CHRISTMAS fairs, tree festivals and special trails are just some ofthe events and activities you can do for free in Salisbury.
1. Christmas fair
This Sunday The Winchester Gate in Salisbury is hosting its annual Funk in my Trunk Homemade Christmas Fair in aid of Salisbury Hospice Charity.
The fair runs from 11am until 3pm.
Visit the festive tent to discover some of Salisbury’s finest artists and small businesses selling beautifully hand-crafted wares.
There will be jewellery, dried flower wreaths, hair accessories, homemade skin care, dog treats and honey to name just a few.
New for this year, there will be a free family Christmas workshop. Drop in for some natural craft making and create your very own wooden reindeer to take home.
Entry is free. There will be a raffle of items donated by the traders drawn on the day. All money raised from the raffle will go to Salisbury Hospice Charity.
Visit: thewinchestergate.com
2. Nutcracker trail
After a two-year hiatus, Salisbury BID has brought back its Nutcrackers.
The giant statues, each 6.5ft tall, will be hidden in businesses across the city centre. Find them, take a selfie, and you could win a £100 Salisbury Gift Card.
Picture by Ash Mills
3. Christmas Tree Festival
The Christmas Tree Festival at St Thomas's Church in Salisbury runs until Sunday.
Local organisations, schools, businesses and individuals are showcasing their creative talents and have decorated trees of many different shapes and sizes.
Around 90 festive trees are on display for visitors to see.
The Christmas tree festival is also raising money for nominated local charities as well as St Thomas's Church.
This year The Children’s Society and Wessex Stoma Support Group are the featured local causes.
The festival runs until Sunday (December 5) and is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm and on Sunday from 12noon to 6pm. Entry is free.
Visit: stthomassalisbury.co.uk
READ: Christmas tree festival opens in St Thomas's Church
4. Christmas Tree Trail
Salisbury City Council’s Christmas Tree Trail has returned to the city centre.
Starting at Salisbury Cathedral and finishing at the Market Place, the trail will guide you through the medieval streets of Salisbury.
5. Wilton Christmas tree switch-on
The Wilton Christmas Tree event is on Friday December 3 and takes place in Market Square, staring from 4pm.
The Square will be open for visitors to browse the stalls, and enjoy lots of Christmas street food and drinks, mulled wine, coffee and cocktails, teas and mince pies, a bar and Kester the Jester will be doing balloons and juggling shows.
A new addition to the festivities is a large marquee for entertainments.
There is no craft fair this year but more emphasis on food and drink.
The music begins at 5pm with live music from Laura Twomey-Hunt, the Salisbury Pluckers Ukulele Band, and the Wilton Wailers community choir. Father Christmas will be there on his sleigh. The Square will be closed to traffic from 11am to 9pm.
The main Christmas tree switch-on is at 6.30pm.
After this Wilton Christian Fellowship will present an outdoor Nativity and Community Carols which will be performed by Wilton children and the carol singing will be accompanied by the Wilton Royal British Legion Band. Sarum Morris will then perform their Winter Dances and Mummers Play.
6. Festive Sunday Markets
The Market Place in Salisbury will be filled with festive stalls and food each Sunday.
7. Amesbury Tree of Light Service
The event in Central Car Park is back on Sunday December 5. Come and join in the fun of singing Christmas carols, and seeing the lights switched on while sharing a thought for loved ones.
There will also be a Christmas Fayre, starting at 1pm in the Central Car Park with stalls, crafts, rides and live music during the afternoon.
The fayre will then wind down at 4.30pm, ready for the Tree of Light Service to start at 5pm.
8. Makers Markets
Local artists and makers will gather in the courtyard at Fisherton Mill in Salisbury for its annual Christmas Makers Markets being held during December between 10am to 3pm. The next ones will be on Saturday December 4 and Saturday 11.
Each market day will feature six stalls offering handcrafted items including greeting cards, framed and unframed prints, homewares, jewellery, as well as paintings and illustrations.
Visit: fishertonmill.co.uk/markets/
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