Visit Gloucester has launched the city’s Christmas Campaign, Gloucester Believes, summing up all the amazing things you can do in the city this festive season.
The campaign is aimed at encouraging visitors to come to the city during the festive season as Gloucester comes alive with winter markets, beautiful illuminations, floating sleigh rides, amazing events and experiences, visits from Santa, crafting workshops, Christmas parties, and of course the Gloucester Quays Ice Rink.
Visit Gloucester has launched the campaign which aims to bring together these fantastic experiences and share them with the world. Gloucester Believes… will spread the message far and wide that Gloucester is the magical place to be this Christmas.
The list below includes some of the amazing events taking place in the city.
The Lantern Procession
The campaign launches alongside the first big event of the season, the Lantern Procession and Christmas Lights Switch-On, on Saturday 18 November.
This year’s event is bigger and better than ever before with a jam-packed day of free activities, live music, as well as a twelve-metre-high illuminated heart and aerialist show in Kings Square, and more.
Amazing food
Other top recommendations from Visit Gloucester include an array of independent and high street eateries where you can check out festive menus with delicious locally-sourced produce and find great venues for your Christmas parties.
Gloucester Food Dock has recently opened with more units to open at the new venue soon.
Floating sleigh rides
Throughout December, Father Christmas’ elves will be on hand to take guests on a sleigh ride around Gloucester’s historic Docks.
The boats will go on a journey around the Docks, taking in the SULA Lightship, Llanthony Bridge, Gloucester’s Historic Docks, and High Orchard Bridge.
Outdoor ice rink
The ice rink will make a return to Gloucester Quays on Friday, 24 November, and be in place until 7 January.
It’s a chance to wrap up warm and take to the ice with family and friends during the festive period.
Winter markets
After taking to the ice, guests can visit Gloucester’s winter markets. The markets will be held every weekend in the run up to Christmas from Saturday 18 November and Sunday 19 November to Saturday 16 December and Sunday 17 December.
Over 90 traders will showcase the very best craft, gifts and food from the Southwest region for you to experience and enjoy.
There is plenty more to explore around the city throughout the Christmas period. For the adventurous, take to the slopes at the Ski and Snowboard Centre, find out how to become an Elf Ninja, or see if you can Save Christmas at the Trapped Escape Rooms.
The campaign is also launching a digital Gloucester Believes Gift Guide, highlighting places to buy the perfect gift, and giftable products made in the city. Shoppers will also be able to purchase Gloucester Gift Cards, which are perfect for supporting local businesses in the city.
Cllr Andy Lewis, Cabinet member responsible for Leisure and Culture at Gloucester City Council, said: “Gloucester’s love of Christmas goes right back to the Romans, who would’ve celebrated Saturnalia here, and the city really comes into its own at this time of year.
“With fabulous family events, the Lantern Procession and Tree of Light, as well as our atmospheric medieval and Victorian buildings, there’s so much to explore. It’s a great place to pick up the perfect gift, in one of our brilliant independent shops, at a Christmas market, or in Gloucester Quays.
“As for experiences, you cannot beat pints by the fire in our historic pubs or taking a wintry walk down historic Westgate Street for candlelit carols in our spectacular Cathedral, or meeting Father Christmas.
“This campaign by Visit Gloucester perfectly sums up how much Gloucester Believes in Christmas.”
Visitors and residents are encouraged to get involved using #GloucesterBelieves, sharing pictures of everything festive you see and do in the city and surrounding areas. If you tag @VisitGloucester, they can share your photos.
If you run a business that would like to find out how to be a part of Gloucester Believes, contact Visit Gloucester for a campaign toolkit, and for those who are organising Christmas events in the city, Visit Gloucester will promote them for free as part of the campaign – just submit your events here.
For more information, visit www.visitgloucester.co.uk/christmas.
