Cheltenham Trust Plans Season of Joy for Christmas 2026
Cheltenham Trust Plans Season of Joy for Festive Period
The Cheltenham Trust has announced its “Season of Joy” for the festive period, with a host of events across the town promising something special for every resident.
The charity – which looks after some of the Regency town’s most cherished culture, sport and leisure venues – has planned a “bigger-than-ever” Christmas lights switch-on at Pittville Pump Room, including choirs, swing dance and even a foam party. Organisers are also bringing JLS star Marvin Humes to town for a very special night out – and the Town Hall is being transformed into a Regency Roller Rink for the Twixmas period.
“Our ‘Season of Joy’ is about bringing as many people across Cheltenham together to enjoy the magic and the fun of the festive season, however they want to celebrate,” says Jess Brewster, CEO of the Trust, which manages five venues across the town.
“This time of year is all about getting together with families and friends and sharing special memories in beautiful places – we’re so excited to get the party started!”
Big Christmas Book-Ends at the Cheltenham Trust
The Trust’s festive season kicks into full swing on the last weekend in November at the iconic Pittville Pump Room, with Christmas artisan markets and the big switch-on. Revellers can expect local produce, independent shopping – and extra special gifts to make this year’s Christmas memorable.
On Friday 27 November, a night-time market will offer a relaxing evening with a handpicked selection of makers, festive drinks and music, followed by a family-friendly festive market on the afternoon of Sunday 29 November.
The Christmas lights switch-on extravaganza will light up Pittville between 1pm and 7pm on Saturday 28 November and feature indoor crafts, the chance to meet Santa, festive face painting and of course hot festive food and nibbles, hot chocolates and mulled wine.
An outside stage will feature music, dance and the cast of the Cheltenham Playhouse’s pantomime. Celebrations will extend past the lights switch-on at 5pm, with Party Peeps keeping the fun going until 7pm with their popular foam party.
“This year’s markets and switch-on are going up a gear or two,” enthuses Brewster. “We’ve made the whole experience bigger, better and more festive than ever before – it’s going to be a fantastic set of free events for the whole town.”
As well as starting the season with a bang, the Trust plans to close it out with a party, too. Once all the Christmas turkey has been digested, the Regency Roller Rink will transform Cheltenham Town Hall from 28 December to 30 December to keep the celebrations at full tilt right until New Year.
Comedy, Music and Family Theatre: A Packed Programme at Cheltenham Town Hall
The Trust’s biggest venue, Cheltenham Town Hall, is playing host to multiple big events across the season – chief among them Marvin Humes’s seasonal edition of his hit show, Noughties Baby. The JLS star will act as a human time-machine, packing the town hall with a plethora of “noughty” surprises that are sure to take fans on a nostalgic journey down memory lane.
“I'm super excited to bring Noughties Baby to Cheltenham,” says Humes. “It's the ultimate ‘00s party, and I'm hyped to take you all on a ride through this epic era. Let's rewind to the 2000s when the tunes were banging, the style was on point, and the memories were unforgettable.
“This show is all about reliving those vibes – it's your golden ticket to step back in time and party to the tunes that defined a whole generation.”
The town hall features festive concerts throughout the season, too. Comedy fans will relish the Fawlty Towers Comedy Dining Experience and the opportunity to see the likes of Russell Kane and Marcus Brigstocke as part of Christmas Cracker. Music-lovers of all kinds will be full of seasonal spirit, too, with the Down for the Count Swing Orchestra, the feel-good tunes of Step Into Christmas and the seasonal charm of The Best of Bublé.
And families will love The Snowman in Concert and a musical production of Rod Campbell’s much-loved Dear Santa, ideal for children aged two and over. “It’s a perfect introduction to theatre for younger audiences,” enthuses Brewster. “A real Christmas gift!”
Child-Friendly Creative Workshops at The Wilson and Leisure at Cheltenham
At the Wilson Art Gallery & Museum, families and creatives will have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas in artistic style, with a winter wreath-making workshop led by artist Kitty Rubina-Skye, a Family Christmas Party which invites families to take a break from the Christmas rush to enjoy making and creating together, and a festive-themed Home Educators Workshop which explores how the Victorians transformed our Christmas traditions, from cards and crackers to trees and decorations.
Leisure at Cheltenham gets in on the celebrations, too, with a special family-focused Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree Party on 19 December – complete with bouncy castle, games, and crafts. The Trust is also promising a top-secret – and very special! – guest to ensure the party has a truly seasonal sparkle. There will be a special session for SEND children, too, designed especially for them.
“This programme is our Christmas gift to the town that hosts us all year-round, and we’d love to celebrate with as many people as possible,” says Brewster.
“With our biggest ever free events, huge shows with star names, and opportunities for everyone to get involved, we want this year’s Christmas season to be a memorable one for the whole town: it’s always good to come home for Christmas! See you there.”
> Discover the Cheltenham Trust's Christmas events and book tickets
Explore Gloucestershire
13 October 2026
Article based on a press release supplied by The Cheltenham Trust, with AI assistance for formatting and presentation. Image supplied by The Cheltenham Trust.
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