Photo gallery and video: Cheltenham Christmas Launch 2022

Christmas officially launched in Cheltenham on Saturday with joyful live performances, the first of many Christmas markets, the opening of a new Après Ski Bar in Imperial Gardens and thousands of magical twinkly lights shining brightly throughout our Regency town centre.

Below we’ve shared a few photo and video highlights from the weekend. We would love to see your favourite Christmas moments in Cheltenham too over the next six weeks. Tag us in using #VisitCheltenham on Instagram and we will share our favourite posts on our account - instagram.com/visitcheltenham.

The Garden Bar in Imperial Gardens has undergone a transformation into an Après Ski Bar. The snow-topped cosy alpine lodge will be home to lots of live music performances over the next six weeks. We recommend you swing by to enjoy warming festive drinks from glühwein and hot toddies to spiced hot chocolate, and a wide selection of seasonal snacks. Dig out your ski suits, skis and snowboards and take a selfie on the ski lift!

Cheltenham Christmas craft market proved to be very popular with shoppers, who made an early start on their Christmas shopping. Don't fret if you missed it. There are lots of Christmas markets in Cheltenham over the festive season, including -

The main Cheltenham Christmas Market on the Promenade and Long Gardens - Daily from the 8 Dec until Christmas

Artisan Christmas Markets at Pittville Pump Room - This Saturday 26 November, 3 - 4 & 20 - 21 December

Christmas Craft Festival at the Town Hall this weekend, 26 & 27 November

Suffolks Christmas Market - This Sunday 27 November

Pop Up Christmas Market on the Promenade and Long Gardens - 2 to 4 December

See our guide for full details - Cheltenham Christmas Markets

The Brewery Quarter launched Christmas in style with a traditional festive show which entertained cheerful crowds for four hours! Featuring Thomas Trilby, Craig Wright, Little Dreamers Princesses, Gloucestershire Troopers, various local dance groups and choirs, fake snow plus the main man himself... 

Four pop up performances took place across Cheltenham town centre, courtesy of Cheltenham BID. Charismatic performers 'unboxed Christmas' and spread lots of festive cheer, with banter, dances and singing by local choirs. 

Magical twinkly lights came on at dusk and provided the perfect backdrop to lots of precious photos. The Nutcracker Christmas Trail also launched at the weekend and will stay in place until the end of Christmas. Cheltenham BID invite you to find 10 Nutcracker Kings marked on a trail sheet map to be in with a chance of winning a £100 Cheltenham gift card! Full details here - Nutcracker Christmas Trail.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate the launch of Christmas in our Regency town. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

See our guide Christmas in Cheltenham for everything you need to know this festive season, from unmissable events to gift guides and festive dining guides.