Simon L
09 November 2017
Christmas is a magical place wherever you are – but some of the festivities taking place in Somerset are ensuring the region is up there with the best this year!
From festive markets and parades to Santa arriving by helicopter – there promises to be a Somerset Christmas event for everyone this year.
Here are our top tips for 2018 Christmas events in Somerset:
Somerset Christmas Markets
Bath's award-winning magical market, Bristol's German market with Bavarian foods and Jägerbarn bar, the Christmas Extravaganza held in the Cheese and Grain in Frome…
Basically, there are too many to just single one or two out, so we created a blog specifically for them! Click here to read more about the fantastic markets this year.
Comedian Brian Conley and fashion guru Gok Wan head up the cast for the Bristol Hippodrome's pantomime this year, Cinderella – oh, yes they do! Expect all the slapstick comedy of a panto, complete with the most magical ball gown in panto-land and plenty of boos and hisses.
Carol services, Christmas lunches and concerts from Somerset schoolchildren make up Wells Cathedral's festive calendar. One of the highlights in the cathedral is the candlelight Christmas concerts, which take place on the 20th and 21st December. The cathedral will be lit by thousands of candles, promising an unforgettable atmosphere.
Christmas Parties, Santa's Grotto, adult casino nights, live music – it's all going on at Weston-super-Mare Grand Pier this year! The seaside pier, which also has indoor rides and arcade machines, will be full of festive cheer throughout December, with a spectacular firework display taking place on the 29th.
A Somerset Christmas Parade to remember; the fifth annual Yeovil Christmas Lantern Parade takes place on 17th November, starting at the town's Bandstand at 5pm. The parade will then head off on a tour of the town centre, returning to the Bandstand for 6pm. Yeovil's Christmas lights will then be switched on at 6.30pm, with entertainment provided by local radio station Breeze FM.
Wells Rotary Club will play host to its 12th annual Reindeer Parade on 9th December, at Wells Market Place from 10.50am. Kids and big kids alike will be able to witness Father Christmas and his team of reindeer get ready for the big day. Wells City's award-winning brass band will lead the procession at midday, performing Christmas classics.
You can get hands-on at Glastonbury Abbey this year with a range of family crafting activities on the first three Saturdays, all of which coincide with the chance to meet Father Christmas. There will be a couple of concerts, too, including the Churchill Singers who perform in the Abbey Kitchens on the 2nd December, from 2-3pm.
Dunster Castle, the beautiful motte and bailey castle on the fringes of Exmoor, has a whole host of Christmas events this year. On the 7th and 8th December, the National Trust property will be lit up spectacularly at its Dunster by Candlelight event, with live music, local crafts and refreshments to boot. The Castle will also play host to illuminated winter walks, Christmas lunches and a chance to meet Father Christmas.
See Santa in the museums
There will be plenty of fun in Somerset's museums this year, too, all of which offer a chance to meet the man himself – Santa!
The Museum of Somerset will have Christmas activities including a Santa's Grotto every Saturday up until Christmas Day; children can help find Santa's elves at the Haynes International Motor Museum trail; meanwhile, on the 9th December, Father Christmas will be arriving by helicopter at the Helicopter Museum!
Fancy making the most of the winter and enjoying a weekend or a few days away? Why not take a look at our cottages in Somerset – you might find the perfect accompaniment to one of these fantastic events.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.