It’ll be Advent on Sunday, and as far as things to see and do in Stroud are concerned, it’s getting harder and harder to find things that aren’t connected to Christmas.
That said, by virtue of our strong communities of artisans, singers, community event organisers and sustainable businesses, the Stroud area has quite the selection of events on offer, and some great chances to come together and begin to enjoy the season.
Find out more in our weekly look at things coming up in Stroud and the wider district.
Regular and one off events
- Let your toddlers explore a tiny city – Tue 26 Nov, 9:30am
A tiny city pops up in Selsley Scout Hut this Tuesday, with a miniature supermarket, construction site, garage, post office, launderette and hospital ready to be explored by anyone under the age of six. Free parking and hot and cold refreshments available.
- Buy second hand decorations at Brimscombe Mill – Thu 28 Nov, 4pm
For those looking to decorate their homes for the upcoming festive period in a more sustainable way, Gloucestershire House Clearances are once again hosting their annual second hand Christmas decoration sale. All items pay-as-you-can, collected from house clearances throughout the year and on display in the Sanctuary at Brimscombe Mill.
- Attend the Amberley Artisans Market – Tue 26 Nov – Sun 1 Dec, opening times vary
The Amberley Artisans – a talented bunch of artists and craftspeople usually found clustered on the hillside on the edge of Minchinhampton – bring their wares to Three Storeys for a special seasonal market. Expect to find inspiring work from landscape painter Gemma Pitman, patternmaker Susie Hetherington, watercolour bird capturer Stephen Baxter and printmakers Hayley and Marcus Walters (aka In House) available for sale all week.
- Experience Westonbirt’s illuminated trail – Fri 29 Nov- Tue 31 Dec 2024
Westonbirt’s brand-new illuminated trail launches this week, promising colourful neon trees, sparkling tunnels of light and the arboretum filled with all the colours of the rainbow. We are also told to expect luminous birds delicately balanced on branches along the trail, and seasonal food and drink is also available from the Christmas village. For eager beavers, Christmas trees are also on sale from 29 Nov.
- Join the Dursley Christmas lights switch on – Fri 29 Nov, from 4.30pm
A special event takes over Dursley town centre for one night only, with live music, a magical winter garden with snow, late night shopping and the switching on of the town’s Christmas lights. We are also promised a short firework display, funfair rides, food and drink, and a special Christmas market in St James’ Church.
- Sing with the Prince Albert Carol Consort – Sun 1 Dec, 12:30pm – 2.30pm
For more than twenty years, the Prince Albert Carol Consort has been gathering at the best pub at the top of a very steep hill in Rodborough to sing their canon of lesser-known folk carols collected from villages in all corners of the countries and sung in four part harmony. All are welcome to come and sing around the piano, or just listen from the back. For those keen to learn the various parts, a practice takes place on Tue 26 Nov from 7:30pm.
Continuing this week
- Visit the Sonic Woodland at Hawkwood, continuing throughout November
The final leaves may have been blown from the trees by Storm Bert, but the Sonic Woodland at Hawkwood – installed as part of Hidden Notes – remains open to visitors daily from 9am – 4pm. If you haven’t yet visited, the woodland sound installation by Joe Acheson and Tim Southorn sees AI used to create an eerie constant and a never-repeating cello arrangement performed by Rebecca Knight of the City of London Sinfonia, alongside drums, synthesiser and morse code woodpeckers.
Further afield
- Explore Bath Christmas Market – Thu 28 Nov – Sun 15 Dec, opening times vary
Anyone who has been to Bath’s Christmas Market will probably tell you that on the one hand it represents Bath at its festive best, but on the other it can sometimes get a little busy. So perhaps the opening days are the best time to explore its 170 twinkling chalets featuring independent businesses from across the south west and enjoy a host of musical and other events on offer.
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.
