Summer is finally here, and many people’s thoughts are turning to their summer holiday and activities they are going to do with their children over the long summer holiday break. It then won’t be long before children are starting back to school in their next school year and then long hard run to Christmas begins. The summer excitement then shifts to Christmas.

Ice and snow usually cause chaos across the UK especially if precautions haven’t been taken to ensure that car park gritting in Gloucestershire has occurred. Here in Gloucestershire we have some amazing Christmas time events for people of all ages. Take a look at some of the highlights from last year.

Ice Rink at the Docks – Every year an ice rink appears on the grounds of Gloucester Docks. This popular activity pops up all around the country usually at the start of December. The ice rinks are a big draw for families and couples alike with it making a great first date option.

Victorian Christmas Fayre – The award-winning event is also held at Gloucester Quays. It actually runs in late November giving people a chance to buy some of their Christmas presents from the variety of vendors at the event. There is food, drink and gifts available at this free event and it is definitely a must attend item for families in the area.

Cheltenham German Market – Cheltenham also runs a Christmas market but this time it is held in mid-December. It takes the form of a continental German style market again with food, drinks and gifts available.  There are around 40 stalls for visitors to peruse including those selling traditional German food like bratwursts and beer. This year will be the 16th year that a Christmas market has taken place in the town.

No Christmas period would be complete without two traditions, the chance to see Father Christmas (or Santa to some), usually in a shopping arcade or garden centre grotto; and the beloved family pantomime. This year the Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury is showing Dick Whittington.

And let’s not forget the much anticipated turning of the Christmas lights in both Gloucester, Cheltenham and surrounding towns. Each year we wait to hear which celebrity or specially selected individually will be invited to press that big button and illuminate the area for another Christmas season. I wonder who it will be this year?