Christmas Comes to Town in The Malverns

Activities | Christmas | Family Fun | Shopping | What's On

Christmas comes to town elf
Christmas comes to town elf

From festive feasts to merry markets, residents are being encouraged to get in the festive spirit as a new Christmas campaign arrives across the district.

It’s officially the festive season and our town centres have everything you need to get you and your family in the spirit of Christmas, including a free family trail, free parking and lots of things to do and see. This page provides you with all the information you need to easily shop, dine and enjoy in our five town centres – Great Malvern, Barnards Green, Malvern Link, Tenbury Wells and Upton upon Severn. 

Christmas Shopping Around The Malverns

Start planning where to do your Christmas shopping with our handy guide to promote our wonderful independent shops across the towns. Please continue to support your local traders and shop locally for everything you need to prepare yourself for Christmas.

Click on the links below to find out about what shops are on offer in each town, or shop by store type here.

Festive Feasting

Whether you’re meeting a friend for mulled wine or planning an annual family get together, take a look at our many delicious independent hospitality venues located within our town centres and beyond. For full a full list of eateries and food shops in our town centres and across The Malverns click the link below:

Activities & Events in Our Town Centres

From Christmas parades to Panto’s, our towns have lots of events, markets and shows planned to keep you entertained throughout the festive period. Head to our ‘What’s on’ page to help you plan your days and evenings out. We know that your activities budget might be squeezed this year, so we have put together a list of FREE things to do in our Town Centres.

Great Malvern Christmas Festival

With an artisan arts and food market, the Christmas light switch on with Malvern Theatres Pantomime Stars, lantern parade, Christmas grotto & storytelling at Great Malvern Library, BBC Hereford and Worcester stage at Belle vue Island, seasonal festivities and refreshments in Great Malvern Priory and festive activities and entertainment throughout the town centre. There will be plenty of festive music, food, cheer and merriment starting from 10am on 26 November 2022.

Christmas In The Link

Head to Malvern Link’s annual festivities on 2 December 2022. More details TBC.

Find Out More

Community Carols in Great Malvern Priory

Everyone is welcomed on Saturday 10 December at 6pm to Great Malvern Priory to sing carols together this Christmas. What could be more festive that singing the old songs in the beautiful surroundings of this ancient church.

Great Malvern Farmers Market

Enjoy the last two farmers markets in Great Malvern Priory Grounds, taking place 19 November and 17 December with the final one being a Christmas Special. Local traders will serve up the finest foods including meat, bread, fruit and veg, cheese, pickles and many additional treats such as cakes, fudge, jams, steamed puddings, apple juice and more. On the Christmas Special find your festive essential as well as special Christmas treats.

Tenbury Wells Late Night Shopping

Tenbury Wells will be hosting Late Night shopping until 7pm on 1, 8 and 15 December 2022 so you can have a browse around the shops after the usual closing time to find that perfect Christmas present for a friend or loved one.

Tenbury Wells Christmas Markets

Taking place on Thursday 8 December 2022 Tesco Market Place will host an Arts Market which is organised by the artisan market operator Boffy Arts Markets. Christmas themed entertainment will add to the festive atmosphere and local shops will be participating with late night opening hours. Further details TBC.

Tenbury Wells Santa Parade

Head to Tenbury Wells for the annual celebration of Santa riding through the streets. A flagship traditional Christmas event for the town which has been going since the 1960’s. The whole town comes out to see Santa travelling through the town. This year the event will be hosted on 3 December 2022. Stay longer with a bite to eat at the new independent burger bar on Teme Street or the new tapas restaurant on Market Street.

Find Out More

Tenbury Wells Mistletoe Festival

The Mistletoe Festival in Tenbury Wells is back on! This is a free family day out and one not to be missed. Saturday 3 December 2022 will see the Town Crier announce the Crowning of the Mistletoe Queen outside The Regal in this traditional celebration of mistletoe as well as music, dancing, willow crafting, storytelling and more.

Mistletoe Eve

Start the celebrations early this year the night before, on Mistletoe Eve. Entertainment, stories and songs live at The Pump Rooms with modern day bards and mistletoe fanatics Jake and Suzanna Tumnus and progressive folk duo Mice in a Matchbox. Make sure to grab a ticket, £10 per person with your first drink included.

Upton Upon Severn Christmas Family Day

Upton upon Severn will be hosting a day of family festivities on Saturday 3 December 2022. The town’s traders will be dressing in their finest festive outfits and plenty of things will be going on in town to get the whole family in the Christmas mood. From 10am – 4pm there will be a Christmas Fayre in the Memorial Hall as well as live music, free festive refreshments in participating shops.

Upton Late Night Shopping 8 December

Shops will be open until 7pm on 8 December 2022 to ensure you can grab all the perfect presents from the excellent selection of independent retailers.

Upton Carol Performances

TBC

Upton Church Services

TBC

Free Family Trail   

From Friday 25 November, in each town centre, there will be a free digital trail for the whole family to enjoy. It’s an interactive adventure with fun, games, music and riddles where you will need to find the posters and watch the videos. If you’re not digitally minded, there’s a map you can pick up too so that everyone can take part.

The Elf Adventure Trail features Tiny the Elf beaming into the Malvern Hills all the way from the North Pole. He will teach children the key skills needed to become one of Santa’s Elves. They will learn the special Elf handshake, ‘Elf and safety’, for when sorting presents, and the legendry Elf March which all Elves use as their Christmas anthem. Then Tiny the Elf will lead children on their Elf Adventure, giving them riddles to solve which lead them onto the next clue and ultimately, they must solve his word puzzle to be certified as honorary Elves and receive their certificate of achievement.

FREE Parking in Town Centres

Free parking is available 3pm-11pm every day between 1-24 December in all car parks owned by Malvern Hills District Council. This is to provide an extra boost to local businesses and help you enjoy our town centres without the need to rush back to your car.  

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