Christmas is a special time of year in Cheltenham. Whether you are planning a Christmas break or live nearby and want to get into the Christmas spirit, you'll find our guide to the top things to do at Christmas in Cheltenham 2025 helpful, featuring ice skating, magical light trails, Christmas markets and festive light performances.
Cheltenham Christmas events
The festive season officially kicks off with two Christmas launch parties...
Christmas Lights Switch On at Pittville Pump Room
22 November, 2pm - 6pm
Join the Cheltenham Trust for a fun-filled day, featuring live music, family entertainment, and the Christmas lights switch-on. Father Christmas will make an appearance, with activities for all ages.
The Brewery Quarter Christmas Launch Party
22 November, 2pm - 7pm
The free festive celebration will feature Santa, The Grinch, Gloucestershire Troopers, live music, dancing, snow and more!
Cheltenham Ice Rink
Imperial Gardens - 21 November to 4 January
The spectacular Cheltenham Ice Rink is returning! Open daily, exc. Christmas Day.
The undercover real ice rink will be more magical than ever. Following on from customer feedback, this year you can look forward to...
Character sessions featuring princesses, superheroes, and Christmas characters will visit the ice rink, alongside patch sessions for skating pros to practise and perfect their skills, and themed sessions every Friday with a new music theme to skate (and sing) along to!
Making a return are the popular Grown-up Glide sessions for adults, Little Gliders sessions for pre-schoolers, Relaxed Glide sessions for SEN skaters, Student Nights, group discounts & exclusive hire, banana & penguin skate aids.
Family tickets from just £40.50. Tickets on sale now.
Live Christmas performances in Cheltenham
Robin Hood and His Merry Men
The Everyman Theatre - 28 November to 11 January
Watch as Robin Hood and his faithful band of outlaws, Little John, Will Scarlet and Friar ‘Tweedy’ Tuck outwit the dastardly Sheriff of Gloucestershire with a sprinkle of pantomime magic, a dash of comedy and plenty of audience participation!
Dick Whittington
Cheltenham Playhouse - 12 December to 3 January
Join Dick and his purr-fect feline sidekick as they set off on the adventure of a lifetime! Expect show-stopping songs, dazzling dance numbers and real-life stage magic, all wrapped up in classic panto silliness and sparkle.
Santa - The Visit
The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse - 19 to 24 December
For the first time ever, Santa is making an unprecedented pre-Christmas journey from his base in the North Pole to visit the UK…and he needs your help. The chiefs at GCHQ (who it turns out have always been monitoring Santa!) have picked up a rogue signal that appears to be disrupting Christmas spirit and, as we all know, the sleigh runs on Christmas spirit, so they grabbed their Santa hotline and let him know.
The Nutcracker
Bacon Theatre - 21 December
The Let’s All Dance Ballet Company is delighted to present their dazzling festive favourite for the whole family! With stunning dancers, Tchaikovsky’s sumptuous score, beautiful costumes and crystal clear storytelling, this is a Christmas show not to be missed!
Best places to see Santa in Cheltenham
Christmas on the Farm
Cotswold Farm Park - 21 November to 23 December
Step into a magical festive world at Cotswold Farm Park, where twinkling lights, joyful characters, and heart-warming experiences bring the spirit of Christmas to life. From an unforgettable meeting with Father Christmas to hands-on creative workshops and cosy winter gatherings.
Santa Express
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway - 22 November to 23 December
Climb aboard the GWSR’s Santa Express for a festive train ride through the Cotswolds. Little ones will get to meet Santa himself and will receive presents and goodie bags with help from the elves.
Christmas Grotto
Webbs Cheltenham - 29 November to 24 December
Wander through a traditional Christmas Grotto, children can post their letters to Santa before mixing their own reindeer food to take home ready for Christmas Eve. Then it's time to see Santa in his cosy cabin to complete the magical experience before choosing a toy.
Dunkertons Saves Christmas
Dunkertons Park - 29 November to 21 December
Discover a immersive festive journey filled with plenty of Christmas spirit. Without giving away any secrets, here's what you can expect: a special personal gift to take home, a heart-warming experience with Father Christmas and his elves and a magical time to remember.
Santa's Tea Party
Pittville Pump Room, 21 December
A festive family experience filled with delicious treats, joyful activities, and Christmas cheer. The Santa Tea Party is the perfect way to make treasured memories with family and friends in the run-up to Christmas.
Discover more: Best places to see Santa in Cheltenham
Festive events in and around Cheltenham
Spectacle of Light
Sudeley Castle - 21 November to 30 December
Explore the night-time beauty of Sudeley Castle and follow the amazing illuminated trail around the glorious grounds. Discover the Court of King Arthur and meet some of the characters from the ancient legend.
The Christmas Meeting
Cheltenham Racecourse - 12 to 13 December
Christmas comes early to Cheltenham every year, with the greatest gift of them all: two days of quality racing action at the Home of Jump Racing. Saturday is the Christmas Extravaganza with themed family fun, including a Santa's Grotto.
Holly and Tinsel – Christmas Through Time Day
Holst Victorian House - 13 December
Enjoy Victorian, 1940s & 1970s celebrations.
Museum By Candlelight
Holst Victorian House - 20 December
Experience something special this Winter Solstice - a Victorian home illuminated by traditional candlelight. With costumed guides in each room describing what life was like in the house when Gustav Holst was a boy, this is a festive event not to be missed.
Christmas Day Plunge
Cheltenham Lido - 25 December
An amazing opportunity to challenge yourself and take part in the lido's traditional Christmas Day Swim!
New Year's Day Racing
Cheltenham Racecourse - 1 January
There is no better way to jump into 2026 than racing on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham. Thrilling and high-quality racing action, that is sure to provide Cheltenham Festival insight, fresh air, and amazing free family entertainment.
Cheltenham Christmas markets & shopping
Cheltenham Christmas Gift Market
Promenade & Long Gardens - 20 to 23 November
Experience festive shopping by one of the leading market operators - Cotswold Markets. Promising a fantastic selection of gifts, including homeware and food & drink. The Promenade will be full of Christmas chalets for the four-day period.
The Suffolks Christmas Market
Suffolk Parade - 30 November, 11am-4pm
A fantastically popular event, guaranteed to get you into the festive spirit featuring Father Christmas, carols, children's entertainment and street food. The markets are carefully curated, featuring Arts & Crafts, Designers & Makers, Vintage and Food & Drink. The emphasis is on local, and all stall holders are independent.
Christmas Arts & Crafts Market
Promenade & Long Gardens - 11 to 23 December
The second Christmas market hosted by Cotswold Markets will see local traders and creators show their fantastic homemade crafts for ten consecutive days along the spectcular Promenade. Pottery, original art, glassware, jewellery, and much more will be on offer.
Christmas Gift Market - Sainte Market
Elkstone Studios - 14 December, 10am-2pm
A creative setting to gather with friends, spend time with family, and enjoy delicious food, browse distinctive handmade pieces, and seasonal local produce, all within the inspiring surroundings of Elkstone Studios.
Don't miss out on late night shopping at John Lewis Cheltenham, open until 7pm or 8pm on selected days from 28 November to 24 December.
Discover more: Cheltenham Christmas markets
This is just a handful of the festive things to do this season. View our Cheltenham Christmas Events for full details and our guide to Christmas in Cheltenham for dining, weekend break & gift shopping inspiration.
