Celebrating twenty Years of Christmas Joy and Creativity

Monday, 7 October 2024 06:00

This will be the 20th year that St Thomas’s Church in Salisbury has held its Christmas Tree Festival.

Now one of the biggest and best-attended events of this type in the UK, this year’s Festival promises to be even bigger and more exciting. More trees and a record number of musicians will provide an unforgettable Christmas experience.

This year, the Festival opens on Tuesday, December 3rd, and runs through Sunday, December 8th. Tuesday through Saturday, doors open at 10am and close at 5.30 pm. Sunday times are 12 noon until 5.30pm. Entry is free.

It is anticipated that about 100 decorated trees and nativity scenes will be on display, all submitted by local organisations and individuals and provided to raise money for this year’s nominated charities: Christians Against Poverty (CAP) and Morning Star Salisbury.

Last year, the Festival was visited by over 12,000 visitors, who gifted over £20,000 to worthy causes.

Every year, visitors are amazed and inspired by the stunning creativity and ingenuity of the decorated trees and how this heartwarming effort evokes the real meaning of Christmas. A vital part of the magic generated by the occasion is due to the continuous festive music programme provided by leading local groups, choirs, soloists, and bands. The Festival is a visual and aural event celebrating all that is best about Christmas.

To keep up energy levels, seasonal treats and snacks will be available from our festive catering team.

For twenty years, many people, whether residents, local visitors or tourists from further afield, have made visiting the Festival a vital part of their Christmas celebration.

The Festival is a notable start to a wonderful season of Christmas celebrations at St Thomas’s. On the 14th of December, there are two festive celebrations. The first is a Christmas music entertainment, ‘Christmas Delights’ at 12.15 pm, followed by 4 pm on the same day by the Children’s Christingle Service. On the 18th December at 1 pm we can look forward to the extremely popular “Carols for Busy People”, with mulled wine and mince pies, and on the 22nd of December at 6 pm the traditional ‘St Thomas’s Carols by Candlelight’ early evening service will take place. This festive period culminates with Midnight Mass on 24th December and the family service at 10.15 am on Christmas Day.

Details of these events are available on https://stthomassalisbury.co.uk