What's on this month in Somerset
PUBLISHED: 17:13 03 December 2019 | UPDATED: 17:13 03 December 2019
Eat your heart out at Bath's festive Street Food Market this month
submitted
Here's Somerset Life's top picks for shows, events and all other kinds of festive fun in December
DATES IN DECEMBER
CHEDDAR GORGE AND CAVES
Join in with the joy and magic of Christmas in Cheddar; sing some songs, listen to a festive tale and receive a special gift from Father Christmas, all within the stunning Gough's Cave.
DATES IN DECEMBER
WOOKEY HOLE'S WINTER WONDERLAND
The famous caves are illuminated for the festive season and added attractions include a Christmas circus show, Santa's grotto and a 4D cinema screening of Happy Feet. Various times available from 10am-5pm. Tickets are £17 or £4 for under¬3s.
DATES IN DECEMBER ICESCAPE AT THE TROPICANA
The Tropicana is transformed into a winter wonderland for Christmas, with a covered ice rink, Santa's grotto and alpine lodge bar and restaurant. Times vary from 10am-8pm. Sessions start on the hour and are 45 minutes long. Advance tickets £9.50 adults, £7.50 children.
UNTIL 1 DECEMBER
FARRINGTON'S ELF HUNT
Two fun-filled mornings of elf-inspired activities at the farm shop, Farrington Gurney. From 9.30am-2pm. Tickets £16.50.
7, 14, 15 DECEMBER
EAT:CHRISTMAS FESTIVALS
The eat:Festivals team visits Burnham-on-Sea (7 December), Portishead (14 December) and Weston-super-Mare (15 December) to create a festive feast with more than 80 of the finest local food and drinks producers and free entertainment. From 10am-4pm
UNTIL 20 DECEMBER
CREATIVE COVERAGE WINTER EXHIBITION
Nine professional artists will be exhibiting their work at the Bishops Palace in Wells in the run-up to Christmas. The exhibitions will from 10am-4pm. Normal palace admission charges will apply (adults £8.95, children 5-18 years old £3.95).
UNTIL 21 DECEMBER
ILMINSTER ARTS CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
Ilminster's Meeting House arts centre hosts its annual exhibition of locally-crafted jewellery, textiles, glass, ceramics, decorative art and home accessories. Monday-Friday 9.30am-4.30pm; Saturday 9.30am-2.30pm.
UNTIL 5 JANUARY
SNOW WHITE
Don't miss this classic, fun-packed panto at The Octagon Theatre in Yeovil. Oh no you won't! See website for showing times. Tickets from £14.
1 DECEMBER
ROOKERY FARM'S CHRISTMAS MARKET
Start your countdown to Christmas early with stalls, festive food, entertainment and much more at Rookery Farm in Binegar. From 10am-3pm.
1 DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS WREATH-MAKING WORKSHOP
Learn to make your own personalised Christmas decorations at Fosse Farm, Stratton-On-The-Fosse. From 2pm. £35 per person, booking essential.
suepadfield@aol.com
1 DECEMBER
DULVERTON BY STARLIGHT
A magical event held every year where this lovely village is lit up by Christmas trees filled with lights. Festivities take place in the afternoon and into the evening. Check the website for full details.
3 DECEMBER
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Wells Cathedral and the Chapterhouse Theatre Company bring you a unique performance of Charles Dickens' classic ghost story. From 7.30pm. Adults £16, children £11.
3 DECEMBER
MARCO PIERRE WHITE Q&A
Pick up tips for the perfect Christmas dinner from three Michelin star-winning chef Marco Pierre White at Cadbury House in Congresbury. The evening begins at 6.30pm. Tickets are £39, including a three-course meal and a signed book by Marco.
5-8, 12-14 DECEMBER
CINDERELLA
Merlin Theatre Productions have once again produced an original family Christmas musical to kick start the festive season in Frome. Various performances at 2pm, 3pm and 7pm. Tickets from £8.50.
5, 12 DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS CAROLS AT HESTERCOMBE
The Military Wives Choir and Taunton Concert Band perform your favourite Christmas carols in Hestercombe's Bampfylde Hall. From 7pm. Tickets are £8 for adults, £6 for children.
6 & 7 DECEMBER
DUNSTER BY CANDLELIGHT
This world famous event takes place every year and is a must in the festive calendar. Join the locals as they turn their back on the present and light the village with lamplight and where possible candles in windows.
FROM 7 DECEMBER
CINDERELLA
Don't miss this year's panto at The Playhouse in Weston. It'll be packed full of the usual fun and frolicks for the whole family. See website for performance times. Tickets from £21.95.
7 DECEMBER
WORLE COMMUNITY CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT
An evening of Christmas carols at Priory Community School in Worle, near Weston-super-Mare. Including special guests Lions Brass 4 Youth. From 7pm. Tickets £6, children £3. To book call 01934 622542.
7 DECEMBER
CHEW MAGNA CHRISTMAS FAYRE
Festive attractions include the Congresbury Brass Band, Father Christmas in his grotto, an artisan food hall, Christmas shopping and stalls, carols, mulled wine, snow machine, apres ski-style food and refreshments. From 3-6.30pm.
7 DECEMBER
AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITOR
Opera Anywhere presents a Christmas operetta for the whole family, at All Saints Church in Dulverton, from 6pm. Tickets are £20 for the reserved area, £10 unreserved, under-16s free.
8 DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS CRAFT & ARTISAN FAIR
Handcrafted gifts and festive treats galore at Maunsel House, North Newton. From 10am-4pm. Free entry.
8 DECEMBER
FROME SANTA DASH
A 4km festive fun run in aid of local charity We Hear You. From 11am. Children £5, adults £10, early bird tickets £8. A free santa suit for those who pre-register!
8-23 DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS AT THE PALACE
Two weeks of festive fun at the Bishop's Palace, Wells, including Santa's grotto and performances of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. From 10am-4pm. Standard admission charges apply, except Santa's grotto, at £10 per child (including admission).
9-30 DECEMBER
THE RAILWAY CHILDREN
A musical adaptation of Edith Nesbit's quintessentially English classic is this year's Christmas production from Taunton's Brewhouse Theatre. Performance times vary. Tickets £18.50, concessions £15.
12 DECEMBER
REINDEER PARADE
Come and meet Santa and his team of reindeer during the Wells Rotary Club's annual Christmas parade from the marketplace. From 11am-4pm.
facebook.com/wellsreindeerparade
13-14 DECEMBER
AN IMPROVISED CHRISTMAS TALE
The Closer Each Day theatre company presents a Christmas play with a difference, at the Theatre Shop, Clevedon. From 7.30pm Tickets are £12.
14 DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS AT THE MUSICALS
The Creative Innovation Centre in Taunton hosts a night of classic Christmas songs from stage and screen. Tickets from £15. From 7-9pm.
creativeinnovationcentre.co.uk
14 DECEMBER
YEOVIL CHRISTMAS MARKET
Christmas shopping with a difference? You are bound to find some unique presents among the 40 craft and gift stalls at Buckler's Mead Leisure Centre in Yeovil. There will be mulled wine, mince pies and festive music too! Open from 11am-3pm. Adults £2.
14 DECEMBER
BONEY M
1970s disco group Boney M headline the 'best Christmas party in town' at the Bath & West Showground near Shepton Mallet. From 7pm. Tickets from £25.
17 DECEMBER
ROYAL BALLET: THE NUTCRACKER
A recorded broadcast of the Royal Ballet's glorious production of The Nutcracker lights up the big screen at the Curzon Cinema in Clevedon, accompanied by Tchaikovsky's glittering score. From 7.15pm. Tickets £14.50, concessions £12.50.
20 DECEMBER
MARTIN KEMP: BACK TO THE EIGHTIES CHRISTMAS PARTY
Take yourself back to the 1980s with ex-Spandau Ballet frontman turned DJ Martin Kemp. He heads to the Tropicana in Weston-super-Mare for a night of 1980s Christmas classics. From 8pm until midnight. Tickets £17.
21 DECEMBER
SHEPTON MALLET LANTERN PARADE
A festive parade of hand-made paper lanterns from Collett Park to Shepton Mallet market place, set to the beat of a samba band on the night of the winter solstice. From 5-9pm.
21 DECEMBER
THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER
Folksy Theatre performs this much-loved Christmas classic at Hestercombe. Performances are at noon and 2pm. Tickets are £12 for adults, £10 for children and under-twos are free. 

26 DECEMBER
BOXING DAY RACING
Fancy a flutter? Try the traditional Christmas horse racing meet at Wincanton racecourse. There will also be dining offers from £72, including a three-course meal and racecard. The first race will be 12.20pm. Tickets from £10.
BATH & BRISTOL
UNTIL 15 DECEMBER
BATH FESTIVE STREET FOOD MARKET
The annual Festive Street Food Market returns to Bath's Kingsmead Square to run alongside the Bath Christmas Market. Expect globally-inspired cuisine from mountain-style mac and cheese to vegan chilli dogs, Persian chicken and tofu tacos. Open Thursday-Sunday, 11am-9pm (6pm on Sundays).
UNTIL 15 DECEMBER
BATH CHRISTMAS MARKET
With 150 chalets home to local independent businesses lining Bath Georgian streets, it's the perfect place to find festive food and gifts. From 10am-7pm Monday-Wednesday, 10am-8pm Thursday-Saturday, 10am-6pm Sunday.
THROUGHOUT DECEMBER
DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC EXHIBITION
Bristol Museum and Art Gallery's major winter exhibition features more than 200 artefacts that explore the connection between magic, science and religion. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm. Entry by donation.
1 DECEMBER
WALCOT WINTERFEST
This year's festive celebration on Bath's famously independent Walcot Street will once again feature the fantastic Lantern Procession, with music and dancing. From Walcott Chapel, 11am.
1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 19-24 DECEMBER
JOURNEY TO THE NORTH POLE
Visit Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park between Bath and Bristol for an immersive magical journey to meet Father Christmas. From 9am-4.30pm (2.30pm Christmas Eve). Tickets from £30.
4 DECEMBER
CAROLS IN THE LORD MAYOR'S CHAPEL
Sing along with the North Bristol Wellbeing Choir during a special festive evening raising funds for local good causes. From 7-9pm. Tickets £15, including mulled wine and mince pies.
FROM 7 DECEMBER
DICK WHITTINGTON
Shane Ritchie stars in the perfect Christmas panto at the Bristol Hippodrome until 3 January. Times vary, Tickets from £13.
7 DECEMBER
THE SNOWMAN LIVE
A special screening of Raymond Briggs' classic film at St Michael's Centre in Bristol, with music performed by Filton Concert Brass. From 1pm. Adults £7, under-16s £5.
7-8 DECEMBER
VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS WEEKEND
SS Great Britain at Bristol's harbourside is transformed into a Dickensian winter wonderland. From 10am-4.30pm. Tickets are £10, under-18s free.
11 DECEMBER
TRADITIONAL WREATH MAKING
Make your own colourful Christmas wreath at Bath's American Museum using foliage from its estate. No experience necessary. Ticket are £40 and includes admission to the museum and gardens all day. 11am and 2pm. Tickets £40.
FROM 12 DECEMBER
BEAUTY & THE BEAST
An all-star cast will appear in the award-winning pantomime at the Theatre Royal Bath this Christmas. Daily performances at 1pm and 5pm or 2pm and 7pm. Tickets from £9.
14 DECEMBER
AN EVENING OF FESTIVE MUSIC
The Handful Chamber Choir host an evening of choral Christmas music at St Mary's Church, Bathwick. From 7.30pm. Tickets £15 or £5 for under-25s.
14 DECEMBER
A BAROQUE CHRISTMAS
An evening of festive choral works with Oxford Bach Soloists and Blenheim Singers at St Michael's Without, Bath. From 7.30pm. Tickets £20 or £5 for under 18s.
18 DECEMBER
SINGIN' IN THE RAIN
Immersive Christmas cinema with Gene Kelly's 1952 classic at the Spiegeltent in Bristol, from 7pm. Tickets are £40, including a two¬course dinner.
18-21 DECEMBER
ALADDIN
A fantastic performance of this hugely popular panto at Kingswood school theatre, Bath. From 7.30pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets £12, concessions £10.
22 DECEMBER
THE WURZELS WEST COUNTRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
A musical Christmas show as only the Wurzels know how, at Bath's Komedia comedy club. From 7pm. Tickets from £15.
Contact our editor Charlotte Skidmore at Catherine.Skidmore@archant.co.uk to let us know about events happening in and around Somerset.
