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 2025.
When are Christmas lights switch-on events in Cheltenham?
The Brewery Quarter Christmas lights switch on
Saturday 22 November 2025
Set to be extra sparkly this year, The Brewery Quarter's 2025 Christmas Launch Party promises dazzling live music and dance, a silent disco and even the chance to meet Santa, when it takes place from 2pm until 8pm.
Bishop's Cleeve Christmas lights switch on
Saturday 22 November 2025
With free entertainment, an open-air Christmas market and food vendors, as well as the chance to meet Father Christmas and take part in festive arts and crafts, Bishop's Cleeve is hosting its Christmas lights switch-on event, with times to be confirmed.
Pittville Pump Room Christmas lights switch on
Saturday 22 November 2025
Join The Cheltenham Trust for a full day of Christmas celebrations, including the official lights switch-on at 5.30pm, with free live music, crafting with Santa's elves, a family circus show and plenty to munch on at a festive food and drink fair. There's also chance to meet Santa and bust a move at the Party Peeps family foam party!
Charlton Kings Christmas lights switch on
Friday 5 December 2025
Lighting up the Christmas tree at Church Piece, this free community event in Charlton Kings includes meet-and-greets with Santa; live music from local bands and choirs; and an indoor Christmas market in the Baptist Church hall, with more stalls than ever before – all taking place from 3pm to 6pm.
When are the Christmas lights switch-on events in the Cotswolds?
Moreton-in-Marsh Christmas market and lights switch on
Saturday 29 November 2025
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. Then soak up the 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 5 December 2025
Children from St Mary's Primary School are switching on Tetbury's Christmas lights at 6pm, with Santa's grotto, live performances from the Silver Band and late-night shopping at festive market stalls around Market House, too.
Bourton-on-the-Water Christmas lights switch on
Friday 28 November 2025
See the famous floating Christmas tree in the river as it bursts into light and colour, with Bourton's Christmas lights event taking place from 5.30pm.
Cirencester Advent Market and lights switch on
Saturday 29 November 2025
One of the Cotswolds' biggest festive events, Cirencester's two-day Advent Market returns from 10am until 6pm with a street market featuring over 100 stalls, live entertainment and family activities. The Christmas lights switch-on ceremony is broadcast on three big screens around town and followed by a short, silent fireworks display.
Chipping Campden Christmas market and lights switch on
Saturday 6 December 2025
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.
Broadway Christmas lights switch on
Saturday 15 November 2025
Join the local Broadway community as it comes together for the Christmas lights switch-on event on the Green from 5pm. There's also a special event remembering loved ones passed with the Tree of Light switch-on taking place from 5pm with a church service held on the Green on Sunday 2 November 2025.
When are the Christmas lights switch-on events in the Forest of Dean?
Light Up Lydney parade
Saturday 29 November 2025
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 festive craft and food stalls, as well as chances to meet Father Christmas in his grotto, too.
Coleford Christmas lights switch on
Saturday 29 November 2025
Coleford's Christmas celebrations start at 12pm, 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 market and lights switch on
Saturday 29 November 2025
Christmas comes to Newent with an artisanal festive market and music from 12pm until 6pm. Keep warm with a hot chocolate or mulled wine and catch the parade when it starts at 4pm – remember to wave to Santa in his sleigh! – followed by the lights switch on.
When are the Christmas lights switch-on events in Gloucester?
Gloucester Food Dock Christmas lights switch on
Thursday 13 November 2025
Promising merry music from the Saint Cecilia Singers, mulled wine and hot chocolate – with a very special visit from Santa – the Christmas lights switch on at Gloucester Food Dock with an event from 5pm until 7pm.
Gloucester lantern procession and Christmas lights switch on
Saturday 15 November 2025
Gloucester's beloved lantern procession is brightening up the city once again, with a thoughtful 'Community in Nature' theme for 2025. Starting with a carol service at Gloucester Cathedral at 4.50pm, the parade makes its way through the city as the lights are switched on; winding around the new University of Gloucestershire City Campus in King's Square and ending at Blackfriars Priory for the illumination of Gloucester's Tree of Light.
When are the Christmas lights switch-on events in Stroud?
Dursley Christmas market and lights switch on
Friday 28 November 2025
Dursley's Christmas lights switch-on event is back for 2025 from 4.30pm until 8pm, with the countdown to the lights and fireworks kicking off at 6pm. Expect Santa in his Methodist Church grotto from 4.30pm, then live entertainment in the Market Place from 4.45pm, Dursley Rock and Pop Choir at 6.15pm and a Christmas market to browse until 7pm in St James's Church.
Stroud Goodwill Evening
Friday 5 December 2025
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 6 December 2025
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.
When are the Christmas lights switch-on events in Tewkesbury?
Tewkesbury Christmas market and lights switch on
Sunday 23 November 2025
Bringing around 80 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 with the cast of The Roses Theatre pantomime.
