Get thrilled for the holidays, Swindon! Check out our guide for all the best events and activities. Whether you've lived in Swindon for years or just for the holidays, this guide maximizes your festive experience.
Popular events during the season include the enchanting Christmas at Salisbury Cathedral, where visitors can enjoy stunning seasonal decorations and a series of special services. The vibrant atmosphere of the Trowbridge Christmas Lights Switch On is hard to miss, featuring a festive parade and dazzling light displays. And the picturesque Christmas at Stourhead is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing beautiful gardens transformed under twinkling fairy lights. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Swindon
- Christmas at Stourhead (Mere)
- Christmas at Salisbury Cathedral (Salisbury)
- Christmas at STEAM
- Christmas Experience at Roves Farm
- A Fairytale Christmas at Mompesson House (Salisbury)
- Trowbridge Christmas Lights Switch On (Trowbridge)
- Festive Guided Tour of Lydiard House with Cream Tea
- Christmas on the Square (Salisbury)
- Santa Specials @ Swindon & Cricklade Railway
- Christmas Fair in Chippenham (Chippenham)
See these and even more events listed below!
Swindon Holiday Light Displays
Trowbridge Christmas Lights Switch On
What to Expect:
Spectacular lantern parade with a colourful samba band.
Description:
The Trowbridge Christmas Lights Switch On features a spectacular lantern parade, musical performances, and a bustling Civic Christmas Market, creating a vibrant and memorable evening.
Where: Trowbridge | More Info: Trowbridge Christmas Lights Switch On
Christmas at Stourhead
What to Expect:
Award-winning light trail with new lights and festive atmosphere.
Description:
Stourhead's Christmas light trail features a one-mile walk through the garden with new lights, including a sea of light across the lake, huge feathers, and sparkling tunnels. Enjoy seasonal snacks and drinks while exploring the illuminated trail.
Where: Mere | More Info: Christmas at Stourhead
Swindon Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas on the Square
What to Expect:
Brand new Gift Fayre with incredible local crafts.
Description:
Christmas on the Square features a beautifully decorated area in Guildhall Square with local crafts, artisan products, and festive entertainment.
Where: Salisbury | More Info: Christmas on the Square
Christmas Fair in Chippenham
What to Expect:
Artisan market with live music and street performers.
Description:
The Christmas Fair in Chippenham offers a variety of stalls selling gifts, arts, crafts, food, and drink. Enjoy live music, street performers, and festive activities in the town centre.
Where: Chippenham | More Info: Christmas Fair in Chippenham
Christmas at STEAM
What to Expect:
Interactive Christmas market with iconic GWR locomotives.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas at STEAM with over 50 market stalls offering unique gifts, live entertainment, and Santa's Storytime sessions.
Where: Swindon | More Info: Christmas at STEAM
Swindon Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas at Salisbury Cathedral
What to Expect:
Traditional music and liturgical pieces in a historic cathedral setting.
Description:
Christmas at Salisbury Cathedral features a blend of traditional music, liturgical pieces, and festive tunes performed by the cathedral's choir and other musical groups, creating a rich and spiritual holiday atmosphere.
Where: Salisbury | More Info: Christmas at Salisbury Cathedral
A Fairytale Christmas at Mompesson House
What to Expect:
Immersive storytelling experience with Victorian Christmas decorations.
Description:
At Mompesson House, fairytales come alive as you step back in time for a Victorian Christmas. Explore decorated rooms, enjoy a Three Bears Christmas feast, and follow Hansel's trail. Free activity sheets and storytelling sessions are available, making it perfect for young hearts.
Where: Salisbury | More Info: A Fairytale Christmas at Mompesson House
Christmas Fair in Stockbridge
What to Expect:
Recreates Norman Rockwell's famous holiday scene with vintage automobiles.
Description:
Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas is a holiday celebration in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, featuring live performances, historic property tours, holiday markets, and unique shops. The event recreates Norman Rockwell's famous holiday scene with vintage automobiles and festive activities.
Where: Stockbridge | More Info: Christmas Fair in Stockbridge
Swindon Other Holiday Activities
Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
What to Expect:
Hands-on crafting experience with natural materials.
Description:
Create your own Christmas wreath using traditional greenery and seasonal treats from the hedgerow. Enjoy free entry to the arboretum after the workshop to explore its diverse botanical collections.
Where: Swindon | More Info: Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
Festive Guided Tour of Lydiard House with Cream Tea
What to Expect:
Guided tour of a historically decorated country house with a traditional cream tea.
Description:
Explore the fascinating history of Lydiard House Museum, adorned with traditional foliage and a real Christmas tree, during a guided tour. Afterward, indulge in a delicious cream tea at Lydiard Park Hotel, featuring scones, jam, and Cornish clotted cream.
Where: Swindon | More Info: Festive Guided Tour of Lydiard House with Cream Tea
Christmas Experience at Roves Farm
What to Expect:
Interactive Elf Show and festive crafts.
Description:
Visit Roves Farm for a day filled with interactive activities, including meeting Father Christmas, making reindeer food, and participating in festive crafts. Enjoy the Elf Show and explore the farm's outdoor play areas.
Where: Swindon | More Info: Christmas Experience at Roves Farm
Santa Specials @ Swindon & Cricklade Railway
What to Expect:
Unique train journey to Santa's Grotto with heritage carriages and steam locomotive.
Description:
Travel by train to visit Santa in his decorated Grotto at the North Pole, hauled by a GWR steam locomotive. Enjoy a decorated station café, gift shop, and traditional coal fire waiting room. Each child over 2 years old receives a quality, age-appropriate gift-wrapped present.
Where: Swindon | More Info: Santa Specials @ Swindon & Cricklade Railway
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Chippenham (16 miles)
- Witney (20 miles)
- Stroud (22 miles)
- Newbury (22 miles)
- Abingdon (23 miles)
- Didcot (23 miles)
- Trowbridge (25 miles)
- Thatcham (25 miles)
- Oxford (26 miles)
- Chipping Sodbury (26 miles)
- Cheltenham (27 miles)
- Andover (27 miles)
- Yate (27 miles)
- Bath (28 miles)
- Gloucester (29 miles)
- Mangotsfield (31 miles)
- Kingswood (32 miles)
- Frome (33 miles)
- Salisbury (34 miles)
- Reading (36 miles)
- Bicester (36 miles)
- Bristol (36 miles)
- Basingstoke (36 miles)
- Evesham (38 miles)
- Lower Earley (38 miles)
- Winchester (39 miles)
- Banbury (40 miles)
- Wokingham (42 miles)
- Mendip (43 miles)
- Portishead (43 miles)
- Nailsea (43 miles)
- Yateley (44 miles)
- Stratford-upon-Avon (44 miles)
- Crowthorne (45 miles)
- High Wycombe (45 miles)
- Great Malvern (45 miles)
- Eastleigh (45 miles)