Christmas in Gloucester

SANTA PARADE AND GROTTO OPENING: THE EASTGATE

Saturday 19 November from 12 noon

Santa’s taking up residence in his enchanted grotto where you will feel as small as a mouse at The Eastgate Shopping Centre, and to celebrate he’s leading a magical festive parade with our favourite Beatrix Potter characters through the centre and out onto the city streets at 12 noon and 2pm. The Grotto opens at 12.30pm.

In association with Heart

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH-ON PARADE: GLOUCESTER CITY CENTRE AND CATHEDRAL

Sunday 20 November from 4.15pm

Gloucester’s Christmas lights get switched on in style. The ‘Stars and Angels’ Christmas Parade will feature illuminated creations, built by city school children working with professional artists, plus special guest Father Christmas, naturally! The procession begins outside Boots and will end at our magnificent Cathedral, making its way right down the Main Nave, with spectators being invited in to enjoy the spectacle and sing a selection of favourite carols.

The Rotary Club of Gloucester present

THE TREE OF LIGHT Switch-on event

Thursday24 November at 6pm

The city’s Christmas tree, located outside the Guildhall will be illuminated at a special event to launch Gloucester’s fi rst ever ‘Tree of Light’ campaign. Sponsor a light on the tree to help raise funds for local charities, while also celebrating the memory of a loved family member, a pet or friend, or simply to express your hopes for the future of the city and its people. All donations will be recorded in a commemorative book displayed at the Guildhall. To help, please send your donation (minimum £5 please) and memorial message (max 15 words) to  the Rotary Club of Gloucester c/o Halls & Keck, SWJ House, Goodridge Ave, Gloucester, GL2 5EB, and make cheques payable to the Rotary Club of Gloucester. Official forms to fill out are also available from the Guildhall and Gloucester Tourist Information Centre.

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS MARKET, GLOUCESTER QUAYS

Thursday 24 - Sunday 27 November,

Thursday and Friday 11am – 7pm, Saturday 10am – 7pm, Sunday10am, - 5pm, free entry

The hustle and bustle of a Dickensian festive feast will be brought to life as the Victorian Christmas Market returns to Gloucester Quays. The event will feature decorated stalls selling hand-made gifts and fine food and drink, colourful characters including street urchins, travelling salesmen, fi ne ladies and a Victorian policeman. Plus family activities, real ale tavern, the Waterways Museum and choirs and brass bands, all against the splendid backdrop of the city’s historic docks.

SHOPPING WITH EXTRA SMILES!

Father Christmas, face-painting, magical grottos, tree decoration sessions, family activities and live entertainment are all on offer at shopping centres across the city throughout December. Gloucester Quays, Kings Walk Shopping and The Eastgate Shopping Centre are all offering up yuletide family treats as well as great shops and stores, so check individual websites for up-to-the-minute information.

www.gloucesterquays.co.uk

www.kingswalk.co.uk

www.intoeastgate.co.uk

CHOIRS AND BANDS AT THE CHRISTMAS TREE

Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays in December

Be entertained by local choirs and bands in front of the city’s beautiful Christmas tree, located outside the Guildhall in Eastgate Street. Performances (listed below*) will coincide with late night shopping on Thursdays and on Saturday and Sunday daytimes in the run-up to Christmas.

Thursday	16:15 - 16:45	17:00 - 18:00	18:00 - 19:00
1 Dec		G3 Inspiring Individuals	Gloucester Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets
8 Dec		Heart of the Forest school	Gloucester Division Guides
15 Dec	Longlevens Infant School	Trier Choir

Saturday	10-11am	11am-12pm	12-1pm	1-2pm	2-3pm	3-4pm	4-5pm
3 Dec	Salvation Army			James Hamilton
10 Dec		Jo Roach			Jo Roach	One Church	G3 Inspiring Individuals
17 Dec	Salvation Army					Guildhall Community Choir	Gloucester SDA Church

Sunday	1-3pm
11 Dec	G3 Inspiring Individuals
18 Dec	G3 Inspiring Individuals

*It is possible that performances may be cancelled if weather conditions are severe.

GLOUCESTER RUGBY CHRISTMAS FIXTURES

Muster up a rousing Christmas cheer and roar the Cherry and Whites to victory at their two home festive fixtures, against Connacht Rugby on 17 December and London Wasps on Boxing Day.

PARKING AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Enjoy leisurely late night shopping on Thursday evenings in December, park for FREE after 4pm at Station Road, St Michaels Square and Westgate Street car parks, or just £1 after 4pm all other days. Also take advantage of special Sunday rates (£1 for an hour or £2 all day) in all city centre car parks. Park and Ride services (route 507) operate between Waterwells and the city centre, with buses running every 12 minutes. Full timetables can be found at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gloucesterparkandride or by calling 01452 425000. Stagecoach run services across the city and timetables can be found at www.stagecoachbus.com

A VERY VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS AT GLOUCESTER FOLK MUSEUM

December

Gloucester Folk Museum will be celebrating Christmas in a very Victorian way. The museum will be beautifully decorated with festive garlands, traditional trees, lights, ribbons and baubles mixed in with the atmospheric smells and sounds of Christmas. Throughout the whole month visitors will fi nd St Nicolas’ Wishing Tree and children’s craft activities, while candlelit tours, living history Christmas with the ever popular Victorian family, carol services and the ancient custom of a Mummers Play by Lassington Oak will all be taking place – visit the website or pick up a leafl et for further details. The Tea Rooms will have lots of seasonal treats to tempt visitors and the popular Folk Boutique will be stocked with a beautiful range of Christmas decorations and gifts.

01452 396868

CHRISTMAS AT GLOUCESTER CITY MUSEUM

December (into January)

There're lots to see and do during the festive season at the newly re-opened City Museum on Brunswick Road. Enjoy a brand new exhibition, Dinosaur Art (10 Dec – 14 Jan), where freelance paleo-artist Bob Nicholls invites you to explore the amazing world of dinosaurs. With paintings, drawings, murals, 3D models and computer generated images, this eye-catching exhibition will delight all ages. Prints and posters along with actual artworks will also be available to buy; remember, a dinosaur’s for life, not just for Christmas!

Throughout the month of December there’ll also be a range of craft sessions for all ages with a festive theme, a Culture Club session exploring the life and works of Beatrix Potter and Museum Tots sessions, plus delicious, homemade seasonal treats on offer in the new Cafe Nerva. Visit the website or pick up a leaflet for full details.

01452 396131

DUTCH VICTORY CONCERT ORGAN IN KINGS SQUARE

Thursday 8 - Sunday 11 December

Don’t miss the world’s biggest touring traditional organ all the way from the Netherlands, and returning to Gloucester after being a huge hit last Christmas. The giant 9 metre x 3 metre organ plays a huge repertoire of classic Christmas music, film themes and pop songs. Enjoy the free music and other attractions during its two day visit.

PARTY TIME AT GLOUCESTER GUILDHALL!

November - December

Celebrate the festive season with music and laughs at the Guildhall in December, with live concerts from the likes of Shaun Ryder, The Beat, The Undertones and Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, plus giggles galore at the Big Laugh Cafe Comedy Club. For dates, details and to book tickets, call 01452 503050 or visit www.gloucesterguildhall.co.uk

CHRISTMAS CRUISES WITH GLOUCESTER WATERWAYS MUSEUM

Come and join the festive cheer! Meet Santa in his on-board grotto and enjoy a cruise along the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.

Cruises run 10 + 11, 17 – 24 December inclusive at 12.00noon, 1.00pm, 2.00pm and 3.00pm.

Tickets cost £7.00 and include a mince pie, visit to the museum, children’s workshop and a personalised children’s gift. Christmas party disco cruises are ideal for the office night out! Boogie on board the King Arthur. Various dates available in December. For more details and to book tickets, call 01452 318200 or email gloucester@thewaterwaystrust.org.uk

GLOUCESTER CATHEDRAL

Celebrate the season with a series of services, concerts and recitals at the Cathedral, including the Christmas Lights Switch-On Carol Concert on 20 November, an Advent Carol Service by Candlelight on 27 November, Christmas Carol Service on 23 December and of course, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day services. A giant interactive Advent calendar will be installed outside the Cathedral for December. Each day there will be a new window for visitors to look at and ponder – wander past and take a look anytime during Cathedral opening hours. Children will love the free ‘Follow the Star’ trail, open 17 December – 2 January (Mon to Sat 10.45am–3.15pm, Sun 12pm–2.30pm). Youngsters are invited to journey around the Cathedral spotting characters from the Christmas story by following a special map, and collecting a Follow the Star sticker as a reward! A whole selection of special concerts and services will also be taking place. Visit www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk for further information, pick up a leaflet or call 01452 528095.

FESTIVE MARKETS

Pick up unique gifts or just soak up the festive atmosphere at a range of markets across the city this Christmas. Travel back in time at the Victorian Christmas Market at Gloucester Quays (24 - 27 November) and pick up great locally produced food and drink at the Festive Farmer’s Markets at the Cross (Fridays throughout December - except 30). Don’t miss Gloucester’s regular markets, the

Cherry and White Market in Kings Square each Friday and Saturday (also opening daily from 16 December until Christmas Eve), and the Eastgate Indoor Market, open Monday – Saturday. There’ll also be an ‘end of year special’ at Hempsted Meadows Car Boot Sale and Market on 28 December, where those feeling the post- Christmas pinch can sell unwanted items (and that doesn’t include those Christmas socks from granny!), pick up bargains or simply browse and enjoy the atmosphere. Special rates for one day only mean that cars can attend for £5 and vans and traders can attend for £10. For further information contact the Markets Team on 01452 528796 markets@gloucester.gov.uk