Christmas Light Switch Ons around Gloucestershire
The festive season doesn't feel fully underway until the Christmas lights are up and Gloucestershire's chief funsters have been working hard all year to plan some dazzling displays around the county and community events to get us all in the Christmas spirit.
Cheltenham doesn’t do one big countdown on the Prom anymore (anyone else remember when McFly switched on the lights??).
For 2026, festivities are spread across different venues and weekends, with Bishop’s Cleeve and Charlton Kings holding their regular events, plus some exciting plans across the county... Basically, something for everyone so good news if you’ve got a toddler who’ll last 40 minutes, and a teenager who’ll only come if there’s a silent disco.
Here’s every switch-on confirmed so far, and plus a few those that are still receiving some finishing touches.
Gloucestershire Light Switch-on dates at a glance
Sat 14 Nov: Gloucester Lantern Parade
Sat 21 Nov: Brewery Quarter launch party, Bishop’s Cleeve, Newent
Sun 22 Nov: Tewkesbury
Sat 27 Nov: Pittville Pump Room
Sat 28 Nov: Cirencester Advent Market
Thu 3 – Fri 4 Dec: Winchcombe Christmas Festival
Fri 4th Dec: Charlton Kings
3 – 16 Dec: Cheltenham Christmas Projection (nightly)
Christmas Light Switch-ons in Cheltenham
The Brewery Quarter Christmas Launch Party
Saturday 21 November, 2pm–8pm | FREE
The first big one in town. Santa drops in throughout the day, there’s a free silent disco for all ages, local choirs and dance groups perform, and fake snow falls on a schedule. It’s all under a covered marquee, which makes it the safest bet if the forecast turns grim.
It gets busy: the Brewery Quarter reported around 26,000 visitors at its 2023 launch. If you’ve got preschoolers, an early afternoon arrival will be calmer than the evening crush.
Brewery Quarter launch party details
Pittville Pump Room Christmas Lights Switch-On
Saturday 27th November
This year the Cheltenham Trust has stretched its switch-on into a full weekend: an evening Christmas market on the Friday, the lights switch-on with live entertainment on the Saturday, and a family Christmas market on the Sunday.
The full 2026 line-up hasn’t been announced yet. In previous years the switch-on has been free, with the countdown at around 5.30pm, but check the timings before you set off. The park setting gives children room to move about, which is helpful if yours are runners.
Pittville Pump Room switch-on details
Cheltenham Christmas Projection
Every evening, 3–16 December | FREE
New for 2026. A light-and-sound projection will cover the Municipal Offices on the Promenade, telling Cheltenham’s history and heritage in a seasonal display.
Because it runs nightly for two weeks, it’s the antidote to switch-on crowds: pick a quiet school night and you can see it without anyone on your shoulders. Combine it with the Christmas Market on the Promenade (10–23 December) and you’ve got an easy, free evening out. Nightly start times are still to be confirmed.
Bishop’s Cleeve Christmas Lights Switch-On
Saturday 21 November
This is always a cracking afternoon, with stalls along Church Road, a stage of free entertainment and the lights going on just before things wind down.
Father Christmas will be meeting little ones to get their wish lists. Visits are free but must be booked in advance.
Charlton Kings Christmas Fayre and Lights
Friday 4th December 2026
Christmas shopping, homemade treats and activities to keep the kids busy. This Christmas Fayre brings together local businesses, charities and creatives for an afternoon of festive browsing, with plenty of gift ideas and a few treats for yourself along the way.
Find out more
Winchcombe Christmas Festival
Thursday 3 and Friday 4 December
Not a switch-on as such, and the format has changed this year. Thursday is the traditional Christmas market. Friday becomes a shopping trail, with market traders popping up inside Winchcombe’s independent shops. It’s one for older children and grown-ups doing early present shopping, not a toddler night out.
Gloucester Light switch-ons
Gloucester Lantern Parade and Tree of Light
Saturday 14 November
The earliest switch-on in the county, and arguably the most special. Lanterns made by local schoolchildren parade through the city centre as the lights come on. Last year it started with a carol service at Gloucester Cathedral at 4pm, with the parade setting off at 4.50pm. 2026 timings are to be confirmed.
Newent Christmas Lights Market
Saturday 21 November, 2pm–7pm
This year’s theme is “Christmas in Paradise”, a tropical twist on a Forest Christmas. Market Square closes to traffic for stalls, a stage, Santa’s grotto, a snow machine and fairground rides. As it gets dark, a lantern parade makes its way through town for the switch-on. The event is listed on TicketSource, so check whether you need to register before you go.
Newent Christmas Lights Market
Cirencester Light switch-on
Cirencester Advent Market and Light Switch-On
Saturday 28 November, 10am–6pm
One of the biggest Christmas days out in the Cotswolds, with 100-plus stalls around the Market Place and big screens for the ceremony. Last year the switch-on was at about 4.45pm, followed by a short low-noise firework display, a useful detail if you have a noise-sensitive child or an anxious dog at home. The market continues on Sunday 29 November.
Tewkesbury Christmas light switch-on
Sunday 22 November, 12 noon–6pm | FREE
Over 70 market stalls, children’s fairground rides, Father Christmas, a stage packed with local talent and street food, building up to the main event at 5pm. That’s when the lights are switched on by the cast of the Roses Theatre pantomime, with everyone gathered around ‘The Cross’ in the heart of the town.
It’s the only Sunday switch-on on this list, so it’s a good fallback if you've already got plans on Saturday 21 November.
Need an audience with the big man? Find Places to Meet Father Christmas here
Before you go
Saturday 21 November is the big clash. The Brewery Quarter, Bishop’s Cleeve and Newent all fall on the same day. Pick one.
All these light switch ons are free to attend, although there will be lots of goodies to buy at each, from mince pies and mulled wine, to Christmas gifts and more.
