The holidays are calling, Telford! Explore our guide for all the must-see events and activities. Whether you're rediscovering Telford or seeing it with fresh eyes, this guide is your key to holiday magic.
One highlight of Telford's festive offerings is the Telford Christmas Market, where you can wander through charming stalls brimming with artisan crafts and seasonal treats. Experience the nostalgic charm of the Blists Hill Victorian Christmas, with its enchanting decorations and traditional entertainment. And the Telford Ice Rink Winter Wonderland is something you definitely don’t want to miss, offering fun for all ages with its sparkling ice rink and winter amusements. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Telford
- Telford Christmas Market
- Telford Ice Rink Winter Wonderland
- Telford Christmas Train Rides
- Telford Centre Santa's Grotto
- Telford Cultural Christmas Shows
Telford Holiday Markets and Shopping
Telford Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Largest outdoor Christmas market in Shropshire
Description:
Telford Christmas Market transforms the town center into a bustling hub of holiday cheer. Over 100 stalls showcase local artisans and their handcrafted wares, from intricate glass ornaments to aromatic spiced chutneys. You can sample traditional Shropshire delicacies while exploring the market's winding paths. This annual event pays homage to Telford's industrial heritage, with some vendors displaying their crafts using traditional methods from the town's past. The market's lively atmosphere is punctuated by the cheerful sounds of carolers performing classic English Christmas songs.
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Telford Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Telford Cultural Christmas Shows
What to Expect:
Diverse performances representing Telford's multicultural community
Description:
Telford Cultural Christmas Shows celebrate the town's rich diversity through holiday performances. Local groups present Christmas traditions from around the world, including Polish carol singing, Indian classical dance interpretations of winter themes, and Caribbean steel drum renditions of popular holiday tunes. Visitors can participate in a global craft workshop, creating ornaments inspired by different cultures. This event reflects Telford's history as a new town, which has attracted residents from various backgrounds, creating a vibrant multicultural community.
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Telford Cultural Christmas Shows
Telford Other Holiday Activities
Telford Ice Rink Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice skating with themed nights
Description:
Telford Ice Rink Winter Wonderland brings a frosty touch to the holiday season. The outdoor rink sparkles under twinkling lights, creating a picturesque setting for skaters of all levels. Each week features themed skating nights, from "80s Disco on Ice" to "Superhero Skate." Visitors can glide across the ice while enjoying live performances by local figure skaters. The rink's location in Telford Town Park connects skaters with the area's natural beauty, blending urban entertainment with parkland scenery.
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Telford Ice Rink Winter Wonderland
Telford Christmas Train Rides
What to Expect:
Scenic train rides through Shropshire countryside
Description:
Telford Christmas Train Rides offer a unique perspective on Shropshire's winter landscape. Vintage carriages, adorned with garlands and ribbons, wind through picturesque valleys and past historic landmarks. Passengers can sip hot cocoa while listening to tales of Telford's railway history. The journey includes a stop at a beautifully decorated rural station, where you can stretch your legs and snap photos. This nostalgic experience pays tribute to Telford's important role in the development of Britain's railway system during the Industrial Revolution.
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Telford Centre Santa's Grotto
What to Expect:
Interactive storytelling experience with Santa
Description:
Telford Centre Santa's Grotto reimagines the traditional mall Santa visit. Children embark on a storytelling journey with Santa himself, becoming part of an interactive tale of the North Pole. The grotto's design changes annually, inspired by different Christmas stories from around the world. Visitors can help Santa solve puzzles to "power" his sleigh before receiving a gift. This innovative approach reflects Telford's forward-thinking spirit, bringing modern technology and storytelling techniques to a beloved holiday tradition.
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Nearby Events
Blists Hill Victorian Christmas (Ironbridge)
What to Expect:
Immersive Victorian-era Christmas experience
Description:
Step back in time at Blists Hill Victorian Christmas, where the 19th-century town comes alive with holiday traditions of yesteryear. Costumed characters roam the streets, sharing tales of Victorian Christmas customs. The air is filled with the scent of roasting chestnuts and mulled wine. Visitors can participate in traditional parlor games or watch a demonstration of candle-dipping techniques used in the 1800s. This living history event showcases how the Industrial Revolution shaped Christmas celebrations in the region, offering a unique glimpse into Shropshire's past.
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Blists Hill Victorian Christmas
Weston Park Christmas Food & Craft Fayre (Shifnal)
What to Expect:
Gourmet food and artisanal crafts in a historic setting
Description:
Weston Park Christmas Food & Craft Fayre elevates holiday shopping with its elegant backdrop of a 17th-century stately home. Artisanal food producers and skilled craftspeople showcase their finest creations in the grand rooms and on the manicured grounds. Visitors can watch live cooking demonstrations by renowned chefs using local, seasonal ingredients. The event highlights Shropshire's rich culinary heritage, featuring traditional dishes like Shrewsbury biscuits and Shropshire Blue cheese. As you browse, the stately home's impressive art collection adds a touch of refinement to the experience.
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Weston Park Christmas Food & Craft Fayre
Wellington Christmas Lights Switch-On (Wellington)
What to Expect:
Community-driven event with local talent showcase
Description:
Wellington Christmas Lights Switch-On illuminates the town with community spirit. Local choirs and bands perform on the main stage, showcasing Wellington's homegrown talent. The event culminates in a dramatic countdown led by a local celebrity, followed by a dazzling fireworks display. Visitors can explore the town's independent shops, many of which stay open late and offer special discounts. This celebration honors Wellington's market town heritage, with the lights adorning the historic Market Square, a focal point of community life since the 13th century.
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Wellington Christmas Lights Switch-On
Apley Farm Shop Christmas Market (Norton)
What to Expect:
Farm-to-table Christmas market experience
Description:
Apley Farm Shop Christmas Market brings the farm-to-table concept to holiday shopping. Local farmers and producers fill the rustic barn with fresh, seasonal produce and artisanal goods. Visitors can sample farm-fresh cheeses, meats, and preserves while chatting with the makers. The market offers a wreath-making workshop using foliage gathered from the Apley Estate. This event celebrates Shropshire's agricultural traditions, showcasing how modern farming practices blend with time-honored holiday customs in the region.
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Apley Farm Shop Christmas Market
Attingham Park Christmas Mansion (Shrewsbury)
What to Expect:
Historically accurate Georgian Christmas decorations
Description:
Attingham Park Christmas Mansion transports visitors to a Georgian-era celebration. Each room of the grand house is adorned with authentic decorations and arrangements typical of the late 18th century. The scent of pine and beeswax candles fills the air, evoking the atmosphere of a bygone era. Visitors can learn about Georgian Christmas traditions from knowledgeable guides in period costume. This event showcases the lavish lifestyle of Shropshire's landed gentry, offering insight into how the upper classes celebrated the holidays over two centuries ago.
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Attingham Park Christmas Mansion
Shropshire Handmade and Vintage Christmas Fair (Shrewsbury)
What to Expect:
Curated selection of handmade and vintage items
Description:
Shropshire Handmade and Vintage Christmas Fair celebrates creativity and nostalgia. Carefully selected artisans and vintage collectors display their unique wares, from hand-knitted scarves to restored Victorian ornaments. The fair's soundtrack features vinyl recordings of classic Christmas tunes, adding to the retro ambiance. Visitors can participate in a hands-on workshop to create their own vintage-inspired Christmas cards. This event highlights Shropshire's long-standing tradition of craftsmanship, showcasing both contemporary makers and those preserving historical techniques.
Website:
Shropshire Handmade and Vintage Christmas Fair
Hawkstone Park Follies Christmas Grotto (Shrewsbury)
What to Expect:
Santa's grotto in a network of caves and grottoes
Description:
Hawkstone Park Follies Christmas Grotto offers an extraordinary Santa experience. Visitors journey through a labyrinth of illuminated caves and passages, encountering whimsical scenes and characters along the way. The adventure culminates in meeting Santa in a grand, naturally formed grotto deep within the park. Children can whisper their wishes to Santa while seated on a throne carved from the living rock. This unique setting showcases the geological wonders of Shropshire, blending natural history with holiday traditions.
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Hawkstone Park Follies Christmas Grotto
Cosy Christmas Cinema at Ironbridge (Ironbridge)
What to Expect:
Outdoor cinema experience in a historic industrial setting
Description:
Cosy Christmas Cinema at Ironbridge combines film nostalgia with industrial heritage. Classic holiday movies are projected onto the side of a restored 18th-century warehouse by the River Severn. Viewers snuggle under blankets on deckchairs, surrounded by the atmospheric ruins of the world's first iron bridge. The crackle of the outdoor fire pits adds to the cozy ambiance. This unique cinema experience pays homage to Ironbridge's status as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, offering a blend of modern entertainment and historical significance.
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Cosy Christmas Cinema at Ironbridge
Much Wenlock Christmas Fayre (Much Wenlock)
What to Expect:
Medieval-themed Christmas market
Description:
Much Wenlock Christmas Fayre transports visitors to a medieval holiday celebration. The town's timber-framed buildings provide an authentic backdrop for stalls selling traditional crafts and foods. Minstrels and jesters roam the streets, performing age-old Christmas carols and comedic skits. Visitors can try their hand at traditional games like quoits or watch demonstrations of medieval cooking techniques. This event celebrates Much Wenlock's rich history, which dates back to the 7th century, and its role in inspiring the modern Olympic Games.
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Santa Special at Sabrina Boat (Shrewsbury)
What to Expect:
Santa meet-and-greet on a river cruise
Description:
Santa Special at Sabrina Boat offers a unique twist on meeting Father Christmas. Passengers board a festively decorated river boat for a gentle cruise along the River Severn. Santa makes his way through the boat, spending time with each family and hearing Christmas wishes. The boat's captain shares interesting facts about Shrewsbury's riverside history and wildlife. This event combines the excitement of meeting Santa with the tranquil beauty of Shropshire's longest river, offering a peaceful alternative to bustling grottos.
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Shifnal Christmas Market & Light Switch-On (Shifnal)
What to Expect:
Combination of traditional market and modern light show
Description:
Shifnal Christmas Market & Light Switch-On blends old and new holiday traditions. The market features local artisans selling handcrafted goods in the town's historic square. As night falls, a state-of-the-art light show transforms the town's buildings into canvases for projected animations. Visitors can sample mulled wine made from a centuries-old Shifnal recipe while watching the dazzling display. This event showcases how Shifnal, one of Shropshire's oldest market towns, embraces both its heritage and modern innovations in its holiday celebrations.
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Shifnal Christmas Market & Light Switch-On