Christmas is coming to Salisbury

Santa's Little Wonderland

Salisbury is a city built on tradition, and that tradition will continue this Christmas with a festive offering bringing Snow White, Nutcrackers, reindeer and cheer to our modern medieval city.

Together, Salisbury City Council, Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire Creative and Salisbury BID have pulled together to make sure this festive period is full of magic and merriment for all ages. Here are some of the highlights:

Laughter and lights in the Market Place:

The countdown to Christmas officially begins on Friday 19 November with revelry organised by Salisbury City Council.

Although there will be no big light switch-on event again this year, Salisbury will still be beautifully dressed in twinkly lights for all to admire when visiting the city centre over the festive period. The lights will be switched on in time for an evening of family-friendly festive fun in the Market Place. From 4pm to 8pm, there will be reindeer, carol singers and other Christmas activities and performers to celebrate the return of the stunning sparkling lights that wrap the trees in the Market Place.

Christmas on the Square: Friday 19 November also marks the start of the pop-up Christmas on the Square event in front of the Guildhall. Festivities here will include a destination bar and food area, and Santa’s Little Wonderland. Father Christmas will be taking time out from his busy pre-Christmas schedule to meet children, but anyone wanting to spend some time with him will need to pre-book through the Experience Salisbury website.

The Nutcrackers Selfie Competition:

After a two-year hiatus, Salisbury BID will bring back their impressive Nutcrackers. The giant statues, each 6.5ft tall, will be hidden in businesses across the city centre. Find them, take a selfie, and you could win a £100 Salisbury Gift Card. Salisbury Christmas Tree Trail: Following the success of last year, Salisbury City Council’s popular Christmas Tree Trail will also return to the city centre from 19 November. Starting at Salisbury Cathedral and finishing at the Market Place, the magical trail will guide you through the medieval streets of Salisbury.

Snow White at Salisbury Playhouse:

Wiltshire Creative’s Christmas show is, as always, a not-to-be-missed event. Delve into a magical 1950s wonderland from 3 December with Snow White and the Happy Ever After Beauty Salon. With toe-tapping live music, dazzling design and laugh out loud entertainment, the show will delight the whole family this Christmas. Tickets should be booked in advance at www. wiltshirecreative.co.uk.

Christmas at Salisbury Arts Centre:

Whether you’re looking for theatre, music, comedy or a workshop, you can find it all at Salisbury Arts Centre this Christmas.

Pit your wits against JB Fletcher at Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote. The interactive screening of a classic episode of Murder, She Wrote will take place on 3 December.

On 10 December, join Jazz Dynamos as they take well known songs and transform them with a mix of jazz, bossa, and samba. For those who need a little festive cheer, the ever-popular Barnstormers Comedy night returns on 17 December with a festive twist, bringing the hottest acts from the London comedy circuit to Salisbury.

The Hug will have children engrossed in a beautiful tale of hope, empathy and acceptance as Hedgehog and Tortoise go in search of a restorative hug. There are only a few seats left, so book now to see the production from Long Nose Puppets on 11 December.

If you want to get creative this Christmas, Wiltshire Creative has festive workshops hosted by a range of local artists that will guide both adults and children in making their own decorations, willow trees and festive crafts. Why not get a head-start on your Christmas presents? Tickets are selling fast, so pre-book soon!

All Wiltshire Creative events can be booked at www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk

Salisbury Cathedral: For an authentically English Christmas experience head to Salisbury Cathedral.

You can watch The Snowman in the majestic surroundings of the cathedral on Friday 3 December. The classic Christmas animation, played alongside a live orchestra, has become a firm festive favourite for both children and adults. Book now to avoid disappointment.

This year will also see the return of some popular fixtures in the cathedral’s festive calendar. The unmissable Darkness to Light Procession, when the cathedral celebrates the start of Advent, will take place at 7pm on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 November, and 5pm on Sunday 28 November. This beautiful service begins in total darkness and ends with the ancient building ablaze with over a thousand flickering candles.

On 8 December, the gigantic Christmas tree will be hoisted up at the cathedral’s West End. Soaring at around 32ft, the huge Norway Spruce comes from Longleat’s sustainable forest, so as the cathedral tree goes up another will be planted in its place. Outside you can enjoy a fairy light walk across Cathedral Close and look out for the cathedral’s contribution to the Christmas Tree Trail.

And, if you are looking for a perfect way to start your Christmas, on Saturday 11 December Handel’s Messiah will be sung by the full Cathedral choir accompanied by the City of London Sinfonia. Soloists will be soprano Soraya Mafi, alto Robin Blaze, tenor Sam Furness and bass James Platt. The concert starts at 7pm and a pre-concert dinner is available in the Refectory Restaurant.

As if all that wasn’t enough, there will be Carols by Candlelight at 7pm on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 December and a Family Service will be held on Christmas Eve at 3.30pm.

More details on all these events will be released soon. Check the cathedral website at www.salisburycathedral.org.uk

City centre shopping: Salisbury is blessed to have an active community of independent shops and, as part of efforts to remind present buyers to shop local, there will be a Best Dressed Christmas Window competition run in partnership by Salisbury BID and the Salisbury Journal. Local businesses will fight it out for the top spot whilst raising awareness of Salisbury businesses and bringing festive radiance to the winter streets through their imaginative designs. Festive Sunday Markets: It’s not just shops that will offer unique Christmas gifts this year. There will also be the opportunity to pick up an original present from traders when the Festive Sunday Markets return. The Market Place will be filled with festive stalls and food each Sunday from 28 November.

After another year living through a global pandemic, shopping local really does make a difference. No matter how big or small your purchase is, Salisbury’s shops, restaurants and cafes are truly grateful for your support this Christmas.