Towns and villages across Gloucestershire are switching on their Christmas lights, giving residents the chance to gather and count down to the start of the festive season.
With some seriously impressive events planned — think fireworks displays, lantern parades and full-scale Christmas markets! — SoGlos shares the best Christmas lights switch on events happening in Gloucestershire this November and December 2024.
Cheltenham Christmas lights switch on events
Cheltenham town centre Christmas lights switch on
Saturday 23 November 2024
Cheltenham BID's official Christmas launch event brings roaming characters and live entertainment to the town centre from 3.30pm to 7pm — with the Christmas lights turning on automatically when dusk falls.
Bishop's Cleeve Christmas lights switch on
Saturday 23 November 2024
With free entertainment, an open-air Christmas market and food vendors, as well as the chance to meet Father Christmas and Frozen's Elsa and Olaf, Bishop's Cleeve is switching its Christmas lights on at 5.30pm — with festivities starting from 2pm.
Pittville Pump Room Christmas lights switch on
Saturday 23 November 2024
Join The Cheltenham Trust for a full day of Christmas celebrations, including the official lights switch on at 5.30pm, with free live music, children's entertainment and a Christmas market from 11am. There's also chance to meet Santa and the characters from Frozen!
Charlton Kings Christmas lights switch on and fayre
Friday 6 December 2024
Lighting up the Christmas tree at Church Piece, this free community event includes meet-and-greets with Santa, live entertainment and an indoor Christmas market in the Baptist Church hall, with more stalls than ever before — all taking place from 3pm to 6pm.
Cotswolds Christmas lights switch on events
Moreton-in-Marsh Christmas market and lights switch on
Saturday 23 November 2024
Moreton's annual Christmas market opens at 10am, with over 75 stalls in the High Street and Santa's grotto to visit in the morning. Soak up seasonal cheer at a carol service from 4.30pm, before the town's Christmas lights are switched on at 5pm.
Tetbury Christmas fair and lights switch on
Friday 29 November, 2024
Children from St Mary's Primary School are swiching on Tetbury's Christmas lights at 6.30pm, with Santa's grotto, carol singing and late-night shopping at festive market stalls around Market House, too.
Bourton-on-the-Water Christmas lights switch on
Friday 29 November 2024
See the famous floating Christmas tree in the river as it bursts into light and colour, with Bourton's Christmas lights being switched on at around 4.30pm.
Cirencester Advent Market and lights switch on
Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December 2024
One of the Cotswolds' biggest festive events, Cirencester's Advent Market event returns with a two-day street market featuring over 200 stalls, live entertainment and family activities. The Christmas lights switch on ceremony begins at around 4.25pm on the Saturday, broadcast on three big screens around town and followed by a short, silent fireworks display.
Lechlade Christmas lights switch on
Saturday 30 November 2024
Taking place in the market square from 4pm to 6.30pm, Lechlade's Christmas celebrations feature a lantern parade, live music from rock ukulele band Frankenstein's Lobster, appearances from Mr and Mrs Claus and barbecue food, as well as the grand switch on event.
Fairford Christmas market and lights switch on
Friday 6 December 2024
Shop for seasonal goodies at Fairford's Christmas market, when the Christmas tree lights are also switched on. Browse stalls selling a variety of crafts, gifts and food and drink from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
Chipping Campden Christmas market and lights switch on
Saturday 7 December 2024
Chipping Campden's annual Christmas market is back, transforming the high street, town square and market hall with arts and crafts stalls selling unique gifts and festive food and drink from 12pm. The Christmas lights are switched on at dusk.
Forest of Dean Christmas lights switch on events
Light Up Lydney parade
Saturday 30 November 2024
Join the parade through Lydney at 5.25pm, starting at Hams Road and finishing at Lydney Town Hall around 6pm, where Santa will light the Christmas tree. There's free face painting and craft stalls, as well as chances to meet Father Christmas in his grotto, too.
Coleford Christmas lights switch on
Saturday 30 November 2024
Coleford's Christmas celebrations start at 2pm, with stalls to browse, funfair rides for youngsters and live entertainment; followed by a parade at 5pm and the official lights switch on at 5.30pm. Father Christmas will also be in his clock tower grotto to meet visiting children at various times throughout the day.
Newent Christmas lights switch on
Saturday 30 November 2024
Christmas comes to Newent with an artisanal festive market and music from 1pm, as well as children's fairground rides. The parade starts at 4pm — remember to wave to Santa in his sleigh! — followed by the lights switch on.
Gloucester Christmas lights switch on events
Gloucester lantern procession and Christmas lights switch on
Saturday 16 November 2024
Gloucester's beloved lantern procession is brightening up the city once again, with a colourful 'Enchanted Winter Forest' theme for 2024. Starting at Gloucester Cathedral at 4.45pm, the parade makes its way through the city as the lights are switched on; ending at Kings Square for the illumination of Gloucester's Tree of Light at 5.15pm.
Stroud Christmas lights switch on events
Berkeley Christmas lights switch on
Friday 29 November 2024
Marking the start of the festive season, Berkeley is switching on its Christmas lights at 6pm, as well as hosting various craft and food stalls and keeping shops open later, with celebrations from 5pm to 8.30pm.
Dursley Christmas lights switch on
Friday 29 November 2024
Festive Dursley's Christmas lights switch on event is back for 2024 from 4.30pm — details are yet to confirmed, but last year's celebration included a fireworks display, funfair and Christmas market stalls.
Stroud Goodwill Evening
Friday 6 December 2024
It's not a traditional switch on event but Stroud Goodwill Evening sees hundreds of brightly lit lanterns parading the streets, with residents invited to take part in the procession. Shops are open for late night shopping, with food and drink stalls dotted around town, too.
Stonehouse Goodwill Festival
Saturday 7 December 2024
See Father Christmas turn on the Stonehouse Christmas lights as part of this year's Goodwill Festival — featuring market stalls, live music and street entertainers, all from 2pm, as well as meet-and-greets with the big man in Santa's makeshift grotto.
Tewkesbury Christmas lights switch-on events
Tewkesbury Christmas market and lights switch on
Sunday 24 November 2024
Bringing around 100 Christmas market stalls, fairground rides and a performance stage to Tewkesbury town centre, this year's Christmas market kicks off at 12pm, with festivities taking place until 6pm — including the official Christmas lights switch on at 5pm.
