25 of the best things to do at Christmas in the Cotswolds [2024]

With frosty mornings, pretty villages decked in twinkling lights, Christmas carols, cosy fires, the smell of pine trees and maybe even a snow flurry or two, Christmas is a great time to visit the Cotswolds. Whether you’re planning a Christmas break in the region or live locally and want to get into the spirit of the season, here are 25 of our top things to do at Christmas in the Cotswolds in 2024, from festive light trails and reindeer farms to ice skating and Christmas markets.

25 things to do this Christmas in the Cotswolds

The great outdoors

1. Follow a sparkling Christmas light trail

Grab a hot chocolate or spiced apple and explore a magical illuminated light trail this Christmas. With sparkling light displays set to music, these trails through the Cotswolds’ gardens and outdoor spaces are more popular than ever, with five local trails to choose from this year.

Enjoy the grand backdrops of Blenheim Palace for the Illuminated Light Trail (11 November 2024–1 January 2025) and Sudeley Castle for the Spectacle of Light (22 November–30 December 2024). Or walk through illuminated trees and spot Father Christmas on a brand-new trail at Westonbirt Arboretum for this year’s Christmas at Westonbirt (29 November–31 December 2024).

You can also bring your dog with you to Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park’s Enchanted Light Trail (22 November–31 December 2024) and The Enchanted Garden By Night sculpture trail at Painswick Rococo Garden (30 November 2024–4 January 2025). And if you don’t mind travelling a bit further afield, there’s also Longleat’s Festival of Light and Malvern Winter Glow.

2. Warm up with a wintery walk

If you’re looking to work off the Christmas indulgences with a winter walk, here are a few of our favourites. Leckhampton Hill south of Cheltenham has spectacular views from the top, with a 3-mile loop across its rare limestone grassland. Or you can follow a 5.4-mile circular route from Bourton-on-the-Water along the Rivers Windrush and Eye to Upper and Lower Slaughter.

From Broadway there’s a 4.4-mile circular walk which climbs up to the fairytale Broadway Tower and through the deer park before descending back down to the village. You can also follow the start of the Cotswold Way from Chipping Campden for the 4.1-mile circular walk to the viewpoint at Dover’s Hill, where you can see as far as the Black Mountains in Wales on a clear day.

3. Go sledging

If we’re lucky enough to see the snow this Christmas in the Cotswolds, wrap up warm, grab your sledges (or a tray if you’re improvising) and speed downhill. Some of the best places for sledging in the Cotswolds include Cleeve, Crickley and Leckhampton Hills near Cheltenham, Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons, Broadway Tower and Cirencester Amphitheatre.

4. Visit the Cotswold reindeer

Did you know there were reindeer in the Cotswolds? Tucked away in the countryside in Ampney Crucis near Cirencester is the Cotswold Reindeer Herd. This Christmas you can meet and feed the reindeer (16 November–31 December 2024). There’s also Santa’s Forest with its illuminated Christmas trees, Santa’s Grotto and refreshments in Mrs Claus’ Tearooms and gift shop.

‘Tis the season

5. Spend a night at the panto

Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a trip to the panto (oh no it wouldn’t…). With its colourful mix of singing, dancing and audience participation, the Christmas pantomime is a family tradition. This year’s pantos around the region include classic stories like Jack and the Beanstalk as well as festive takes on Robin Hood and The Three Musketeers. Here’s what’s on where:

• Chipping Norton Theatre: Jack and the Beanstalk (13 November 2024–12 January 2025)
• Barn Theatre, Cirencester: The Three Musketeers (25 November 2024–5 January 2025)
• Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham: Aladdin (29 November 2024–12 January 2025)
• Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury: Cinderella (30 November 2024–4 January 2025)
• Theatre Royal Bath: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (12 December 2024–12 January 2025)
• The Subscription Rooms, Stroud: Robin Hood (20 December 2024–5 January 2025).

6. Get your skates on

The Great Skate at Blenheim Palace is new this Christmas in the Cotswolds, with a covered rink in the spectacular setting of the palace’s Grand Court (15 November 2024–1 January 2025). The Cheltenham Ice Rink also returns to Imperial Gardens – the site of the town’s original Winter Gardens and skating rink in the late 19th century (29 November 2024–4 January 2025).

You can also take a spin on the ice at the Cotswold Water Park’s Gateway Ice Rink (22 November 2024–5 January 2024), with ‘DJ on ice’ evening sessions. Or show off your triple axels and warm up in the Alpine Bar at Bath on Ice in Victoria Park (15 November 2024–5 January 2025).

7. Admire decorated Christmas trees

Many of the Cotswolds’ towns and villages go all out for Christmas with beautifully decorated trees. But there’s something a bit unusual about Bourton-on-the-Water’s. Their tree is set in the middle of the River Windrush, with lights reflecting in the water and ducks swimming past.

You can also admire Christmas trees decorated by local community groups, charities and schools in the cloister at Lacock. And there are Christmas tree festivals at St Peter’s Church in Winchcombe (6–8 December 2024) and St Saviour’s in Tetbury (1 December 2024–5 January 2025), plus a Community Crib Festival at St Edward’s in Stow-on-the-Wold (6–8 December 2024).

8. Sing along to Christmas carols

Listen to local choirs singing Christmas classics – or join in yourself – outdoors or in the Cotswolds’ beautiful churches. Carol concerts take place at 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays from 23 November–22 December 2024 in the village church of St Peter at National Trust site Dyrham Park.

There’s also a candlelit carol concert with the Flowers Brass Band at Christ Church Cheltenham on 10 December in aid of the charity Maggies. And carol concerts on 22 and 23 December at Gloucester Cathedral, as well as ‘Carols on the hour’ between 11am and 3.30pm on 7 December 2024.

There are also carols in the Cotswolds this Christmas at St Saviour’s Church in Tetbury (7 December), in Northleach Market Place (16 December), at Burford Church (22 December) and the Church of St John the Baptist in Cirencester (22, 23 and 24 December).

9. Treat yourself to a night away

Why not escape for a night or two to one of the Cotswolds’ historic hotels? Many of them are beautifully done up for Christmas with lavishly decorated trees and roaring log fires. If you want to get away for the big day, there are some high-end Christmas packages available with all the trimmings (or if Santa’s not that generous, look out for bargain deals after New Year).

Go for broke at New Year break with a casino night, black tie dinner and live music at the Lords of the Manor* in Upper Slaughter. Celebrate Christmas in gourmet style at the Manor House Hotel* in Castle Combe. Or relax with a sparkling spa day at The Lygon Arms* in Broadway.

10. Make your own Christmas wreath

Decorate your front door with a beautiful handmade Christmas wreath this year, with tuition from expert florists. Wreath-making classes are available at various venues around the Cotswolds in November and December, some of which also include a Christmas afternoon tea:

• Daylesford Organic, near Kingham (multiple dates)
• Covent Garden Academy of Flowers, Chipping Campden (multiple dates)
• Ellenborough Park hotel, near Cheltenham (24 November, 6 and 9 December 2024)
• Westonbirt Arboretum (1, 4 and 8 December 2024)
• Dunkertons, near Cheltenham (1 and 2 December 2024)
• The Slaughters Manor House hotel, Lower Slaughter (3, 4 and 11 December 2024)
• Burleigh Court hotel, near Stroud (7 December 2024)
• Plus various dates at National Trust sites Newark Park and Dyrham Park.

Festivals and events

11. Christmas at Blenheim

Grand UNESCO World Heritage Site Blenheim Palace goes all out for the festive season with its Christmas at Blenheim event from 15 November 2024–1 January 2025. This year’s theme is Peter Pan’s Neverland, as you follow Tinkerbell through the ornate palace rooms. You can also add on afternoon tea in the Orangery, ice skating, an illuminated trail and Christmas market.

12. Malvern Winter Glow

Located just outside the Cotswolds, Malvern Winter Glow at the Three Counties Showground is a four-in-one Christmas extravaganza worth travelling for. It takes place from 22 November–31 December 2024, with the chance to meet Santa and his elves, a light trail, UV crazy golf, fairground rides and a Christmas market – and there are special dog-friendly sessions too.

13. The Flight Before Christmas

For a Santa’s Grotto with a difference, head to the Cotswold Airport in Kemble for The Flight Before Christmas. From 23 November–24 December 2024, kids can meet Santa on board a British Airways Jumbo Jet. After a naughty or nice security check-in there are activities like decorating gingerbread men and assembling toys, as well as the chance for photos with the man himself.

14. Royal Marines Christmas Spectacular

The world-famous Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines comes to Cheltenham Town Hall on 10 December 2024 as part of their Christmas tour around the UK. On the programme is a mix of seasonal music, military marches, big band hits and popular showstoppers, featuring the precision skills of the Corps of Drums as well as the band’s talented singers and musicians.

15. Bibury Duck Race

One of the Cotswolds’ quirkiest traditions takes place Bibury at 11am on Boxing Day (26 December), when 3000 yellow rubber ducks race down the River Coln. The event has been running for 36 years, and pulls in the crowds each year – it’s now live-streamed on Instagram too. You can sponsor a duck in person or online, with prizes for the winners and the proceeds going to local charities.

16. New Year’s Day Racing at Cheltenham

The New Year’s Day race meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse is an annual ritual for horse racing fans, who shake off the New Year’s Eve cobwebs with a flutter and a pint or two in the Guinness Village. As well as a full day of racing action on the track there’s also extra entertainment on the day, including live music and face-painting and bouncy castles in the Family Fun Zone.

Christmas shopping

17. Visit the Christmas markets

Christmas markets have become an festive tradition, with Christmas music and stalls draped with colourful lights selling artisan gifts and crafts, tree decorations, local food and drink – not to mention all the tasty treats like mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and spiced biscuits.

Bath Christmas market is back from 28 November–15 December 2024, with over 170 wooden chalets selling crafts and festive food and drink in the streets around the Abbey. Cheltenham’s Christmas market on the Promenade also returns from 12–22 December 2024.

There are several food and craft markets in Cirencester and Stroud, and one-off festive markets in Tetbury (29 November), Painswick (29 November), Winchcombe (6–7 December), Chipping Campden (7 December), Moreton-in-Marsh (14 December) and more – full details here.

18. Go late-night shopping

Soak up the festive atmosphere and pick up some unique gifts from the Cotswolds’ independent shops at a late-night shopping event. Broadway is hosting theirs on 29 November and 6 December 2024, with beautifully decorated streets and mulled wine and mince pies while you browse. And they’re also being held in Malmesbury (6 December) and Winchcombe (6–7 December).

19. Celebrate Christmas all year at a Christmas shop

Tinsel and tree decorations aren’t just for Christmas, you can buy them all through the year at one of the Cotswolds’ Christmas shops. The Cotswold Christmas Shop in Lechlade sells lovely carved wooden nutcrackers and tree decorations, glass baubles and tree toppers. And the Victorian Christmas Shop in Bourton-on-the-Water specialises in traditional ornaments.

History and heritage

20. Take a ride on a steam train

A ride on board the Gloucestershire–Warwickshire Steam Railway is a journey back in time to the golden age of rail travel. This volunteer-run rail route runs from Cheltenham to Broadway through the Cotswold Hills, with vintage carriages hauled by an original steam locomotive – the sounds and smells on board transport you to the days when train travel was a lot more glamorous.

There are a couple of festive events this year. The popular Santa Express family trips depart from Cheltenham Racecourse Station on selected dates from 23 November–23 December 2024 and visit Santa and his elves at his North Pole winter wonderland (aka Winchcombe). Or you can take a Mince Pie Special steam train day trip between 27 December 2024 and 1 January 2025.

21. Have a vintage Christmas at Holst Victorian House

Take a trip back in time to Christmas past with a series of events at Holst Victorian House in Cheltenham. This museum recreates life in the Victorian era at the birthplace of composer Gustav Holst – who was born 150 years ago this year. The house is decorated in 1880s festive style from 3 December 2024, and there’s also a Victorian Christmas family event (7 December), a talk and recital of In the Bleak Midwinter (14 December) and a candlelight museum tour (21 December).

22. Experience a country house Christmas

You can also see how Christmas was celebrated through the ages at historic houses around the Cotswolds. At Dyrham Park the house will be dressed in the style of five different eras, from Tudor times right up until the 20th century (21 November 2024–5 January 2025).

You can see how the Fox-Talbot family spent Christmas in the Great Hall at Lacock Abbey, with traditional decorations and an impressive tree (23 November–31 December). Upton House and Gardens features festive displays inspired by Aesops Fables (23 November–24 December) and there’s a nostalgic 1960s Christmas at Chastleton House (27 November–15 December).

There are also Christmas open days at The Hall in Bradford on Avon, (22, 23 and 19 November, 5 and 12 December 2024), with mulled wine and mine pies by the fire after the tour.

Food and drink

23. Indulge in a festive afternoon tea

Afternoon tea is an English institution, and it gets a little extra sparkle this Christmas in the Cotswolds with festive afternoon teas at the region’s hotels. You can enjoy seasonal delights like turkey and cranberry sandwiches, spiced scones, mince pies and macarons at Ellenborough Park, The Slaughters Manor House, The Lygon Arms, Buckland Manor and Minster Mill.

24. Create a Cotswolds Christmas hamper

The Cotswolds is bursting with fantastic artisan food and drink suppliers, and a Cotswolds Christmas hamper makes a great gift – whether that’s for yourself or someone else. Stock up on local favourites from the Cotswold Cheese Company, Cotswold Gold oils, Tubby Tom’s sauces, Costello and Hellerstein chocolates and charcuterie from Saltpig and The Cotswold Curer.

25. Drink a local toast

Toast the festive season or welcome in 2025 on New Year’ Eve with a glass of local bubbly from one of the Cotswolds’ vineyards. There’s a selection of white and rosé sparkling wines available, including Poulton Hill Estate’s Bulari White and Rosé, Woodchester Valley Vineyard’s Cotswold Classic, and the award-winning Classic Cuvee from Three Choirs Vineyards.

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