There's no better time to explore Gloucester than at Christmas time, when the lights are shining and there are exciting events taking place all over the city.
SoGlos rounds up some of the most magical festive events and activities taking place this November and December 2024, with everything from candlelit concerts and picking homegrown Christmas trees to meeting Santa on a historic tall ship down at the docks...
Join the Christmas lantern parade and light switch-on
Gloucester officially goes festive on Saturday 16 November 2024 with its annual Christmas lantern parade and lights switch-on. Marvel at a host of 'enchanted' winter forest lanterns — lovingly crafted by children from local primary schools — as they light up the streets of Gloucester, while the city's Christmas lights are switched on above them.
Get involved in the parade by attending a free lantern-making workshop at Eastgate Shopping Centre from 2pm to 4pm on the day; and join in the celebrations with the Gloucester Cathedral carol service at 4pm, followed by the lantern parade from 4:45pm.
Meet Santa in Gloucester
Father Christmas is taking some time out of his busy schedule to spend some time in gorgeous Gloucester this November and December 2024 before he heads off on his journey around the world.
His grand tour of the city sees him stop off at Eastgate Shopping Centre on Saturday 16 November; Llanthony Secunda Priory to meet families and give out gifts on Saturday 7 December; the National Waterways Museum on Saturday 7,14 and 21 December for a series of sweet storytelling sessions; Coal Kitchen at Gloucester Quays on Sunday 15 December for an immersive experience including a singalong with the elves, personalised photos, a delicious cooked Christmas breakfast and more; and he's even stepping aboard historic tall ship the Kathleen & May on Saturday 14 December 2024, where he'll be in the Captain's Cabin to listen to little ones' Christmas wishes and give out festive gifts and pirate loot bags.
Sing Christmas carols at Gloucester Cathedral
Embrace the spirit of Christmas by singing your heart out inside the majestic Gloucester Cathedral this December 2024, with a series of carol services that are suitable for all ages.
Herald the start of Christmas with an advent carol service on Sunday 1 December; enjoy Carols on the Hour on Saturday 7 December; come along to its popular family crib service on Saturday 21; and sing along with its angelic cathedral choirs at the Cathedral Carol Service on Monday 23 December 2024.
Get your skates on at Gloucester Quays ice rink
Glide into Christmas with a visit to Gloucester Quays' outdoor ice rink this festive season. Flaunt your grace or iron out those wobbles with your friends and family out under the stars — or if skating isn't for you, watch your loved ones give it a go while sipping a hot chocolate, in amongst the Quays' bustling festive atmosphere.
The ice rink is open from Saturday 23 November 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025 — and there are even photo packages available so visitors can remember the trip for many a Christmas to come.
Visit the Gloucester Vegan Christmas Market at Blackfriars Priory
Embrace a cruelty-free Christmas this year, with Gloucester Vegan Christmas Market at Blackfriars Priory on Sunday 1 December 2024 providing everything from festive food to plant-based presents.
With over 50 stalls to browse, there's tasty vegan food and drink to try, too, with tickets costing just £3 and under 16s going free.
Pick up a Gloucester-grown Christmas tree at Over Farm
Wrap up warm and get out in the fresh, pine-scented air to pick a freshly-cut Christmas tree at Gloucester's Over Farm.
From classic Nordman Firs and Norway Spruces to smaller Silver Firs and even potted varieties, it's ethically-grown trees make the perfect centrepiece — with handmade wreaths available, too, all from Saturday 30 November 2024 at the Roundhouse.
Shop crafts, gifts and food at Gloucester Quays Christmas markets
With more than 120 traders offering festive gifts and local foodie products, the annual Christmas market at Gloucester Quays is a great place to shop for gifts for your loved ones.
Find everything from gifts for pets to handmade arts and crafts and small batch beauty products; along with foodie products from sauces of all kinds to delicious bakes and locally made spirits — with a range of local street food traders and pop-up bars to enjoy, too.
Enjoy festive entertainment at Gloucester Guildhall
There's festive fun for everyone at Gloucester Guildhall this December 2024, from interactive noise-making to live music and more.
Yuletide events range from a pop-up orchestra where children can grab an instrument and create their own soundtrack to Christmas classic The Snowman on Sunday 8 December and a 'noisy' nativity running from Tuesday 10 to Monday 23 December, to fun strictly for grown-ups with live music from ska legends Bad Manners on Wednesday 4 December and a festive burlesque show on Friday 13 December 2024.
Attend a candlelit concert at Blackfriars Priory
The atmospheric Blackfriars Priory plays host to two candlelit Christmas concerts on Saturday 21 December 2024, with music from classic festive films like Love Actually and Home Alone as well as some of the world's biggest Christmas pop hits, performed live by Unity String Quartet.
Tickets cost from £19 each — and the venue is wheelchair accessible, too.
Pick up unique gifts from local makers
The historic Llanthony Secunda Priory is the setting for a Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 November 2024, with stalls selling everything from arts, crafts and Christmas decorations to tasty cakes and bakes from a handpicked selection of traders.
While over at the Folk of Gloucester, its Local Makers Market gives shoppers a chance to meet the craftspeople behind the products and hear the stories that make each item special, with a cafe open throughout the day serving lunch, snacks and hot drinks, too.
