Thanks DOCA: Devizes Winter Festival, this Autumn!

Photographs by Simon Folkard

Astronomical winter starts on the 22nd December, y’ know, but the Met Office uses a meteorological definition of seasons, making the first day of winter this coming Friday, the 1st of December. Either way I think we jinxed it, having a Winter Festival this November weekend in Devizes, as the climate sought to take heed and plummet the temperature to a very wintery -4; oh, my poor frosted milk-bottle collecting fingies!

Even I, one who would hibernate given half a chance, donned my beanie and thermal long Johns to turn out for this year’s lantern parade, light switching on, market thingy in the Market Place of ol’ D-town, and what a smashing evening was had by the multitudes who gathered there.

Yeah, I know, I cry for diversity in our local entertainment and encourage those who challenge the norms, but on some, particularly this occasion, things are best left to tradition. An event systematically built over the years in which little really changes because it doesn’t need to, Winter Festival in Devizes is that family occasion which screams Christmas to you, with the clout of Noddy Holder annunciating through a megaphone. Like it or not, it signifies Yuletide better than a billion shopping trips to B&M for cheap plastic decorations; even I, Uncle Scrooge, cannot deny it’s that season once more!

Bar humbug, DOCA, and the many small businesses knocked it out of the park, or should I say Market Place once again, in providing a little taste of winter wonderland. With sleigh bells ringing, we were listening, in the Brittox snow was very nearly glistening, a beautiful sight, we were happy last night. Not that I’m able to scribe a review in a similar manner to a gig. It is what it is, what it is brings a smile to every face. and you cannot argue with smiles. See this then more as documentation of the occasion with a footnote thanking all who volunteered to stage this impressive show: I saw Santa, thanks DOCA!

With Young Farmers pimping their tractors in lights and tinsel, raring to set off on December 17th, to the enlightening parade of lanterns, and from hot rum toddies served at the Muck, to the aromas of the food stands, to Soupchick busy at the helm, craft fair in the Corn Exchange and projections on the facade of the Shambles, it was a spectacle to behold while Devizes Town Band blessed the Market Place with seasonal anthems.

And that’s about it, really, a communal and hospitable gathering with an ambience of goodwill you cannot fault, need not improve, and annually marking the beginning of Christmas. Even a repeat of Home Alone or Die Hard on the telebox wouldn’t hold me back; bit nippy though, innit?!

• 
  “Nothing Rhymes With Orange” at Cursus Festival, May 24th, 2026. 
  by Ian Diddams images by Ian Diddams Though now based out of Bristol, at university studying Music and sharing digs together, NRWO (as they are … Continue reading ““Nothing Rhymes With Orange” at Cursus Festival, May 24th, 2026. “
• 
  Make Music This Summer Launches at Wiltshire Music Centre; 19 Days of Musical Activities for Children and Young People
  Wiltshire Music Centre is launching the Make Music This Summer programme, a vibrant 19-day programme of musical activities for children, young people and families….. Designed … Continue reading “Make Music This Summer Launches at Wiltshire Music Centre; 19 Days of Musical Activities for Children and Young People”
• 
  After Ruby, Barrelhouse and RowdeFest 26
  Images by Jess Worrow A busy late spring weekend across the county, with major events from Bradford-on-Avon to Swindon, but I’m bringing quality acts I … Continue reading “After Ruby, Barrelhouse and RowdeFest 26”
• 
  Sir Tony Robinson, Nigel Planer, T’Pau, and Timmy Mallett… and More at Frome Festival in July
  Tickets are now on sale for Frome Festival’s silver anniversary year, taking place between the 3rd – 12th July, 2026. Three hundred events are scheduled … Continue reading “Sir Tony Robinson, Nigel Planer, T’Pau, and Timmy Mallett… and More at Frome Festival in July”
• 
  “We Will Rock You” at St. Augustine’s, Trowbridge, May 27th–30th, 2026
  by Ian Diddams images by Trevor Porter & Claire Borovac Juke box musicals tend to be little more than a string of hits, loosely linked … Continue reading ““We Will Rock You” at St. Augustine’s, Trowbridge, May 27th–30th, 2026”
• 
  Devizes Wharf to Edinburgh; Whose Play, and The Sh!t They Don’t Tell You in Books!
  Images: Chris Watkins Media May seemed so far away back in Feb when we ran a preview of two plays which will see a Devizes … Continue reading “Devizes Wharf to Edinburgh; Whose Play, and The Sh!t They Don’t Tell You in Books!”
• 
  Phil, Jamie and Tamsin Return to The Fold
  With duty calling in the wee hours of each Saturday, it’s got to be something special to drag me off the sofa on a Friday … Continue reading “Phil, Jamie and Tamsin Return to The Fold”
• 
  Chatting with Ruby Darbyshire
  There’s the story of one newfound fan who, after her performance, asked Ruby how many copies of her CDs she had, bought the lot and … Continue reading “Chatting with Ruby Darbyshire”
• 
  Sheer Music Announce Devizes Gig Frank Turner Bootleg Cassette
  It’s 2006, and the charts are awash with what will become known as landfill indie. Somewhere in backwater Townsville UK, an already road worn veteran … Continue reading “Sheer Music Announce Devizes Gig Frank Turner Bootleg Cassette”
• 
  Shindig Festival Goes Ahead, with Bob Vylan
  After months of speculation, controversy, and local media bias, The Shindig Festival at Malmesbury’s Charton Park has been given the green light….. Despite Newsquest flogging … Continue reading “Shindig Festival Goes Ahead, with Bob Vylan”