As we head into the Festive Season, I often reflect on how we celebrate Christmas in Gloucester. Many places lay claim to be Christmas cities, but I think that Gloucester can do so with some justification.

The Tailor of Gloucester is a classic Christmas story, where the Tailor is tasked with making a special waistcoat for the Mayor to get married in on Christmas Day. This year celebrates the 150th anniversary of Beatrix Potter’s birthday, so now is a fitting time to reacquaint yourself with this story by visiting the House of the

Let’s make the most of these Christmas connections
Jemmy Wood, Britain’s first millionaire and known as the Gloucester Miser, was said to be the inspiration for Scrooge in Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”. He ran the Gloucester Old Bank in Westgate Street where McDonalds is now.

And several Kings, from William the Conqueror to Edward the Confessor, held their Christmas Court in Gloucester. I’m not sure we make the most of these connections and I’d welcome ideas on what we could do.

That said, there’s plenty on in Gloucester this Christmas – from extra Christmas lights in the gate streets to the mistletoe-decked kissing arch, and seasonal markets in Kings Square to the Rotary Club’s Tree of Light outside the Guildhall in Eastgate Street. This year there is an ice rink in Orchard Square at the Docks (by the Waterways Museum) to run alongside the Victorian Market and Festive Fayre and throughout the holiday season.

Have a happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous 2017
The Cathedral rightly plays a central role in our Christmas celebrations, with Carols on the Hour and their own Christmas market in the cloisters on 10th December, as well as numerous carol services throughout December.

There is too much going on to list everything individually, but I hope this gives you a flavour of what is happening in our city this Christmas. On behalf of the City Council, I wish you and your family a very happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous 2017.