Christmas in the Cotswolds is a magical time of year, when the pretty chocolate-box villages are adorned with twinkling lights and the trees come to life with magic.
SoGlos rounds up 10 fabulously festive things to do in the Cotswold district, covering everywhere from Chipping Campden to Tetbury.
Be enchanted by Westonbirt Arboretum in Tetbury
The magical light trail in the trees is back at Westonbirt Arboretum this festive season, with Christmas at Westonbirt running on selected evenings from Friday 29 November to Tuesday 31 December 2024.
See the magical forest lit up in all the colours of the rainbow, luminous birds suspended mid-air and trees shining in neon, with a chance to catch a glimpse of Father Christmas, too — not to mention festive food and warming drinks in the Christmas village.
Glide around The Gateway Ice Rink at Cotswold Lakes
Get your skates on and take to the ice on the Cotswolds' biggest all-weather ice rink. With space for 100 skaters at a time, The Gateway Ice Rink at Cotswold Lakes, the new name for Cotswold Water Park, is open right up until Sunday 5 January 2025, so there's plenty of time for a trip! There's even Snow Princess sessions this year, where little ones get the chance to skate with their favourite princess and snap a photo, too!
Making ice skating as inclusive as possible, the rink is fully wheelchair accessible and there are sensory skating sessions with reduced lighting and visitor numbers every Friday.
Have a festive feast at The Old Stocks Inn in Stow-on-the-Wold
Served from Monday 2 to Monday 23 December 2024, The Old Stocks Inn's festive feasting menu features classic Christmas dishes with a signature twist — perfect for get-togethers before the big day.
Choose from two or three courses, with dishes including Mallard and duck liver terrine with plum chutney and lavash crackers; roast turkey breast with fondant potato, red wine gravy and all the trimmings; chestnut mushroom gnocchi with winter truffle and lord of hundreds; Valrhona guanaja chocolate fondant and blood orange; and tea or coffee with mince pies to finish. The inn has an impressive cocktail and wine list on offer, too.
See Santa at Cotswold Airport
Father Christmas is flying into Cotswold Airport, where families can see him in his grotto on board a former British Airways Negus 747 from Saturday 23 November until Tuesday 24 December 2024.
Guests are invited to pick up a boarding pass and North Pole Passport; pass through the 'naughty or nice' security check-in; before taking a seat in Premium Economy for the in-flight elf and safety briefing. Then they can explore the on-board winter wonderland, meet Father Christmas and enjoy a story in front of the fire; decorate their own gingerbread house with Mrs Claus; then head to the toy factory to build their own teddy bear to take home.
Hunt for elves at Batsford Arboretum in Moreton-in-Marsh
The Big Batsford Elf Hunt is on! Naughty elves are hiding all over the arboretum and families have from Saturday 30 November 2024 until Sunday 5 January 2025 to find them all, for the chance to win a prize.
Batsford Arboretum is also selling fresh-cut real Christmas trees, so visitors can enjoy a fun festive day out hunting for the elves, then take home the perfect Christmas tree, too.
Follow the Enchanted Light Trail at Cotswold Farm Park in Guiting Power
Lighting up the famous farm park after dark, Cotswold Farm Park's Enchanted Light Trail is a must-visit for families during the festive season.
On selected dates from Friday 22 November until Tuesday 31 December 2024, visitors can step into a magical winter wonderland, full of sparkling sculptures and interactive light installations. With the chance to feed the animals a bedtime snack, toast marshmallows on crackling fire pits, and cosy up with a festive hot chocolate, it promises to be one of the season's most unmissable attractions. And for the first time ever this year, four-legged friends are invited too, completely free of charge!
Snap a selfie with Bourton-on-the-Water's famous floating Christmas tree
Bourton-on-the-Water's incredible Christmas tree is one of the most iconic sights in the Cotswolds at Christmas. The tree actually sits in the River Windrush, which runs through the village, creating colourful light reflections that make for beautiful festive photos.
The lights will be on from Friday 29 November 2024, with plenty more decorations dotted around the chocolate-box Cotswold village. Visitors won't want to miss paying a visit to its famous Victorian Christmas Shop, too!
Go shopping at a Cotswold Christmas market
With Christmas markets taking over Cotswold towns throughout December 2024, residents and visitors can take to the streets to shop for unique Christmas gifts, lovingly created by local crafters and makers.
Fairford's one-day Christmas Market takes place on Friday 6 December 2024, while Tetbury Christmas Market opens on Monday 9 December 2024; Chipping Campden's Christmas market takes place on Saturday 7 December 2024, with stalls filling the High Street, an indoor market at the Town Hall, festive food and drink in the Market Square and even an appearance from Father Christmas; while Cirencester Gift Market takes over the town on selected dates from Sunday 24 November to Sunday 22 December 2024.
Visit the Christmas Tree Festival in Stow-on-the-Wold
Stow-on-the-Wold's St Edward's Church might be known for its famous door, but it's also home to a delightful Christmas Tree Festival and Market from Sunday 1 to Tuesday 3 December 2024.
The charming event sees spectacularly-decorated Christmas trees on display in the church, with handcrafted gifts from local artisans available in the market, too.
Have Christmas lunch at Highgrove near Tetbury
Offering a two- or three-course Christmas lunch in its beautiful Orchard Room, guests are invited to dine at Highgrove, the family home of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, for a festive feast fit for royalty!
Dishes include roasted parsnip and apple soup or smoked salmon to start; ballantine of turkey or sage, goat's cheese and butternut squash tartlet for the main course; with classic Christmas pudding or pear and almond tart for dessert. Guests can also enjoy a spot of shopping in the Orchard Ante Room, with homewares, local food and drink, and artwork by His Majesty himself all available to buy. Be sure to book fast as this event sells out quickly every year!
