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Things To Do In And Around Glastonbury At Christmas

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If you are looking for something seasonal or Christmas themed, here is a selection of things to do or see, all within a 30 minute drive of Glastonbury.

Always check with the organiser before making plans.

 

Father Christmas

  • Santa at Abbey House – Meet Santa as part of your visit to Glastonbury’s Frost Fayre or during the Abbey’s free entry day the day after. For each child a visit with Santa will involve:
    • Christmas themed craft room
    • Write a letter to Santa with an elf
    • Sing some carols with the Christmas Fairy
    • Enjoy a Christmas themed trail and receive a special treat
    • A free mince pie for parents
    • A short story with Mother Christmas and an elf before the big moment of meeting Santa where each child will also receive a gift
    • Photo opportunities while at Abbey House and each visit with Santa will be photographed and then emailed to you after the event
    • The whole experience will take approximately 1 hour, ending with the opportunity for you and your family to meet Santa
    • All activities will take place in the warmth of Abbey House.

A: Chilkwell Street, BA6 8DH
WWW: Visit Santa at Glastonbury’s Abbey House – Glastonbury Abbey
T: 01458 832267

  • Father Christmas at The Bishop’s Palace (6 miles from Glastonbury town centre – 16 minutes by car) – Explore the beautifully decorated rooms of the palace, do some colouring while you wait then spend time with Father Christmas in his grotto. Each child will receive a gift during their visit. Tickets are £14 per child (including entrance to Gardens and Christmas Illuminations) and must be accompanied by a paying adult.

A: The Bishops Palace, WELLS, BA5 2PD
WWW: Father Christmas at The Bishop’s Palace – The Bishop’s Palace
T: 01749 988111

  • Santa Special Trains Rides (10 miles – 18 minutes by car) – Santa is returning to the Bath & West Showground for a ride on the railway.

A: The Showground, SHEPTON MALLET, BA4 6QN
WWW: Santa Special Train Rides – Bath & West
T: 01749 822217

  • Wookey Hole Winter Wonderland (7 miles – 18 minutes by car) – You’ll start with a visit to the caves where over 100,000 fairy lights magically illuminate the way. It’s a breath-taking Christmas light show. Best of all because it is always dark underground, even the littlest person can enjoy the twinkles, without being grouchy because it is past their bedtime. A trip to Wookey Hole at Christmas isn’t complete without a visit to Santa’s traditional Grotto. Children will get to meet the main man himself and then receive a special gift from Santa’s elves at the Toy Factory from TY Toys, all included in the ticket price.You’ll also get to watch a spectacular festive-themed circus show, performed in the Wookey Hole Theatre as part of your experience. Let your imagination take flight when the toys come to life after dark in the toy shop! Your day out will include all the other attractions of Wookey Hole, including a special Christmas Movie in our 4D Cinema. It’s the perfect day out for all the family.

A: Wookey Hole Caves, The Mill, Wookey Hole, WELLS, BA5 1BB
WWW: Winter Wonderland – Wookey Hole Caves
T: 01749 672243

  • Father Christmas at Cheddar Gorge and Caves (14 miles – 29 minutes by car) – Deep within Gough’s Cave a magical transformation is taking place. The elves have set up a special workshop in Gough’s Cave! They are working through the letters already sent to Father Christmas and making sure there are enough presents for everyone as the North Pole is so very busy and needs a little extra help. Father Christmas is stopping off to ensure his operations at the South West Workshop are up to scratch, and he’s even made time in his festive schedule to meet you and your children; he may even have a gift for them if they’ve been good this year…! Meet Father Christmas and the elves, sing some merry tunes and listen to a festive story – it’s just the thing to get you and your children in the festive spirit! The elves will be busy in the workshop checking destinations, sorting letters, making toys and inspecting the famous sleigh to test everything is ready before the great man sets off on Christmas Eve. Children are welcome to write and send a letter to Father Christmas too.

A: Cheddar Gorge and Caves, The Cliffs, CHEDDAR, BS27 3QF
WWW: What’s On – Cheddar Gorge and Caves
T: 01934 742343

See also Medieval Christmas Market and Shepton Mallet Christmas Lights Switch On & Market and Somerset Rural Life Museum Craft Workshops

Ice Skating

  • Clarks Village Ice Skating (2 miles – 7 minutes by car) – Get your skates on! the spacious ice rink in Clarks Village provides guests with an enchanting space to go for a spin throughout the holiday season and into the New Year. Offering a fun-filled activity come rain, snow or shine, the undercover rink is open throughout the Christmas period for pre-bookable 45-minute sessions with skate hire included. Located in the grounds of the historic Alfred Gillett Trust, the ice rink is wheelchair-friendly and has a dedicated entrance from the Restaurant Terrace, where guests can enjoy a bite to eat or a warming drink before or after their session. Guests with an ice rink ticket are given access to exclusive discounts at selected outlets in the shopping village.

A: 12, Farm Road, STREET, BA16 0BB
WWW: The ice rink returns for 2024 – Clarks Village
T: 01458 840064

 

Illuminations

  • The Bishop’s Palace Christmas Garden Illuminations (6 miles – 16 minutes by car) – Immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty of our illuminated gardens and decorated Palace this Christmas. Enjoy the spectacular light displays, including a captivating light maze and tunnel, all set against the historic backdrop of the Palace and its gardens.

Highlights:

    • Illuminated Gardens & Palace: Wander through the beautifully lit gardens and admire the stunning illumination of the Palace itself
    • Light Maze & Tunnel: Explore the mesmerising light maze and tunnel – perfect for all ages
    • Decorated Palace Rooms: Discover the Palace’s interiors adorned with festive decorations, creating a magical atmosphere
    • On Illumination nights you can enjoy a tasty BBQ or a mulled wine, cider or hot chocolate from the Bishop’s Brew Horsebox or the Applestore (located within the gardens).

A: The Bishops Palace, WELLS, BA5 2PD
WWW: Christmas Illuminations – The Bishop’s Palace
T: 01749 988111

 

  • The Queen Victoria Inn (11 miles – 23 minutes by car) – Visit England’s most festive pub after dark and count how many wine bottles have been used in the creation.

A: Pelting Drove, Priddy, WELLS, BA5 3BA
WWW: The Queen Victoria Pub
T: 01749 676385

 

Markets

  • The Glastonbury Frost Fayre – An extravaganza of seasonal magnificence when the community comes together to celebrate peace and goodwill to all at the festive time of year. Stalls and Late night shopping. Starting from 10am officially opened by the Mayor at Mid-day at the Meladrome Stage (top of High Street) and finishing at 6pm.

Highlights:

    • Father Christmas and his helpers (United Reform Church and the Abbey House)
    • All day buskers, at the Busk Stop (outside St Johns Church) and live street entertainment
    • Live performances on 5 stages (Benedict Street, Magdalene Street, Northload Street, Archers Way and the Meladrome Stage at top of the High Street.
    • Official “lights on” for the Market Square Christmas tree
    • Park n Ride from Herbies Field to the entrance of St Johns Car Park
    • Fairground rides for children
    • Children’s Worlds crafts, shows and story telling for our younger visitors
    • More stalls can be found at St Benedict Church,  Glastonbury Assembly Rooms,  Abbey House, United Reformed Church and St Johns Church.

WWW: Frost Fayre – Glastonbury Town Council
WWW: Glastonbury Frost Fayre – Facebook

 

  • Medieval Christmas Market – Step inside the abbey grounds during Glastonbury’s annual Frost Fayre, where you’ll find a Medieval Christmas Market and plenty of festive entertainment amidst the illuminated abbey ruins plus free entry & extended opening hours of 10am to 6pm. If you’d rather enjoy our Medieval Christmas Market without the Frost Fayre crowds, the abbey will open for free again on 1st December with all the same attractions. Sunday’s opening times are 10am to 4pm.

Highlights:

    • FREE Entry!
    • Entry to Glastonbury Abbey is free throughout the weekend!
    • Access to the abbey will be available via the temporary entrance on Magdalane Street, the gate at the bottom of Silver Street and via Abbey House
    • Medieval Market full of historical-inspired stalls, selling a range of products from pottery and hand-made jewellery to re-enactment supplies and medieval recipe kits.
    • Entertainment – Enjoy festive carols and live music in the abbey’s unique surroundings. A full performance schedule will be announced soon. There will also be vintage games and a carousel in the Abbey House grounds (small charge applies).
    • Food & Drink – A full range of catering will be available both days, with burgers, chips, crepes, coffee and doughnuts all on offer
    • The abbey’s Garden Café will also be open throughout, providing hot and cold drinks, snacks and toasted paninis
    • Visit Santa at Abbey House – Abbey House will also be hosting Santa throughout the weekend! Learn more & book your tickets to Visit Santa at Abbey House

A: Magdalene Street, BA6 9EL
WWW: Medieval Christmas Market – Glastonbury Abbey

  • Street Festive Market (2 miles – 6 minutes by car) – Variety of stalls to browse for gifts ranging from handmade crafts, jewellery, and ethically sourced cosmetics, as well as live entertainment, a range of refreshments and treats to suit all tastes!

A: High Street and Farm Road
WWW: Street Parish Council – Facebook

  • St Joseph’s and St Teresa’s Christmas Bazaar (6 miles – 17 minutes by car) – There’s something for everyone: jewellery, crafts, toys and more bottles than you could dream of. Plus books, games, music, the stunning silent auction and a grand raffle. Lunch and drinks will be served all day. Free entry.

A: Wells Town Hall, Market Place, WELLS, BA5 2RB

  • Christmas Artisan Market – Bishops Palace Wells (6 miles – 16 minutes by car) – Range of beautiful gifts and presents for yourself and your loved ones from over 70 artisan stalls. Music by local choirs and instrumental groups provided.

A: The Bishops Palace, WELLS, BA5 2PD
WWW: Christmas Artisan Market – Bishops Palace
T: 01749 988111

  • Shepton Mallet Christmas Lights Switch On & Market (9 miles – 21 minutes by car) – evening of fun with food, late-night shopping, market stalls, entertainment, workshops, Santa’s grotto and Christmas light switch-on.

Highlights:

    • Donkey petting & Santa’s Grotto
    • Night market with a huge range of crafts, food and drinks
    • Late-night shopping
    • Hot food and drink including hog roast, mulled cider
    • Entertainment throughout the night
    • Creative workshops

WWW: Whats On – Hello Shepton

  • Wedmore by Lamplight (9 miles – 19 minutes by car) – evening of fun with food, late-night shopping, market stalls, entertainment.

Highlights:

    • Crib service
    • Carol service around the tree
    • Carol procession to the village
    • Late-night shopping
    • Stalls
    • Food and drink
    • Live music
    • Festive entertainment
    • Father Christmas

WWW: Wedmore by Lamplight – Facebook

 

Church and Carol Services

  • Crib Service and Carol Services at St John’s Church, St Benedict’s Church and St Mary’s Church, Meare

A: St John’s Church, High Street, BA6 9DR

A: St Benedict’s Church, St Benedict Street, BA6 9NB

A: St Mary’s Church, St Mary’s Road, Meare, BA6 9TH
WWW: St John’s, Glastonbury

 

Art and Crafts

  • Coates English Willow Christmas Sculpture Trail (15 miles – 30 minutes by car) – Coates English Willow have been busily weaving festive Christmas sculptures for you to find. Choice of a word search or picture quiz with a prize at the end..

A: Meare Green, Stoke St. Gregory, TAUNTON, TA3 6HY
WWW: Christmas Sculpture Trail – Coates English Willow
T: 01823 490249

  • Somerset Rural Life Museum Craft Workshops (15 miles – 30 minutes by car) – Celebrate Christmas with immersive installations and family-friendly festivities. Craft workshops introducing printing with linocut and making your own Christmas card, gift tags or wrapping paper and learn how to make a stunning, fully-biodegradable Christmas wreath using a mixture of living and dried flowers or visit Santa in the Farmhouse Kitchen. After a chat, and a gift from the man in red, you can explore the museum and have a go at the special Christmas Trail. The Grain Store Café will be serving festive treats. At the end of your visit, make a Christmas decoration to take home with you!

A: Chilkwell Street, GLASTONBURY, BA6 8DB
WWW: Whats On – Somerset Rural Life Museum
T: 01458 831197

  • Family Holiday Activities at Wells Cathedral (7 miles – 18 minutes by car) – Get the holidays off to a festive start with a creative workshop for children! Make a seasonal centrepiece to adorn your table this Christmas using natural materials, including foliage from the Cathedral gardens, and explore the Cathedral with the free Christmas Story trail. FREE with adult entry: No need to book – simply drop in on the day in the Cathedral’s Education Room (entry via the Cloisters). There is no charge for children – Standard adult admission tickets include re-entry for 12 months from date of purchase, so you can enjoy access to a number of seasonal events, including exhibitions and Family Holiday Activities beyond your initial visit.

A: Cathedral Green, WELLS, BA5 2UE
WWW: Whats On – Wells Cathedral
T: 01749 674483

Film and Theatre

  • Wells Film Centre (5 miles – 11 minutes by car) – Watch a movie with a Christmas theme at the Wells Film Centre.

A: Princes Road, WELLS, BA5 1TD
WWW: Wells Film Centre
T: 01749 673195

  • Wells Theatre Company (5 miles – 11 minutes by car) – Watch a Christmas themed performance by the professional Wells Theatre Company in the medieval Vicars’ Hall, Undercroft or Chapter House. Admission is FREE with a collection in aid of Wells Cathedral.

WWW: Wells Theatre Company – Facebook

  • Strode Theatre (5 miles – 11 minutes by car) – Christmas woukd not be complete without a panto. Live on screen, live on stage, films and workshops.

A: Church Road, STREET, BA16 0AB
WWW: Whats On – Strode Theatre
T: 01458 442846

Shopping

  • Old Rowlands Christmas Shop (14 miles – 18 minutes by car) – All year Christmas Shop in Cheddar Gorge.

A: Old Rowlands, The Cliffs, CHEDDAR, BS27 3QE
WWW: Old Rowlands Christmas Shop
T: 01934 273127

Do you know of any festive events in and around Glastonbury worth a visit?

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