The festive period is fast approaching and it's the time of year when family and friends get together to celebrate.

For many of us non Grinches and according to Andy Williams, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year and we thought we would give you a helping hand on where to enjoy the festivities in the Cotswolds.

From awesome sport to cinema, here are our top 10 festive things that you can explore throughout December, Christmas and the New Year.

FRIDAY 13TH - SATURDAY 14TH DECEMBER

Commence your Christmas celebrations at Cheltenham Racecourse over a weekend of top-quality racing on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 December.

​With the festive season about to enter the home straight, The Christmas Meeting brings joy and excitement for all, this two-day meeting is a highlight of  the Christmas racing calendar and kick starts the festive sporting season.

Under 18s race free!

INFORMATION & TICKETS

NOVEMBER 15TH 2024 - JANUARY 1ST 2025

Discover a festive atmosphere like no other at Blenheim Palace. The historic Palace and Gardens come alive with thousands of twinkling lights, seasonal scents, sparkling baubles and the warmth of the festive season. 

You can also find light trails at Adam Henson's Cotswold Farm Park, Sudeley Castle and Westonbirt Arboretum.

www.blenheimpalace.com

FRIDAY 20TH DECEMBER

The Cherry & Whites welcome Harlequins to Kingsholm on Friday 20th December, making it the perfect fixture for families and friends to start their Christmas festivities.

www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk

25 NOVEMBER 2024 - 04 JANUARY 2025 - THE BARN THEATRE, CIRENCESTER

The perfect swash-buckling Festive five-star musical adventure for all the family with set and costume design by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

Get ready for a hilarious, high-energy retelling of this classic tale, packed with daring duels, quick wit, and plenty of surprises, and brings D'Artagnan more than he could possibly have imagined, or even dared to dream.

barntheatre.org.uk

20TH NOVEMBER - 21ST DECEMBER 2024

Treat yourselves to a wonderful, relaxing two-or three-course lunch with family, friends, or colleagues in the beautiful surroundings of the Orchard Room Restaurant at the home of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
www.highgrovegardens.com

FRIDAY 20TH & MONDAY 23RD DECEMBER

Get into the festive spirit with an adults-only screening of the Christmas classic (and best Christmas film in our humble opinion!), Elf! Your ticket includes an elf-themed cocktail and sweet treats. 

thelivingroomcinemachippy.co.uk

THURSDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY EVENINGS THROUGHOUT DECEMBER - EVENLODE, NR STOW ON THE WOLD

Join Circus Chef Ols and his partner Amber as they bring their passion for wildly delicious food to a remote Cotswold location this December.

This is magically unique evening just for couples and small groups, perfect for a romantic getaway or a festive reunion with friends. Each course will be a delightful surprise, unveiled with a flourish and a story.

josserrestaurant.com

No village or town in the Cotswolds does Christmas quite like Broadway.

Visit after dark to soak up all the festive feels and grab a bite to eat or drink at one of the pubs, restaurants or coffee shops.

THURSDAY 26TH DECEMBER

Continue the festivities at The Bull in Charlbury for their Boxing Day Spit Roast, mulled wine and live music from 4pm.

thebullcharlbury.com

WEDNESDAY 1ST JANUARY 2025

The best way to see in the New Year and shake off any cobwebs from the night before is with some awesome racing at Cheltenham.

Always a good card, this is the perfect day out with friends and there's lots of fun to be had in the Family Fun Zone, and once again, under 18s race free.

BUY TICKETS

With the season in full swing and the Autumn Internationals pretty much done and dusted, the attention turns back to club action and two big Friday night fixtures under the lights at Kingsholm.

For round one of the European Challenge Cup, Gloucester Rugby face Edinburgh on Friday 6th December.

Last season, the Cherry & Whites reached the Final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and this year, they’re determined to go one step further and bring the trophy home.

Edinburgh bring a formidable attacking game, promising an exciting and competitive clash under the lights at Kingsholm. The last time the two teams met in this competition, it was an unforgettable away fixture, with incredible support from the Cherry & White faithful.

Now, it's time to make Kingsholm roar as we kick off another thrilling European campaign!

This is followed by an away trip to Vannes in Round 2 of the European Cup, before the Cherry & Whites welcome Harlequins to Kingsholm on Friday 20th December, making it the perfect fixture for families and friends to start their Christmas festivities.

The game will undoubtedly be a sell out, with all hospitality boxes already sold. 

There are very limited spaces remaining in the Captain’s Lounge restaurant for anyone looking to elevate their matchday experience.

For all tickets and hospitality, visit www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk.

Cheltenham Jazz Festival has unveiled the first five artists lined up to perform at next year’s event as part of Cheltenham Festivals’ 80th Anniversary celebrations, which will take place in venues across the historic spa town between 30 April – 5 May. The full programme, which will incorporate large-scale concerts, intimate club shows, world premieres, masterclasses, family-friendly shows and an array of free events, will be announced in the new year. 

Making his debut at the Festival will be multi-million-selling British singer-songwriter David Gray. Gray will perform tracks from his highly anticipated new album Dear Life alongside classics from his extensive back catalogue, which includes 1998’s record-breaking, 7-million-selling White Ladder. Having recently been described by The Guardian as “one of the top-line names to emerge from the past decade’s explosion of young London jazz talent”, and following the release of her widely-acclaimed studio album Odyssey, Nubya Garcia is set to return to the Festival after a sold-out show at Cheltenham Town Hall back in 2022. Multi-GRAMMY-award-winning singer Corinne Bailey Rae will perform her hits and classic big band material with the esteemed Ronnie Scott’s Orchestra for an exclusive Cheltenham Jazz Festival show.  

Also announced today is revered pianist and broadcaster Jools Holland whose peerless 50-year career has included chart-topping albums, collaborations with some of music’s biggest stars, and an array of awards including an OBE for services to the British music industry. He’ll be joined by former Squeeze band member Gilson Lavis who works regularly alongside Holland including at his annual Hootenanny celebrations. The thrilling Malian duo Amadou & Mariam, who’ve gained global attraction for their unique style combining traditional Malian sounds with everything from brass-heavy funk to reggae, Delta blues and Afro-Cuban jazz, are also on the 2025 line-up and will play a headline set at the Festival’s 2000-capacity Big Top.  

Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2025 will take place in the Festival Village in the town’s central Montpellier Gardens featuring the Big Top stage, Jazz Arena, Free Stage and a variety of food and drink traders. The Festival is also set to pop-up across the town, incorporating several additional venues including Cheltenham Town Hall, Parabola Arts Centre, Dunkertons Tap Room and late-night jazz jams held at Hotel Du Vin. 

The full programme for Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2025 will be announced early next year.

Tickets for the first wave of acts go on sale on Friday 22 November for Members and Monday 25 November for the public. View the line-up at www.cheltenhamfestivals.org/whats-on. 

It was three weeks ago when a video popped up on Instagram and opened with the words "Please, Please, Help... Please!" splattered across the screen.

It was a plea from Ols Halas, probably best know for being "The Circus Chef" at Giffords Circus, who had got his 25-tonne wag’n’drag lorry stuck in a field near South Cerney. This wasn't just a lorry getting stuck in a field, this was the home of Ols, his partner Amber, their four-month-old baby Zephyr, black lab Steve and their business. In layman's terms, they were royally buggered.

A week later, thanks to some lads with tractors, they were out and on their way.

Their next destination was a bit of a secret, unless you looked on their website which told you it was another field (what could go wrong?) in Evenlode, three-four miles from Stow on the Wold.

The reason I had access to their website was because I was sent an invite to the "soft launch".

I then did something I never ever do, I accepted.

This was for a few reasons;

1.  I really like Ols and really loved his food at Gifford's.
2. The invite came from a friend and amazing creative wizard who was helping Ols create this brand and promote the restaurant. 
3. Seeing them stuck in the mud two weeks earlier, how could I possibly say no?
4. I wanted to meet Steve.

A donation to their gofundme page and a cash tip after I had eaten eased the guilt slightly.

We arrived at the new site on a mizzly, November, Thursday evening and I wondered whether "summer under canvas" would be a better idea than Christmas.

From the outside, it was a canvas awning on the side of a lorry. However, inside (when we eventually found the "door") was a beautiful. warm space full of oak tables, candelabras, foilage and a raised kitchen from an adjacent trailer.

We were greeted by Ols who showed us inside the lorry. "Once you start living this life, it's hard to escape it" he mentioned as we walked up the steps. The interior was ridiculously impressive with a Scandi-like wooden cabin feel. A double bed took up one end which Steve sleeps under.

Back "downstairs" it was a case of sitting wherever we liked, before being greeted with wine, homemade sourdough and a butter softened by a candle wick.

It wasn't long before the stunning, crispy and zingy ​King Prawn Butterfly, Spiced Cocktail Sauce and Avocado arrived.

Naturally, I had read the menu before we arrived and was very excited about the Roast Hereford Beef, Braised Blade, Sticky Dates, Hazelnuts, Root Vegetable Pave, Winter Greens main which was truly immense, but I think the prawns were the highlight of my evening.

Between those two courses were some delicious, festive feeling Chestnut Cream Canoli with a rosehip jam, before the meal concluded with the most insane Winter Berry Knickerbocker Glory.

Another reason I never accept soft launch invites is because you are obliged to say something positive, even when it's actually mediocre.

However, this was anything but. This was cooking of the highest quality in the most wonderful unique setting, and you can't get much more unique than sitting in a the middle of a field in early November. And, we never got to meet Steve which gives us the perfect excuse to go back, as if we needed one.

josserrestaurant.com

​Christmas Under Canvas officially starts on Thursday 28th November and is available on Thursday, Friday & Saturday Evenings. 

They are also doing the most incredible sounding Sunday lunch under the canvas too which start on December 1st.

There are 28 seats for every sitting which makes it a beautifully intimate and truly special dining experience.

Photographs: www.crosscreative.uk

The November Meeting takes place from Friday 15 - Sunday 17 November and is Cheltenham's biggest meeting outside of the Cheltenham Festival.

As well as three thrilling days of racing, there is lot's to enjoy off the course too.

There is live music on all three days, during and after racing.

FRIDAY

The Guinness Village - pre racing and between races
Cheltenham favourites The Lucky 15s return to The Guiness Village to play all of your favourite Irish hits, along with plenty of Pop classics too. Expect irish jigs, celtic reels and toe-tapping tunes that will have you giddy with glee.

Quevega's Bar - pre racing, between races and post racing
Tommy and his piano will be filling Quevega's with a colourful selection of timeless favourites, guaranteed to lift your spirits. Sit back, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy!

Champagne Bar - pre racing, between races and post racing
Oozing with Golden Age Hollywood glamour, The Femmes will be performing in The Champagne bar, whisking you back to the glory of the 1940s, infusing classic vintage sounds with a contemporary twist.

Guinness Village - post racing
Join The Revue in the Guinness Village for an hour of feel-good favourites that'll have you singing along and soaking up the good vibes - it's the perfect way to end your day at Cheltenham.

SATURDAY

Tattersalls Sales Arena Bar - pre racing, between races and post racing
Enjoy a curated mix of smooth beats and chilled classics from DJ Lisa Unique. Whether you're catching up with friends or just enjoying the music, it's the ideal spot to enjoy a laidback afternoon.

The Guinness Village - pre racing, between races and post racing
Cheltenham favourites The Lucky 15s return to The Guiness Village to play all of your favourite Irish hits, along with plenty of Pop classics too. Expect irish jigs, celtic reels and toe-tapping tunes that will have you giddy with glee.

Champagne Bar - pre racing, between races and post racing
Oozing with Golden Age Hollywood glamour, The Femmes will be performing in The Champagne bar, whisking you back to the glory of the 1940s, infusing classic vintage sounds with a contemporary twist.

Quevega's - pre racing, between races and post racing
Tommy and his piano will be filling Quevegas with a colourful selection of timeless favourites, guaranteed to lift your spirits. Sit back, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy!

Centaur - post racing
Join The Mark Walby Band in the Centaur for an hour of feel-good tunes that'll have you singing along and soaking up the good vibes - it's the perfect way to end your day at Cheltenham.

SUNDAY

The Guinness Village - pre racing and between races
Cheltenham favourites The Lucky 15s return to The Guiness Village to play all of your favourite Irish hits, along with plenty of Pop classics too. Expect irish jigs, celtic reels and toe-tapping tunes that will have you giddy with glee.

Quevega's Bar - pre racing and between races
Tommy and his piano will be filling Quevega's with a colourful selection of timeless favourites, guaranteed to lift your spirits. Sit back, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy!

Champagne Bar - pre racing and between races
Oozing with Golden Age Hollywood glamour, The Femmes will be performing in The Champagne bar, whisking you back to the glory of the 1940s, infusing classic vintage sounds with a contemporary twist.

THE FEED ROOM
The Feed Room was a fantastic addition to the course last season and is located in the heart of the Tented Village.

Championing seasonal British produce, their team of expert chefs have created six pop-up street-food concepts, from bao buns to pizzas there's something to cater to all tastes and budgets, offering high-quality dishes at affordable prices.

Open at The November Meeting, New Year's Day Racing and Cheltenham Festival only.

MANDARIN GASTRO PUB (walk-in restaurant)
The Mandarin brings the cosy charm of a Cotswold pub to life, with interiors inspired by the rustic appeal of a country stable. Exposed wooden beams, quirky racing artefacts, and a menu filled with seasonal favourites, it's the perfect spot for a relaxed and inviting dining experience. Start your raceday in the best way possible with their delicious brunch until 12pm or you can head into the Mandarin for lunch. Racegoers will be able to simply walk in and request a table and tuck into delicious pub favourites such as The 'Bookies' favourite starter Traditional Scotch Eggs and the Local Burger.

NEW MEAL DEALS
Cheltenham have introduced a new 'Meal Deal' option where you can buy a main, drinks and side for just £15, available in Winged Ox, Vestey and Quevegas.

Elevate your raceday to a new level with and enjoy one of the best views in the racing world.

You can choose from the Racecourse View which gives you a seat overlooking the finishing line or soak up the atmosphere in The Village Grandstand opposite the last fence and includes undercover seating, bars and tote betting.

Friday is Countryside day at Cheltenham and there is always lots going on.

Beagle Parade
11:00 to 11:20

Misslechalke Gundog Display
11:30 to 11:55

Fly Fishing Demonstration
12:05 to 12:25

Get a taste of life as a jockey at the Jockey Gym, as well as the chance to challenge friends and family to see who's stronger than a winning jockey with the team from Great British Racing.

With an array of exciting challenges, the Jockey Gym gives you the chance to show us what you’re made of! Are you stronger than a jockey... or better still… can you top the leaderboard?

Of the course on the Sunday at The November Meeting,  it's all about family fun.

From meeting Peppa Pig and Freddie the Pony to face painting, circus acts + more, Cheltenham is the place to be for all families on Sunday 17th November.
​

You can find all the info here - www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events-tickets/the-november-meeting