From epic light displays and merry markets to live events and more, Visit Wiltshire has revealed its Christmas programme for groups.
The Festival of Light at Longleat
An annual highlight of the festive season is Longleat’s popular Festival of Light, and this year the theme is Legendary Worlds. Groups can enjoy a glowing world of myths, heroes and legendary tales in an immersive after-dark trail with over 1,000 lanterns across the Park.
Explore the lost city of Atlantis, walk underneath a life-sized blue whale and through an underwater wonderland. Open from 7th November to 10th January 2027, discounted tickets are available for groups of 15-32 either solely for the light trail or also including day admission to the safari park.
Stourhead
Nearby, Christmas at Stourhead (27th November - 3rd January) transforms the world-famous landscape gardens into a magical after-dark trail featuring immersive light installations, seasonal music, festive food and warming drinks.
Installations will include a playful Sea of Light, a mesmerising Fire Garden for a moment of reflection and the return of the Winter Cathedral. The house will also be open to visitors and beautifully decorated for the season, and there will be visits from Father Christmas.
Salisbury Cathedral
Pre-booked groups can enjoy a range of exclusive festive experiences at Salisbury Cathedral. These include a special Christmas Carols event (8th December), featuring performances by the Cathedral Choir, festive readings, audience carol singing, seasonal refreshments and exclusive access to the Cathedral and Chapter House, home to one of the original Magna Carta documents.
Groups can also experience one of the Twilight Tower Tours (21st November - 2nd January), offering spectacular views over Salisbury’s festive lights, and a new Christmas Organ Family Concert (11th December), providing an evening of seasonal music and mulled wine in one of England’s most iconic sacred spaces.
Christmas shopping and local events
- Frasers Plus Designer Outlet Swindon: one of the largest covered designer outlets in Europe, it offers a mix of High Street and designer brands, reduced by up to 60%. Groups of over ten receive exclusive benefits.
- Marlborough: Christmas kicks off on 27th November with the traditional Christmas Lights Switch-On and market on the High Street. The town offers festive markets, tours, and seasonal dining throughout December.
- Bradford on Avon: the festive season also starts on 27th November in Westbury Gardens for the Christmas Lights Switch-On with live music and fairground rides. Plus late-night shopping, artisan gift markets, and a floating fayre (11th - 13th December) on the canal.
Seasonal group tours
Salisbury-based Heritage & Stone Tours is offering private, driver-guided day tours this Christmas, pairing Wiltshire’s heritage sites with seasonal markets.
Choose from Stonehenge, Salisbury and Avebury Christmas markets, or the National Trust village of Lacock and Bath Christmas Market. Tours are bespoke to suit individual groups, plus trade rates and flexible pick-up are available.
Studley Grange Garden & Leisure Park
Festive fun for all ages is on the menu at Studley Grange. Santa experiences, including breakfasts, teas and grotto visits, alongside seasonal dining, cake decorating and Christmas shopping will transform the attraction into a winter wonderland. Group packages are available with free coach parking and catering for groups over ten.
Hawk Conservancy Trust
The Hawk Conservancy Trust is running a festive programme combining wildlife encounters with seasonal entertainment. Highlights include the atmospheric Owls by Moonlight evenings (4th, 5th,11th & 12th December) and Christmas Carols and Owls (18th - 21st December) featuring live music, carol singing, and mulled wine alongside spectacular owl displays.
Plus, the Trust’s Christmas Market (26th - 29th November) offers festive shopping, local food and seasonal refreshments. Group discounts are available for pre-booked groups of 15+.
Festive accommodation packages
- Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort, Malmesbury: 2-3 night packages with festive dining and seasonal activities.
- The Old Bell Hotel, Malmesbury: 2-3 night packages and the return of Après Ski at Tyger Bar.
- Angel Hotel, Chippenham: festive lunches, seasonal dining and overnight packages.
- Milford Hall Hotel, Salisbury: 2-3 night packages, Christmas activities and seasonal dining.
- The Stones Hotel, Salisbury: festive dining, entertainment, and dedicated event space for groups.
Salisbury Playhouse
This year the Salisbury Playhouse will be presenting Sleeping Beauty, an original musical pantomine featuring the award-winning creative team behind last season’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk. Groups of ten or more are offered discounted tickets and the show will run from 28th November to 10th January.
Families can also enjoy The Tailor of Gloucester (7th - 27th December), an interactive musical production in the newly reopened Salberg Studio, the Playhouse’s smaller space, aimed younger audiences.
Groups can more information about planning a trip to Wiltshire at visitwiltshire.co.uk/plan-your-visit/group-travel, and a dedicated Christmas guide here.
