Christmas walks, local crafts, family carols, panto, parties and the annual town tug of war — there’s a little something for everyone this Christmas in Ludlow. Here’s our Christmas countdown to Christmas Day and New Year celebrations.
We wish you and yours a very merry festive season and look forward to sharing 2022 with you.
with love from
Claire & Lucy x
1st-31st December
The Enchanted Gardens at Webbs in Wychbold
Tip toe through the glowing toadstools in the fairy gardens, past the illuminated gingerbread houses and into the woods to find Hansel & Gretel’s cottage. Wrap up warm as you journey onto the snowy north pole, where children will be able to chat to Santa and his elves in their busy workshop. Once you’ve completed the trail, warm up in the beautiful festoon-lit tipi tents with a great selection of food and drink available. Book tickets online in advance.
7th December
Tinsel Tuesday Christmas Makers market at Ludlow Market
A fantastic selection of makers, artists, crafters, designers and artisan food producers. Great opportunity to purchase locally made, special and unique gifts. Free parking in Smithfield and Galdeford car parks from midday. Also on 14th and 21st December
10th December
Log Cabin Christmas Crafts at Loudwater Community Arts Centre
Learn the Art of Log Cabin Quilting, a traditional form of quilting that has been around for centuries. Really popular during the American Civil War the quilt is made up of strips of material, one half light, the other half dark focused around a central square (representing the heart of the home). This workshop will teach you the principles of Log Cabin quilting, enabling you to design your own piece, whether it’s a cushion for your Christmas theme or placemats / runner for your Christmas table. Book tickets online in advance.
11th December
Leominster Victorian Street Market and Shrewsbury Fair in the Square
Browse local art, craft and food producers at the heart of Ludlow’s neighbouring towns, Leominster and Shrewsbury. From handcrafted and personalised gifts, skincare and glassware to award winning homemade gin and chutneys to freshly baked cakes and pies to eat on the go, take the pledge to shop locally this Christmas. Please note, adverse weather and/or restrictions may cause cancellations at short notice. The event is free to visit and no booking is required.
15th December
The Big Christmas Sing at Bishop’s Castle
The Marches Choir, conducted by Alistair Auld, present their “Big Christmas Sing!”, a festive evening of carols and Christmas music in St John’s Church, Bishops Castle. They will be joined by the Marches Brass Quartet, and the choir will sing a variety of seasonal pieces. Children and families are especially welcome, and there will be some special carols in which the children in the audience will be the stars. Tickets (£8, children and students free) are available from late November by calling 01588 650315, from ticketsource.co.uk, or can be purchased from choir members or on the night.
16th December
Sleeping Beauty at The Regal, Tenbury Wells
Panto is back in Tenbury! Dates available throughout December. Book tickets online in advance.
17th December
LWH Christmas Celebration at Kin Kitchen, Ludlow
Celebrate the festive season with the Ludlow Women’s Hub, a local networking group. Kin will be serving wine, beer, cider, G&T and Prosecco (and soft drinks). Plus, charcuterie and mezze boards will be available to order.
18th December
Hereford Cathedral Christmas Fair
Over 40 stallholders will be in the cathedral for the Hereford Cathedral Christmas fair which opens at 9.30am, featuring homemade produce, handcrafted items and plenty of festive gifts and crafts. There will be no Carols for Shoppers service this year, instead there will be carol singing outside in the Cathedral Close at noon, all are welcome. Entry is free but organisers recommend you bring cash on the day as not all stalls will be taking card payment. Covid 19 information: For the safety of yourself and those around you, we encourage wearing a face covering when inside the cathedral.
Stories of Winter Trolls by Jason Buck Storyteller at Blue Boar Ludlow
Stories for children and families told live. Award-winning storyteller Jason Buck brings winter stories for the approaching Yuletide. Trolls come marching out of the forests and down from the mountains of Scandinavia, bringing mystery, adventure and comedy in equal measures. Join Jason in the delightful comfort and charm of ‘The Sitting Room’, in Ludlow’s Blue Boar, for an afternoon of stories for all ages, and lose yourself in ancient tales, told live, for a modern audience. Ages: Children and families (7+)
A Christmas Carol at Ludlow Assembly Rooms
Olivier Award winner, Guy Masterson, presents the Dickens’ classic festive fable, A Winter Carol. Famed for bringing multiple characters to vivid life, Masterson gives us Scrooge, Marley, the Fezziwigs, the Cratchits, Tiny Tim et al in an riveting, performance that will dazzle, enchant, and linger long in the memory. Adapted & directed by Nick Hennegan from the text by Charles Dickens with original music by Robb Williams. Book tickets online in advance.
Christmas Blues Night with Shropshire Blues Club at Ludlow Brewery
Book tickets online in advance.
21st December
Christmas Crafts at Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms
At Christmas Crafts, make an ornament to hang on your tree, a melted snowman and enjoy Christmas themed games.£4 per accompanied 4-11 year old. £3.60 for members. Book a slot between 11am – 4pm.
Festive Films at St Mary’s Church, Tenbury Wells
Free Festive Films include a showing of Elf at 4:30pm and Miracle on 34th Street at 7:00pm. Refreshments for donations and some more exciting surprises on the day.
22nd December
Racing at Ludlow Racecourse
Gates are open 2 hours before the first race. The first race times are subject to change, please check Ludlow Racecourse website or the Daily Press for any changes.
Carols in the Castle
Yuletide song from 7 pm
24th December
It’s a Wonderful Life at Ludlow Assembly Rooms
Ludlow Assembly Rooms has a great line up of films throughout the Christmas season including block busters, Encanto, Ron’s Gone Wrong, King Richard, West Side Story and House of Gucci. It’s a Wonderful Life, showing on Christmas Eve, is a genuine American classic so why not start your celebration of the festive season with this all-time favourite Christmas movie. James Stewart plays a man who wants to end it all, until his guardian angel arrives and shows him what a difference he has made to everyone around him – his family, his friends and the folks in his home town. It’s funny and touching, and “probably the most life affirming film you’ll ever see”. Book online in advance.
Christingle & Midnight Mass at St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow
Christingle is a family friendly service. Christingles are oranges tied round with red ribbon with sweets and dried fruit stuck into it. Towards the end of the service, the candles pushed into the orange are lit to create a warm, magical glow symbolising the light of Christ. Book tickets online in advance.
Midnight Mass will take place at night from 11.15pm.
25th December
Family-Focused Christmas Day Eucharist at St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow
The Christmas service will begin at 10.30am on Christmas Day.
26th December
The Bull Hotel and The Feather’s Hotel Tug-of-War
This annual tradition takes place around midday between the coaching inns of The Bull and The Feather’s Hotel, across the road into the entrances. Get there early as it always gets busy!
27th December
Ludlow Hunt Meet at Ludlow Castle
Another tradition that has been around for centuries, the horses, riders and hounds draw a huge crowd to Ludlow Castle, from around 11am.
30th December
Guided Nature Walk at Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Craven Arms
Get out and about between Christmas and New Year and join Grant, the Centre Manager for a walk around the beautiful Onny Meadows. Find out what animals and birds are living here over the winter and what they are feeding on. See England’s first dragonfly hotspot; walk along the banks of the river Onny and see buzzards and red kites soaring over the hillfort. Visit the Onny orchard and learn about our ancient varieties of apples and damsons and learn about our charity and our Outstanding Natural Development Plans. Outdoor footwear and clothing required. The whole family are welcome. Some of the walk will be across uneven surfaces. The walk will be around 1.5 miles. Free.
31st December
New Year’s Eve Party at Ludlow Brewery
Featuring live music from Ludlow ska/punk band, don’t feed the goat, the party starts at 8pm and finishes at 1pm. Tickets are £20, food included, book online in advance.
8th January 2022
Oldfields Cider’s Winter Wassail at Oldfields Cider Shop, Tenbury Wells
A festive cider orchard blessing with mulled cider and Leominster Morris Men entertainment. Wassailing is an ancient tradition performed to ensure a good harvest of cider apples in the coming year. There will be a flaming-torchlit procession to the orchard where the Wassail will take place at 7pm. Leominster Morris Men, who will be conducting the ceremony, will then perform a traditional mummers play. There will be an Oldfields Cider bar stocking draught and mulled cider, wine, a selection of local beer and soft drinks plus hot food. Warm/waterproof clothes and footwear are a must, bring gloves if you fancy carrying a torch with the procession. Under 16s go free. Book online in advance.
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