• Swindon & Wiltshire Culture
• Wednesday June 24 2026

Feeling hot? Think of winter, says Visit Wiltshire

Hot weather getting to you? Think cool thoughts, advises Visit Wiltshire.

With only six shopping months until Christmas, the official Destination Management Organisation for Wiltshire is looking forward to festive fun in the county.

Among the season’s highlights is The Festival of Light at Longleat (selected dates from 7 Nov – 10 Jan) which presents Legendary Worlds.

Visitors can enjoy a glowing world of myths, heroes and legendary tales, in an immersive, after-dark trail with over 1,000 lanterns across the Park.

Explore the lost city of Atlantis, walk underneath a life-sized blue whale and through an underwater wonderland. Marvel at heroes of mythology in action – including Thor’s battle with the World Serpent. Plus epic lands of giants, dragons and magical creatures and more!

Nearby, Christmas at Stourhead (27 Nov – 3 Jan) transforms the world-famous landscape gardens into a magical after-dark trail featuring immersive light installations, seasonal music, festive food and warming drinks.

Marvel at awe-inspiring installations that include a playful “Sea of Light”, a mesmerising “Fire Garden” for a moment of reflection and the much loved “Winter Cathedral” returning for that extra special selfie moment.

Salisbury-based Heritage & Stone Tours are offering private, driver-guided day tours this Christmas, pairing Wiltshire’s best-loved heritage with the season’s finest markets.

Choose from Stonehenge, Salisbury and Avebury Christmas markets, or the magical National Trust village of Lacock and Bath Christmas Market. Bespoke tours suitable for FIT with trade rates and flexible pick-up available.

English Heritage’s new Stonehenge Explorer Tour continues to run Dec 2026 – March 2027, offering a unique opportunity to explore the wider prehistoric landscape, visiting the nearby Woodhenge and Durrington walls.

It encourages a deeper appreciation of the natural surroundings and the people who once lived here. Tour highlights include accompanying staff as they carry out conservation checks and behind the scenes with unforgettable up-close experiences inside the stone circle. This once-in-a-lifetime experience brings the stories and secrets of Stonehenge to life like never before.

Studley Grange Garden & Leisure Park brings festive magic to Wiltshire with Santa experiences, including breakfasts, teas and grotto visits (29 Nov – 24 Dec), alongside seasonal dining, cake creation workshops (14 Nov – 24 Dec), and Christmas shopping and a wide selection of trees and decorations.

Combined with its Santa on the Farm experience (4 Dec – 22 Dec), it offers an enjoyable festive day out for all visitors. Group packages for 10+, with Christmas lunches / teas (11 Nov – 18 Dec).

At the Hawk Conservancy Trust, visitors can enjoy a unique festive programme combining wildlife encounters with seasonal entertainment. Highlights include the atmospheric Owls By Moonlight evenings (4,5,11 & 12 Dec) and Christmas Carols and Owls (18 – 21 Dec) featuring live music, traditional carol singing, mulled wine and mince pies alongside spectacular owl displays.

Plus, the Trust’s popular Christmas Market  (26-29 Nov) offers festive shopping, local food and seasonal refreshments. Group discounts for pre-booked groups of 15+.
Visitors can also enjoy festive season in Salisbury from traditional Christmas carol services to craft workshops, Christmas trails, festive shopping and seasonal markets.

The Salisbury Museum offers many reasons to visit with Discovery Days every Tuesday, a Great Festive Craft-Off (22 Dec) and the Imagination Station (29 Dec). For a those brave enough to book, watch ‘A Ghost Story for Christmas’, (13 Dec) of classic M.R. James spine-chillers in the tradition of the BBC’s beloved 1970s series – featuring vengeful spirits and malevolent ghouls.

At Salisbury Cathedral, pre-booked groups can enjoy a range of exclusive festive experiences throughout the Christmas season. Highlights include a special Christmas Carols event (8 Dec), featuring performances by the Cathedral Choir, festive readings, audience carol singing, seasonal refreshments and exclusive access to the Cathedral and Chapter House, home to one of the original Magna Carta documents.

Visitors can also experience the atmospheric Twilight Tower Tours  (21 Nov – 2 Jan), offering spectacular views over Salisbury’s festive lights, and a new Christmas Organ Family Concert (11 Dec), providing a memorable evening of seasonal music and mulled wine in one of England’s most iconic sacred spaces.

No festive itinerary would be complete without a traditional pantomime. This season, Wiltshire Creative presents Beauty & The Beast (28 Nov – 10 Jan) at Salisbury Playhouse, a vibrant original musical pantomime written by Plested, Brown and Wilsher and featuring the award-winning creative team behind Jack and the Beanstalk. Group discounts 10+ pax.

Families can also enjoy The Tailor of Gloucester (7–27 Dec), an interactive musical production in the newly reopened Salberg Studio, specially created for younger audiences with discounted rates for schools and youth groups.

Wiltshire also has many beautiful market towns with great independent shops and Christmas light switch on events – ideal for a festive group outing. Marlborough’s festive season kicks off 27 Nov, with the traditional Christmas Lights Switch-On and market on the High Street. The town offers festive markets, tours, and seasonal dining throughout December.

Christmas comes to Corsham on 4 Dec when the Christmas lights are switched on at 6pm. The High Street becomes a Christmas Market (from 3pm) and there’s live music, fairground rides, Christmas tree, fun and games, and a special appearance from Father Christmas.

Bradford on Avon rings in Christmas on 27 Nov in Westbury Gardens for Christmas Lights Switch on, live music, late-night shopping, artisan gift markets, and a floating fayre (11 – 13 Dec) on the canal. The town centre sparkles with community spirit, festive lights, and local choirs.

For further information about what’s on in Wiltshire this Christmas take a look at visitwiltshire.co.uk/whats-on/christmas