Find the top holiday attractions in Stratford-upon-Avon! Our guide has all the must-see festive highlights. Whether you're deeply connected to Stratford-upon-Avon or just making connections, our guide enhances your seasonal joy.
One of the most cherished events is the Stratford-upon-Avon Christmas Market, where local crafts and delicious food create a vibrant festive atmosphere. The Candlelit Christmas at Shakespeare's Birthplace invites visitors to experience the magic of the season in a historical setting, with enchanting decorations and seasonal storytelling. And the Christmas Family Day at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre offers a fantastic array of activities designed for children and families to enjoy together. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Stratford-upon-Avon
- Stratford-upon-Avon Christmas Market
- Candlelit Christmas at Shakespeare's Birthplace
- Christmas Family Day at Royal Shakespeare Theatre
- The Spectacle of Light at Sudeley Castle (Winchcombe)
- Winchcombe Christmas Festival (Winchcombe)
- Enchanted Woodland Illuminated Trail at Westonbirt Arboretum (Tetbury)
- Christmas on the Farm and Enchanted Light Trail (Various)
- Broadway's Late-Night Christmas Shopping (Broadway)
- Cheltenham Christmas Gift Market (Cheltenham)
- Unwrapped: Twelfth Night
See these and even more events listed below!
Stratford-upon-Avon Holiday Light Displays
Christmas on the Farm and Enchanted Light Trail
What to Expect:
Family-friendly illuminated light trail with interactive activities and festive treats.
Description:
Explore Cotswold Farm Park's illuminated light trail, featuring stunning creations, installations, and illuminations. Wander through the farm park after hours, immersing yourself in festive spirit surrounded by light displays and the soft rustling of leaves. Enjoy animal interactions, festive treats, and picturesque selfie stations.
Where: Various | More Info: Christmas on the Farm and Enchanted Light Trail
Enchanted Woodland Illuminated Trail at Westonbirt Arboretum
What to Expect:
Unique light trail featuring international acclaimed producers.
Description:
Explore trees from around the globe illuminated by over a million twinkling lights and seasonal sounds. Discover luminous birds, colourful neon trees, and sparkling tunnels of light in the arboretum filled with all the colours of the rainbow. Enjoy seasonal snacks from the Christmas village or hand-picked street food vendors.
Where: Tetbury | More Info: Enchanted Woodland Illuminated Trail at Westonbirt Arboretum
The Spectacle of Light at Sudeley Castle
What to Expect:
Illuminated trail featuring The Sleeping Beauty story.
Description:
Explore the illuminated trail around Sudeley Castle's fairy-tale grounds, featuring iconic characters from The Sleeping Beauty. Enjoy festive food and drinks while discovering the story of the Princess's deep sleep and the heroic Prince's quest to awaken her.
Where: Winchcombe | More Info: The Spectacle of Light at Sudeley Castle
Stratford-upon-Avon Holiday Markets and Shopping
Stratford-upon-Avon Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Immersive shopping experience with roaming entertainment.
Description:
The Stratford-upon-Avon Christmas Market features an all-new layout with 200 high-quality stalls, offering a special shopping experience. It takes place over two consecutive weekends, allowing visitors to experience the market on traditionally popular days while reducing midweek traffic congestion.
Where: Stratford-upon-Avon | More Info: Stratford-upon-Avon Christmas Market
Broadway's Late-Night Christmas Shopping
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with local artisans and festive treats.
Description:
Broadway's Late-Night Christmas Shopping features beautiful Christmas lights, live music, mulled wine, festive food, and great shops and eateries. Reindeer and Father Christmas add to the seasonal atmosphere.
Where: Broadway | More Info: Broadway's Late-Night Christmas Shopping
Winchcombe Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Unique gifts and festive food in a charming Cotswold town setting.
Description:
The Winchcombe Christmas Festival is a two-day event featuring over 40 market stalls laden with unique gifts, festive food, and live music. The festival includes late-night shopping, carol singing, and street performances by Morris dancers, choirs, and bands. The town is beautifully lit with over 70 real Christmas trees, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Where: Winchcombe | More Info: Winchcombe Christmas Festival
Cheltenham Christmas Gift Market
What to Expect:
Unique gifts and local craftsmanship.
Description:
The Cheltenham Christmas Gift Market offers a treasure trove of unique gifts, homeware, and handmade goods by local producers and artisans, set against the backdrop of Cheltenham's elegant Regency buildings.
Where: Cheltenham | More Info: Cheltenham Christmas Gift Market
Stratford-upon-Avon Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas Family Day at Royal Shakespeare Theatre
What to Expect:
Interactive theatre and craft activities for families.
Description:
Join us for a fun and accessible family day at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, featuring theatre and making activities inspired by our production of The Red Shoes.
Where: Stratford-upon-Avon | More Info: Christmas Family Day at Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Family Workshop: The Red Shoes
What to Expect:
Ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Red Shoes is a family-friendly adaptation of the classic fairy tale, featuring a young woman's journey to self-discovery through her relationship with a pair of enchanting shoes.
Where: Stratford-upon-Avon | More Info: Family Workshop: The Red Shoes
Unwrapped: Othello
What to Expect:
Intimate glimpse into the creative process of Othello.
Description:
Unwrapped: Othello offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Othello. Witness the rehearsal room processes, design choices, and characterisation insights that bring this classic play to life.
Where: Stratford-upon-Avon | More Info: Unwrapped: Othello
Unwrapped: Twelfth Night
What to Expect:
Insight into the rehearsal room, highlighting the transformation of scenes from page to stage.
Description:
Witness the Royal Shakespeare Company's Unwrapped: Twelfth Night, where actors and creative team members reveal the rehearsal process, showcasing how scenes are brought to life on stage through exercises and discussions.
Where: Stratford-upon-Avon | More Info: Unwrapped: Twelfth Night
Sixth Form Conference: Othello
What to Expect:
Interactive live Q&A session with expert analysis.
Description:
Join us for an in-depth exploration of Shakespeare's Othello, featuring a 45-minute pre-recorded talk and a 60-minute live Q&A session. Expert voices will delve into cultural, literary, and theatrical contexts, analyzing how dramatic devices shape meaning.
Where: Stratford-upon-Avon | More Info: Sixth Form Conference: Othello
Stratford-upon-Avon Other Holiday Activities
Candlelit Christmas at Shakespeare's Birthplace
What to Expect:
Intimate candlelit tour of Shakespeare's childhood home.
Description:
Step back in time and explore Shakespeare's childhood home under the soft glow of candlelight. Learn about festive traditions from the Tudor period and discover how Christmas celebrations have evolved over the centuries. Enjoy live, traditional Tudor music and warm drinks as you delve into the symbolic meanings behind decorations and traditional games.
Where: Stratford-upon-Avon | More Info: Candlelit Christmas at Shakespeare's Birthplace
Free Family Ghost Tours at Royal Shakespeare Theatre
What to Expect:
Family-friendly ghost tour through the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Description:
Explore the Royal Shakespeare Theatre with a family-friendly ghost tour, uncovering the spooky history and hidden corners of the iconic venue.
Where: Stratford-upon-Avon | More Info: Free Family Ghost Tours at Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Warwick (8 miles)
- Royal Leamington Spa (10 miles)
- Kenilworth (12 miles)
- Evesham (12 miles)
- Redditch (13 miles)
- Solihull (16 miles)
- Shirley (16 miles)
- Coventry (17 miles)
- Banbury (18 miles)
- Bromsgrove (18 miles)
- Acocks Green (18 miles)
- Droitwich (19 miles)
- Bartley Green (21 miles)
- Birmingham (22 miles)
- Worcester (22 miles)
- Washwood Heath (22 miles)
- Bedworth (22 miles)
- Rugby (22 miles)
- Aston (23 miles)
- Halesowen (23 miles)
- Daventry (24 miles)
- Nuneaton (25 miles)
- Cheltenham (26 miles)
- West Bromwich (26 miles)
- Stourbridge (26 miles)
- Stourport-on-Severn (26 miles)
- Sutton Coldfield (26 miles)
- Dudley (27 miles)
- Brierley Hill (27 miles)
- Kidderminster (27 miles)
- Great Malvern (27 miles)
- Hinckley (28 miles)
- Tipton (28 miles)
- Wednesbury (28 miles)
- Walsall (30 miles)
- Witney (30 miles)
- Tamworth (31 miles)
- Willenhall (31 miles)
- Bicester (31 miles)
- Brownhills (32 miles)
- Bloxwich (32 miles)
- Gloucester (32 miles)
- Wednesfield (32 miles)
- Wolverhampton (32 miles)
- Lichfield (34 miles)
- Burntwood (35 miles)
- Northampton (35 miles)
- Oxford (36 miles)
- Stroud (37 miles)
- Cannock (37 miles)
- Wigston Magna (37 miles)
- Market Harborough (39 miles)
- Oadby (39 miles)
- Leicester (39 miles)
- Coalville (39 miles)
- Abingdon (40 miles)
- Rugeley (40 miles)
- Swadlincote (41 miles)
- Milton Keynes (42 miles)
- Burton upon Trent (43 miles)
- Bletchley (44 miles)
- Wellingborough (44 miles)
- Hereford (44 miles)
- Kettering (44 miles)
- Swindon (44 miles)
- Didcot (45 miles)