Chippenham and the surrounding areas are gearing up for a festive winter season, with a packed calendar of Christmas events and activities as well as other exciting community happenings. From Christmas markets and concerts to craft workshops and charity fundraisers, there’s something for everyone!
The festive fun kicks off on 16th November with the REME Museum’s Annual Christmas Fair, offering festive stalls, gifts, arts and crafts, food, and drink. That same day, the Derry Hill & Studley Christmas Fayre will feature fantastic stalls, a cafe, and a huge raffle.
For those interested in the arts, Rag and Bone Arts CIC is hosting a “Meet the Team” event where you can chat with the team about their offerings. Music lovers can enjoy the Kris Nock Big Band’s “Video Games in Concert” performance, bringing the iconic sounds of video games to life with a jazzed-up twist. The North Wiltshire Symphony Orchestra will also be performing their Autumn Concert featuring works by Tchaikovsky and Hummel.
The fun continues with the “Let There Be Swing” Black Tie Event, offering an evening of swing music. Canadian folk singer-songwriter Allison Lupton and her trio will be in concert on 17th November, and the Dire Streets tribute band will be bringing the classic sounds of Dire Straits to the stage on 22nd November.
Christmas markets and fairs are a highlight of the season, with Cousin Norman’s Indoor Christmas Market taking place on 23rd November and 7th December, featuring festive food, music, and activities. The Artisan Quarter Christmas Fayre, running from December 6th to 8th, will include craft stalls, mulled wine and the chance to meet Bluey and Olaf!
The Chippenham Christmas Lights Switch-On on 30th November is set to be a highlight, featuring a great lineup of live entertainment, including singer Robbie Culley, 5-piece band Switch, the Wiltshire Police Band, and the local youth am-dram group CLOGS Musical Theatre CLOGettes. The festivities will conclude with the traditional abseiling Santa and the countdown to the switch-on.
Another major event is the Chippenham Christmas Island and Festival Fringe, running from November 28th to December 1st. This free, family-friendly experience will transform the banks of the River Avon, bringing wonderful Christmas cheer to the heart of Chippenham. The Festive Fringe will feature live, festive entertainment, including music, comedy, film screenings, workshops, an artisan market, and even a live brass band playing carols by candlelight.
Chippenham’s vibrant choral groups are an integral part of the community’s holiday celebrations. The Chippenham & Calne Good Afternoon Choir will be hosting their annual free Christmas Concert on 10th December, offering a warm welcome and plenty of opportunities for the audience to sing along.
The Chippenham Male Voice Choir is also getting into the festive spirit, inviting the public to their Christmas Cracker Concert on 14th December. They’ll be joined by the Chippenham Town Band and mezzo-soprano Marie Elliott for an evening of holiday music.
In addition to the choral performances, Chippenham has several other community-focused events this season. “A Christmas Sing” on 18th December will feature local choirs coming together for a charity fundraiser. The Rotary Jumble Sale on 14th December is another opportunity to support the community while finding great bargains. These events bring people together and showcase Chippenham’s vibrant spirit.
Beyond the Christmas celebrations, the Chippenham area is also hosting a variety of other community events, including the Rhythm of Change: Melodies for Democracy evening of music and poetry on 23rd November, and the Classic Rock American Highway tribute show on the same day.
To stay up-to-date on all the exciting happenings in Chippenham and the surrounding areas, check our online event calendar. If you have an event you’d like to add, simply fill out the event submission form on our website.
The full lineup of upcoming events includes that have been added to our website at time of writing this blog post include:
- – The REME Museum’s Annual Christmas Fair (16th Nov) – Festive stalls, gifts, arts and crafts, food and drink.
- Derry Hill & Studley Christmas Fayre (16th Nov) – Fantastic stalls, cafe, and raffle.
- “Meet the Team” event by Rag and Bone Arts CIC (16th Nov) – Chatting with the team about their offerings.
- The Kris Nock Big Band performs “Video Games in Concert” (16th Nov) – Jazzed-up video game music.
- North Wiltshire Symphony Orchestra’s Autumn Concert (16th Nov) – Featuring works by Tchaikovsky and Hummel.
- “Let There Be Swing” Black Tie Event (16th Nov) – An evening of swing music.
- Allison Lupton and her trio in concert (17th Nov) – Canadian folk singer-songwriter.
- Free lantern making workshops (18th & 23rd Nov) at the Chippenham Community Hub – ready for the Artisan Quarter Christmas Market.
- Dire Streets tribute band performing (22nd Nov) – Bringing Dire Straits classics to life.
- Cousin Norman’s Indoor Christmas Market (23rd Nov & 7th Dec) – Festive market with food, music, and activities.
- Pewsham WI Bazaar & Café with stalls and a cafe (23rd Nov)
- Christmas Découpage Card Making with Kandu Arts (23rd Nov)
- Stanton Social Committee Jumble Sale (23rd Nov)
- Rhythm of Change: Melodies for Democracy (23rd Nov) – An evening of music and poetry.
- The Classic Rock American Highway (23rd Nov) – Tribute show covering West Coast rock.
- Chippenham Christmas Island and Festival Fringe (28th Nov – 1st Dec) – A riverside Christmas event with light trail, family friendly activities, workshops and performances throughout the afternoon, leading on to more adult based evening entertainment.
- Chippenham Christmas Lights Switch-On (30th Nov) – Featuring live entertainment.
- Family Creative Activities, Christmas Special at Chippenham Museum (30th Nov)
- Christmas Craft Market at the Yelde Hall (30th Nov & 1st Dec)
- Arts & Crafts Day 2024 at Sheldon Road Methodist Church (30th Nov)
- Grounded Café Bar Christmas Market (30th Nov)
- Wessex Concert Orchestra Winter Concert – Celtic Connections (30th Nov)
- Chippenham Sports Club Christmas Fayre & Santa’s Grotto (1st Dec)
- Billy and Louie Live at Cousin Norman’s (2nd Dec)
- Trio Paradis Café Concert: A December Evening (3rd Dec)
- The Artisan Quarter Christmas Fayre (6th-8th Dec) – Handmade gifts, food, and holiday cheer.
- Sound and Vision – A Tribute to David Bowie (6th Dec)
- Santa Scamper Fun Run (7th Dec) – A festive 5K event at Abbeyfield School
- Bulldog Bouncers Christmas Fair (7th Dec) – Crafts, cakes, and photos with Santa.
- Chippenham & Calne Good Afternoon Choir Christmas Concert (10th Dec) – Free admission.
- Christmas Crafternoon in aid of Mind (14th Dec) – Crafts and refreshments.
- Rotary Jumble Sale (14th Dec) – Grab a bargain.
- Wiltshire Police Band Christmas Concert (14th Dec) – In aid of Chippenham Hospital Radio.
- Chippenham Male Voice Choir’s Christmas Cracker Concert (14th Dec) – With guest performers.
- “A Christmas Sing” charity event (18th Dec) – Featuring local choirs – Sparkly Singers and Cause Community Choir in aid of Leukaemia, Breast Cancer & Prostate Cancer
- Cars Galore Christmas Special (21st Dec) – Party fun for kids.
- “Whole Lotta Shakin’ – The Shakin’ Stevens Story” (21st Dec) – A tribute to the 1980s singer.
- Santa’s Christmas Cracker family show (22nd Dec) – Interactive festive fun.
- Christmas day lunches for those who would otherwise be spending the day alone (25th Dec) – Christmas Day Meal at Sheldon Road Methodist Church and Company for Christmas at Corsham Scout Hall (transport provided). Pre-booking essential for both.
