Skip to content

Where to see Christmas lights in the West this year

Mae DavageWest of England
Craig Stone Photography The Market House in Taunton at night. In front of the building is a Christmas tree with warm fairy lights and a white star on top. On either side of the tree are two warm yellow light-up reindeer. On the front of the building is a red bow light decoration.Craig Stone Photography
Taunton's Winterfest and the Christmas light switch-on will take place on 22 November

November is here and for many, the countdown to Christmas has officially started.

As the festive season gets under way, so do a variety of seasonal events across the West country. Some are grand affairs while others are cosier and more intimate.

Whatever your preference, here is a list of Christmas light events taking place where you are.

Bristol

Portishead: The Christmas Dubs, a community of car enthusiasts who decorate their vehicles with lights, will be switching on the Portishead Christmas lights this year on 23 November between 17:40 and 19:00.

Dockyards: From 25 November, Bristol's dockyards will be lit up with a theme inspired by the night sky.

Visitors can see the lights, which have been designed to recreate star constellations, until 10 January.

Ashton Court: For the second year, the light festival "Luminate" will be returning to Bristol.

From 27 November to 28 December, visitors will be able to explore the light trail spread across Ashton Court.

Cheltenham BID Cheltenham's Municipal Offices in the dark. There are Christmas lights adorning the pillars and railings along the front.Cheltenham BID
Cheltenham's Business Improvement District organise their own lights for the town, which will be switched on 21 November

Gloucestershire

Gloucester: Taking place on 14 November, people will be able to enjoy a programme of music and events ahead of the light switch on at 17:45 at Kings Square, including a performance by The Salvation Army Band.

Sudeley Castle: The famous "Spectacle of Light" returns to Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe from November 20- December 30.

This years theme is "Alice's Amazing Adventures in Wonderland" and characters from the book will be walking around for visitors to meet.

Cheltenham: The town centre's lights will be switched on at 16:00 on 21 November, with an afternoon of festive activities taking place from 14:00-20:00 in the Brewery Quarter.

Bourton-on-the-Water: Famous for placing a giant illuminated tree in the river Windrush, the Cotswold village will turn on its lights on 27 November.

Taking place on the Village Green, the lights are expected to be switched on at about 17:30.

A temporary road closure will be in place along the High Street from 17:15-18:15 while the event takes place.

Cirencester: The Cotswold market town will be switching on their Christmas lights on 28 November, with entertainment scheduled from 10:00 and the switch-on ceremony due to take place at 16:45.

Gloucester City Council A lit-up Christmas tree in Gloucester city centre. It is dark and there is a crowd of people around the tree holding up their phones.Gloucester City Council
As part of Gloucester's event, their "Tree of Light" will also be illuminated

Somerset

Weston-super-Mare: On 14 November, Weston-super-Mare will begin their festive season with an evening of free entertainment at Italian Gardens.

Entertainment including street performances and a live brass band will begin from 16:00, while the lights will be switched on at 17:30.

Taunton: As part of the town's Winterfest event, Taunton's Christmas lights switch-on will take place on 22 November.

Winterfest is the town's biggest single-day event of the year and will run from 10:00 until 20:00, with the switch-on ceremony taking place at 18:00.

Glastonbury: The lights for Glastonbury's Market Square Christmas tree will be switched on during the town's Frost Fayre on 28 November.

The switch-on ceremony will take place at 17:00 but there will be market stalls and other attractions open to visitors from 10:00.

Yeovil: Taking place on 28 November between 16:00 and 20:30, Yeovil's switch on event will be held in the town centre and will include music, performances, street entertainment and a host of food and drink.

Wiltshire

Salisbury: The city's festive season will launch on 20 November, with its 'Christmas Begins' event.

Taking place from 1300 to 20:30 at Salisbury Market Place and Guildhall Square, the event includes live music and the launch of its retail chalets and Santa's Grotto.

Swindon: On 22 November, Swindon's Christmas lights will be switched on in the Old Town as part of the Christmas Festival.

The event runs from 13:00-18:00 and will have a market, funfair, live music and family entertainment.

Bradford-on-Avon: The Christmas Lights switch-on in Bradford-on-Avon will take place on 27 November.

The switch-on will be part of an evening of festive entertainment, which will run from 16:00-20:00.

Chippenham: The town's Christmas lights will be lit on 27 November.

The festivities will start from 16:00, with Santa set to make an abseil into the town ahead of the official switch on at 18:00.

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.