What’s on in Stroud this week: 3 – 9 November
Halloween is dead, long live Bonfire Night! Event organisers in Stroud have switched effortlessly from phantoms to fireworks this week, with celebrations in communities up and down the five valleys.
Elsewhere, Stroud Book Festival kicks off on Wednesday, celebrating ten years of bringing top-flight literary talent to Stroud, archaeologist Neil Baker leads one of his popular walks around the Heavens and the Town Owl Taphouse hosts a horror-movie themed art show curated by Charlie Mellors.
Find out more in our regular look at things coming up in Stroud and the wider district. To suggest an event for inclusion, use this form.
Regular and one off events
- Pick up a bestseller at Stroud Book Festival – Wed 5 – Sun 9 Nov
Stroud Book Festival celebrates ten years of talks and workshops with special events from a host of well known names at venues around town. Highlights include celebrated nature writer Robert Macfarlane considering the lives of rivers and BBC Chief International Correspondent, Lyse Doucet, exploring the recent history of Afghanistan through the story of the Kabul Intercontinental Hotel.
- Celebrate bonfire night at the Hog – Fri 7 Nov, 6pm
With Horsley Fireworks on hiatus this year, the team from Horsley’s village pub have stepped in to ensure the fun is sustained. The result is a special night at the Hog with a bonfire, fire performer, live music, a barbecue, mulled wine and hot chocolate, face-painting and more.
- Take an archaeology walk of the Heavens – Sat 8 Nov, 11am
Join local archaeologist Neil Baker for one of his fascinating walks around the history of the Heavens. Neil’s Heavens Archaeological Research Project has been running since 2011 and through it he has uncovered countless secrets of Stroud’s rich industrial heritage in this treasured local landscape.
- Head up to Miserden Fireworks – Sat 8 Nov, 4:30pm
Miserden hosts a special bonfire celebration in aid of the village school. Expect the full works, with a selection of food options, mulled wine, beer, cider, or hot chocolate, and a huge bonfire. Plus a professional firework display from the Skyburst Firework Company and a glow-in-the-dark disco.
- Watch Minchinhampton Fireworks & Laser Light Show – Sat 8 Nov, 4:30pm
The hard-working volunteers from Minchinhampton School Parent Teacher Association come together to organise a special evening for all the family. Expect a dazzling fireworks display and separate laser light show, a barbecue and well-stocked bar, sweets for sale throughout the evening and a silent disco for everyone to enjoy.
- Attend the Croft School’s Fireworks Night – Sat 8 Nov, 5pm
The team from Painswick’s Croft School return after a sell-out fireworks night in 2024, with hot food, a bar, a UV Disco and a huge bonfire. Gates open at 5pm, display starts at 6.30pm.
- Enjoy a Chalford bonfire night – Sat 8 Nov, 5pm
The Chalford community comes together for a special seasonal celebration at France Lynch Pleasure Ground. Expect a giant bonfire, a professional firework show, a barbecue and plenty of fun for all the family.
Continuing this week
- See Terror Twilight at the Town Owl Taphouse – Continuing all week
Following a bumper opening night party for Halloween, the Town Owl Taphouse’s Terror Twilight continues throughout this week. Curated by Charlie Mellors, the show features Mellors’ horror-movie themed works alongside art from Ben Rider, Black Buck, Boss Dog, Funeral French, John J. Pearson, Paul Arscott, Ralph McCartney, Tom Sears, Russell Taysom, Sam Baldwin and others. Free to view during opening hours.
Further afield
- Explore folk dance with Strike a Light – Tue 4 Nov, 7:30pm
Gloucester event producers Strike a Light present a special evening exploring folk dance from around the world, with a focus on the female perspective. The evening boasts a stellar lineup of folk dancers beginning with Stroud’s own Boss Morris, followed by Bharatanatyam dancers from Gloucester’s Nethra Academy of Performing Arts, and closing with Ceyda Tanc Dance’s modern take on traditional Turkish folk dance.
- For a full month of art, music, theatre, literature, film and comedy events, pick up a copy of Stroud’s popular listings magazine, Good on Paper.
