Christmas in Cheltenham – Spend it somewhere special

With an ice rink, twinkling lights in even more streets than ever, illuminated arctic performers and a whole new Christmas market, Cheltenham’s festive shopping season is set to be something exceptional this year.

Cheltenham Borough Council have shown their commitment to the recovery of our town by hosting what will be Gloucestershire’s only covered ice rink. The rink, which was granted planning permission on October 14, will be located in Imperial Gardens, reflecting the town’s historic Winter Gardens and ice rink that once occupied a site there.

The rink will be open from November 18 2021 to January 2 2022. For full details on opening times, ticket bookings, corporate and group packages can be found here.

Saturday November 20 will see the launch of Christmas in Cheltenham.  The new market on The Promenade will open and to celebrate the start of the festive shopping period, Cheltenham town centre will come alive with 20 magical roaming performers.

From 2pm, the Snow Queen and the White Wolf will enchant visitors to the town whilst arctic elves and wish dancers weave their magic. A Fairy Queen will sprinkle wonder from The Brewery Quarter to Montpellier as she visits Cheltenham with Twinkle.  Roller skating unicorns and glowing ballerinas will glide along the streets as the ‘Elf & Fitness’ crew help you burn off that hot chocolate you bought at the market!

As dusk falls, the stunning Christmas lights will awaken, and Christmas in Cheltenham will have begun. No matter where in the town visitors are, they will be a part of the launch of the 2021 Festive Season.

See where the characters will be and what anticts the elves will be getting up to here.

Merry Christmas Cheltenham sign lit up at night.
Picture by Mikal Ludlow Photography

Cheltenham BID is able to bring you this wonderful entertainment with the help of a grant from Cheltenham Borough Council.

The market will run from November 20 until December 19.  The opening hours have been extended to encourage people to linger in town as they finish work or make a special trip in for the evening.  Mondays to Wednesdays, the market will be open from 10am until 7pm. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays it will remain open until 9pm.  Sunday opening times will be from 12 noon until 6pm.

Shoppers will enjoy the festive atmosphere in Cheltenham every weekend as the streets once again come alive with the roaming performers including the fabulous Caroloke trio who will have people mistle toe-tapping along with their festive repertoire.

Visit Cheltenham has a full list of everything you can enjoy in and around Cheltenham this festive season.

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