Ludlow Town Council is pleased to announce the return of Ludlow Winter Festival, a collaborative event that kicks off the festive season. Taking place from the 22nd to the 24th of November, this three-day celebration will showcase a wide range of free and ticketed events for residents and visitors.
This collaborative event is in partnership with Ludlow Town Council, Ludlow Chamber of Trade, St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow Castle, Orleton Young Farmers and Ludlow Assembly Rooms. This venture hopes to bring the Community together for a weekend of festivities.
The weekend kick-starts with late-night shopping on Friday 22nd with Ludlow’s independent shops staying open late. Orleton’s Young Farmers will be lighting up Ludlow Town with their Tractor Run with Santa on the square. Comedy fans can enjoy the laugh-out-loud show GROTTO at Ludlow Assembly Rooms, while poetry enthusiasts can enjoy a relaxed evening at St Laurence’s Church with open mic poetry and music, beer, wine and pizza.
The Rotary Club’s Tree of Light will return this year to mark the memory of loved ones, commemorate milestones or send greetings to friends and family. Money raised will support local charities and organisations. There will also be a torch-lit procession across Market Square with carols led by The Rockspring Community Choir.
Saturday offers a jam-packed day of activities, including craft stalls, have-a-go bell ringing, food and drink at St Laurence’s Church. Over at Ludlow Assembly Rooms, experience the critically acclaimed Simon & Garfunkel Story, a musical tribute to one of the most iconic duos in history.
The much-anticipated Christmas Light Switch-on will be hosted by Sunshine Radio with local performances including panto stars from Ludwig Theatre Company, Paul Berick, Macy O and X Factor star Russell Jones. Families will have the opportunity to meet Father Christmas and his trusty reindeers at Ludlow College. Visitors can also experience Ludlow’s seasonal market, a variety of food and drink stalls, a teddy adoption centre, and much more.
The festival closes with Mistletoe Magic, a seasonal concert with Choral Diversity at St Laurence’s Church. Local shops will stay open on Sunday for visitors to shop unique gifts and festive treats, as well as Ludlow’s Sunday market.
Ludlow Castle will also host a Christmas Tree Trail, which will run throughout the festival and continue into the winter season, alongside their meet Father Christmas grotto. The trail which will be included in the Castle admission offers a magical way to explore the Castle grounds, showcasing trees decorated by local groups, with trees donated by Farlow Nursery. Visitors can vote for their favourite. Ludlow Chamber of Trade is continuing the tree theme with a ‘hunt the golden tree’ trail through the town’s independent businesses, encouraging visitors to explore Ludlow while enjoying specially painted trees by local artists.
“Ludlow Winter Festival is a fantastic example of what our community can achieve when we come together”, said the Mayor of Ludlow, Councillor Beverley Waite. “From family-friendly activities to cultural performances, this event truly offers something for everyone. We look forward to welcoming residents and visitors to share in the joy of the season and experience the very best of Ludlow.”
For the full line-up and information on ticketed events, visit: ludlow.gov.uk
