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Thinking of Christmas often conjures up images of snow-covered pine branches decorated with glittering ornaments, steaming mugs of hot chocolate piled with fluffy marshmallows, and favorite scenes and characters from Christmas movies and stories.
Every holiday season, set against the backdrop of historic warehouses and docks, the Gloucester Quays Christmas market magically transforms into a Victorian-era winter wonderland. Characters step off the page of “A Christmas Carol,” and stroll through the market as festive melodies of choirs and brass bands float through the crisp winter air. This year, more than 250 vendors will be selling beautiful handcrafted goods, as well as delicious hot beverages and treats.
Feeling a little burned out from shopping? Take a break and glide across the ice at the open-air skating rink. If your little ones need to burn off excess sugar, go on a nutcracker hunt along the Nutcracker Trail. Winding around the quays, the Nutcracker Trail consists of 10 large, painted nutcrackers hidden on a path.
Dates and times
The Gloucester Quays Festive Orchard Street Market is open every weekend Nov. 6 to Dec. 19. Admission to the market is free. Hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The ice rink is open from Nov. 25 until January 3, 2022.
How to get there
Address: Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet Shopping Centre St Ann Way, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 5SF
RAF Croughton is approximately 90 minutes east of Gloucester Quays, and 2.5 hours from London.
