Christmas in South Swindon 2026

Christmas in South Swindon is back for 2026, with a programme of free events running across the parish from mid-November through to the second weekend of December. It's the same sort of community-led Christmas that's become a regular around here, following a 2025 series that drew hundreds of residents, with more than 400 turning up for the Badbury Park tree light switch-on alone.

Things kick off with the tree light switch-ons on Tuesday 17, Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 November, each running from 5pm to 7pm, with the lights coming on at 6.15pm. They're spread across three sites: Broadgreen Community Centre, Cavendish Square and Badbury Park Community Centre. Each one has live music, walkabout entertainers and visits from Santa, and Badbury Park adds Santa Story Time, run in three age-split sessions.

The second half of the programme moves to the Town Gardens in South Swindon on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December, and again on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December, from 12pm to 4pm each day. There'll be crafts, live music and food vendors, with the Bandstand hosting local groups including the Swindon Hindu Temple, Rhythmix Goa, Swindon Brass and Wroughton Silver Band.

There are two new things for the younger ones this year. Written in the Trees is an immersive sculpture trail and storytelling experience that looks at the folklore, diversity and culture of Swindon's trees, put together with Swindon Culture Collective, children's author Kate Claxton and Prime Theatre. Then there's Mrs Claus' Checklist, an interactive performance at the Town Gardens Bowl. John Firmin, Chair of South Swindon Parish Council's Events Working Party, says the events are about bringing local communities together and giving local performers, organisations and food businesses a chance to get involved.

Admission is free, though some activities are £2 per child. If you're heading to the Town Gardens days, there's free parking at Commonweal School.