Is it that time of year already? The answer is yes, Christmas is just around the corner and it's time to start planning. Swindon has a vibrant entertainment scene and as you would expect, punters are spoiled for choice during the festive season.
Here are just a few of the highlights.
From November 19th through to January Ist head over to Avebury Manor, managed by the National Trust, where each room is dressed to reflect a part of The Nutcracker story. Join Clara and her Prince as they journey through magical realms including the enchanted forest, the waltz of the snowflakes and the lemonade canal.
Roves Farm has plenty going on for children this Christmas, but something for the adults caught our eye. On Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th November there is a Christmas Craft & Food Fair with lots of potential Christmas gifts on sale and festive food tastings: pigs in blankets, turkey, stuffing, beef, nut roast, minced pies, Christmas cake, mulled apple juice.
Children love a grotto and love a train ride, so why not combine the two at Swindon and Cricklade Railway this Christmas? The Whistle Stop cafe and shop will be open for snacks and gifts.
Kidz About is Swindon's biggest and boldest chidren's adventure playground and they will be holding a special Santa's Workshop this year. Sparkle the Elf will lead you through a winter wonderland for your private family visit to Santa where he will interact from a safe distance, knowing your child’s name, age and exactly what they want for Christmas. You can look on as your little ones face lights up with joy, Santa REALLY IS REAL!
STEAM Museum know how to put on a party and its Christmas Extravaganza features plenty of sparkles as you step into a wonderland of over 50 Christmas market stalls set amidst STEAM’s award-winning museum displays and iconic GWR locomotives. Santa will be on hand to tell stories plus there is live music throughout the day on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th December.
Christmas by Candlelight at MECA on December 15th celebrates this magical season the only way we know how – with singing. The Cast of Stage Struck and MECA have joined together to bring you an unmissable evening of some of the best loved Christmas Songs, and a sing-along section to get you in the festive spirit.
And here's one for all the ladies in the house, Magnificent Bublé, featuring James Billington and his fabulous big band throwing a traditional Bublé style Christmas party on December 16th at MECA. The show includes a selection of Bublé’s own work including Home, Haven’t Met You Yet, Nobody But Me, Everything, Hollywood and It’s A Beautiful Day as well as some of the finest tunes that he has recreated such as Cry Me A River, Me And Mrs Jones, Sway and Moondance.
Good things come in threes at MECA this Christmas, as on December 18th the sounds of big band and swing are coming to the Swindon venue, with live music, DJs and a vintage store.
Of course, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without panto at the Wyvern Theatre, this year's big event being Beauty and the Beast. Make memories this Christmas with this fun-filled, family friendly fairytale which has all the ingredients for a truly memorable pantomime - hilarious slapstick, plenty of audience interaction and marvellous musical numbers that you will be singing for days afterwards.
TV Personality and star of ITV’s The Chase, Anne Hegerty, joins Beauty and the Beast as Fairy Flutterby alongside comedy impressionist Paul Burling and Swindon’s favourite dame, David Ashley as Dame Fifi.
For more detailed information on all the above, head to Visit Swindon's What's On Page visitswindon.org.uk/events.