The City of Gloucester will be hosting a variety of events this year to celebrate Christmas with something to suit everyone. From celebrity dancers and switch on parades to a Dracula pantomime, there will be a wide variety of things to do in the City. Also new for 2010 there will be a brand new attraction for Gloucester “A Very Victorian Christmas”.
Christmas in Gloucester
Christmas Lights Switch On and Santa’s Grotto: Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet
From Thursday 18th November
Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet welcomes Father Christmas to his new Victorian Doll’s House Grotto, open from 11am. Then, at 7pm, the Quays lights up for the festive season, with Britain’s Got Talent runners-up Twist and Pulse dropping in to flick the switch!
Eastgate Shopping Centre Santa Parade and Grotto Opening
From Saturday 20th November
Santa’s taking up residence in his icy, brand new grotto at the Eastgate Shopping Centre, and to celebrate he’s leading a magical festive parade through the centre and out into the city streets at 12noon and 2pm. Grotto open from 1pm.
Sponsored by the Gloucester City Centre Community Partnership
Christmas Lights Switch On Parade: Gloucester City Centre and Cathedral
Sunday 21st November at 4.15pm
Gloucester’s Christmas lights get switched on in style. The ’12 Days of Christmas Parade’ will feature large illuminated creations, built by city schoolchildren working with professional artists, so expect plenty of swans-a-swimming, lords-a-leaping, and of course a partridge in a pear tree – plus special guest Father Christmas, naturally! For the first time ever the procession will end at our magnificent Cathedral, making its way right down the Main Nave, with spectators being invited in to enjoy the spectacle and sing a selection of favourite carols. A truly unique event for the city of Gloucester.
Victorian Christmas Market, Gloucester Docks and Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet
Thursday 25th – Sunday 28th November, Thursday and Friday 10am – 8pm, Saturday 10am – 7pm, Sunday 10am, – 5pm, free entry
The hustle and bustle of a Victorian Christmas will be brought to life as a traditional market comes to Gloucester Docks and Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet for the first time. The event will feature decorated stalls selling hand-made gifts and fine food and drink, characters in Dickensian costume, street entertainers, family activities, real ale tavern, Victorian waterside and Waterways Museum and choirs and brass bands, all against the historic backdrop of the city’s Historic Docks. Visit the website for details of stallholders and entertainment timetable…
New Inn Victorian Fayre
Saturday 27th November, 11am – 6pm
The historic New Inn in Northgate Street hosts a Charity Victorian Fayre. Stall holders, dressed in Dickensian finery, will be selling various trinkets, gifts and sundries, the perfect place to pick up presents for friends and family.
Concert: Blake at Gloucester Cathedral
Saturday 27th November at 7.30pm
Enjoy the spectacular atmosphere of one of the most beautiful venues in the country for an evening of classical and popular music from Classical Brit Award winners Blake, accompanied by Southern Sinfonia. Blake will be performing songs taken from their three best-selling albums including She, Nessun Dorma, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Hallelujah and I Vow To Thee My Country. Tickets from the Cathedral Shop, on 01452 528753 or at www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk
Christmas at Gloucester Folk Museum
December – January, free entry
As the nights draw in and the days get shorter, many cultures and religions hold their brightest and most cheerful festivals. Along with a traditional Christmas, this year Gloucester Folk Museum will also be celebrating Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Eid-ul-Adha, Hogmanay, Diwali and Chinese New Year with the Bright Lights, Dark Nights exhibition. Local communities have been asked to share their winter customs with us and create a season of bright lights and festive cheer. The museum and garden will be decorated with hundreds of lights, and the history of why we follow certain rituals at this time of year will be explained.
A host of events and activities are also planned , including candlelit tours of the museum (2nd, 9th, 16th December), Lassington Oak performing a Mummers play (December 11th), family craft activities (27th November – 31st December) and the wonderful St Nicholas’ Wishing Tree (27th November – 18th December). For full details visit www.gloucester.gov.uk/museums or call 01452 396868.
Dutch Victory Concert Organ in Kings Square
Saturday 11th + Sunday 12th December
Don’t miss the world’s biggest touring traditional organ, all the way from the Netherlands. The giant 9 metre x 3 metre organ plays a huge repertoire of classic Christmas music, film themes and pop songs. Sure to put a smile on shoppers’ faces! On Sunday there will also be a carol concert and a visit from Father Christmas.
Dracula: the Pantomime at Gloucester Guildhall
Monday 13th December – Saturday 18th December at 7pm (Saturday matinee at 2pm)
If you’re tired of all the traditional panto fayre, those fiends at Gloucester Guildhall and Gloucester Operatic and Dramatic Society have got a ‘fang-tastic’ alternative for you to sink your teeth into, with this action-packed, spooky-in-a-fun-way vampire panto! Tickets from 01452 503050 or at www.gloucesterguildhall.co.uk
Christmas at the Guildhall
Celebrate the festive season with music and laughs at the Guildhall in December, with live concerts from the likes of Echo and the Bunnymen, Neville Staple from The Specials, Whole Lotta Led and The Bluetones, plus giggles galore at the Big Laugh New Year’s Eve Comedy Club. Tickets available on 01452 503050 or at www.gloucesterguildhall.co.uk
Celebrate the Season at Gloucester Cathedral
Celebrate the season with a series of services, concerts and recitals at the Cathedral, including an Advent Carol Service by Candlelight on 28th November, Christmas Carol Service on 23rd December, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day services and an Epiphany Carol Service on 9th January.
Gloucester Choral Society present Handel’s Messiah on 4th December, charity concerts take place for Cotswold Care Hospice (8th December), the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign (9th December), Meningitis Trust (16th December) and Age Concern (17th December), BBC Radio Gloucestershire present a Christmas Celebration on 21st December and the much-loved St Cecilia Singers perform on 22nd December. More info on 01452 528095 or at www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk
Festive Markets
Pick up unique gifts or just soak up the festive atmosphere at a range of markets across the city this Christmas. Travel back in time to a Very Victorian Christmas Market in Gloucester Docks (November 25th – 28th), pick up hand-made jewellery, toys and more at a Christmas Craft Market at the Cross in the city centre (Saturday 11th December), and great locally produced food and drink at Festive Farmer’s Markets at the Cross (Fridays throughout December including Christmas Eve, plus Tuesday 21st December).
Buy great gifts and help good causes at Christmas Charity Markets in Kings Square on Fridays 10th and 17th December. Don’t miss Gloucester’s regular markets, the Cherry and White Market in Kings Square each Friday and Saturday (also opening daily from Friday 17th December until Christmas Eve), and the Eastgate Indoor Market, now bigger than ever, open Monday – Saturday, plus Sundays 5th, 12th and 19th December.
Shopping with Extra Smiles!
Father Christmas, face-painting, magical grottos, tree decoration sessions, family activities and live entertainment are all on offer at shopping centres across the city throughout December. Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet, Kings Walk Shopping and the Eastgate Shopping Centre are all offering up yuletide family treats as well as great shops and stores, so check individual websites for up-to-the-minute information.
www.gloucesterquays.co.uk www.kingswalk.co.uk www.eastgategloucester.co.uk
Choirs and Bands at the Christmas Tree
Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays in December
Be entertained by local choirs, bands and dance groups in front of the city’s beautiful Christmas tree, located outside the Guildhall in Eastgate Street. Performances will coincide with late night shopping on Thursdays and on Saturday and Sunday daytimes in the run-up to Christmas. Check the website for details of who’s performing when.
Tailor of Gloucester Beatrix Potter Museum and Shop
Nestled just off Westgate Street in College Court, The House of the Tailor of Gloucester is a wonderfully Christmassy experience for all ages. This charming museum and shop is run by enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers, and is housed in the original building used by Beatrix Potter in her wonderful story ‘The Tailor of Gloucester’. Entry is free, open seven days a week.
Gloucester Rugby Christmas Fixtures
Muster up a rousing Christmas cheer and roar the Cherry and Whites to victory at their two home festive fixtures, against La Rochelle on 19th December and Northampton Saints on Boxing Day.
Sail With Santa!
December 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th + 24th
Visit the National Waterways Museum in Gloucester Docks and set sail on board Santa’s very own boat for a magical family experience along the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. Call 01452 318200 or visit www.nwm.org.uk for booking details.
Christmas Lunch Cruises on the Edward Elgar
The Edward Elgar luxury cruiser will be running her popular Christmas Lunch cruises daily from 8th December. Passengers will enjoy a delicious 3-course traditional Christmas lunch in a sumptuous saloon with central heating as the boat glides down the historic Gloucester-Sharpness canal. The Edward Elgar is a luxury Hotel Boat with a 4-Star rating from VisitBritain. The full Christmas Lunch Cruise package costs £34.99pp, with discounts available for Groups. Boarding is at 12.30hrs and disembarkation is at 15.30hrs. Advance booking is essential. Call English Holiday Cruises on 01452-410411 or visit www.englishholidaycruises.co.uk
Turkey & Tinsel on the Oliver Cromwell Paddle Wheeler
The famous Oliver Cromwell Paddle Wheeler will have a variety of seasonal fare available for Groups while she is moored up in the Historic Docks at Gloucester. The Group offers include mince pies & mulled wine for £5.90, a full 3-course Christmas lunch for £14.90 and a really sophisticated ‘Showboat’ dinner & dance night with a live band for £34.90. Groups can combine these offers with a visit to the Gloucester Quays Designer Centre and Victorian Market, both just a 2-minute walk away. Call English Holiday Cruises on 01452-410411 and visit www.oliver-cromwell-paddle-wheeler.co.uk Advance booking is essential.
Parking and Public Transport
Enjoy leisurely late night shopping on Thursday evenings in December and enjoy a free hour’s additional parking when you pay for two. Offer valid in all city centre multi-storey car parks. Alternatively, park for free after 4pm every day at Station Road, St Michaels Square and Hampden Way car parks, and take advantage of special Sunday rates (£1 for an hour or £2 all day) in all city centre car parks.
Park and Ride services (route 507) operate between St Oswalds and Waterwells, with buses running every 12 minutes. Full timetables can be found at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gloucesterparkandride or by calling 01452 425000. Stagecoach run services across the city and timetables can be found at www.stagecoachbus.com
Christmas in Gloucester for groups
Very Victorian Christmas
‘A Very Victorian Christmas’, a living, breathing Dickensian event at Gloucester’s Historic Docks and Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet from Thursday 25th – Sunday 28th November. The event will feature a themed festive market selling locally produced food, drink and gifts, Victorian characters, traditional rides and sideshows and bands, choirs and performers.
Group Travel visitors who pre-book for this event through Gloucester Quays will benefit from:
- Meet & greet service explaining facilities and attractions
- Free coach parking both on site and close by.
- Each party member will receive a discount booklet containing various discount offers for most stores as well as offers for the National Waterway Museum, Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum and Slimbridge Wetlands Centre.
- Complimentary free meal and drink for the driver at either Pizza Express or Nandos.
- Store Guides are sent out or given on arrival.
- Shopmobility services are available if required – a £2.50 deposit is required to hire either scooters or wheelchairs but it is refundable on returning the equipment.
Turkey & Tinsell on the Oliver Cromwell Paddle Wheeler
The Oliver Cromwell Paddle Wheeler will have a variety of seasonal fare available for Groups while she is moored up in the Historic Docks at Gloucester. The offers range from mince pies & mulled wine through a full 3-course Christmas lunch to ‘Showboat’ dinner & dance nights with a live band. To add ‘Tinsell’ to the occasion, the Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet Centre is just a 2-minute walk away from the vessel. Call English Holiday Cruises on 01452-410411.
