Find your holiday joy in Swindon with our detailed event guide. For Swindon natives and visitors alike, our guide reveals the city's holiday magic.
The Swindon Christmas Light Switch-On kicks off the season with a dazzling display of lights setting the festive mood. Experience the unique charm of the Swindon Designer Outlet Christmas Market, featuring a variety of holiday goods and gifts. And the Old Town Christmas Lights are something you definitely don't want to miss, illuminating the historic streets with a warm, festive glow. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Swindon
- Swindon Christmas Light Switch-On
- Swindon Designer Outlet Christmas Market
- Old Town Christmas Lights
- STEAM Museum Christmas Special
- Wyvern Theatre Christmas Pantomime
- Lydiard Park Christmas Craft and Food Fair
Swindon Holiday Light Displays
Swindon Christmas Light Switch-On
What to Expect:
Community-wide celebration marking the start of the holiday season
Description:
Swindon's town center transforms into a glittering spectacle as thousands gather for the annual Christmas Light Switch-On. This beloved tradition dates back to the 1950s, uniting residents in a shared moment of joy. Visitors can join in caroling led by local choirs, their voices rising in harmony with the twinkling lights. The event showcases Swindon's community spirit, with local businesses and organizations contributing to the festivities. As darkness falls, anticipation builds for the grand illumination that will bathe the streets in a warm glow.
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Swindon Christmas Light Switch-On
Old Town Christmas Lights
What to Expect:
Historic district illumination highlighting architectural beauty
Description:
Old Town Swindon sparkles with an elegant light display that accentuates its Georgian and Victorian architecture. The carefully curated illuminations bring new life to historic facades, creating a captivating nighttime scene. Visitors can embark on a self-guided walking tour to admire the lights and learn about the area's rich history. This event celebrates Old Town's heritage, which dates back to the Saxon era. The illuminated streets offer a fresh perspective on familiar landmarks, inviting both locals and tourists to rediscover the charm of this historic district.
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Swindon Holiday Markets and Shopping
Swindon Designer Outlet Christmas Market
What to Expect:
High-end shopping experience combined with artisanal holiday market
Description:
The Swindon Designer Outlet Christmas Market blends luxury shopping with the charm of a traditional holiday bazaar. Set in a beautifully restored Grade II listed building, once home to the Great Western Railway Works, this market offers a unique retail experience. Shoppers can browse exclusive designer deals alongside handcrafted gifts from local artisans. The aroma of mulled wine wafts through the air as you explore the stalls. This event reflects Swindon's industrial heritage while embracing modern retail trends, creating a distinctive holiday shopping destination.
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Swindon Designer Outlet Christmas Market
Lydiard Park Christmas Craft and Food Fair
What to Expect:
Artisanal fair set in a historic Palladian house and parkland
Description:
Lydiard Park's Christmas Craft and Food Fair transforms the grounds of a stunning 18th-century Palladian house into a haven for artisanal crafts and gourmet delights. The event showcases the talents of local craftspeople and food producers, set against the backdrop of centuries-old architecture and landscaped gardens. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafting techniques, connecting them to the region's artistic heritage. The fair highlights Lydiard Park's significance as a cultural landmark, having been in the St John family for over 500 years. This unique setting elevates the typical craft fair experience to a memorable cultural excursion.
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Lydiard Park Christmas Craft and Food Fair
Swindon Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Wyvern Theatre Christmas Pantomime
What to Expect:
Interactive and humorous British theatrical tradition
Description:
The Wyvern Theatre's Christmas Pantomime brings a distinctly British theatrical tradition to life with a modern twist. This interactive performance blends comedy, music, and audience participation, creating a lively atmosphere unlike any other holiday show. Attendees can join in the fun by shouting out responses to the actors, a hallmark of pantomime productions. The theatre, named after the mythical dragon in Swindon's coat of arms, has been hosting these beloved performances since 1971. Each year's show features local references and topical humor, ensuring a fresh and engaging experience for all ages.
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Wyvern Theatre Christmas Pantomime
Swindon Other Holiday Activities
STEAM Museum Christmas Special
What to Expect:
Victorian-era railway Christmas celebration
Description:
The STEAM Museum Christmas Special transports visitors to a Victorian railway Christmas. Housed in a restored railway building, the museum comes alive with period-accurate decorations and costumed interpreters. Guests can participate in traditional Victorian games and crafts, immersing themselves in 19th-century holiday customs. The event pays homage to Swindon's pivotal role in the Great Western Railway's history. Authentic steam engine whistles punctuate the air, evoking the golden age of rail travel. This unique celebration offers a glimpse into how railway workers and passengers celebrated Christmas in bygone eras.
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STEAM Museum Christmas Special
Nearby Events
Santa Specials at Swindon and Cricklade Railway (Blunsdon)
What to Expect:
Vintage train ride with Santa through picturesque countryside
Description:
The Santa Specials at Swindon and Cricklade Railway offer a nostalgic journey through the Wiltshire countryside on beautifully restored vintage trains. Passengers embark on a magical ride where Santa visits each carriage, creating personal moments with every child. The rhythmic clickety-clack of wheels on tracks provides a soothing backdrop to the excitement. This event celebrates the region's railway heritage, operating on a line first opened in 1883. Families can experience the charm of old-fashioned rail travel while making new holiday memories, bridging past and present in a uniquely festive way.
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Santa Specials at Swindon and Cricklade Railway
Christmas Festive Fayre at Roves Farm (Sevenhampton)
What to Expect:
Farm-based holiday celebration with hands-on animal experiences
Description:
Roves Farm's Christmas Festive Fayre combines traditional holiday cheer with hands-on farm experiences. Visitors can feed reindeer, pet farm animals, and learn about rural life while enjoying seasonal activities. The event highlights the importance of agriculture in Wiltshire's history and economy. Children can participate in tractor-drawn sleigh rides, connecting them to the farm's working equipment. The Fayre offers a refreshing alternative to urban holiday events, allowing families to celebrate amidst the natural beauty of the countryside. This unique blend of farming heritage and holiday traditions creates lasting memories rooted in the local landscape.
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Christmas Festive Fayre at Roves Farm
Blunsdon House Hotel Festive Lunches (Blunsdon)
What to Expect:
Gourmet holiday dining in a historic country house setting
Description:
Blunsdon House Hotel's Festive Lunches elevate holiday dining to an art form in a charming country house atmosphere. Chefs craft exquisite seasonal menus using locally sourced ingredients, honoring Wiltshire's culinary traditions. Guests dine in elegantly decorated rooms that reflect the hotel's 18th-century origins. The event offers a refined escape from the hustle of holiday preparations, allowing you to savor each carefully prepared dish. This culinary celebration connects diners to the region's gastronomic heritage, set against the backdrop of rolling Wiltshire countryside visible from the hotel's windows.
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Blunsdon House Hotel Festive Lunches
Royal Wootton Bassett Christmas Lights (Royal Wootton Bassett)
What to Expect:
Small town celebration with a focus on community and local businesses
Description:
Royal Wootton Bassett's Christmas Lights event illuminates this historic market town with a warm, community-focused celebration. Local shops stay open late, offering special promotions and festive treats to visitors. The town's rich history, dating back to the 7th century, provides a unique backdrop for the modern light display. Attendees can enjoy live performances by local musicians and choirs, showcasing the town's artistic talents. This event emphasizes the close-knit nature of the community, with residents and businesses coming together to create a welcoming atmosphere that captures the essence of small-town holiday spirit.
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Royal Wootton Bassett Christmas Lights
Christmas Fair at Studley Grange (Wroughton)
What to Expect:
Holiday fair combined with butterfly and craft center experiences
Description:
The Christmas Fair at Studley Grange offers a distinctive blend of holiday shopping and nature exploration. Set within a working craft village and butterfly world, this fair allows visitors to purchase unique gifts while surrounded by exotic butterflies. Artisans demonstrate their skills in glass blowing, pottery, and woodworking, connecting shoppers to the creative process. The event highlights Studley Grange's commitment to conservation and education, offering a chance to learn about butterfly species while enjoying holiday festivities. This unusual combination creates a multifaceted experience that goes beyond typical Christmas markets.
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Christmas Fair at Studley Grange
Wroughton Christmas Market (Wroughton)
What to Expect:
Village-based market emphasizing local producers and craftspeople
Description:
Wroughton's Christmas Market transforms this quaint village into a bustling hub of local creativity and commerce. The event showcases the best of Wiltshire's artisans and food producers, with a strong emphasis on supporting small, local businesses. Visitors can chat directly with makers, learning the stories behind each unique item. The market takes place near the site of an ancient hill fort, connecting present-day celebrations to the area's long history. Live music from local performers fills the air, creating a lively atmosphere. This event embodies the spirit of community support and local pride that defines Wroughton's approach to the holiday season.