Christmas is coming to Salisbury!
Tradition is set to continue in Salisbury this Christmas with a festive offering bringing Cinderella, carol singers, reindeer and festive cheer to the city.
Salisbury BID, Salisbury Cathedral, Salisbury City Council and Wiltshire Creative have come together to make sure the festive period is full of magic and merriment for all ages.
Here are some of the highlights:
Christmas Begins at the Market Place
The countdown to Christmas in Salisbury officially begins on Friday 18th November with celebrations full of cheer organised by Salisbury City Council.
This festive treat marks the first day of the twinkling Christmas lights as well as the opening of Christmas on the Square and the Salisbury Christmas Trail.
The evening of family-friendly festive fun in the Market Place will kick off from 1pm- 8pm and will feature reindeer, The Grinch, carol singers, Disco Dion, fair rides and other fantastic Christmas activities.
Salisbury’s popular performers ‘The Deloreons’ will be providing the soundtrack with some festive singalongs!
Christmas on the Square
The same day marks the opening of Christmas on the Square in front of the Guildhall.
Festivities will include a destination bar with cosy firepits, a food area serving up festive treats and the magical Santa’s Grotto.
Step behind the scenes of Santa’s magical workshop and enjoy a Christmas story, a Santa selfie, a festive postcard and a wrapped gift. Pre-book your visit to Santa’s Grotto on the Experience Salisbury website for just £6.
Salisbury Christmas Trail
From 18th November until 2nd January the city’s medieval streets will be festooned with magical decorations and Christmas characters which you can explore on the Salisbury Christmas Trail.
Pick up a copy of the trail map on the Experience Salisbury website, the Information Centre or Salisbury Cathedral and see what surprises you discover with your family and friends this Christmas!
Panto returns with Cinderella at Salisbury Playhouse
Pantomime is back in Salisbury with a spectacular production of the greatest panto story of all, Cinderella.
Tradition returns on Saturday 26th November with a show packed with sing-alongs, adventure and laughs.
This rags-to-riches tale will be a festive treat for all the family. Tickets are on sale now from the Wiltshire Creative website.
Christmas at Salisbury Arts Centre
Whether you are looking for theatre, music, comedy or workshops you can find it all at Salisbury Arts Centre this Christmas.
On Tuesday 6th December, make your own Angel or Christmas tree tea light holder to decorate your home ready for Christmas.
Laugh your way to Christmas day on Friday 16th December as Barnstormers Comedy returns with three top acts from the London Comedy Circuit - this time with a festive twist.
Between Thursday 8th - Saturday 10th December enjoy a classic Christmas treat as Dickens' festive fable; A Christmas Carol comes to life.
Dance the night away as the clock ticks down to midnight on New Year's Eve as the popular Salisbury band The Deloreons provide the ultimate celebratory soundtrack.
Salisbury Cathedral
For an authentically English Christmas experience head to Salisbury Cathedral.
Start the festivities with a Twilight Tower Tour at Salisbury Cathedral from Saturday 19th November and see the city’s Christmas lights from the spire!
Climb 332 steps through the Cathedral’s historic roof to witness a birds-eye view of Salisbury dressed in its festive best with the Cathedral Close sparkling below. Tickets cost £16 for adults, £12 for students and £6 for children.
The unmissable Darkness to Light Procession, when the Cathedral celebrates the start of Advent, will take place on Friday 25th November at 19.00, Saturday 26th November at 19.00 and Sunday 27th November at 17.00.
The City of London Sinfonia joins the full Cathedral Choir and four distinguished soloists for Handel’s Messiah which will take place on Saturday 10th December this year.
Make it a Christmas to remember on Monday 19th December with a special screening of The Snowman.
Then kick start the festive season with Carols by Candlelight on Thursday 22nd December and Friday 23rd December at 19.00. No tickets are required, and everyone is welcome.
Star-studded window displays
Thanks to Salisbury BID, the stars of the BBC’s ‘Interior Design Masters’ return to Salisbury this Christmas to give three businesses a festive makeover.
Join us from the 18th of November to see the unveiling of festive window displays created by Fran Lee, Amy Davies and Dean Powell.
Eat, Drink, Shop
Salisbury is a city of independents with a tradition of hospitality and Christmas is the perfect time to explore what they have to offer.
Browse big brands or beautiful boutiques for that special gift this Christmas.
Book your cosy Christmas dinner in a medieval pub, festive drinks in a classy cocktail bar or a New Year’s Eve night out.
Festive Sunday Markets
It’s not just the city’s shops that will offer unique Christmas gifts this year.
There will also be the chance to shop for that perfect present at Salisbury’s Festive Markets happening every Sunday from 27th November until 18th December in Salisbury Market Place.
Let it snow!
Whatever the forecast, it is going to be a white Christmas in Salisbury.
Courtesy of Salisbury BID, it will be snowing across the city. Keep an eye on the Experience Salisbury website for weather updates on where and when it will snow next.
Whatever you would like to do in Salisbury this festive season, you are sure to be inspired by a visit to our dedicated Christmas pages.