A canal cruising Santa, Morris Dancing Ironmen, lanterns and markets galore light up start of the Midlands county’s festive fanfare
Pretty, historic and filled with rural community spirt, Visit Shropshire’s many market towns are putting on quite the show in the festive run-up. From a canal cruising Santa in Ellesmere and lantern and candlelight parades in Much Wenlock to tasty and tasteful markets in Ludlow, the Midlands county’s impressive Winter Festival line-up includes:
CANAL BOATING SANTA JOINS A HUGE LANTERN PARADE THROUGH ELLESMERE
There are winter festivals, and there are winter festivals – and Ellesmere – the buzzy market town at the heart of Shropshire’s secret ‘Lake District’, is set to stage one of the Midlands’ biggest seasonal extravaganzas this November. Taking place on 28th November, the historic town, with its pretty waterside meres and scenic canal towpaths, will be transformed into a truly magical Polar Express themed world.
The highlight of the event will be the arrival of Santa who will make his grand entrance cruising into Wharf Head on a beautifully decorated canal boat all lit up with Christmas sparkle. He’ll then alight and join a spectacular Lantern Parade, travelling through the town’s historic streets on one of the dazzling large-scale lantern creations.
To accompany the festivities, there will also be live music, choirs and carols, traditional fairground rides (including a traditional carousel), children’s activities, a Santa’s Grotto at the Market Hall – plus the evening switch-on of Ellesmere’s Christmas lights. Visitors will be able to enjoy a host of stalls with local crafts and produce, plus Christmas decorations and seasonal wreaths. And for the peckish, there will be plenty of street food, mulled wines and local ales. The shopping opportunities don’t end with the open-air stalls, though, as the town centre shops will open late with special offers, pop-ups and ‘shop and sip’ experiences. The Winter Festival takes place across the town and in the Ellesmere Market Hall on Friday 28th November, 3pm – 9:30pm. For more information visit https://www.ellesmere.info/.
CANDLELIGHT PARADE AND MORRIS DANCING IRONMEN LEAD MUCH WENLOCK’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAMME
All lit up and twinkling, Much Wenlock is like stepping into a festive postcard of Christmas past. The pretty Shropshire town, with its medieval architecture and quaint Georgian buildings, boasts a butcher, baker and candlestick maker – alongside a smattering of independent clothing, gift and a fabulous bookshop that are ideal for Christmas shopping. The highlight of the festive calendar is the annual Christmas fayre, held this year on the 6th December when the streets of this compact town will feature some 150 stalls, music, choirs, street theatre and entertainers – including Morris Dancing Ironmen – Santa Claus in his Grotto, donkey rides, children’s entertainment. And the grand finale – an atmospheric candle lit procession down the High Street and traditional Christmas Carol singing on the Square. See full details at http://www.wenlockchristmasfayre.org.uk/
TASTEMAKER MARKETS, INDE SHOPPING AND A CASTLE CHRISTMAS TREE TRAIL FILL LUDLOW’S PACK FESTIVE LINE-UP
Tasty and tasteful in equal measure, Ludlow’s near daily street market lures shoppers to the historic Shropshire market town year-round. However, framed by the Dickensian-like shop fronts, cobbled streets and ancient alleyways, at Christmas its appeal is even greater.
An antidote to the homogeneous German-style stalls in so many UK towns and cities, Ludlow’s packed and eclectic festive market programme is as genteel and distinctive as the handsome town itself. Throughout December, visitors to the town square will be met with the bustle of not only the regular Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday markets but special Tinsel Tuesdays, several antiques additions, plus a couple of festive-filled ‘Local to Ludlow’ producers’ markets will offer up an array of stocking fillers, presents and food delights (all sourced within 30 miles of the town).
More than just the markets – heralding the start of the town’s Christmas fun is a three day Winter Festival in late November (28th to 30th this year) with Santa, live music, local performances, poetry readings, scenic trails and the Christmas light switch-on. Also, every weekend in December, including the 22nd and 23rd, there will be meet and greet sessions with Father Christmas, held in his atmospheric grotto in the ruins of Ludlow Castle (£8 per child) with the opportunity to enjoy a magical and free Christmas Tree Trail (all individually decorated by local businesses) throughout the month.
There will also be music, carols and choral services by Candlelight at the atmospheric St Laurence Church. And for shoppers, there’s chance to weave the streets and to pick up a gift or two for the many independents (which outnumber the chains). From galleries and well-stocked delis galore to an independent cheese shop, chocolate shop, not to mention the many cook, homeware, plant, and clothing shops. On the outside town, the wonderful Ludlow Farm Shop and, its next door, Ludlow Distillery – are both must-visit Christmas shopping emporiums too. For more information visit: https://www.ludlow.gov.uk/visit-ludlow/festivals
For the full line-up, including events taking place in Shrewsbury, Wellington, Oswestry and Market Drayton visit https://www.visitshropshire.co.uk/shropshire-christmas-light-switch-ons-2025
