Skip to content
swindo
Things to do

Swindon town centre Christmas events 2026: tree lights on 28 November

Swindon Borough Council has announced the town centre Christmas programme: the tree lights go on at the Christmas Jumper Jam on Saturday 28 November, with a food market, free Santa's Grotto and a lantern forest.

By , Editor ·

Last updated: 12 November 2026

Share
Swindo headline card: Swindon town centre Christmas events 2026: tree lights on 28 November
Image: Swindo headline card

Decorations are going up in Swindon town centre over the coming days, and the council says a Christmas tree will arrive outside the former Debenhams unit in The Parade on Wednesday 18 November.

The announcement on Thursday 12 November also gives the town centre switch-on date that was missing from our Christmas lights guide.

When are the town centre tree lights switched on?

The lights go on at the Christmas Jumper Jam on Saturday 28 November. Choirs will sing carols. The first 100 people wearing Christmas jumpers get a free hot drink, and everyone gets a free raffle ticket. A top prize is a family ticket to this year's pantomime at the Wyvern Theatre, given by Trafalgar. The council's page does not give a start time or a location for the Jam, so check before you travel.

What else is on?

The programme is run with Swindon Culture Collective as Swindon Winter Fest:

  • Swindon Festive Feast, 26 November to 1 December: food stalls with festive favourites along The Parade, following last month's Continental Market.
  • Santa's Grotto: free, at the Brunel Shopping Centre on selected dates from 14 November.
  • Jack and the Beanstalk: Swindon's pantomime runs from 5 December to 3 January at the Wyvern Theatre. The council page gives no ticket price.
  • Magical Lantern Forest: A Winter's Tale: at the former Argos store, 19 Canal Walk. Visitors walk under a woven willow canopy and see handmade paper lanterns and giant woodland creatures. Open Saturday 28 November, 12pm to 6.30pm; Saturday 29 November, Thursday 4, Friday 5 and Saturday 6 December, 10am to 5pm.
  • Lantern-making workshops: two sessions on Saturday 14 November, 10am to 4pm, at the Swindon Hub (SN1 1BA). Families can see their lanterns displayed in the forest afterwards.
  • Events at 19 Canal Walk: every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in December, with details promised on do.swindon.co.uk.
  • Stephen Hill's Funfair: at Wharf Green.

Only the hot drink, raffle ticket and Santa's Grotto are stated as free. The council gives no prices for the Lantern Forest, pantomime, food market, funfair or the December events.

Lydiard Park and the STEAM Museum also have Christmas events, with details on their own websites.

What did the council say?

Councillor Matthew Vallender, Cabinet Member for Culture, Planning and Regeneration, said: "Christmas is coming to town and it's time for us all to get into the festive spirit." He highlighted the tree lights switch-on and the festive food market as family-friendly highlights.

More from Swindo: Swindon Christmas lights switch-ons 2026.

Source: Swindon Borough Council.

Share

Latest Swindon news

All news
  1. Power cut in SN4 Swindon affects 434 properties

    Source: Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN)

  2. Launderette approved at 105 Broad Street, Swindon

    Source: Swindon Borough Council planning register

  5. Four houses approved at 27 Church Walk South, Rodbourne Cheney

    Source: Swindon Borough Council planning register

  6. Plans to convert 27 Curtis Street, Swindon, from commercial use to a home

    Source: Swindon Borough Council planning register

Spot something wrong? Suggest a correction

Related

Guide · Neighbourhoods

Swindon town centre

Swindon town centre is the main shopping and services area of the borough, below Old Town, in the SN1 postcode district. The railway station is on its northern edge and buses use the Fleming Way bus interchange.

Guide · Things to do

Swindon pantomimes and Christmas shows 2026

Swindon's 2026 pantomime is Jack and the Beanstalk at the Wyvern Theatre, from Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Twenty Christmas shows, concerts and carol events are confirmed, with dates, prices and booking links.

News · Council and services

Graffiti removed from Swindon town centre buildings after council clean-up

Graffiti has been removed from several town centre buildings, including Bridge House, 1 Farnsby Street and 93-95 Commercial Road, following Swindon Borough Council's summer clean-up campaign.

News · Business and economy

Queensway Inns rules out taking over Swindon's closed Savoy pub

Pub company Queensway Inns says it will not be taking over The Savoy, the former Wetherspoon pub in Swindon town centre. The pub's future is still unconfirmed.

Read Swindo on your phone: add it to your home screen

Places Mentioned

Town Centre

Neighbourhood

Swindon town centre is the main shopping and services area of the borough, below Old Town. The railway station is on its northern edge and buses use the Fleming Way interchange.

SN1 1

Wyvern Theatre

Arts and culture

The Wyvern Theatre in Theatre Square is Swindon's main theatre, with 635 seats. It is run with Swindon Arts Centre as Swindon Theatres.

SN1 1QN

The Brunel Centre

Shop

The Brunel is a covered shopping centre in Swindon town centre (SN1 1LF) with more than 60 shops and two multi-storey car parks.

SN1 1LF

Lydiard Park

Park

Lydiard Park is a 260-acre country park at Lydiard Tregoze on the west side of Swindon, with Lydiard House Museum, a walled garden, cafes and a play area. The park is free to enter and open daily from 7.30am to dusk.

SN5 3PA

STEAM Museum

Attraction

STEAM, the Museum of the Great Western Railway, is on Fire Fly Avenue in the former Swindon railway works. It is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 4pm.

SN2 2EY