MARKETS

It’s not often you see Ferraris combined with a Christmas market but trust us, it works! Head over to Five Zeros supercar barn in Bradford on Avon on 15 December, for mince pies, mulled wine, face painting and the chance to stock up on gifts. With the usual dazzling array of very vast cars on display, this is a great one to enthral petrolheads too. 

Over in Salisbury, festive spirit will be flocking to the Market Place on 15 and 22^nd December. You’ll find stalls stuffed with seasonal treats and handmade gifts galore.

Great Chalfield is gorgeous at Christmas – there’s a reason why shows including Poldark have been filmed here. Head over on 14th December for the annual Christmas fair, where you’ll find loads of local food and craft stalls. Entry £5.

It’s all systems go in Avebury on 14 and 15 December, when a market kicks off in the 17^th Century threshing barn. This is a pretty magical location – bring the kids and they can hunt for the Christmas robins in the Alexander Keiller Museum. 

A smidge into Somerset, Bath’s famous Christmas market rages on until 15^th. This is one of the best in the UK – expect a multitude of twinkling wooden chalets, set against a backdrop of the city’s iconic landmarks. Plus of course there’s more mulled wine and caramelised nuts than you can shake a snowflake at.

Christmas comes to Trowbridge on 14th December, when the Weavers Market heads to town. There are tons of fab local producers, selling everything from locally sourced honey to gin and jewellery. Find out more here.

CHRISTMAS WORKSHOPS

Chris Orton’s sugarcraft is exquisite, and she’s passing on her know-how on 13 December, in a festive session at Parade House in Trowbridge. You’lllearn to decorate like a pro, plus you’ll bring home six of your own decorated Christmas cookies. There’s even a cream tea thrown in for good measure. Tickets £80, find out more here.

Fancy a spot of festive papercraft? Take a lesson from the pro, Tamsin Loveday, at Fisherton Mill (13 and 14 Dec). She’ll show you how to make hanging star books, using gorgeous decorative papers. Tickets £37, book here.

Salisbury Cathedral is pretty magical at the moment, and until 21 December kids can get stuck into festive craft sessions. Make Christmas cards or tree decorations – it’s all included along with admission.

The glorious gardens up at The American Museum are hosting fabulously festive workshops too, from felt art to macramé wreath making. For info and dates, see here.

If you’ve always wanted to make a cute gingerbread house, head to Malmesbury’s Old Bell on 15 December. Lashings of hot chocolate will be on tap, as you join their pastry chef to decorate your own creation. Tickets £30, book here. Psssst there’s a boozy adults-only session on 16^th too!

FESTIVE DINING

Whatley Manor is pulling out all the stops this month. On 18 December, executive chef Ricki Weston and his team are showcasing their skills with an experiential dining experience. You’ll be treated to five courses, cooked and plated right in front of you. This is an intimate event in the Green Room, so it’s pretty spesh. Tickets £120, plus you can add a wine flight.

Over at Parade House, it’s all about cocktails and Christmas jumpers. Head there on 14 or 21 Dec for a night of seasonal drinks and food. With comforters like slow cooked beef and sticky toffee pud on the menu, this sounds like a winner. Find out more and book here.

Festive overload alert. High tea and Father Christmas sounds like a pretty winning combo to us. Head to Malmesbury’s Old Bell Hotel on 23 December, when the big man is set to visit from the North pole. For every adult that buys a Christmas afternoon tea (£30), a child gets one free. Find out more here.

Grab the kids and shimmy over to Woolley Grange. This place is seriously child friendly, and on select dates in December you can tick off both tea and Santa in one afternoon. Scoff the likes of macarons and mince pies, then head over to the grotto to see the man himself. Afterwards, little ones can burn off steam by exploring the Woolley Christmas trail in the gardens. Tickets £30, which includes a gift.

Father Christmas is taking a star turn over at Bishopstrow Hotel, on 15 December. Tuck into Sunday lunch or an afternoon tea, then for an extra tenner you can take the children to the enchanted grotto to meet the man himself. For more info and booking see here.

CONCERTS & CAROLS

Internationally recognised sopranos Mary and Sophie Bevan head to Bradford-on-Avon on 14^th, and they’re bringing their extremely talented family along for the ride. Expect an evening of festive faves from The Bevan Family Consort, and a whole lot of Christmas cheer. Tickets from  £13.

It doesn’t get much more Christmassy than carols by candlelight. Head over to Salisbury Cathedral on 22 and 23 for carols, choral works and readings. Things kick off at 5pm on 22^nd and 7pm on 23^rd, but it’ll be hugely popular, so do get there early.

There are carols down the road at Messums on 19 December too, this time in aid of Tisbury Fire Service. Head to the barn to join 200 voices and the Woodfalls Band – you’ll find snacks and drinks at the bar, and entry is a freebie. Register your interest here. 

On 20 December, Jo Pettitt and the Len Phillips Swing Orchestra hit the Wiltshire Music Centre stage. Expect a sparkling programme of toe-tapping Christmas tunes, from the likes of Michael Bublé and Bing Crosby. This is very much a family show, tickets from £15.

The musical rollercoaster that is Handel’s Messiah will be in full swing at Salisbury Cathedral on 7 December. This promises to be pretty festive, plus there’s mulled wine during the interval. Tickets from £10, but get booking pronto.

PANTOMIME

Oh no he isn’t!Panto season is here with a bang, and Salisbury Playhouse’s production of Sleeping Beauty is a right sizzler. Expect dazzling dances, superb songs and seriously outlandish costumes. Oh, and a healthy dose of slapstick and smut. Sounds tip-top! Tickets from £17, book here.

It’s set to be the ultimate panto glow up, when Cinderella heads to Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre. Corrie’s Lisa George is stars as Fairy Godmother, alongside David Ashley as Dame Molly Miggins. Tickets from £14.

Over at Tidworth Garrison Theatre, Jack and his beanstalk are the stars of the show. This panto is just on 23 Dec and tickets are being released intermittently, so get in quick if you want to book a seat.

A short (ish) hop over to Bristol takes you to the Hippodrome, where Brian Conley and Brenda Edwards will be strutting their stuff in Goldilocks. This one’s a circus extravaganza, with stunts galore. Tickets from £13, book here. 

He’s behind you! For more panto action, head to Warminster’s Athenaeum, where Oddity Theatre is performing Beauty and the Beast (until 24 Dec). Can bookworm Belle break the spell and find the beauty within the fearsome beast? Tickets from £16.

CHRISTMAS CINEMA

The Parade Cinema in Marlborough is going Christmas crazy on us this month. Choose from White Christmas (19 and 24), Polar Express (21 and 22) and Home Alone 2 (14 and 15). You’ll find fabulous hot chocs in the café – or a glass of vino!

Who doesn’t love watching Home Alone in the run up to Christmas? Head to Salisbury Cathedral on 14 December for a festive screening. There’s popcorn too, plus drinks. Tickets from just £3, check it out here.

Meanwhile, Whatley Manor is getting into the swing of things with a series of festive film and dine nights. There are tons of showings, but our top picks have to be The Holiday (20th), The Grinch (21^st) and Elf (22^nd). Tickets £45, which includes a two-course dinner in Grey’s restaurant and ice cream or popcorn (of course). For info and bookings see here. 

FESTIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Do the kids like their history with all the nasty bits left in? Take them to meet mega-selling Horrible Histories illustrator and author Martin Brown at Salisbury Museum on 14^th. He’ll be celebrating the books, The Truly Terrible History of the Toilet and Horrible Christmas, with live illustration and audience assistance. Tickets from £5.

Can’t resist a spooky tale? Join pro storyteller Gav Cross at The Pound on 23 December, for a reading of supernatural tales. Expect plenty of noise and a shiver up your spine. Tickets from £12, but this one is for the over 12’s.  

Santa and his elves hit Swindon from 18^th, with The Father Christmas Show. You’ll find this festive extravaganza at the town’s Arts Centre, and it promises to be jam-packed with more jokes and fun than a Christmas cracker. Tickets from £14, plus kids get to meet Santa after the show.

The Pound in Corsham has a few festive treats lined up, including a performance of A Winter’s Tale by The Last Baguette Theatre co (19^th and 20^th). You’ll find silliness, lots of snow and tickets from just £6.

Bit of a ballet buff? Head to The Pound in Corsham on 19 December, when the Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker brings a sprinkling of festive charm. Alternatively, head there on 21^st to catch Swan Lake. Expect fairy tale magic and spectacular dance. Tickets from £14. Can’t make The Pound? Head to Wiltshire Music Centre instead, where you’ll find a screening of The Nutcracker on 18^th.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

With its giant glowing lanterns, Longleat’s Festival of Light is pretty spesh. It runs until 5 Jan, and this year’s theme is a journey through time. Walk through a great pyramid of Egypt, dodge a dinosaur’s roar, or marvel at the 10 metre high Roman Colosseum complete with chariots and gladiators. There’s also a festive train for little visitors. Tickets from £20.95, you can find out more here.

Stourhead’s stunning gardens look sensational at Christmas, with thousands of lights and lasers popping about from 29 Nov until 1 Jan. You’ll find glittering tunnels, a sea of light stretching across the lake and rainbow illuminations. There’s lashings of hot chocolate, toasted marshmallows and mulled wine on sale too. Tickets from £16, 0-2’s go free.

This year, Westonbirt’s light extravaganza is brought to you by the peeps behind Christmas at Kew and Christmas at Blenheim. Sounds pretty fabulous to us. Expect sparkling lights, Christmassy soundscapes and impressive installations. Tickets cost from £15, and you can book your slot here, it runs from 29 Nov until 31 Dec.

Back for the fourth year in a row, Swindon’s Town Gardens is lit up until 24 Dec. It’s promised that this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever, with state-of-the-art installations, light art sculptures, low-level soundscapes and a specially-designed light show. Small people in tow? There are local vendors selling food and drink, and the route is fully accessible too. The event runs until Christmas Eve and tickets cost from £8.50, with under 5’s going free. Bag your spot here.

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Fancy a festive cruise down the Kennet & Avon canal? Hotfoot it to The Wharf at Devizes, where you can jump aboard for an hour-long trip on the Kenavon Venture. Father Christmas will be in attendance, plus there’s mince pies and mulled wine for the adults. The trip runs on select dates until 23^rd, tickets from £12.

Over in Salisbury, Mompesson House is throwing open its festive doors for an immersive storytelling experience. Discover the three bears’ Christmas feast, follow Hansel’s trail to the tea-room and listen to fairy tales in the Library. The tearoom is open too, plus there are story sessions in the bookshop. Normal National Trust entry applies, find out more here.

Another one for the kids. On 8, 15 and 22 December, artist Michael Loader is set to perform a series of festive stories at The American Museum, including ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. You’ll also find face painting on 7 and 21 December, plus their fabulous 18foot Christmas tree to ogle at.

If you haven’t visited Longleat House at Christmas, make sure you jingle your way over there this year. You’ll find tons of elaborately decorated trees, including a six-metre whopper in the Great Hall.

Santa is the star of the show over at Fairwood Lakes, near Warminster, this Christmas. The event includes story time in the Santa Express, a gift and a festive trail. Follow the twinkly lights and clues towards Santa’s Village, then warm up with a hot chocolate, loaded with whippy cream and marshmallows. Tickets £13.50, which also gives you access to the soft play and outdoor play area.

Hop aboard the Swindon to Cricklade railway and chug through the countryside, before hopping off at the North Pole to visit Mr Frosty and his friend Father Christmas. Dates (15,16,20,21) always sell out faster than the intercity express, so be quick if you want to bag a seat on this one. Tickets from £8.

Santa alert! The man himself has taken up residence in Salisbury’s Guildhall Square, and he’ll be in his grotto until Christmas Eve. After listening to a festive tale, kids will be treated to a gift from Santa’s workshop. Tickets are just £8, book here.