See Gloucestershire being lit-up with marvellous illuminations for festive season in 2012, when a host of celebrities and colourful characters are expected to join Father Christmas in the big switching-on celebrations.
Find out when, where and who will have the honour of switching on the Christmas lights in 2012 in your area, with SoGlos’s comprehensive guide to the free family events.
Venue: The Brewery, Cheltenham
What's Happening: The Chip Shop Boys, The Rock Choir, a local dance troupe and more will be showcasing their talent in the packed schedule of festive entertainment lined-up at The Brewery’s free Switch On event this year.
When: Saturday 24 November 2012
SoGlos loves: The Brewery’s delectable selection of family-friendly restaurants promise to be buzzing with festive activity during the special event, with a host of Christmas menus and special offers only adding to the excitement and tempting all ages to really make a night of it.
For more info: See The Brewery's Christmas Lights Switch On, call (01242) 574378 or visit thebrewerycheltenham.co.uk directly.
Venue: The Exmouth Arms
What’s happening: Santa and Tweedy the Clown, ahead of his anticipated appearance in Everyman Theatre’s Dick Whittington panto, will be leading the annual Christmas parade along Bath Road in Cheltenham, with a festive barbeque set to warm the winter cockles of Cheltenham locals.
When: Friday 23 November 2012
SoGlos loves: Merrymakers can also look forward to getting into the Christmas spirit with some suitable festive carols from pupils at Naunton Park School and live music from Matt Belmont.
For more info: See Bath Road Christmas Parade.
Venue: Regent Arcade, Cheltenham
What's Happening: Head to the Regent Arcade to see Santa and special guests Sid and Scrat from Ice Age 4 switch on the Christmas lights, with local radio station Heart FM set to lead the annual countdown.
When: Saturday 24 November 2012
SoGlos loves: Santa’s grotto in the Regent Arcade this year has a candy land theme, complete with giant cupcakes, gingerbread houses and a lifelike, sleeping polar bear. Kids can sit with Santa and leave with a Christmas present for £3.50 each, or even have their photo taken for an additional £4.
For more info: See Regent Arcade Christmas Lights Switch On.
Venue: High Street, Cheltenham
What’s Happening: Santa, along with a touch of Christmas magic will light up the town centre as the annual parade makes its way down the High Street, with plenty of street entertainment lined up throughout the afternoon.
When: Saturday 24 November 2012
SoGlos loves: This year, keep an eye out for Dick Whittington, his trusty cat companion and a host of other Everyman Theatre characters who will be taking part in the family-favourite parade.
For more info: See Cheltenham Christmas Lights Switch On
Venue: Market Place, Cirencester
What's Happening: Tom and Henry Herbert, otherwise known as The Fabulous Baker Brothers, will be flicking the switch of Cirencester’s Christmas lights, with live music also lined up to add to the festive celebrations.
When: Friday 30 November 2012
SoGlos loves: Singing sensation Abbie Lea and ever-popular Celtic band The Roving Crows will be performing at the Cirencester switch on from 5pm, so don’t miss the chance to catch some free festive music before the main event.
For more info: See Cirencester Christmas Lights Switch On.
Venue: Lechlade-on-Thames town centre
What’s happening: Santa, along with some special friends, will be switching on Lechlade-on-Thames’ Christmas lights from 4.30pm, while there will be plenty of live music and entertainment lined up from the early afternoon – plus the chance to have a festive family sing song too.
When: Saturday 1 December 2012
SoGlos loves: No Christmas event is complete without a warming glass of mulled wine, so the Lechlade Scouts will be out in full force serving adults during the evening, with crepes also on offer from the Lechlade and District Twinning Association.
For more info: See Lechlade-on-Thames Christmas lights.
Venue: Chipping Campden town centre
What's Happening: Santa will be switching on the twinkly lights in the town centre at 4pm and there will be plenty of family-friendly entertainment, food and drink, plus late night shopping too.
When: Friday 7 December 2012
SoGlos loves: The famous Gifford’s Circus and Chipping Campden School Orchestra will be amongst the live entertainment lined up for the evening.
For more info: See The Spirit of Christmas in Chipping Campden.
Venue: Market Place, Tetbury
What's Happening: Tetbury will come alive with a torch light procession, community carol singing, live music from The Big Brunch Band and Avening Silver band, and of course twinkly lights.
When: Friday 7 December 2012
SoGlos loves: There will also be festive market stalls and late night Christmas shopping until 9pm on the night, giving locals plenty of time to pick up a present.
For more info: See Tetbury Christmas Lights Switch On.
Venue: Bourton-on-the-Water town centre
What's Happening: Santa will be switching on the lights of the unique Christmas tree in the river, with plenty of children’s entertainment, a fun fair, pig roast and late night shopping until 9pm all forming part of the annual Victorian Christmas Evening.
When: Friday 7 December 2012
SoGlos loves: This year is set to be a musical affair, with live jazz music lined up and the chance to get the whole family together for a festive carol sing-song in the village, just like old times.
For more info: See Bourton-on-the-Water Victorian Christmas Evening.
Venue: Vale Road, Stratton, near Cirencester
What’s happening: Vale Road in Stratton will once again be the setting for the annual Christmas lights switch on, with a Boogieland disco, live music from the Salvation Army band, mince pies, side stalls and more all expected to make it a night to remember for local families.
When: Saturday 15 December 2012
SoGlos loves: Although the event itself is free of charge, there will be collections during the evening, with all money raised to go towards helping the blind, air ambulance and Stratton pre-school.
For more info: See Stratton Christmas Lights switch on.
Venue: Newent town centre
What’s happening: The picturesque Forest-based market town will be brimming with families from near and far for an early evening filled with twinkling lights, exciting events, live entertainment and plenty of Christmas cheer.
When: Saturday 24 November 2012
SoGlos loves: Santa is taking a break this year and in his place, Olympic gold medallists Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin will be switching on the town’s lights.
For more info: See Newent Christmas Lights switch on.
Venue: Coleford town centre
What's Happening: In keeping with tradition, Coleford’s Christmas lights will be switched on during the evening of the last Friday in November, with locals expected to line the streets to catch a glimpse of the famous twinkly lights and join in the merriment of the town’s Christmas festival.
When: Friday 30 November 2012
SoGlos loves: The market town has become famous for putting its lights up often months in advance of the arrival of Saint Nick, and this year a team of just seven volunteers have installed and tested the LED fixtures 68 days before Christmas.
For more info: See Coleford Christmas lights.
Venue: Lidl, Cinderford
What’s happening: Santa will be leading the annual Christmas Parade from Lidl to The Triangle, before turning on the town’s festive lights and handing out early Christmas gifts to local children from his grotto.
When: Saturday 1 December 2012
SoGlos loves: Festive families can also expect to find a fun fair to keep the little ones entertained as well as plenty of hot food and drink, which will be served up by the local scouts.
For more info: See Cinderford Christmas Parade.
Venue: Midcounties Co-op, Lydney
What’s happening: Mayor Bob Berryman is set to flick the switch of the Christmas lights in Lydney, while there’s also expected to be family-friendly entertainment during the evening, courtesy of the Lydney Traders Association too.
When: Saturday 1 December 2012
SoGlos loves: Crafty locals and creative retailers alike will be turning out to hear the winners of the ever-popular annual Christmas card and shop window competitions, which will be announced by the Mayor on the night.
For more info: See Lydney Christmas Lights switch on.
Venue: Gloucester Quays
What's Happening: Promising an evening full of sparkle, the Gloucester Quays Christmas lights will be switched on this year during a VIP Preview Night, complete with live music, free fizz and cupcakes.
When: Thursday 25 October 2012
SoGlos loves: Offering the chance to start your Christmas shopping off in style, there will be festive catwalk shows, style advice, great offers across the designer shops and a free £10 gift card when you spend £50 on the night.
For more info: See Gloucester Quays Christmas VIP Preview Night.
Venue: Eastgate Street, Gloucester
What's Happening: Santa is expected to once again flick the switch to light up the city centre, before a festive lantern procession sets off from Eastgate Street and finishes at Gloucester Cathedral for a short carol service.
When: Sunday 18 November 2012
SoGlos loves: The lanterns featuring in the procession have been made especially by children from six local primary schools working with professional artists, based on the Christmas carol ‘I Saw Three Ships’, so expect to see plenty of angels, bells and, of course, ships lighting the way.
For more info: See Gloucester Christmas Lights Switch On.
Venue: Gloucester Cathedral
What's Happening: Following the festive lantern procession, there will be a special service and carol singing taking place in Gloucester Cathedral.
When: Sunday 18 November 2012
SoGlos loves: If the carol singing isn’t enough to keep you warm in the Cathedral, there will be warming cups of mulled wine, tea and coffee available in the Cloisters after the service.
For more info: See Christmas lights celebration at Gloucester Cathedral.
Venue: Stonehouse town centre
What's Happening: The annual Stonehouse Goodwill Fest returns in 2012 with mayor Chris Brine set to light up the town centre with Christmas cheer, plus there will be festive carols, Santa’s grotto, stalls from local traders and plenty to keep the kids entertained.
When: Saturday 1 December 2012
SoGlos loves: The theme this year is pantomimes, so expect to find plenty of comedy dames, heroes and baddies wandering the streets of Stonehouse – with prizes for the best dressed children and businesses up for grabs.
For more info: See Stonehouse Goodwill Fest.
Venue: Stroud town centre
What's Happening: Stroud locals will be heading out into the town centre where the lights are expected to once again officially be switched on from the Subscription Rooms.
When: Friday 7 December 2012
SoGlos loves: This year’s theme is set to be Make Love not War, so expect to find a peace procession marching through the town centre, as well as plenty of locals dressed in their finest 60s getups.
For more info: See Stroud Goodwill Evening.
Venue: High Street, Tewkesbury
What's Happening: Father Christmas will be stopping by to light up the streets of Tewkesbury, with a fun fair, Santa’s post box and Punch and Judy show set to keep the little ones entertained and carol singing for all to enjoy.
When: Sunday 25 November 2012
SoGlos loves: In keeping with tradition, Tewkesbury High Street will once again be closed to make way for a bustling festive farmer’s market, which will be selling an array of local and seasonal produce as well as handmade Christmas gifts and crafts.
For more info: See Tewkesbury Festival of Christmas Lights.
To get your event included in Gloucestershire's most popular Christmas lights guide, please complete the request an event listing form.
© SoGlos
Wednesday 20 March 2013
While away a summery Sunday afternoon listening to some top musical talent in one of Cheltenham’s most stunning gardens, at...
This summer holidays in Gloucestershire, see SoGlos’s guide to keeping children of all ages entertained, and out of mischief,...
Gloucestershire plays host to a festival dedicated to just about everything you could ever hope for. Grab your diary and check...
From the mildly bizarre to the downright daft, get the low-down on the county’s craziest conventions with SoGlos’ definitive...
Check out SoGlos’s guide to music festivals in Gloucestershire, spanning every genre a music lover could hope for – without...
