NEWS

Christmas Events Guide

There is no better time of the year to be with loved ones than the Christmas holidays.

With the big day just around the corner here is our rundown of family activities that you should be taking part in this festive season.

1) Gloucester Quays open air ice rink

screen-shot-2016-11-22-at-20-56-49Ice skating is a great way of socialising with family members of all ages whilst taking in the sights that Gloucester Quays has to offer.

The Quays have been transformed into every christmas lovers paradise, visiting the popular shopping destination’s open air rink is the perfect way to either start or end your day of christmas shopping.

Sessions are 50 minutes long and the rink is open from 12pm to 7pm until 2nd January 2017.

If you visit between now and Christmas Eve then you can also walk around the popular Orchard Square Christmas market which offers over 40 stands to shoppers and take part in the centre’s Nutcracker Trail.

2) Jack and The Beanstalk Pantomime at Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre

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Celebrate Christmas with Tweedy, Gloucestershire’s favourite clown.

The Regent Street theatre is hosting performances of Joseph Jacobs Jack and the Beanstalk until 8th January 2016.

A Pantomime show is a great way to release your inner child by singing songs, taking part in the famous ‘Slosh’ scene (where the Dame and another character make a lot of mess on stage), being gobsmacked by the spectacle (showstopping) scene and shouting “He’s behind you”, “Oh yes it is” or booing the villain.

As said by the Everyman Theatre “An enthralling first theatre experience can leave a lasting impression, and create a lifelong love of theatre.”

This performance is great for all pantomime newbies out there and we recommend the 4pm performance on Christmas Eve as our favourite showing, which will see you leave the theatre in a fab festive mood!

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A photo posted by Everyman Theatre (@everymanchelt) on

3) Winter Wonderland at Prinknash Abbey bird park
img_0001_20-jpg_9f35eb32-305e-4299-8da0-c208f11db92e_fullsizethumbPrinknash Abbey’s Winter Wonderland is complete with real-life reindeer, Christmas lights and appearances from Santa himself, what more could any child want?

Visitors are able to look over the park’s valley where the trees and lakes will be illuminated after taking part in festive face painting, Christmas card making and looking at the nativity scene inside the park’s Wendy House.

A selection of Christmas themed foods including hot mulled fruit juice, hot dogs and warm drinks will also be available.

The event is running until Christmas Eve with the park opening at 2.30pm and closing at 6pm. If you’re looking for a fun packed day out then this is for you!

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4) Santa’s Farmyard Grotto at Cattle Country

screen-shot-2016-11-24-at-09-18-46At Cattle Country, children can enjoy Santa’s wintery tractor and trailer rides around the park before being dropped off at the Farmyard Grotto where you can see the farmyard animals before meeting Santa himself.

There will also be a Christmas craft fayre on site, marshmallow toasting with each child personally receiving a gift from Father Christmas and his elves.

The festive farmyard is a great way to experience the holidays in a way which you may never have done before!

The park is open from 10am to 4pm on the following dates:

  • Saturday 26th November and Sunday 27th November
  • Saturday 3rd December, Sunday 4th December
  • Saturday 10th December, Sunday 11th December
  • Saturday 17th December, Sunday 18th December,
  • Monday 19th December, Tuesday 20th December, Wednesday 21st, Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd December.

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5)  Spectacle of light at Sudeley Castle

castle-image-768x624This Christmas sees the castle and grounds come to life through a spectacle of sound and light allowing visitors to follow a trail of light around the gardens before arriving in the castle’s ruins.

Explore the secret world that the grounds have to offer whilst enjoying winter treats, a glass of festive mulled wine or hot chocolate

You can take in the breathtaking effect as the night-time enchantment of this castle comes to life before your eyes, this is the perfect setting for such a magical event.

Cedar trees will provide a canopy of colour whilst the magnificent yew hedges sparkle around the Queens garden.

This unique experience for all ages is taking place from 5pm on the 1st-23rd December.

6) Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum

screen-shot-2016-11-24-at-09-52-39The Enchanted Christmas is an “illuminated celebration” of Westonbirt’s trees taking place on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until the 18th December.

The events start a 5pm and end at 8pm

The highlight of the Tetbury Arboretum is the illuminated trail, which is a 45 minute long walk showcasing a new design each year.

There is also going to be Christmas crafts in the learning centre, the chance to meet Father Christmas, Mrs Christmas and the Elves, a traditional carousel and stilt walkers dressed as Jack Frost and the Christmas Fairy.

Choirs and bands will be playing festive tunes whilst you enjoy the sights of the grounds.

If you’ve been struggling to think of fun Christmas activities then hopefully this guide has solved all your problems. If theres an event that we’ve not mentioned tweet us at @Jnews_L6

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