With twinkling lights, artisan markets, an enchanting undercover ice rink and entertainment for visitors of all ages, The Festival Town gets an extra sparkle this festive season.
From late November through into the New Year, local residents and visitors to the Regency town of Cheltenham can enjoy an enticing mix of shopping, dining and entertainment. Alongside traditional Christmas favourites like the annual pantomimes, Cheltenham Ice Rink in Imperial Gardens and Christmas markets, there’s a packed calendar of events to look forward to. Here are some of the highlights:
Festive events Christmas in Cheltenham officially begins on 22 November with free festivities at The Brewery Quarter Christmas Launch Party and Pittville Pump Room Christmas Lights Switch On. With live music, family entertainment, a visit from Father Christmas and even a flurry or two of snow, it’s the ideal way to get the celebrations started.
The magical Cheltenham Ice Rink returns to Imperial Gardens from 21 November–4 January with a new look and even more themed sessions. This wheelchair-accessible covered rink is the perfect place to make memories with family and friends, whatever your age and ability – including non-skaters who can watch the action from the comfort of the café with a hot drink and delicious, sweet treats.
There are special sessions for Little Gliders (ages 3–5), Relaxed Glides for skaters with SEN, Student Nights and Grown-Up Glides for adults. And new for 2025 are themed music nights, Patch sessions where experienced skaters can show off their skills, and character sessions for little ones featuring their favourite superheroes and princesses.
Cheltenham is world famous for its horse racing, and there are three exciting events to choose from this festive season. The November Meeting on 14-16 November is racing ultimate weekender, commencing with Countryside Day on the Friday, before diving into Super Saturday and finally Carnival Sunday, a community celebration of racing, music, and family fun. The Christmas Meeting on 12–13 December kicks things off with family fun on the Saturday, including a visit from Santa himself. And the New Year’s Day Racing is the perfect way to blow away any cobwebs, with entertainment, food and drink alongside the thrilling race action.
Just outside Cheltenham, you can take an enchanted walk in search of Excalibur on the Spectacle of Light trail at Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe. The gardens and grounds of this historic castle are illuminated with thousands of gleaming lights, with ‘The Court of King Arthur’ as this year’s theme.
Or go back in time to the Golden Age of rail travel with a ride on the Gloucestershire–Warwickshire Steam Railway. Their popular Santa Express family trips are selling fast, but you can also take a relaxing scenic day trip from Cheltenham to Broadway on board their Mince Pie Specials after Christmas.
Theatre and Live Entertainment
A trip to the panto is a real Christmas tradition, and this year the Everyman Theatre puts a hilarious spin on Robin Hood and His Merry Men, featuring local legend Tweedy the Clown. And there’s more silliness and sparkle at the Playhouse Theatre, where Dick Whittington sets out from Gloucester to find fame and fortune in London.
You can also enjoy a classic Dickens Christmas or head out on an underwater adventure with The Little Mermaid, both at the Everyman. And the much-loved seasonal ballet The Nutcracker transports visitors from the Bacon Theatre to the mythical Land of Sweets.
One new family show not to miss for 2025 is Santa – The Visit at the Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse. This brand-new event, created by Strictly Come Dancing star Craig Revel Horwood, sees Santa leaving the snowy North Pole behind to head to Cheltenham on a special mission.
Or adults can party the night away at Deck the Hall, a festive set by legendary DJ Chris Moyles at Cheltenham Town Hall. Expect 90s and 00s anthems, Christmas classics and feel-good favourites.
Christmas Markets and Independent Shopping
Cheltenham’s historic Promenade sees the return of its Christmas markets this winter. The Christmas Gift Market from 20–23 November features 40 chalets selling homewares, gifts and plenty of tempting seasonal food and drink. That’s followed by a traditional Arts and Crafts Market from 11–23 December, where you can shop for glassware, jewellery, pottery and artworks created by local artisans while you keep warm with a steaming cup of mulled wine.
There’s also The Suffolks Christmas Market on 30 November, taking place in this charming neighbourhood just outside the town centre. As well as stalls from designers and makers there will be tasty street food, carol singing, kids’ entertainment and a special guest appearance from Father Christmas.
You can also shop for unique gifts in Cheltenham’s independent boutiques – Montpellier and The Suffolks are great places to browse, with plenty of delicious cafés and restaurants to refresh and refuel in. You’ll find many High Street favourites in Cheltenham too, including John Lewis.
Travel and Accessibility
A trip to Cheltenham makes an ideal festive day out. It’s easily accessed from Bristol or Birmingham in less than an hour by train, or it’s just over two hours from London. There’s ample free parking at Arle Court and Cheltenham Racecourse Park and Rides too, with regular buses into the town centre. Or why not make a weekend of it with a festive weekend break in one of Cheltenham’s stylish hotels?
For more inspiration for things to do, where to eat, drink and stay in Cheltenham this Christmas, visit www.visitcheltenham.com/christmas
Notes for Editors
What’s on in Cheltenham at Christmas 2025? Key dates:
- 20–23 November: Christmas Gift Market on Cheltenham’s Promenade
- 21 November–4 January: Indoor ice skating at Cheltenham Ice Rink
- 21 November–30 December: Spectacle of Light at Sudeley Castle
- 22 November: Free launch events at The Brewery Quarter and Pittville Pump Room
- 22 November–23 December: Santa Express with GWSR
- 28 November–11 January: Robin Hood and His Merry Men panto at The Everyman Theatre
- 28 November–3 January: The Little Mermaid at The Everyman Theatre
- 30 November: The Suffolks Christmas Market
- 4 December–3 January: A Dickens Christmas at The Everyman Theatre
- 11–23 December: Christmas Arts & Crafts Market on the Promenade
- 12 December–3 January: Dick Whittington panto at The Playhouse Theatre
- 12–13 December: The Christmas Meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse
- 19–24 December: Santa – The Visit at The Centaur
- 19 December: Deck the Hall – Chris Moyles festive DJ set at Cheltenham Town Hall
- 21 December: The Nutcracker at the Bacon Theatre
- 1 January 2026: New Year’s Day Racing at Cheltenham Racecourse
Media Contact
For all press enquiries, including interviews, please contact Lisa Kowalkowski, Destination Marketing Manager – lisa.kowalkowski@marketingcheltenham.co.uk
Images are available to download at: https://www.flickr.com/gp/188755085@N04/x1w3KsNT69
About Visit Cheltenham
Visit Cheltenham is the official Destination Marketing Organisation for Cheltenham. It is part of Cheltenham Borough Council and works in partnership with Cheltenham BID and other local organisations to promote Cheltenham as a place to live, work, visit, meet and invest.
About Cheltenham
Known for its world-famous festivals, horse-racing calendar and first-class schools (not to mention the government’s intelligence centre, GCHQ), Cheltenham is also blessed with stunning Regency architecture, superb shopping and a cosmopolitan vibe. Nestled up against the stunning Cotswolds, it has been providing refreshment for the mind, body and soul for over 200 years, ever since George III paid a visit to partake of the health-giving spa waters.
Today, Cheltenham still offers refreshment for mind, body and soul – thanks to its year-round events programme, enviable foodie scene and buzzing nightlife. It’s no wonder it’s known as The Festival Town.
