Christmas is upon us and the Cotswolds is starting to get cosy with twinkling fairy lights, pubs with roaring fires and the smell of cinnamon in the air. The Christmas tree is going up in the river in Bourton-on-the-Water, and soon the Cotswolds Christmas markets will be ready for us to wander around with cups of mulled wine or hot chocolate. It’s one of my favourite times of year. There are so many festive events for families from Christmas markets, to Santa’s grottos and holiday light shows, now is the perfect time to plan some festive family fun.
If you’re spending Christmas in Gloucestershire or Oxfordshire read on because I’ve found the best festive fun for families.
The Best Cotswolds light trails and festive walks.
If you’re visiting a light show in the Cotswolds you are in for a treat no matter where you choose. From a castle, to a palace, forests and gardens, you’re bound to find something that suits your family. Remember to wrap up warm and bring an umbrella just in case.
Sudeley Castle Spectacle of Light
This is one of my favourites and we have been several times. Each year they have a different theme with beautiful light displays and characters who engage with the public as they enjoy the gardens. This year is based around the Court of King Arthur, fitting as the castle has royal connections (it was home to King Henry VIII’s sixth wife, Katherine Parr). As you walk around you can expect to come across Merlin, Lancelot and Guinevere on their search for Arthur’s magical sword.
Blenheim Palace Illuminated Light Trail
Christmas at Blenheim Palace is a whole day out. Start with the Christmas markets and fairground rides, wander through the palace itself to check out the decor (this year the theme is The Wizard of Oz so great for any Wicked fans!), and skate on the rink. Then, when the sun goes down head to the Illuminated Light Trail for new installations as well as some old favourites. The kids will love the rainbow rays of light and the light tunnel which features over 1000 tiny twinkling bulbs.
Along the route there are food and drink stalls to take a break and enjoy some festive cheer.
The Christmas lights at Westonbirt are truly magical. Imagine walking through the forest at night and discovering wicker animals, firework trees and colourful projections. There is something different and exciting around every corner including interactive displays for the kids and food and drinks stalls along the trails. It is about a mile long so great for little legs but it’s also manageable with a buggy (might be a bit muddy though).
At the start and finish there is a small Christmas market with more food and drink stalls, plus a few traditional fairground rides.
Painswick Rococo Gardens are the last surviving rococo gardens in the country and are worth a visit any time, but on a Christmas evening they are truly special. You are invited to visit this enchanted garden by night to experience the garden’s statues and sculptures as they are lit up with Christmas trees and glowing stars. The fairy, dragon and unicorn sculptures look even more mythical lit up with twinkling fairy lights.
Cotswold Sculpture Park at Somerset Keynes
Lights up at the Cotswold Sculpture Park is new this year and recreates that magic of the aurora borealis. Sessions are an hour and 45 minutes each and there are two sessions per night.
If you’ve got really little ones and fancy an inexpensive festive day out try St Augustines Farm Park. We went last year and had a lovely time. They had Christmas biscuit decorating, marshmallow toasting, a festive farm hunt (with a small gift if you complete the trail), crafts and so much more. The staff here are so friendly and welcoming, it’s got a really lovely family feel to it compared to some of the bigger farm parks around.
The Cotswold Farm Park hosts a whole Christmas experience throughout December which, this year, includes a new Christmas barn with Starlight Street and a giant Christmas snowglobe. There is so much to do with Santa visits, a present room, a teddy bear workshop and meet the animals’ experiences.
Over Farm is being taken over by some of Santa’s cheeky little helpers who have escaped the North Pole and created a festive mystery trail for families to enjoy. Follow the trail to meet the animals and collect all of the letters to discover the mystery word. If you can do all of that there is a very special prize at the end! Over Farm definitely delivers at Christmas with lots of different activities included in the ticket price.
This event has been running for 37 years now and takes place on Boxing Day when 3000 rubber ducks are released into the River Coln. You can sponsor a duck in person at the event or online with the chance to win prizes for first place and runner up places. All proceeds go to charity. I went to a similar event in the summer in Bourton-on-the-Water and it was so much fun!
Visit the Cotswolds Reindeer Herd
Meet real reindeer and have the chance to feed and learn more about them at the Cotswold Reindeer Herd. You walk through a Christmas tree forest covered in twinkling lights to the reindeers home where up to 16 reindeer will greet you. A guide will be there to show you how to offer treats to the reindeer and to tell you more about them. There’s also a sleigh for photo opportunities and a shop/ cafe to warm up.
The Best Cotswolds Santa Trains
The Gloucestershire-Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) is a volunteer-run rail route between Cheltenham and Broadway with an original steam train and vintage carriages. Great if you have a little train lover! This year you can choose from the Santa Express, a festive afternoon tea or a mincepie special.
The Best Cotswolds Christmas Markets
If you’re heading to Blenheim Palace this holiday season take time to visit the Christmas market. Set in the courtyard with the palace as the backdrop, you couldn’t ask for a more picturesque and festive place to browse gifts and sample festive food and drinks.
Stock up on locally produced food and drinks ready for the festive period at the Farmers Market. Yum! Open on 13th and 20th December
If you’re looking for gifts by local artisans, check out the Christmas Gift Market. This is a fun and festive market for all the family which also features live music and street performances. My son was thrilled to meet Olaf there one year. This market is open on various dates in December so check before you go.
Cheltenham Arts and Crafts Market
Set up on the Promenade with over 30 chalets to browse and food/ drink stalls to buy a festive treat. Stalls offer Christmas gifts, homeware and handmade goods from talented local producers.
Over Farm Christmas Market Weekends
New for 2025! Now when you go to choose your Christmas tree (grown on the farm) you can pick a beautiful handmade wreath, enjoy festive food (hello Beefy Boys!) and browse some local artisan gifts and crafts. I’ll definitely be popping along to check this out. Only available on 28-30th Nov, 5-7th Dec and 12-14th Dec.
Ice Skating in the Cotswolds this Christmas
Ice rink at Imperial Garden, Cheltenham
Cheltenham’s ice rink at Imperial Gardens is up and ready for you to make memories with friends and family. It’s indoors so perfect whatever the weather and wheelchair friendly too. There also have SEN sessions and Character sessions where you can skate with princesses and superheroes!
The Great Skate at Blenheim Palace
Ice skating in the grounds of an actual palace?! It’s a Christmas fairytale come true. Book tickets here, it’s open now until Saturday 3rd January so would be a great activity for between Christmas and New Year too. If you’re not keen on getting onto the ice don your best Christmas jumper and a hot chocolate to watch seasoned skaters and novices alike enjoy this festive moment.
Note: Children aged 3-16 must be accompanied by a paying adult (18+).
Gateway Ice Rink, South Cerney
Open until 18th January, this rink has a variety of different skating sessions including DJ sessions and princess sessions.
The Best Cotswold Pantomimes and Shows
A family favourite for us, we go to the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham every year for hilarious pantomimes featuring Tweedy the clown! This year’s panto is Robin Hood and his Merry Men and we are all looking forward to it. Usually Tweedy has some hilarious circus tricks up his sleeve as well as his usual slapstick humour and renowned catchphrases. Definitely one to book if you get the chance.
They also do BSL interpreted performances and audio described performances for everyone to enjoy.
This beautiful, family-friendly venue shows its renowned pantomime every year. My partner and his family went every year throughout his childhood so he has very fond memories of the theatre. This year you will be whisked away to Saint Saucisson where the story of Beauty and the Beast will unfold. This panto promises full belly laughs and catchy tunes.
This theatre is showing Jack and the Beanstalk this year and is sure to be loved by everyone. If anyone in your family has sensory needs or dementia they also do a special performance on Sunday 7th December.
The Cidermill Theatre, Chipping Campden
This theatre only opened in 2022 but I love that it is a registered charity and is committed to giving back to the community and the arts. Perfect for the spirit of Christmas! This year they will be presenting Sleeping Beauty with both family-friendly and adults only showings.
After 25 years of its summer show, Gifford Circus is introducing a winter show for the first time ever in 2025. You can choose from performances with a two course meal, or a performance only ticket. Whatever you choose, you are sure to enjoy acrobatic acts, clowns and visual storytelling, supported by their very own three-piece band.
Best Santa grottos in the Cotswolds
Batsford Arboretum is hosting Santa in their grotto again this year with small groups of up to 6 children per session. We went a few years ago and it was lovely having a smaller group because it was really intimate and less overwhelming for the children. Santa read them a story, asked their Christmas wishes and gave each child a present. It was more low key than some of the other Santa experiences but really nicely done and really gave the children a chance to ask Santa questions etc. They also do an Elf trail at the arboretum so you could do that after for a lovely (and fun!) Winters walk with a prize at the end.
Slimbridge is a family favourite for us, we love it because there is so much for the kids to see and do, plus we always learn something new when we are there. We used to have an annual ticket because we loved it so much!
Santa’s grotto is back this year with a special gift for each child. Included in the price is a full English breakfast at the Kingfisher Kitchen, followed by lots of fun, festive activities. The kids can do Christmas crafts, post their letter to Santa and elf-led activities.
Families can visit Santa in his workshop and learn more about what he does there before chatting with the big man himself and receiving a gift. Separate to meeting Santa there are lots of other activities on at the farm including crafts, a bouncy castle and a Christmas disco that will be perfect for burning off some energy. They also have a Victorian Christmas set up upstairs in the house.
You can book to meet Santa as part of your day at the Cotswold Farm Park hosts a whole Christmas experience throughout December which, this year, includes a new Christmas barn with Starlight Street and a giant Christmas snowglobe. There is so much to do with Santa visits, a present room, a teddy bear workshop and meet the animals’ experiences.
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