Can't wait for holiday joy in Weston-super-Mare? Dive into our guide for the best events and activities! From Weston-super-Mare die-hards to casual visitors, our guide illuminates the city's seasonal splendor.
Experience the spirit of the season at the Weston-super-Mare Carnival, where dazzling floats and lively parades light up the night. Enjoy the enchanting Winter Wonderland, featuring festive markets and ice skating under twinkling lights. And don't forget the Christmas Lights Switch-On, a magical evening where the town sparkles into life. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Weston-super-Mare
- Weston-super-Mare Carnival
- Winter Wonderland
- Christmas Lights Switch-On
- Santa's Grotto at Puxton Park
- Christmas Tree Festival
- The Sovereign Shopping Centre Christmas Events
- Carols on the Grand Pier
- Christmas Celebration at Blakehay Theatre
- Christmas Arts & Crafts Fair
Weston-super-Mare Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Lights Switch-On
What to Expect:
Community-led countdown and local entertainment
Description:
Weston-super-Mare's Christmas Lights Switch-On ignites the town center with a brilliant display of illuminations. The event brings together local performers, choirs, and community groups for an evening of entertainment culminating in the grand switch-on. Visitors can join in the communal countdown, their voices rising in unison as the town is bathed in twinkling lights. This tradition dates back to the early 20th century when electric street lighting first arrived in Weston-super-Mare. The event showcases the town's community spirit and marks the official start of the holiday season.
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Weston-super-Mare Holiday Markets and Shopping
The Sovereign Shopping Centre Christmas Events
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday-themed activities in a shopping center setting
Description:
The Sovereign Shopping Centre's Christmas Events transform the retail space into a hub of holiday activity. Beyond typical shopping experiences, the center hosts interactive workshops, craft sessions, and pop-up performances throughout the season. Visitors can participate in wreath-making classes or watch live ice sculpting demonstrations. These events breathe new life into the traditional shopping center, a concept that has been part of Weston-super-Mare's landscape since the 1960s. The center buzzes with energy as shoppers pause to engage in festive activities, creating a unique blend of retail therapy and holiday entertainment.
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The Sovereign Shopping Centre Christmas Events
Christmas Arts & Crafts Fair
What to Expect:
Locally-made artisanal gifts and live craft demonstrations
Description:
Weston-super-Mare's Christmas Arts & Crafts Fair celebrates local creativity and craftsmanship. Artisans from across Somerset gather to showcase their handmade wares, from intricate jewelry to bespoke furniture. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional crafts, gaining insight into the skill and dedication behind each piece. The fair highlights the region's rich artistic heritage, which has flourished since the town became a popular resort in the 19th century. You'll discover unique gifts while supporting local makers, each item telling a story of creativity and tradition. The air is filled with the scent of handmade soaps and candles, adding to the sensory experience.
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Weston-super-Mare Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Carols on the Grand Pier
What to Expect:
Carol singing on a historic seaside pier
Description:
Carols on the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare offers a unique seaside twist on traditional holiday music. The historic pier, stretching out over the Bristol Channel, provides an atmospheric setting for this musical event. Visitors can join in singing beloved carols while surrounded by twinkling lights and the sound of waves. The Grand Pier, a landmark since 1904, adds a touch of nostalgia to the proceedings. Local choirs and brass bands perform, their melodies carried by the sea breeze, creating a harmonious blend of music and nature.
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Christmas Celebration at Blakehay Theatre
What to Expect:
Local talent showcase in a historic theater setting
Description:
The Christmas Celebration at Blakehay Theatre spotlights local performers in a charming, intimate venue. This former Baptist chapel, converted into a theater in 1985, provides a cozy setting for holiday entertainment. Visitors can enjoy a diverse program of music, dance, and drama, all with a festive twist. The theater's rich acoustics enhance every performance, from solo vocalists to full choirs. You'll be treated to a showcase of Weston-super-Mare's artistic talent, with performances that range from traditional carols to contemporary interpretations of holiday classics. The event celebrates both the season and the community's creative spirit.
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Christmas Celebration at Blakehay Theatre
Weston-super-Mare Other Holiday Activities
Weston-super-Mare Carnival
What to Expect:
Illuminated parade floats and costumed performers
Description:
Weston-super-Mare Carnival illuminates the seaside town with a dazzling procession of floats and performers. This century-old tradition transforms the streets into a vibrant spectacle of lights and music. Visitors can marvel at the intricate designs of the carnival carts, each one a masterpiece of creativity and engineering. The carnival's roots trace back to the 17th-century Gunpowder Plot celebrations, evolving into today's grand display. You'll be swept up in the lively atmosphere as the parade winds through the town, showcasing local talent and community spirit.
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Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Beachfront ice rink and festive attractions
Description:
Weston-super-Mare's Winter Wonderland transforms the beach into a frosty playground. The centerpiece, a sprawling ice rink, offers skaters breathtaking views of the Bristol Channel. Visitors can glide across the ice, feeling the crisp sea breeze on their faces. This unique beachfront festival draws inspiration from Victorian-era seaside entertainment, blending traditional winter activities with coastal charm. Fairground rides and seasonal stalls dot the promenade, creating a lively atmosphere that contrasts beautifully with the serene winter beach landscape.
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Santa's Grotto at Puxton Park
What to Expect:
Santa's Grotto set in a working farm environment
Description:
Santa's Grotto at Puxton Park offers a unique farm-based Christmas experience. Set amidst the park's agricultural attractions, the grotto combines holiday cheer with rural charm. Children can meet Santa in his cozy farm cottage, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the countryside. Visitors can also explore the park's animal enclosures and learn about farm life during winter. This event reflects the region's agricultural heritage, blending traditional Christmas elements with hands-on farm experiences. The aroma of freshly baked treats wafts through the air, adding to the homely atmosphere.
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Christmas Tree Festival
What to Expect:
Community-decorated themed Christmas trees
Description:
Weston-super-Mare's Christmas Tree Festival showcases a forest of uniquely decorated trees, each telling a different story. Local businesses, schools, and community groups compete to create the most innovative and eye-catching designs. Visitors can wander through this indoor winter forest, discovering trees adorned with everything from traditional ornaments to quirky, themed decorations. The festival originated as a way to bring the community together during the holiday season. You'll find yourself captivated by the creativity on display, with each tree reflecting a different aspect of local life or global themes.
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Nearby Events
Clevedon Pier Christmas Fair (Clevedon)
What to Expect:
Victorian-style Christmas fair on a historic pier
Description:
Clevedon Pier's Christmas Fair transports visitors to a Victorian-era celebration on England's only Grade I listed pier. The 150-year-old structure provides a stunning backdrop for this unique event. Artisans and craftspeople showcase their wares in charming wooden chalets along the pier's length. Visitors can browse handmade gifts while enjoying panoramic views of the Bristol Channel. The fair pays homage to the pier's rich history, which dates back to 1869. Traditional carolers in period costume serenade guests, their voices carrying over the gentle lapping of waves beneath the pier.
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Victorian Christmas at Tyntesfield (Wraxall)
What to Expect:
Immersive Victorian Christmas experience in a historic estate
Description:
Victorian Christmas at Tyntesfield plunges visitors into a 19th-century yuletide celebration. This National Trust property, with its Gothic Revival architecture, serves as the perfect backdrop for a journey through time. Costumed interpreters bring the Victorian era to life, demonstrating traditional crafts and customs. Visitors can explore the lavishly decorated rooms, each reflecting different aspects of a Victorian Christmas. The estate, built in the 1830s, showcases authentic period decorations and furnishings. You'll feel transported as you wander through the grand halls, experiencing Christmas as it was celebrated over 150 years ago.
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Victorian Christmas at Tyntesfield
Santa Express on the West Somerset Railway (Minehead)
What to Expect:
Santa's grotto on a moving heritage steam train
Description:
The Santa Express on the West Somerset Railway combines the nostalgia of steam travel with the excitement of meeting Santa. This heritage railway line, the longest in England, becomes a moving Christmas attraction. Passengers embark on a journey through the scenic Somerset countryside, with Santa visiting each carriage along the way. Children receive a special gift, while adults can enjoy mulled wine and mince pies. The railway, which dates back to 1862, offers a glimpse into the golden age of steam travel. The rhythmic chug of the engine and the whistle of steam create a soundtrack to this unique holiday experience.
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Santa Express on the West Somerset Railway
Yatton Christmas Market (Yatton)
What to Expect:
Traditional village Christmas market with local produce
Description:
Yatton Christmas Market captures the essence of a traditional English village celebration. This charming event showcases local produce, from artisanal cheeses to homemade preserves, alongside handcrafted gifts. Visitors can sample regional specialties and warm up with mulled cider made from local apples. The market reflects Yatton's agricultural roots, which date back to the Domesday Book of 1086. Stalls line the village streets, creating a convivial atmosphere as neighbors and visitors mingle. You'll experience the warmth of community spirit that has been the hallmark of rural English Christmases for centuries.
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Festive Fayre at St. Peter & St. Paul Church (Bleadon)
What to Expect:
Christmas fair in a medieval church setting
Description:
The Festive Fayre at St. Peter & St. Paul Church in Bleadon offers a unique Christmas shopping experience in a historic setting. This medieval church, parts of which date back to the 11th century, provides an atmospheric backdrop for the event. Visitors can browse stalls selling handmade crafts and local produce while admiring the church's ancient architecture. The fayre celebrates the church's long-standing role as a community hub, a tradition that has continued for nearly a millennium. You'll find yourself surrounded by history as you peruse the festive offerings, with the church's bells occasionally ringing out to add to the ambiance.
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Festive Fayre at St. Peter & St. Paul Church