Santa Claus is coming to town… well Somerset actually! From festive family days out to yuletide musical evenings, our essential guide to events and experiences during the winter months leading up to the big day have something for everyone.
Christmas Market, Hestercombe Gardens, Cheddon Fitzpaine
Fri 19 Nov - Sun 21 Nov
Featuring festive stalls filled with hand-crafted items, locally sourced gifts and delicious treats, Hestercombe Garden’s Christmas Market is a great way to get into the spirit of the season. Booking in advance is essential and each Christmas Market visitor will receive entry to the house and grounds free of charge!
Find out more and book online: www.hestercombe.com/whats-on/christmas-market
Winter Wonderland at Wookey Hole Caves, Wookey Hole
Sat 20 Nov - Sun 02 Jan
Wookey Hole’s Winter Wonderland promises to leave you feeling festive with the an underground cave light spectacular! The underground magical kingdom will feature Christmas characters and take you on a magical tour where little ones can meet the man himself and receive a free toy specially selected at his on-site toy factory!
Find out more and book online: www.wookey.co.uk/winter-wonderland/
Christmas with Michael Bublé and Robbie Williams, Oake Manor Golf Club, Oake
Sat 20 Nov
Christmas would not be Christmas without Michael Bublé, add some Robbie Williams and you have the perfect evening for festive musical cheer. Andy Wilsher is the best UK Bublé around and will be performing all your Michael and Robbie favourites during the evening. Tickets cost £25 and include a 3 course Christmas carvery, disco and FREE photobooth!
Find out more: www.oakemanor.com/events/christmas-with-michael-buble-and-robbie-williams/
The Best of Somerset Christmas Edit, Wells
Sat 20 Nov
Wells Town Hall is the location for the Best of Somerset Christmas Edit where you will find over 60 suppliers for all your Christmas Shopping needs. Get all your Xmas shopping done in one go and free up time to enjoy all the other fantastic Christmas events.
Find out more: wells.nub.news/e/the-best-of-somerset-christmas-edit
Taunton Christmas Lights Switch-On, Taunton Town Centre
Sun 21 Nov
Taunton town will be hosting free entertainment all day from 10:00 - 20:00 on Sunday 21st November. With funfair rides and a free Santa’s Grotto, this will be a fun-packed festive day for all the family to enjoy. Christmas will officially start in the town centre at 18:30 when the lights get switched-on.
Find out more: www.visitsomerset.co.uk/taunton/whats-on/christmas-in-taunton/taunton-christmas-lights-switch-on
ILLUMINATE at Hestercombe Gardens, Cheddon Fitzpaine
Sat 27 Nov - Sun 02 Jan
For the first time you can experience Hestercombe gardens as never before, with the very first winter trail - ILLUMINATE. This lovely light experience can be enjoyed by all the family, there will also be refreshments, a fire pit and late night shopping at the gift shop.
Find out more and book online: www.hestercombe.com/whats-on/christmas-illuminations
Christmas Community Show, Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, Taunton
Tues 30 Nov
Welcome in the Christmas period with an evening of inspiring and uplifting dance, theatre and festive musical performances. Presented by the Tacchi-Morris Community Classes this evening of entertainment and fun will leave you feeling more festive than ever.
Find out more and book online: www.tacchi-morris.com/christmas-community-show/
Christmas at The Palace, The Bishop’s Palace, Wells, Somerset
Fri 03 Dec - Sun 19 Dec
This year the rooms of the Medieval Palace building will be getting a festive makeover with themed decorations including Medieval, Victorian and Nordic. Visitors can also enjoy illuminated gardens and youngsters can visit Mother and Father Christmas! There is also two chances to see ‘A Christmas Carol’ within the surroundings of the Bishop’s Palace on Dec 11 and Dec 19).
Find out more and book online: bishopspalace.org.uk/whats-on/christmas/
Candlelit Christmas Fayre, St George’s Wilton, Fons George
Sat 04 Dec
With everything from outdoor and indoor stalls, music, family activities and mulled wine - this Christmas Fayre is a great way to enjoy the run up to Christmas with all the family. So grab some Christmas gifts, soak up the festive atmosphere and enjoy the Candlelit Carols after the Fayre.
Find out more: www.visitsomerset.co.uk/taunton/whats-on/christmas-in-taunton/candlelit-christmas-fayre
Christmas Party Night, Cricket St Thomas Golf Club, Chard
Sat 04, 11 & 18 Dec
For 3 consecutive Saturday nights the Old School Christmas Party Night has returned to Cricket St Thomas Golf Club. Strictly for the adults - this Christmas Party includes a 3 course meal and disco and is a chance to get out of the office do and attend with friends instead!
Find out more and book online: www.cricketstthomasgolfclub.co.uk/events/christmas-party-night/
Santa Express, West Somerset Railway, Bishops Lydeard
Sat 04 Dec - Fri 24 Dec
Enjoy a wonderful journey through West Somerset’s winter woodlands on the Santa Express. A magical experience for all ages, the heritage carriages will be festively decorated and filled with Christmas cheer. There will be presents and refreshments waiting for you at your table and Santa will be along for the ride! Book soon to avoid disappointment.
Find out more and book online: www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/events/detail/santa-special
Jack and the Beanstalk, The Playhouse, Weston-Super-Mare
Sat 11 Dec - Sun 02 Dec
Poor Dame Trot and her son Jack barely have a bean! Featuring Channel 5’s Derek Moran (Milkshake) as Jack, this tale is brought to life in one GIANT family experience. If you are looking to entertain the kids over the Christmas period then this tale of adventure and Christmas celebration is just the ticket!
Find out more and book online: www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/Playhouse-Theatre/show/a9a3ae2c-f921-ea11-a9c1-d3aad51f632a/jack-and-the-beanstalk
Christmas at Winter Gardens, Royal Parade, Weston-Super-Mare
Sat 11 Dec
The iconic Winter Gardens in Weston-Super-Mare are playing host to a night of festive fun on Sat 11 Dec. With entertainment throughout the evening including a live performance from The All Seasons, this is a night to be remembered! Tickets include a 3 course set menu, drink on arrival, entertainment, a DJ and dancing until 1 am.
Book online: www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/somerset/the-winter-gardens-pavilion/christmas-at-winter-gardens/e-ezbapb
Christmas Concert, Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury
Sun 12 Dec
Join GreenMatthews at the Somerset Rural Life Museum for pre-Christmas cheer. Featuring Christmas carols, winter folk songs, toe-tapping tunes and a plethora of weird and wonderful instruments, the show is brought to life with GreenMatthews’ trademark wit and humour.
Find out more: www.visitsomerset.co.uk/festivals-events/december-2021/christmas-concert-at-somerset-rural-life-museum
Christmas Cracker, Weston Hospicecare, Weston-Super-Mare
Sun 19 Dec
For those wanting to do something more active whilst at the same time raising money for a good cause, the Weston Athletics Club Christmas Cracker is a 10K run which takes place along the Weston seafront. The run is hugely popular and traditionally sees people take part in festive themed outfits. There are 30 free places for those wishing to run for the hospice, however if you are not sure about the running part, then why not just go along and support those taking part, it is guaranteed to be a great event.
Find out more: www.westonhospicecare.org.uk/event/christmascracker/