Step into Christmas at STEAM this December

Festive magic will be returning to STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway following last year's sell-out event.

The Christmas extravaganza will be held this year on Saturday, 3 and Sunday, 4 December at the popular Swindon Borough Council-owned museum.

Visitors will have the chance to buy festive treats and discover unique gift ideas as they browse 50 artisan market stalls displayed among STEAM’s award-winning museum exhibits and iconic locomotives.

This year, STEAM welcomes many new traders, as well as those who are firm favourites with regular visitors. Hand-crafted items on offer range from textile gifts, greeting cards, jewellery, and cosmetics, to home furnishings, artworks, Christmas confectionery and decorations.

Festive admission prices for Christmas at STEAM are: £3.50 for adults and £1 for children (3-15 years). Under threes go free. Tickets include both entry to the event and the museum.

Santa will be making an appearance over the weekend with the return of his popular story-time sessions. Children will enjoy a Christmas story and wrapped gift in an atmospheric fire-place setting. Sessions cost £8 per child in addition to event admission.

Councillor Matty Courtliff, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Heritage, Leisure, and Town Centre Experience, said: “Christmas at STEAM has been a highlight of the museum’s event calendar for many years and I am thrilled that this year visitors will be able to experience superb live entertainment on stage in Great Western Hall for the first time since 2019.

“The weekend will be a joyful celebration of the sights, sounds and smells of a traditional Christmas. Visitors will be invited to enjoy live music, acting and dance performances throughout the weekend from The Kentwood Show Choir, Highworth Silver Band, The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts and Gilmore n’ Jaz, to name but a few.”

Visitors are encouraged to book tickets in advance: www.steam-museum.org.uk

There will be no free parking for the event. Where possible, visitors are encouraged to use alternative methods of transport. Find out more about sustainable transport options on the Swindon Travel Choices website: www.swindontravelchoices.co.uk

For updates on the programme, follow STEAM on Facebook and Instagram (@SteamMuseum), or Twitter (@Steam_Museum).