Cheltenham Christmas Lights Switch On

About

Saturday 20 November will see the launch of Christmas in Cheltenham! To celebrate the start of the festive shopping period, Cheltenham town centre will come alive with magical roaming characters delivering promenade theatre, festive music and ethereal illuminated dance displays from 2pm - 7pm.  The Brewery Quarter Christmas Lights Switch On Party also takes place on Sat 20 Nov, 4pm - 7pm, with an array of local acts from talented performers).

The Snow Queen and the White Wolf will enchant visitors to the town whilst arctic elves and angels weave their magic. A Fairy Godmother will sprinkle wonder from The Brewery Quarter to Montpellier as she visits Cheltenham with Twinkle.  Roller skating unicorns and glowing ballerinas will glide along High Street, The Strand and The Promenade.

As dusk falls, the stunning Christmas lights will awaken and Christmas in Cheltenham will have begun. No matter where in the town you are, you will be a part of the launch of the 2021 festive season organised by Cheltenham BID, with characters by Bakehouse Factory. 

*Click here for a downloadable guide & map of the lights switch on event. 

**Don't worry if you miss the launch celebrations, a few Christmas characters will return to the town centre every weekend whilst the Cheltenham Christmas Market is on - Sunday 21 Nov, 27-28 Nov, 4-5 Dec, 11-12 Dec, 18-19 Dec. 

For more magical events taking place this Christmas in Cheltenham, including the Cheltenham Christmas Market and Cheltenham Ice Skating Rink, check out our helpful guide - Christmas Events in Cheltenham 2021.

Let us introduce you to some of the magical characters you'll meet...

Snow Queen & Snow Wolf - The Snow Queen is beautiful, stately and magical, but she has a heart made of ice and needs the warmth of festive cheer to melt it. The Snow Queen’s right-hand assistant, The Snow Wolf, helps her in her quest to find folk who have festive cheer wherever they roam.

The Nutcracker – He is a hard nut to crack, he’s devoted to the Fairy Queen, since she brought him to life, so she is his maker.

Caroloke - This wonderful trio of musicians will bring ever-popular musical wonder and fun to the town centre. Playing can’t-help-but-join-in Christmas classics, they will have you mistle toe-tapping along with their fabulous festive songs.

Wish Dancers - With LED wings outspread to capture hearts and minds, these beautiful dancers will charm everyone they meet. They will gather people wishes in their wings and waft them up to the stars!

Snow Unicorns on Roller Skates - A fun & cheeky pair. They are friends of the reindeers and provide them with the sparkle dust needed for their festive food that makes them fly. They are full of sparkle power and will dust people with clouds of glitter as they pass!

LED Ballerinas - Beautifully lit dancers, uplifting spirits wherever they go. Dressed in handmade illuminated costumes, they dance in seemingly effortless synchronicity accompanied with classic festive music, which plays from within their giant bows, to get everyone in the Christmas mood.

Arctic Elves - This cheeky pair will lead fun, games and laughter wherever they roam! Terri Tundra and Snowy Drift are a laugh a minute pair of jokers who are on a mission to get everyone in a Ch ristmassy mood!

Elf & Fitness - All action ‘elfiness! Our fun energetic Elf & Fitness gang will entertain with high energy, comedy Elf & Fitness training. They will lead interactive dances and on-the-spot training and games, getting shoppers fit and ready for the demands of the frenetic festive season.

Spinderella & Twinkle - This sparkling pair of Christmas characters charm and delight with dancing and song wherever they land. They fly down from the top of the Christmas Tree and grant wishes and Christmas random acts of kindness wherever they roam.

** This event and the Christmas lights have been made possible with a grant from Cheltenham Borough Council to Cheltenham BID.