What’s on in Stroud this fortnight: 22 Dec – 4 Jan
It’s still a few days until Christmas, but it feels like most people have given in by now. A few of us are still at work, but we’d much rather be sitting in front of the fire drinking port and eating walnuts.
However, whilst we are all beginning to wind down for a seasonal break, Stroud’s publicans and bar staff are working their hardest shifts of the year, laying on some excellent events and working long hours to help us feel festive.
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.
Local events
- Create at Stroud Brewery – Mon 22 Dec, 10am
Let’s Create comes to Stroud Brewery for a special school holiday session offering young people a space to explore, imagine, and play and create using interesting materials in a free environment without expectation. Their unstructured, young-person-led sessions are designed to spark creativity, build confidence, and celebrate every kind of imagination.
- Take the Whiteshill & Ruscombe Boxing Day walk – Fri 26 Dec, 10:30am
The annual Whiteshill & Ruscombe Boxing Day walk sees villagers, guests and those from further afield enjoy a gentle walk through the beautiful villages. Come prepared for a couple of hills and the odd muddy path, in a walk that will probably end at the Star.
- Enjoy the Crown Boxing Day quiz – Fri 26 Dec, 7:30pm
The team at the Crown in Minchinhampton offer a great chance to get out of the house and test your general knowledge for Boxing Day. Food will be available if you don’t fancy cooking and the quiz a £50 bar tab will be on offer for the winning team.
- Celebrate 25 years of the Prince Albert Carol Consort – Sun 28 Dec, 5:30pm
The Prince Albert Carol Consort marks 25 years of singing at the Prince Albert in Rodborough this year, and this final event in their anniversary programme sees the growing community of singers roll out their complete collection of unusual carols from around the country in a special evening event. Expect much merriment.
- Take the Stroud Brewery Quiz of the Year – Tue 30 Dec, 7pm
The last Stroud Brewery quiz of 2025 promises to be a good one, and coincides with pizza night, offering the chance to grab a slice while testing your general knowledge. The quiz takes place over six rounds and this special edition promises to test your knowledge of the last 12 months.
- Celebrate New Year at the Prince Albert – Wed 31 Dec, 7pm
Always one of the best New Year nights out in Stroud, this year’s Prince Albert festivities see the return of DJ Chris Tofu, this time joined by Gospel MC Debbralee Wells. We are told that this sell-out team will fuse 1930s swing, drum and bass, rave, gospel and more for a night of booming vocals and immersive audience interaction. The evening will also see support from local DJs and talented bar staff bringing reggae, afro-jazzy beats, Latin American bangers and more.
- Join the Stroud Songwriters Circle – Sun 4 Jan, 6pm
The Stroud Songwriters Circle returns for their first event of 2026. This inclusive circle takes place on the first Sunday of the Month, offering a supportive environment to share songs, stories, in the Laurie Lee bar at the Woolpack in Slad.
Further afield
- Watch the Marshfield Paper Boys – Boxing Day, Fri 26 Dec, 11am
Join a cast of characters including Saucy Jacky, Tenpenny Nit, Old Father Beelzebub and Little Man John in the centre of Marshfield in South Gloucestershire for this traditional mummers play which has been performed each Boxing Day for generations. Meet first outside the church for carols with the brass band, and listen out for the town crier and his bell who mark the start of the play.
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.
