Where to See Christmas Lights in the West Country: Key Dates
Towns across the West Country start switching on Christmas lights from November 14. Gloucester, Weston-super-Mare, Cheltenham and Bourton-on-the-Water are among them, while Bristol's dockyards and Ashton Court run light displays into late December and January.
Anyone planning where to see Christmas lights in the West Country can start on November 14, when Gloucester and Weston-super-Mare hold the first switch-ons. Dozens of towns follow through late November, and Bristol's light displays run into January.
Some events are grand affairs, others cosier. Many pair the switch-on with markets, music and food stalls.
Switch-ons from November 14
Gloucester lights up at 17:45 on November 14 at Kings Square. A programme of music and events comes first, including a performance by The Salvation Army Band.
The same evening, Weston-super-Mare opens its festive season at Italian Gardens. Free entertainment, including street performances and a live brass band, starts at 16:00, and the lights go on at 17:30.
Salisbury launches its "Christmas Begins" event on November 20. It runs from 13:00 to 20:30 at Market Place and Guildhall Square, with live music, retail chalets and Santa's Grotto.
Cheltenham switches on at 16:00 on November 21. Festive activities fill the Brewery Quarter from 14:00 to 20:00.
November 22 and 23
Taunton's switch-on falls on November 22 as part of Winterfest, which the town describes as its biggest single-day event of the year. The event runs from 10:00 until 20:00, and the lights go on at 18:00.
Swindon lights up the Old Town the same day as part of its Christmas Festival. Expect a market, funfair and live music between 13:00 and 18:00.
Portishead follows on November 23, with the switch-on in the town centre between 17:40 and 19:00. Volunteers from the community fund and organise the event.
Cotswold villages and market towns
Bourton-on-the-Water, known for a giant illuminated tree in the river Windrush, turns on its lights on November 27 at about 17:30. A temporary road closure on the High Street runs from 17:15 to 18:15.
Bradford-on-Avon and Chippenham also switch on November 27. Bradford-on-Avon's evening of entertainment runs from 16:00 to 20:00.
Cirencester follows on November 28, with entertainment from 10:00 and the switch-on at 16:45. Glastonbury lights its Market Square tree at 17:00 during the Frost Fayre, with stalls open from 10:00.
Yeovil's event runs the same day from 16:00 to 20:30, with music, performances and street entertainment.
Light trails and displays
Bristol's dockyards light up from November 25 with a night-sky theme, designed to recreate star constellations. Visitors can see them until January 10.
The "Luminate" light festival returns to Ashton Court in Bristol for a second year. Its trail runs from November 27 to December 28.
At Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe, the "Spectacle of Light" runs from November 20 to December 30. This year's theme is "Alice's Amazing Adventures in Wonderland", and characters from the book will walk around to meet visitors.
