Christmas Activities
This year’s celebrations in Swadlincote will once again take place over a number of weeks in the lead up to Christmas.
It all starts on Friday 24 November 2023, this will be swiftly followed on Saturday 25 November with the 'Lights Before Christmas'.
Here families can celebrate the start of the Christmas season in Swadlincote Town Centre with illuminated street performers, live festive music, street food and the Christmas light switch on at 6:30pm.
There will also be lots to see and do including late night shopping in the town with artisan and craft stalls and local businesses opening until late - plus the Rudolph Passport Trail will start!
Below are all the Swadlincote Christmas 2023 activities in full:
Friday 24 November
Christmas Party
Swadlincote Snowsports Centre
4:00pm – 9:00pm
Bring the family and meet Santa and his elf (6.00-8:00pm) and then watch Santa’s torch lit descent of our main slope and enjoy the family disco with party entertainers! Limited spaces available to book your tickets tel: 01283 890089
Saturday 25 November
The Lights Before Christmas at Swadlincote Town Centre
4:00pm – 7:00pm
Swadlincote will be celebrating the festive Christmas lights switch on with glittering illuminated street entertainment, live music from choirs and local bands, crafts and artisan makers, street food and fairground rides. The evening will be filled with fun and entertainment for the whole family. Free event.
Rudolph’s Passport Trail – (25 November – 9 December)
Collect your trail map and entry form from the Visitor Information Centre on High Street and follow the trail to find Rudolph hidden in businesses around the town centre.
For every completed form returned there will be a small childrens’ gift waiting for them. Further details to follow.
Yours to Mine Christmas Craft Market
Sharpe’s Pottery Museum
16:30-19:30
Discover a host of wonderful hand-made, quality items just in time for Christmas. Soak up the atmosphere, treat yourself or grab a unique gift for a loved one! Free entry.
Christmas Craft Fair
The Dance & Music Centre, The Delph
4.00pm-7.00pm
Santa’s grotto, cake stall, tombola, raffle, homemade gifts and hot drinks. Free entry.
Emmanual Church Christmas Fair
Emmanual Church, Church Street
10.00am-2.00pm
Join us for our annual Christmas Fair with craft & gift stalls, cake stall, raffle & tombola, refreshments available. Free entry
Friday 1 December
Christmas Dinner Trail! (1 - 22 December)
Sharpe’s Pottery Museum
10:00am-4.00pm
£1.00 per go with a prize at the end
Saturday 2 December
Small Business Saturday!
Come along, support your local independent retailers. Discover the hidden gems on your doorstep and pick up some special Christmas gifts.
Swadlincote Craft Market
Swadlincote Collective Hub, 21 West Street
10:00am-3:00pm
Lego Challenge
Swadlincote Library, Civic Way
10.00-12.00pm
Can you and your family complete this month’s Christmas Lego challenge? Free event
Owl Hunt – (2 - 23 December)
Swadlincote Library, Civic Way
Based on our Christmas themed book ‘The Owl who came for Christmas’, take part in an owl hunt around the library! Free drop-in activity
Cadley’s Christmas Fair
Cadley Hill View Care Home, Darklands Road
11:30am-3:30pm
Get in the Christmas spirit at Cadley and enjoy live entertainment, a visit from Santa, craft stalls, mince pies, refreshments and so much more. Everyone is welcome at our free event.
Saturday 9 December
Festive Fun Day
Swadlincote Town Centre
10:00am – 2:00pm
Join Swadlincote Market for a family fun day in the town centre. Robbie the Land Train will be returning to offer free rides along the High Street to see the colourful shop window displays.Pay a visit Santa’s Grotto, where you can have your photo taken with Santa and his Elf. The Magical Musical Bike will be pedaling through the streets and Melbourne Town Band will be playing all your favourite carols. With Penguin Skittles and the Christmas Pudding Shy, a stilt-walking reindeer and glitter tattoos, you can take a selfie as you enjoy some non-alcoholic mulled wine and spiced nuts! Free event
Breakfast with Santa (9 and 16 December)
Sharpe’s Pottery Museum – West Street
10:00am – 12:oopm
Father Christmas has once again taken time out of his busy schedule to visit the museum for breakfast! Bring your little ones, have fun with the craft activities and enjoy a tasty breakfast. Booking essential
Christmas Krafts in the Kiln
Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, West Street
12.00pm-3.00pm
£3.00 per person
Christmas Crafts
Swadlincote Library, Civic Way
10.00am-12.00pm
Make a fun air-dried clay ‘Rosie the Owl’ to take home and decorate for Christmas. Free family drop-in event
Tel: 01629 533013
Sunday 10th December
Breakfast with Santa (10 and 17 December)
Swadlincote Snowsports Centre –
9:00am – 11:30am
Join us for a full breakfast, write your letter to Santa before you visit, make your own reindeer food, decorate your own biscuit. Receive a present for each child. Booking essential – £9.99pp or £36.00 for a family of four
Wednesday 13 December
Christmas Craftanoon
Swadlincote Library, Civic Way
2.00pm-4.00pm
Come along to our craft session for adults and make a wonderful rag wreath to take home for Christmas. All materials supplied. Free event for adults only but booking is essential.
Tel: 01629 533013
Saturday 16 December
Brass with Christmas Carols
The Delph marketplace
10:30am – 1:00pm
Put the date in your diary for a seasonal sing-a-long on the Delph. Gresley Colliery Brass Band and Churches Together present their annual carol concert with song sheets for all. Free event
Christmas Crafts
Swadlincote Library, Civic Way
10.00-12.00pm
Make a fluffy, feathered ‘Rosie the Owl’ to hang on the Christmas Tree! Free event
Tel: 01629 533013
For all enquiries, please email: events@southderbyshire.gov.uk.