks, unique handcrafted gifts, and a perfect setting for families and friends to enjoy the holiday spirit together.
- Where
- Trowbridge | More Info : Christmas Market - Friday
Salisbury Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas at Salisbury Cathedral
- What to Expect
- Immersive light and sound show with historical and scientific themes.
- Description
- Salisbury Cathedral offers a variety of Christmas events, including group carols, Christmas craft sessions, and a spectacular show by G4. The cathedral is also home to a magnificent Christmas tree and hosts immersive light and sound shows like Sarum Lights. Visitors can enjoy seasonal refreshments and explore the cathedral and its historic Chapter House.
- Where
- Salisbury | More Info : Christmas at Salisbury Cathedral
Christmas with Jethro Tull
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of rock and classical music in a historic cathedral setting.
- Description
- Rock legend Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull presents a Christmas concert at Salisbury Cathedral, featuring Christmas-themed tracks, well-loved classical pieces, and traditional music from the liturgy of the Church of England.
- Where
- Salisbury | More Info : Christmas with Jethro Tull
Careys Manor Christmas Ball
- What to Expect
- Elegant Christmas celebration with a 3-course dinner and live music.
- Description
- The Careys Manor Christmas Ball offers a sophisticated and traditional festive experience with a glass of champagne on arrival, a 3-course dinner, Fairtrade organic coffee and mince pie, and an after-dinner DJ. The menu features a variety of dishes including pressing of smoked ham hock, chicken, new potato, and tarragon, as well as dark chocolate brownie delice and winter berry cheesecake.
- Where
- Brockenhurst | More Info : Careys Manor Christmas Ball
Salisbury Other Holiday Activities
A Fairytale Christmas at Mompesson House
- What to Expect
- Immersive storytelling experience with Victorian Christmas decorations.
- Description
- At Mompesson House, immerse yourself in a Victorian Christmas with fairy tales and festive activities. Explore the Three Bears' Christmas feast, follow Hansel's trail to the tea-room, and listen to fairy tales in the Library. Enjoy free activity sheets and storytelling sessions in the second-hand bookshop.
- Where
- Salisbury | More Info : A Fairytale Christmas at Mompesson House
St Thomas's Christmas Tree Festival
- What to Expect
- Community-driven Christmas tree and nativity scene exhibition with live music.
- Description
- St Thomas's Christmas Tree Festival is an annual event where local organisations, individuals, charities, businesses, and schools create and exhibit Christmas trees and nativity scenes reflecting their values. The festival includes a daily program of inspiring music by local community and school choirs, music groups, and individual performers. Delicious home-baked cakes and refreshments are available throughout the week.
- Where
- Salisbury | More Info : St Thomas's Christmas Tree Festival
Salisbury Arts Scene
- What to Expect
- Unique outdoor arts event with live music and artist workshops.
- Description
- The Salisbury Arts Scene features unique outdoor arts events held on the first Sunday of each month from March to December. Talented local artists showcase their contemporary arts and hand crafts in Market Square. The event includes live music, artist workshops, and opportunities to chat with the artists. It is a popular event for art lovers and visitors alike.
- Where
- Salisbury | More Info : Salisbury Arts Scene
Festive Fun at Beaulieu
- What to Expect
- Interactive scarecrow and ghost story events.
- Description
- Beaulieu offers a variety of festive activities, including a scarecrow scramble, spooky ghost stories, and more, making it a delightful destination for all ages.
- Where
- Beaulieu | More Info : Festive Fun at Beaulieu
Christmas Canoe Paddle
- What to Expect
- Meeting Santa on a guided canoe tour.
- Description
- Join New Forest Activities for a 90-minute guided canoe tour on the Beaulieu River. Explore the stunning river nature reserve while paddling in safe, Canadian-style canoes. Meet Santa in his boat full of Christmas gifts, and enjoy hot chocolate and mince pies. All children will receive a gift from Santa.
- Where
- Brockenhurst | More Info : Christmas Canoe Paddle
Forest of Light
- What to Expect
- Interactive light and sound installations in an ancient woodland setting.
- Description
- Venture into a hauntingly beautiful nightscape adorned with thousands of twinkling lights and eerie yet enchanting sound effects. Explore ancient woodland transformed into a Halloween realm of light and shadow. Enjoy Halloween-themed activities like the Trick-Treat Treasure Trail, Potions and Spells, Franken-SLIME Laboratory, Hocus-Pocus Pottery Painting, and more.
- Where
- Sandy Balls | More Info : Forest of Light
Tinsel's Tree Trail
- What to Expect
- Interactive fairy-sized Christmas tree trail with 20 festive trees.
- Description
- Explore Furzey Gardens and help Tinsel the fairy find her friends and their 20 festive trees in a delightful Christmas trail.
- Where
- Furzey Gardens | More Info : Tinsel's Tree Trail