Christmas in Cheltenham

We’ve got Christmas all wrapped up at our beautiful Georgian townhouse on The Promenade. Whether you’re meeting up with a couple of friends or looking for an all-out festive bash, we’ve got everything you need. Celebrate in style with delicious seasonal food at No.131 The Terrace, or see in the New Year with exquisite sushi at our Tokyo-vogue restaurant YOKU. Our award-winning Gin & Juice serves the best cocktails in town and no Christmas is complete without partying the night away here. And, skip the taxi home and stay the night in one of No.131’s beautiful bedrooms instead.
No. 131, 131 The Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 1NW. 01242 822 939; www.no131.com

Rug up, grab some skates and take to the ice this Christmas. Cheltenham’s stunning rink – housed in Imperial Gardens to reflect the town’s historic Winter Gardens and the rink that once occupied a site in the gardens – will make even the Scroogiest long for the jingle of Santa’s sleigh. Today’s rink is undercover, and even more fabulous, dripping with fairy lights and sporting lovely views of the park. Plus, it’s suitable for skaters of all abilities and ages, with plenty of penguin aids to help little ones.
17th November to 1st January. Imperial Gardens, Imperial Square, Cheltenham GL50 1QZ. 01242 384805; www.cheltenhamiceskating.uk

Cheltenham has got all your Christmas shopping sorted with an array of wonderful festive markets this season. Both the Cheltenham Christmas Gift Market, with chalets filled with homewares and foodie fun, and the Arts & Crafts Christmas Market, featuring local creators, will be lining The Promenade. Father Christmas can be spotted at The Suffolks Christmas Market, which, alongside fantastic shopping, will be brimming with carols, children’s entertainment and street food. Then there’s the beautiful Artisan Market (great for stocking fillers) at Pittville Pump Room. Or check out the Christmas Craft Festival in Cheltenham Town Hall, which has over 100 delightful stalls.
Christmas Gift Market (16th-19th November); Arts & Crafts Market (14th-23rd December); The Suffolks Christmas Market (26th November); Artisan Christmas Market (24th-26th November); Christmas Craft Festival Cheltenham (17th-19th November)

Gloucestershire’s favourite clown Tweedy is back in town. This time, he’s taking on the role of Mother Goose in Everyman Theatre’s panto. And there’s plenty to laugh at. Mother Goose runs an Animal Sanctuary for waifs and strays. They live a wholesome life inside an abandoned Debenhams. But when a magical goose comes a-knocking, will fame and fortune get the better of them? With fantastic actors, dazzling costumes, stunning sets, incredible music and a healthy dose of must-see magic, it’s a cracking panto egg-strava-gander.
24th November to 7th January 2024. Everyman Theatre, Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ. 01242 572573; www.everymantheatre.org.uk

Cheltenham Racecourse is galloping their way through the festive season with The Christmas Meeting. A weekend of top-quality racing, there’s the thrilling Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase on the Friday before some highly competitive Cheltenham Festival trials the following day, including the JCB Triumph Hurdle trial and the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle trial. And to make sure things are properly Christmassy, there’s a Christmas Extravaganza-themed raceday including Santa’s Grotto on Saturday, where little ones can write letters to Santa, and Got2Sing Choir who will be entertaining racegoers with carols.
15th + 16th December. Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Rd, Cheltenham, GL50 4SH. 0344 579 3019; www.thejockeyclub.co.uk