Christmas has officially arrived in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds, with Santa meet-and-greets, festive events and even a convoy of twinkly lit tractors to look forward to throughout December 2025.
SoGlos has the jolliest month of the year covered, rounding up of the 10 best things to do across the county over the Christmas period.
Catch a pantomime in Gloucestershire
It just isn’t Christmas without a jolly good panto (oh no it isn’t!) and Gloucestershire families are spoilt for choice this December 2025. Don’t miss the return of the ever-popular Everyman Theatre pantomime, this year presenting Robin Hood and his Merry Men – once again starring the county's favourite clown, Tweedy.
Meanwhile, The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury promises a new take on classic fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk; while The Sub Rooms is bringing 'the pantomime of your dreams' to Stroud, with Sleeping Beauty.
Soak up the festive atmosphere at Gloucester Cathedral
With its signature giant Christmas tree all decked out for the season, Gloucester Cathedral is a gorgeous destination to soak up some festive joy this December.
Families can check out all the decorations on the Good Tidings Family Trail; and visit the beautiful building after dark to see its spectacular Christmas lights at their most magical, on selected dates throughout the month.
Go to a carol concert in Gloucestershire
Get in the festive mood with a good old singalong this December, with carols from the traditional to fun Yuletide favourites, performed in concert at Gloucestershire's best venues.
There's free Carols on the Hour from the angelic choirs at Gloucester Cathedral; festive big band hits performed by an award-winning swing ensemble at Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre; and a magical evening of music from much-loved Christmas movies, played by a string quartet at a candlelit Blackfriars Priory – check out our roundup of Gloucestershire carol concerts for more!
Head to Cheltenham Racecourse for The Christmas Meeting
Horse racing enthusiasts have one last chance to get their jump racing fix before the year is out, with The Christmas Meeting taking over Cheltenham Racecourse on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 December 2025.
Alongside the top-class equestrian action, there's a Christmas Tipster competition offering the chance to win prizes, while racegoers can also soak up the festive party atmosphere with live music and opportunities to meet Santa and his reindeer!
Find your perfect real Christmas tree in Gloucestershire
Dust off the decorations and start untangling those fairy lights — it’s Christmas tree time! Whether you’re looking to buy or rent a real tree this year, there are lots of places to hunt for the perfect spruce in Gloucestershire.
From family-run farms and independent retail nurseries to local arboretums, make choosing your tree a truly festive occasion, with SoGlos’s pick of 15 places to buy your Christmas tree in Gloucestershire providing some inspiration.
Brave the Christmas swim at Cheltenham Lido
It’s certainly a unique way to start your Christmas morning but Cheltenham Lido attracts hundreds of courageous swimmers for an icy cold dip every year — with its iconic Christmas Day Swim taking place from 11am on Thursday 25 December 2025.
This wacky event is sure to be a talking point over the turkey — plus, you're bound to work up an appetite for that second helping of Christmas pudding — so grab your Santa hat and take the plunge.
Meet Father Christmas in Gloucestershire
From seeing Santa amongst the lights and illuminations at Blenheim Palace, to meeting him aboard one of Dean Forest Railway’s vintage trains, there are plenty of chances for excited kids to catch a glimpse of Father Christmas in Gloucestershire.
And SoGlos has families covered, rounding up a whopping 20 places to meet Santa Claus across the county this December.
See the illuminated tractors travel through Gloucestershire
Grab a place by the roadside to see twinkly lit tractors trundle by, as the Gloucester Christmas Tractor Run makes its comeback on Wednesday 17 December 2025. With local farmers expected to go all out, see tractors decorated with flashing displays and giant inflatables, on a route soon to be announced.
The festive fun continues over the Oxfordshire border with one of the Cotswolds' quirkiest Christmas traditions, the Banbury Christmas Tractor run on Saturday 13 December 2025; while there's another magical convoy set to light up Cheltenham and nearby Cotswolds villages in the Festive Farmers Charity Tour on Saturday 20 December 2025, on a route starting in Shipton and finishing in the town centre.
Watch the world-famous Bibury Duck Race on Boxing Day
If you can peel yourself away from the Christmas leftovers, blow off the Boxing Day cobwebs by joining hundreds of spectators on the banks of the River Coln for the annual Bibury Duck Race.
This beloved Boxing Day tradition sees approximately 3,000 yellow rubber ducks released into the river and for just £2, you can sponsor one of them for the chance to win big prizes!
Head out for a wintry walk in Gloucestershire
Perfect for getting the whole family outdoors around Christmas, brave the cold for a wintry walk around one of Gloucestershire's quaint villages or picturesque natural spaces this December.
Dose up on festive Cotswolds charm with a wander around Bourton-on-the-Water or Chipping Campden; hike to the top of Symonds Yat Rock for spectacular views of the Wye Valley; or keep the kids entertained with Forestry England's new Christmas Stick Man Trail at Beechenhurst in the Forest of Dean or at Westonbirt Arboretum – a fun Yuletide adventure featuring Julia Donaldson's beloved characters.
