Christmas in Cheltenham 2026: Lights, Markets and Events
Every festive date in Cheltenham for 2026: the lights switch-on, the Promenade Christmas market, a new light projection, the panto, Christmas racing and late-night shopping.
In short: Christmas in Cheltenham 2026 starts on Saturday 21 November, when the town's lights go on. The Christmas market fills the Promenade from 10 to 23 December, a new festive film is projected onto the Municipal Offices every evening from 3 to 16 December, and the panto is Cinderella at the Everyman. There is no ice rink this year.
Every festive date in Cheltenham for 2026, checked on the organisers' own pages on 18 October 2026.
Christmas in Cheltenham 2026: the key dates
| Date | What | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 13 to Sun 15 Nov | The November Meeting | Cheltenham Racecourse | From £13.50 |
| Sat 21 Nov | Town Christmas lights on, Brewery Quarter party 2pm to 8pm | Town centre | Free |
| Fri 27 Nov to Sun 10 Jan | Cinderella | Everyman Theatre | £12 to £70 |
| Sat 28 Nov | Pittville lights switch-on, lights at 5pm | Pittville Pump Room | Free |
| Sun 29 Nov | Suffolks Christmas Market, 11am to 4pm | The Suffolks | Street market |
| Thu 3 and Thu 10 Dec | Late-night shopping to 8pm | Town centre | Free parking from 3pm |
| Thu 3 to Wed 16 Dec | Festive film projection, every evening | Municipal Offices, Promenade | Free |
| Thu 10 to Wed 23 Dec | Cheltenham Christmas Market | The Promenade | Free entry |
| Fri 11 and Sat 12 Dec | The Christmas Meeting | Cheltenham Racecourse | From £13.50 (Sat) |
| Mon 28 to Wed 30 Dec | Regency Roller Rink | Cheltenham Town Hall | Family tickets from £27.50 |
| Fri 1 Jan | New Year's Day racing | Cheltenham Racecourse | From £13.50 |
When are the Christmas lights switched on in Cheltenham?
The town centre's lights go on from Saturday 21 November 2026, and Pittville has its own switch-on party a week later. New this year, a festive film lights up the front of the Municipal Offices every evening in early December.
Town centre lights and the Brewery Quarter party
The lights are put up by Cheltenham BID. The same day, The Brewery Quarter throws its Christmas launch party, with Father Christmas, a free silent disco, choirs and "snow showers" under a covered marquee.
- 📅 Sat 21 Nov
- ⏰ Party 2pm to 8pm
- 📍 Henrietta Street, Town Centre
Pittville lights switch-on
A free afternoon at the Pittville Pump Room with crafts, Santa, face painting, hot food and mulled wine, local choirs on an outdoor stage, and a foam party after the lights go on.
- 📅 Sat 28 Nov
- ⏰ 1pm to 7pm, lights on at 5pm
- 💷 Free
- 📍 Pittville
New: the festive film on the Municipal Offices
A specially commissioned Christmas film projected across the front of the council's Regency building on the Promenade each evening as it gets dark.
- 📅 Thu 3 to Wed 16 Dec
- ⏰ Every evening from dusk
- 💷 Free
- 📍 The Promenade
When is the Cheltenham Christmas market 2026?
From Thursday 10 to Wednesday 23 December 2026, with 40 wooden chalets and food stalls along the Promenade. The council says it runs for longer this year, and entry is free. For stalls, food and tips, see our Cheltenham Christmas market guide.
- 📅 10 to 23 Dec
- ⏰ 10am to 5pm daily
- 🎁 40 chalets, local makers
- 📍 The Promenade, Town Centre
Two smaller markets come first: the Christmas Artisan Markets at the Pittville Pump Room (Friday 27 November, 5pm to 9pm, and Sunday 29 November, 11am to 4pm) and the Suffolks Christmas Market through the streets of The Suffolks (Sunday 29 November, 11am to 4pm), with carols and Father Christmas. No November gift market on the Promenade has been announced for 2026.
Is there an ice rink in Cheltenham this Christmas?
No. Cheltenham Borough Council has confirmed the ice rink will not return in 2026, after its three-year contract ended. The nearest thing is the Regency Roller Rink at Cheltenham Town Hall between Christmas and New Year.
- 📅 Mon 28 to Wed 30 Dec
- ⏰ Family sessions 10.30am
- 🎟️ 1 adult and 2 children £27.50
- 👟 Ages 5 and up
What is the Cheltenham panto in 2026?
Cinderella at the Everyman Theatre
The Everyman's panto, with Tweedy back as Buttons and Olivia Bella as Cinderella. Weekday shows are cheapest; prices peak between 19 December and 3 January.
- 📅 27 Nov to 10 Jan
- 🎟️ £12 to £70
- ♿ Relaxed, BSL, captioned and audio-described shows
- 📍 Regent Street, Town Centre
Peter Pan at the Cheltenham Playhouse
The Playhouse's own panto, with relaxed performances on 27 December, 1 January and 2 January, and three adults-only evenings (18, 19 and 29 December).
- 📅 11 Dec to 2 Jan
- 🎟️ From £15
Christmas concerts and family shows
- Dear Santa, a family show for ages 2 and up with a grotto visit afterwards: 14 and 15 December, Cheltenham Town Hall, £19.
- The Snowman In Concert, the film with a live orchestra: 23 December, 1.30pm and 4.30pm, Cheltenham Town Hall, £12 to £33.
- Royal Marines Christmas Spectacular: 3 December, Cheltenham Town Hall, from £31.75.
- Handel's Messiah with the Cheltenham Bach Choir: 21 December, Cheltenham Town Hall, £28.
- A Christmas Carol (ages 7 and up) and The Wind in the Willows in the Everyman's studio: £17 and £10.
When is Christmas racing at Cheltenham?
Three meetings at Cheltenham Racecourse before the Festival, all with under 18s free if pre-booked. For a first visit, read our Cheltenham races guide.
- 🐎 The November Meeting, 13 to 15 Nov: the Paddy Power Gold Cup on Sat 14 Nov
- 🐎 The Christmas Meeting, 11 and 12 Dec: the December Gold Cup on Sat 12 Dec
- 🐎 New Year's Day racing, Fri 1 Jan
- 🎟️ From £13.50 (Friday 11 Dec from £30.50)
When is late-night Christmas shopping in Cheltenham?
On Thursday 3 and Thursday 10 December 2026, when town centre shops including John Lewis and M&S stay open until 8pm. Council car parks in the town centre are free from 3pm on both days, except the Regent Arcade car park. For independent shops and gift ideas, see our Christmas shopping guide to Cheltenham's independent gift shops.
Christmas in Cheltenham: questions
When are the Cheltenham Christmas lights switched on in 2026?
The town centre lights go on from Saturday 21 November 2026. Pittville's switch-on party is on Saturday 28 November, with the lights on at 5pm.
When is the Cheltenham Christmas market 2026?
From Thursday 10 to Wednesday 23 December 2026 on the Promenade, with 40 chalets and free entry.
Is there an ice rink in Cheltenham this Christmas?
No, the council's ice rink will not return in 2026. The Regency Roller Rink runs at Cheltenham Town Hall from 28 to 30 December instead.
What is the Cheltenham panto this year?
Cinderella at the Everyman Theatre, from 27 November 2026 to 10 January 2027, with tickets from £12 to £70.
When is late-night shopping in Cheltenham?
Thursday 3 and Thursday 10 December 2026, until 8pm, with free parking from 3pm in the council's town centre car parks.