Last updated: 11 November 2024
Gear up for a joyful holiday season in Stroud with our ultimate festive guide! For Stroud locals and curious visitors alike, our guide is your passport to festive adventures.
This season, step into a charming blend of history and holiday spirit at the Gloucester Quays Victorian Christmas Market, where visitors can enjoy traditional crafts and seasonal treats. The Cirencester Christmas Market offers a delightful gathering with local artisans showcasing unique gifts amidst a warm community atmosphere. And you definitely don’t want to miss the Wookey Hole Winter Wonderland, where enchanting light displays create a magical backdrop for family fun. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Stroud Holiday Light Displays
Westonbirt Arboretum Enchanted Christmas
- What to Expect
- Illuminated trail with luminous birds and neon trees.
- Description
- Explore Westonbirt Arboretum in a completely new light with over a million twinkling lights and seasonal sounds. Discover luminous birds, colourful neon trees, and sparkling tunnels of light. Enjoy a seasonal snack from the Christmas village or street food vendors while strolling through the arboretum filled with all the colours of the rainbow.
- Where
- Tetbury | More Info : Westonbirt Arboretum Enchanted Christmas
Stroud Holiday Markets and Shopping
Gloucester Quays Victorian Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Traditional Victorian-themed market with over 150 stalls.
- Description
- The Gloucester Quays Victorian Christmas Market offers an array of festive gifts, delicious street food, and seasonal treats. Traders in Victorian attire showcase handmade crafts, decorations, and vintage goods, accompanied by live entertainment from street performers and carolers.
- Where
- Gloucester | More Info : Gloucester Quays Victorian Christmas Market
Cirencester Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Local crafts and festive foods in a historic setting.
- Description
- The Cirencester Christmas Market takes place in the historic Market Square, featuring local crafts, festive foods, and unique gifts. The event coincides with the Christmas Light Switch-On, creating a vibrant atmosphere with twinkling lights and live music.
- Where
- Cirencester | More Info : Cirencester Christmas Market
Tewkesbury Festival of Lights
- What to Expect
- Traditional fairground rides and local entertainment.
- Description
- Tewkesbury Festival of Lights features a Christmas market with over 100 stalls, fairground rides, and a performance stage. Enjoy locally sourced produce, unique gifts, and handmade crafts in the town's festive atmosphere.
- Where
- Tewkesbury | More Info : Tewkesbury Festival of Lights
Malmesbury Late-Night Shopping
- What to Expect
- Grand opening with the Mayor and special guest.
- Description
- Malmesbury Late-Night Shopping features wonderful stalls, crafts, choirs, music, naughty elves, and Santa's Grotto in the charming town of Malmesbury.
- Where
- Malmesbury | More Info : Malmesbury Late-Night Shopping
Painswick Goodwill Evening
- What to Expect
- Community-driven holiday market with local vendors.
- Description
- Painswick Goodwill Evening is a family-friendly event in the heart of Painswick village, featuring local stalls selling gifts and seasonal items, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
- Where
- Painswick | More Info : Painswick Goodwill Evening
Chipping Campden Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Local artisans and small independent traders showcase their skills.
- Description
- Chipping Campden Christmas Market transforms the historic High Street and Market Square into a vibrant shopping experience. Stalls offer a variety of artisanal crafts, festive food, and unique gifts. The market is held in the Town Hall and features both indoor and outdoor stalls, with live carol singing and the town's Christmas lights switched on at dusk.
- Where
- Chipping Campden | More Info : Chipping Campden Christmas Market
Bristol Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Traditional German drinks and Bavarian charm in a festive market setting.
- Description
- Bristol Christmas Market in the heart of Bristol City Centre features over 35 unique stalls selling gifts, crafts, and seasonal treats. Enjoy traditional German Glühwein, mulled cider, and live music at the Jäger Barn Bar. Visitors can also book private Iglus or Gondolas for a cozy escape from the market bustle.
- Where
- Bristol | More Info : Bristol Christmas Market
Stroud Goodwill Evening and Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Live music and festive food in a vibrant Christmas market setting.
- Description
- Join us at The Sub Rooms for an evening of yuletide joy featuring live music, mulled wine, and mince pies at our annual Goodwill Evening and Christmas Market.
- Where
- Stroud | More Info : Stroud Goodwill Evening and Christmas Market
Stroud Christmas Market and Light Trail
- What to Expect
- Combination of local market offerings and a scenic light trail throughout the town
- Description
- This community event features a vibrant market filled with local artisans and festive treats. Attendees can explore unique stalls while enjoying beautifully illuminated trails that guide them through the town. The atmosphere is lively, with music and entertainment enhancing the experience for visitors of all ages. Local food vendors offer seasonal delights, creating a warm and inviting environment.
- Where
- Stroud | More Info : Stroud Christmas Market and Light Trail
Stroud Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Focus on local artisans and seasonal fare in a charming market setting.
- Description
- This lively market features a variety of local artisans and food vendors showcasing their products. Visitors can explore handmade crafts, seasonal treats, and unique gifts while soaking in the warm community atmosphere. The event is a wonderful opportunity to connect with local culture and support small businesses during the holiday season.
- Where
- Stroud | More Info : Stroud Christmas Market
Stroud Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Wookey Hole Winter Wonderland
- What to Expect
- Interactive Christmas light display and circus show.
- Description
- Explore Wookey Hole's Winter Wonderland, featuring over 100,000 lights illuminating the caves, a visit to Santa's North Pole Grotto, and a Grinch-inspired circus show.
- Where
- Wells | More Info : Wookey Hole Winter Wonderland
Meet Santa at Clearwell Caves
- What to Expect
- Interactive Christmas story with Santa and a polar bear adventure.
- Description
- Meet Santa at Clearwell Caves, where children can see Father Christmas and receive a gift, while Bernard's adventure with a baby polar bear unfolds in the caves.
- Where
- Clearwell | More Info : Meet Santa at Clearwell Caves
Meet Santa at Winter Glow
- What to Expect
- Personalized Santa's Grotto experience with special gifts.
- Description
- Meet Santa at Winter Glow offers a special gift-giving experience with Santa Claus in his grotto, providing a memorable encounter for children and families.
- Where
- Malvern | More Info : Meet Santa at Winter Glow
Stroud Other Holiday Activities
Christmas Under the Edge
- What to Expect
- Sampling the best mulled wine in town.
- Description
- Join us at Christmas Under the Edge for a delightful afternoon of sampling the best mulled wine in town, enjoying decent wine and tapas, and soaking up the festive atmosphere.
- Where
- Wotton-under-Edge | More Info : Christmas Under the Edge
Mendip Activity Centre Festive Toboggan
- What to Expect
- Exclusive toboggan slope with snow machine and fairy lights.
- Description
- At Mendip Activity Centre, experience a festive adventure with exclusive use of 8 toboggans, an enchanted woodland walk, and a magical grotto where participants toast marshmallows and warm up with hot chocolate. The event features 10,000 twinkling fairy lights, lasers, and a real snow machine, creating a memorable holiday experience.
- Where
- Churchill | More Info : Mendip Activity Centre Festive Toboggan
Meet Santa at Dean Forest Railway
- What to Expect
- Unique steam train experience with Santa and festive treats.
- Description
- Ride behind a real steam engine and meet Santa and his elves on a festive journey through the forest. Enjoy age-appropriate gifts for children and a miniature for adults, along with a warm mince pie for everyone.
- Where
- Lydney | More Info : Meet Santa at Dean Forest Railway
Meet Santa at Cotswold Farm Park
- What to Expect
- Personalised Santa visits and interactive festive activities.
- Description
- Meet Santa at Cotswold Farm Park, where children can visit Father Christmas in his cosy grotto, receive a special gift, and enjoy make-a-bear activities and gingerbread decorating. The event also features an illuminated light trail, festive treats, and animal interactions.
- Where
- Guiting Power | More Info : Meet Santa at Cotswold Farm Park