'Holidays are coming, holiday's are coming!' Is there any way to avoid the seasonal festivities? In a word, no! So let's embrace it this weekend (where there's a smattering of snow forecast!) with another round up of some of the goings on in our lovely little snow globe town!

Don't forget, you can view all events by visiting the EVENTS page, and visit the WHAT'S ON TODAY page to see what's on today.

Saturday & Sunday

Is it a sleigh? Is it a plane? Is it Santa? It’s quite possibly all 3 at Christmas at Jet Age! See Santa arrive in style from 10:15am, with the option of visiting on Saturday or Sunday this weekend, from either 10:30am – 1pm or 1.30pm – 4pm, tickets cost £6 per child. Find out more.

Santa’s Grotto in House of Fraser is in full swing, with FC welcoming little visitors into a magical festive wonderland. Tickets are £6 and you can book online 24+ hours in advance, or arrive on the day for drop-in visits. Find out more

Putting the decs up this weekend? How about renting a Christmas tree from Primrose Vale? Their rental service is environmentally friendly and takes the hassle out of disposing of your tree after Christmas. And, for £15, you can opt to have the same tree again next Christmas, and the Christmas after that - so your tree can grow (literally!) with your family. Find out more

Still on the subject of Christmas trees, it's the Emmanuel Church Festival of Decorated Christmas Trees this weekend. View a beautiful display of festive firs. Entrance £2.50 - under 16s free. Find out more

Like dancing? Want to raise money for charity? Then the 24hr Danceathon at Charlton Kings Baptist Church is where it's at. Starting on Saturday at 10am until Sunday 10am, you've got 24 hours to dance around the clock - either get sponsored or turn up and donate on the door. Find out more.

Last year the Crippets Christmas Gift Fair was amazing and it's back for 2017. Expect over 50 stallholders selling gifts, decorations, clothing, housewares, food and drink, wrapping, cards, toys, jewellery and lots more. Entry £1 (kids free). Find out more.

Saturday

The Wishing Fish Clock Book Signing is your chance to meet the author Miranda Walker and illustrator Hannah Shaw, who will be underneath the wishing fish clock signing copies for families from 11:30am - 1pm in the Regent Arcade. Find out more.

There's a Christmas Market at the Plough this Saturday with handmade goods, gourmet food, festive drinks - finishing with the Plough light switch on at 5pm. Find out more.

Support Cheltenham Town FC as they take on Crewe Alexander at Whaddon Road this weekend in a very special match. The players will be wearing a blue kit to raise awareness for the British Lung Foundation. Tickets start at £15 for adults and £7 for children. Find out more and buy match tickets here.

Do you like giving thoughtful gifts with heart and soul? Learn how to make your very own bath bombs at the Bath Bomb Gift Workshop, making a great extra gift for the stocking or under the tree. Packed with essential oils and botanicals, this fizzy surprise is guaranteed to please. From 1pm - 3pm at Create on the Square, class cost £25. Find out more.

Visit The Brewery Quarter on Saturday to enter the Santa Selfie Competition and meet Father Christmas this Saturday. He’ll be meeting and greeting as many people as he can, and encouraging people to get their selfie taken with him for a chance to win one of FIVE great Brewery Quarter prizes each day. He'll be there from 12pm. Find out more.

Ever feel the urge to burst into song? Yeah, me too. Well, now is our chance at the Cheltenham Community Choir Winter Concert. Join the community by candlelight for a mix of Christmas songs, carols and musical numbers at St Luke's Church from 7:30pm - 9pm. Your ticket price will include a drink and a mince pie, and at £10 it's a bargain. Find out more.

Grandma Claus is the kindest, funniest and silliest lady in town – and this Christmas she’s inviting all your family over to visit her for a load of festive cheer at The Playhouse Theatre. You know who she's related to right? He's popping in too - with gifts all round. The first two showings are sold out but there are a handful of spots left at the 7pm performance. Tickets cost £8.50, book tickets here use promo code CHELTROCKS to save £1 per ticket. Find out more.

Sunday

Santa's back at The Brewery, more specifically at the Brewhouse & Kitchen from 11am - 12pm...and kid's are eating free. That's right, children under 12 can have a free roast dinner. Visit the Brewhouse website to book your table HERE.

The Christmas Special Craft & Produce Fair in Bishops Cleeve is the perfect shopping opportunity, and with free entry you're free spend on festive cards and candles! Santa is also set to make an appearance, perhaps for the mince pies and mulled wine! From 10:30am until 2:30pm at Bishop’s Cleeve Community Centre. Find out more.

Santa's Sleigh on tour continues, with Whaddon and Oakley being treated to a glimpse of Santa on his Sleigh as he glides through the streets. Find out more about the tour and upcoming visits to Hatherley, Benhall and Leckhampton here.

Santa Comes to Lunch at the Jury's Inn, sitting comfortably to begin at 12:30pm, suitable for children of all ages. Including a festive buffet and gift, children under 15 dine for £15 and adults £20. Find out more.

Don't let Sunday evening disappear into a pile or ironing, 4Front Theatre presents Chuck Blaze and The Cradle of Life at Elim Church. Come along to this free child-friendly production with Chuck and his trailblazers on this festive escapade as they explore an ancient Persian tomb, seek a lost relic and discover the story of the nativity. From 5pm - 6pm. Find out more.

Out of Town

After the huge succes of last year, the Spectacle of Light returns to Sudeley Castle. Explore the new illuminated trail around the castle’s stunning grounds, marvelling at the majestic trees and romantic ruins all lit under the stars. Find out more

Winter Wonderland at Prinknash Bird and Deer Park - enjoy the park as you've never seen it before. Lit up with twinkling tree lights and magical Christmas illuminations after dusk. Entry from 11am, with a visit from Santa, reindeer, face painting, the Christmas Fairy, an activities marquee and Santa's Grotto and sleigh! Sunday 10th December, junior tickets £13 including a gift! Find out more.

Elves Go Wild offers a visit to Santa in his grotto and fun with the elves at All Things Wild, Evesham. Lots of surprise goings on and elvish mischief this Saturday and Sunday from 10am. Prices for entry start at £4.99. Tickets available on the All Things Wild website or at the admissions desk. Find out more.

Christmas on The Farm at Cotswold Farm Park promises to be an event to remember! ** VERY LIMITED SPACES ** Get festive with a visit from Father Christmas between 11am - 3pm, be entertained by Elf Show Live, see the animals of the nativity and maybe even bag your Christmas tree, all at Cotswold Farm Park! Special children’s tickets are available for these days, which include Farm Park entrance, a special time slot to see Father Christmas and their own choice of present from the Toy Room. Find out more.

For Grown ups

Come along to Harriet Sander’s Beginners Christmas Bauble workshop at her Suffolk Parade store from 10:30am - 4pm on Saturday. You will learn the basic crochet skills to create these stunning and unique baubles, all materials are provided. Tickets cost £45. Find out more.