Festive Farmers Charity Tractor Tour

Christmas lights on tractors? Yes please! The Festive Farmers are back for 2026, bringing a convoy of around 40 illuminated tractors through Cotswold villages and into Cheltenham. It's a lovely excuse to wrap up warm, head out with the kids and enjoy a bit of Christmas cheer while supporting two important charities.

Festive Farmers Charity Tractor Tour 2026

• Date: Saturday 19th December 2026

• Time: From 5pm, reaching Cheltenham town centre at approximately 7:30pm

• Cost: Donations welcome

• Location: Cotswold villages and Cheltenham

• Route and updates: Festive Farmers website

The farmers are decorating their tractors with thousands of Christmas lights and taking to the roads to raise money for Rainbow Trust Children's Charity, which supports families with seriously ill children, and Dementia UK, which helps families affected by dementia.

Last year's tour raised an impressive £8,981, including Gift Aid, and they're hoping to beat that total in 2026.

Where to see the tractors

The convoy will travel from Shipton through the Cotswolds before heading into Cheltenham. Here are the organisers' estimated passing times:

• Shipton: 5pm

• Withington: 5:15pm

• Andoversford: 5:35pm

• Charlton Kings: 6:08pm

• Prestbury: 6:40pm

• Bath Road: 7:20pm

• Cheltenham town centre: 7:30pm

The tractors don't stop along the route, so you'll need to choose your viewing spot and keep an eye out for them. The organisers recommend the villages for families with younger children who'd prefer a quieter spot, while Cheltenham town centre tends to attract the biggest crowds.

Worth knowing: These are estimated times, and the convoy can run late depending on traffic. You can check the route and follow the live tractor map on the night rather than spending an extra hour standing in the December cold!

Please watch from the pavement, keep children close and don't step into the road to photograph the tractors.

The event is organised by volunteers from the local farming community, with donations going directly to the two charities through GiveWheel. You can donate online or scan the QR codes displayed on the tractors.

Two additional rural runs are also planned, with details still to be announced.

Visit the Festive Farmers website to view the map and see when they're on their way to you!