Gloucester comes alive at Christmas, with twinkling lights on every street, beautiful music at the cathedral, quirky Christmas markets down at the docks and the ever-popular outdoor ice rink at Gloucester Quays.
SoGlos rounds up 13 fabulously festive things to do in the city this November and December 2025.
Shop for unique gifts at Gloucester Quays Christmas markets
Gloucester Quays Christmas markets are taking over Orchard Square every weekend in the lead-up to Christmas, from Saturday 8 November until Sunday 21 December 2025.
There are over 120 of the south west's best market traders coming to town, selling everything from handmade gifts to artisan food for your festive table, with street food and a pop-up bar to keep you warm while you browse. Plus there's up to 70 per cent off retail prices on high end and high street brands at Gloucester Quays, too.
Get your skates on at Gloucester Quays outdoor ice rink
The outdoor ice rink at Gloucester Quays opens for the season on Thursday 20 November 2025. Whether you're making magical family memories or hitting the ice for some fun with your friends, it promises to be one of the highlights of the season in Gloucester.
Tickets cost from £14 for adults; from £12.50 for juniors aged 11 to 16; from £11 for children aged three to 10; and from £11 for a wheelchair user and their carer – with family tickets available, too.
See the streets light up at Gloucester Lantern Parade
Illuminating the streets on Saturday 15 November 2025, Gloucester's traditional Lantern Parade sees five schools parade their handmade lanterns through the streets – with this year's theme being 'communities in nature', showing how wildlife and the natural world support each other.
Starting at 3.45pm at Kings Square, where there'll be live music and entertainment, followed by a community carol service at Gloucester Cathedral at 4pm, the parade then makes its way through the city from 4.50pm, led by Father Christmas and the Gloster Gladiators Scout Band.
Have breakfast with Santa at Coal Kitchen
Father Christmas is making a special stop at Coal Kitchen Gloucester Quays on Sunday 7 December 2025, to visit families and spread some festive magic.
The big man will be making his way around everyone's tables for photo opportunities and to give out presents, while guests enjoy fresh pastries and a full English breakfast – with singalongs led by Santa's elves and lots more festive fun, too.
Make a Christmas wreath at Gloucester Cathedral
Get crafty this Christmas with a wreath making workshop in the atmospheric Parliament Room at Gloucester Cathedral on Saturday 15, Saturday 22 and Tuesday 25 November 2025.
Using fresh foliage and seasonal supplies, participants will make their very own Christmas wreath with guidance from a professional tutor, accompanied by a hot drink and a sweet treat.
Watch the Christmas light switch-on at Gloucester Docks
Gloucester Docks is hosting its own Christmas light switch-on from 5pm to 7pm on Thursday 13 November 2025.
Grab a mulled wine or hot chocolate from Gloucester Food Dock, enjoy a live performance from the Saint Cecilia Singers and count down to the big moment when the twinkling tree lights come on with Santa Claus himself.
Pick up a real Christmas tree at Over Farm
Gloucester's Over Farm is selling its homegrown Christmas trees from Friday 28 November 2025, with over 15,000 sustainably grown trees to choose from, including non-drop varieties.
There's loads more to enjoy at Over Farm, too, from Christmas markets at the weekend to its Elfcapades Countryside Adventure, with trails to follow, friendly animals to meet and marshmallows to toast over an open fire.
Explore Gloucester Cathedral's Christmas experience at night
Lighting up Gloucester's most iconic building once the sun sets, Gloucester Cathedral Christmas Experience at Night is one of the season's most unmissable attractions.
See every inch of the spectacular building lit up with Christmas lights and decorations, enjoy live music from the cathedral's choirs and musicians, sip mulled wine from The Monk's Kitchen and even add on an atmospheric candlelit library tour, or head to the top of the tower for dazzling views across Gloucestershire after dark.
Have cake and cocoa with Father Christmas at National Waterways Museum
On Saturday 6 and Saturday 13 December 2025, Santa Claus is stopping into the National Waterways Museum Gloucester for cake and cocoa.
Families can enjoy a selection of cakes and drinks while they spend some time with Santa and receive a special gift, before heading off around the museum to see the exhibits and take part in Christmas crafts.
Take part in a Snowman-inspired pop-up orchestra workshop at Gloucester Guildhall
Gloucester Guildhall is hosting an interactive film screening of beloved Christmas classic, The Snowman, on Sunday 30 November 2025.
Families can take part in a pop-up orchestra workshop, where they can sing along to 'Walking in the Air' and create their own sound effects for the film with help from a professional musician, followed by a screening of the film.
Brave a Christmas ghost story at Blackfriars Priory
Blackfriars Priory provides a haunting backdrop for Victorian-inspired original ghost story, Uncle Holly, on Monday 15 and Thursday 18 December 2025.
This spooky one-man show is written and performed by Jonathan Goodwin and tells the story of the 'malevolent spectre of Synderford'. For those brave enough to book a ticket, there'll also be a bar serving drinks to steady those nerves!
Join the Santa Fun Run
The Rotary Club of Gloucester's Santa Fun Run is back on Saturday 13 December 2025, where hundreds of Santas will run through the streets to raise money for charity.
Open to everyone, as long as they're wearing a Santa hat, snood or head-to-toe outfit, there is a 1k and a 5k route to choose from, starting outside the new City Campus at Kings Square.
Sing along at Gloucester Cathedral's carol services
Gloucester Cathedral's popular carol services are often the highlight of the festive season in the city. Carol services take place on Sunday 21, Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 December 2025 at 6pm, with family carol services in the afternoon on Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 December 2025 – all free to attend and open to all.
There's also the return of Carols on the Hour on Sunday 6 December 2025, with performances from the cathedral's talented singers and musicians on the hour, every hour from 11am until 3.30pm; and a celebration of Benjamin Britten's Ceremony of Carols sung by the cathedral choir on Sunday 7 December 2025.
.png?width=1380&height=722&rmode=pad&bgcolor=ffffff&quality=85&format=webp)
