Events for your Christmas Calendar in Shropshire & Herefordshire
If you're planning a stay at our touring parks this November, we've put together some Christmas events in Shropshire and Herefordshire to kickstart the 2023 festive season.
From light switch-ons to Santa runs, why not add these dates to your diary?
Shropshire
Ludlow
A quaint historic market town only 1.5 miles away from our Ludlow Touring Park, Ludlow is the perfect place to get into the Christmas spirit!
Christmas Light Switch On: Saturday 25th November at 5pm
Ludlow Winter Festival
24th to 26th November
Their festive season begins with the Ludlow Winter Festival, held between the 24th and 26th November at various locations around the town.
Visit Ludlow Castle throughout the weekend and explore the evening magical light trail around the grounds, with music, light displays, live music including local choirs, as well as festive food delights from Ludlow Food Festival favourites.
For those all-important gifts for your loved ones, check out the Makers Market and late-night shopping so you can make a start on your Christmas shopping.
On Saturday 25th November at 5pm, marvel at the Christmas Lights Switch On, before heading to the Feathers Hotel for their winter ball, or to the open mic evening at Ludlow Assembly Rooms.
The festive fun continues into Sunday 26th November, with a Christmas market in the town and a Christmas concert held at St Laurence's Church.
Croft Castle's Illuminate Christmas
Various dates from 16th October to 2nd December
Other events held local to our Ludlow Touring Park include Croft Castle's Illuminate Christmas, held on select evenings in November and December, where visitors can discover this National Trust castle and grounds decorated for Christmas, with outdoor illuminations, fire performers, musicians, carol singers and food vendors.
Croft Castle - Wreath Making Workshop
3rd and 6th December
On 3rd and 6th December, Croft Castle will also be hosting a wreath-making workshop so you can make your very own festive wreath to take home with you.
Shrewsbury
A fantastic option for your festive stay, our Oxon Hall Touring Park is within easy reach of Shrewsbury town centre. Simply hop on the park and ride bus service, adjacent to the park, and discover a bustling historic market town.
Christmas Light Switch-On: Wednesday 22nd November at 6:30pm
To start the festive season in style, the Christmas Lights Switch On will be held on 22nd November with music and Christmas activities starting from 4:30pm, and the grand switch on at 6:30pm.
Made in Shropshire "Fair in the Square"
11th November and 6th December
The ideal Christmas shopping location, Shrewsbury will have a variety of craft fairs and markets to find a treasure or two.
On Saturday 11th November and Saturday 8th December visit the town square and discover the Made in Shropshire "Fair in the Square" market. Featuring a host of Shropshire-based artists, craftspeople and food producers, add that unique gift to your Christmas shopping list.
Shrewsbury Christmas Market
15th and 16th December
The town square will also be host to the Shrewsbury Christmas Market on the 15th and 16th of December, with delicious treats such as mince pies, mulled wine and handmade gifts.
Shrewsbury Prison's Christmas Market
9th and 10th December
Shrewsbury Prison will be hosting its own Christmas market on 9th and 10th December, with over 65 stalls offering gifts, crafts, toys, street food, decorations and more.
Shrewsbury Market Hall's Late Night Shopping
2nd December
A favourite shopping location in the town centre, the Shrewsbury Market Hall has been voted Britain's Favourite Market for a reason!
Brimming with delicious food and drink venues as well as artisan, vintage, lifestyle shops and more, there is plenty to discover within this iconic town building. Whilst a great option for shopping throughout the year, be sure to check out their late-night event on Saturday 2nd December.
Vivaldi's The Four Seasons at Shrewsbury Abbey
12th December
For a cultural Christmas, check out The Piccadilly Sinfonietta's performance of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons in the stunning venue of Shrewsbury Abbey on 12th December. The programme also includes their rendition of Mozart's Piano Concerto in C Major and Corelli's Christmas Concerto.
Carols in the Square
13th December
If you enjoy a sing-along, head to the town square on 13th December for the annual Carols in the Square event and join the Shrewsbury Brass Band and Shrewsbury Male Voice Choir in singing some Christmas favourites.
Bridgnorth
Located less than 3 miles from our Stanmore Hall Touring Park, visit the quaint town of Bridgnorth and discover a variety of festive events.
Christmas Lights Switch-On: Friday 24th November
Head to Bridgnorth High Street on 24th November for the Christmas Light Switch-On, where there will also be food and artisan stalls, a children's funfair and live entertainment.
Bridgnorth Christmas Market
3rd December
Held at the Bridgnorth Rugby Club, discover a fantastic selection of stalls, from handmade items, gifts, cakes and more. There will also be face-painting and Santa for the little ones, as well as live music and food and drink throughout the day.
Blists Hill's Victorian Christmas Weekends
9th to 10th December and 16th to 17th December
Step back in time and discover what the festive season was like in the Victorian era at this living museum!
Stop and listen to the choir and brass band and meet a reindeer as the children play on the helter-skelter or visit Santa in his grotto.
There will also be festive craft workshops available where you can try your hand at candle dipping or making Victorian Christmas cards.
Blists Hill Victorian Town's Christmas Lates
13th and 20th December
Discover the Christmas magic of Blists Hill Victorian Town after hours at this festive event.
Explore the Christmas atmosphere of the town and enjoy traditional Victorian Christmas activities, from arts and crafts to parlour games. Find a unique gift for a loved one and enjoy a mulled wine or a hot chocolate as you watch the carollers and even Charles Dickens perform!
Severn Valley Railway's Carol Trains
16th, 22nd and 23rd December
Take a train with a festive twist on the Severn Valley Railway!
Starting at Kidderminster, board a classic steam train and enjoy a journey filled with festive carols and songs as you travel towards the Engine House Visitor Centre at Highley.
Once you arrive at the Engine House, join in with further carols and singalong with the choir whilst enjoying a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie.
Herefordshire
Both within easy reach of our Poston Mill Touring Park, Hereford and Hay-on-Wye make the perfect settings for some festive adventures!
Hereford Christmas Lights Switch-On: Sunday 19th November
Hay-on-Wye Christmas Lights Switch-On: Friday 24th November at 6:30pm
Hereford
Hereford Cathedral Christmas Fair
16th December
Held annually, Hereford Cathedral is a majestic setting to tick off some of your Christmas shopping list!
With over forty stallholders, discover a selection of homemade produce, handcrafted gifts and festive crafts and enjoy carols sung outside the cathedral near midday.
Hereford Christmas Markets
Various dates throughout December
Enjoy the magic of Hereford at Christmas and visit Hereford's High Town to explore stalls selling a variety of items, including handcrafted gifts, to help you find that perfect present for a loved one.
St Michael's Hospice Santa Run
17th December
For a festive event with a difference, and a chance to burn off some of those Christmas calories, why not check out the Hereford Santa Run?
Cheer on hundreds of participants, each one dressed as Santa Claus, as they make their way around the city to raise money for St Michael's Hospice
Hay-on-Wye
Hay Festival Winter Weekend
23rd to 26th November
A smaller version of the popular Hay Festival, enjoy a host of events to boost your festive spirit at the Winter Weekend.
Discover a programme of literary talks and workshops across the town on a variety of topics, from geography to gardening to games. Listen to talks from well-known names such as Matt Lucas, Oz Clarke, Stephen Fry, Hamza Yassin, Louise Minchin and many more.
Don't forget to check out the Christmas Light Switch-On in Memorial Square on 24th November and feel the festive spirit with hot food, market stalls, Hay Fire Brigade and a steam engine Santa drive-by.
Will you be staying at our parks over the festive season? We hope these events have given you some inspiration to plan your Christmas itinerary!
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