Christmas comes to Swindon this month

Christmas festivities in Swindon are set to get underway later this month with a variety of events across the town.

The Christmas light switch-on in Swindon town centre will kick-off local events on Saturday 23 November from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.

Located next to the Cenotaph in the town centre, the switch-on will see Swindon’s very own Dame, Ben Goffe, from the Wyvern’s Cinderella panto flick the switch to illuminate the town into Christmas.

Ahead of the switch-on will be performances by Swindon Dance, the Salvation Army and Holy Rood School Choir, all hosted by the local community radio station Swindon 105.5. There will even be a special appearance by Father Christmas himself.

Following the switch-on, children are encouraged to bring their Christmas letters and take part in a lantern parade, arriving at the Brunel Shopping Centre, where they will be able to post their letters.

The town centre Christmas Market will also officially get underway on Saturday, 23 November.

The market, run by LSD Promotions, will include a variety of stalls to buy unique and festive gifts from, as well as a food court selling a variety of Christmas food and drink. There will also be live music and entertainment throughout the market.

Once open, the market will be trading between 10am and 6pm from Tuesday to Thursday each week as well as on Sundays. On Fridays and Saturdays, the market will be open from 10am to 8pm. It will be closed on Mondays.

Alongside the town centre festivities, the Brunel will be hosting its very own Santa’s Grotto from Saturday 16 November until Christmas Eve (please check the opening times on the Brunel’s website). There will also be a Letters to Santa post box nearby for children to post their Christmas wishlists to the North Pole.

As part of the switch-on event and market launch on Saturday 23 November, the Brunel Shopping Centre will also have extended opening hours until 7pm.

Outside of the town centre, there’s plenty going on at Lydiard Park and the STEAM Museum.

At Lydiard, a Christmas light switch-on is being held on Friday 29 November (4.30pm to 6pm). This event marks the start of Lydiard Park’s festive programme, which includes A Country House Christmas, Lydiard Ghost Stories at Christmas and Carols by Candlelight. More information about the events at Lydiard, including Christmas and New Year parties, can be found on its website.

At STEAM Museum, Christmas at STEAM takes place on 7 and 8 December. Santa will also be making an appearance for Santa’s Storytime where children will be read a heartwarming Christmas tale and be presented with a beautifully wrapped gift! A special showing of The Snowman with the music performed live with Aldbourne Band will also be taking place at STEAM on the 14 December.

Elsewhere in the town, South Swindon Parish Council is running its annual Enchanted Gardens Light Trail at the historic Town Gardens from Friday 29 November. Visitors will get the chance to wander through a magical backdrop of illuminated trees and discover a trail of remarkable light art sculptures. More information on the trail, including how residents can book, can be found here.

The Old Town Christmas Festival, organised by the Old Town Business Association, is also taking place on Sunday 24 November from midday to 6pm. More information can be found on its website.

Various other events will be held across Swindon, and residents are encouraged to find out and get involved with activity in their local community throughout the festive season.

Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, said: “We’ve pulled out all the stops to make this year’s Christmas season the busiest and best Swindon has seen for years. There is so much to do and see that almost every day can be a festive family outing.

“I’m excited for the town to become a hive of festive activity and I can’t wait to see people enjoy the new town centre Christmas market and all the lights and colours at this dark time of the year

“We know not everyone celebrates Christmas, but our hope is that the variety of events like music at Lydiard and gift-buying at the Christmas market, to tours and trails from STEAM to the Town Gardens will bring people together and bring joy to everyone’s family, friends and local community.”

Laura Hepple, Centre Manager of the Brunel, said: “We are delighted to be a part of the festivities to launch Christmas in Swindon.

“Our elves have been working hard in the background planning lots of activity for families and our retailers are stocked with all your Christmas gift essentials.”