Bringing families out to line the streets for an evening of Christmas cheer Cotswolds style, the hugely popular Festive Farmers Charity Tractor Tour returns to the county this December 2026.
The fabulously festive illuminated convoy sees around 40 tractors decorated with thousands of colourful Christmas lights and decorations go on tour across the county – beginning in Shipton and making its way through Withington, Andoversford, Charlton Kings, Prestbury and Cheltenham – spreading Christmas cheer for all to see and hear.
And new for 2026, it's planning two extra Cotswold village tours on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 December 2026, to spread the Christmas joy even further across the county.
This year the Festive Farmers are raising money for two new charities – Rainbow Trust Children's Charity and Dementia UK – chosen to ensure the event can make a meaningful difference to families who need it most.
The event is run entirely by volunteers from the local farming community, with support from businesses including DEYA and Hughes Paddison to cover costs.
Last year's event raised almost £9,000 for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice and RABI – the farmer's charity, with organisers hoping to surpass that total this year and encouraging anyone who would like to donate to make a pledge via GiftWheel.
Cheltenham-based farmer and Festive Farmers spokesperson, John Close, said: 'We're absolutely delighted to be bringing the tractors back for another year. The reaction from people along the route is always incredible – seeing families out together, children waving and entire streets coming out to watch makes all the effort worthwhile.
'Last year, the generosity of local people was fantastic, and we're hoping to build on that success in 2026. Rainbow Trust and Dementia UK both do extraordinary work supporting families through incredibly challenging times, and we're proud to be raising money for them.
'We're also really excited about the possibility of adding two more routes this year. We've had so many people asking us to visit their towns and villages, and we'd love to bring a little Christmas magic to even more communities.'
The Festive Farmers main illuminated tractor run takes place on Saturday 19 December 2026, starting in Shipton at 5pm and trundling into Cheltenham town centre at 7.30pm.
Plans for the two additional rural village tours are yet to be revealed.
