Christmas in Devizes: Everything Happening From Now Until NYE!

Being as we received a taster of wintery weather to come this week, I believe it’s okay to use the C-word; yes, Christmas!!

Here’s everything we’ve found to do in and around Devizes, so far, from now until New Year’s Eve, in addition, of course, to decorating trees, picking all the toffee pennies out of the Quality Street tin, and enjoying watching Hans Gruber fall from the Nakatomi Plaza….

Do remember though our event calendar is constantly updating, so do keep an eye on it, as more events may well be added when they’re brought to our attention. And if you’re in another town, check our event calendar for events in your area; sorry you are not included here, we still love you, but there’s only so many hours in a day!

Lets go from this weekend, but be warned, there’s a lot to get through. Ongoing photographic exhibition at the Valentina Gallery, opposite SoupChick in the Shambles, ends on 2nd December.

Thursday 21st November sees an Evening of Mediumship with Psychic Medium Nikki Kitt at the Corn Exchange.

Friday 22nd: Public Living Room is open at the Cheese Hall from 1.30-4pm. John Girvan’s celebrated Ghost Walk of Devizes, takes on a Christmas spin. You find tickets at the Wiltshire Museum website. Queen tribute Qween UK plays the Corn Exchange. Recommended trip out of town: boom-bap legends The Scribes are at the Barge on Honeystreet.

Saturday 23rd November: and there’s a Sighthound Stroll at 12pm. Devizes Eisteddfod’s Junior Showcase at the Town Hall. The FullTone Orchestra is at the Corn Exchange with an 80s special, so get your rah-rah skirts dusted and ready.

The Sylvertones are at The Three Crowns. The Ben Fletcher Band at The Southgate. DJ Emilo is bringing in the sounds at the Exchange. And for a short trip out of town, I recommend The Killer Circus show at Market Lavington Community Hall, with a double-header of mod-indie, britpop and ska with The Killertones Underground and 6 O’clock Circus. Or The Publicans at the Royal Oak, Pewsey.

Sunday 24th, The Duskers are at the Southgate for 5pm start, same time, it’s nice to see live music back at the White Bear too; Andrew Hurst kicks those Sunday Sessions back into gear.

Tuesday 26th sees Devizes Lions Bingo Night at the Conservative Club.

Wednesday 27th, don’t forget the acoustic jam at the Southgate.

Thursday 28th – do not miss this, the fantastic Ruby Darbyshire is doing a Fantasy Radio Live Lounge from 7pm at The Pelican. The Last Thursday of each month is also open mic time in the Cellar Bar of the Bear Hotel, from 7:30pm.

Friday 29th is the Winter Festival, on go the lights and Christmas begins officially in Devizes!

12:00 – 20:00: Indoor & Outdoor Markets and Creative Installations. Lantern Parade at 18:30. 19:00 is Christmas Light Switch On. Window Wanderland begins and runs until 2nd Dec. Look out for the Cascade Chandelier, in the Shambles!

There will be several opportunities to get crafty over Winter Festival weekend with bookable artist-led workshops. More workshops will be dropping soon, so keep an eye on DOCA’s social media! Willow Reindeer Workshop from 10am to 4pm at the Yeoman Room, Corn Exchange. Sarah Jayne Edwards works in willow in all scales, she made the Sanctuary that appeared on the Green in Devizes 2023. Spend a day with her where she will support you to create your own beautiful willow reindeer.

All materials will be provided on these creative workshops, no experience needed. Event capacity for each is only 8 people. Participants must be aged 16 years or over. There are 2 free places allocated for low-income participants, no questions asked. If you would like to claim one of these places, please email: info@docadevizes.org.uk

Elsewhere in Devizes, the fantastic People Like Us are at The Three Crowns, it’s the Pour House’s official opening party, and karaoke at the Pelican. Big Plus: it’s panto season at the Wharf Theatre with the opening night of Hansel & Gretel; this is superb, I’ve seen the rehearsal, you’re going to love it, young and old. Hansel & Gretel continues until 7th December, tickets are sold out, but you can join a waiting list.

Saturday 30th sees a Devizes Lions book sale at St Mary’s Church.

Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts Winter Festival continues, presenting ‘Crow’ by Avanti Display. ‘Crow’ is a beguiling, genre-defying, beautifully odd show. It teases us with strange images, magical clowning and bewitching visual images. Accompanied by a live inventive score. Video projections expand their comic and curious world, suggesting ideas both profound and absurd. This is a ticketed event at Sheep Street Baptist Church and starts at 6pm.

Also part of the Winter Festival, from 10am to 3pm, there’s an Outdoor Market with Music & Street Entertainment, and Makery Sessions Craft Workshops at various times. Porcelain Christmas Decorations Workshop at Parnella House from 10am to 1pm, with Geraldine Francis.

Contemporary Wreath Making Workshop at 2pm to 5pm at Parnella House with Nancy Rose Stott, an accomplished maker, best known for her amazing hats. All materials will be provided, no experience needed. Event capacity: 8 people only. Participants must be aged 16 years or over. There are 2 free places allocated for low-income participants, no questions asked. If you would like to claim one of these places, please email: info@docadevizes.org.uk

There’s also a Christmas Wreath Making Workshop at Poulshot Village Hall, not DOCA related.

Groovedream at The Three Crowns. Red Light at The Southgate.

And relax, it’s Sunday, but it is December 1st! Curious Kids: Winter Fun at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes. The Pelican has a winter festival Christmas Lunch. JP Oldfield is at the White Bear at 5pm, the Jon Amor Trio residency at the Southgate, same time, and One More Shot at the Black Horse.

Monday 2nd, find a new open mic session at the Pour House, set up by the one and only JP Oldfield; very busy boy atm!

Wednesday 4th December: acoustic jam night at the Southgate.

Friday 6th sees a new regular acoustic session on Fridays at The Southgate, this week has JP Oldfield, Sammi Evans & Bryan Davies playing. White Horse Opera presents some Christmas Music at St Andrews. It’s Christmas Mixup night at the Exchange.

Saturday 7th, there’s a tour behind the scenes at Wiltshire Museum, and another Ghost Walk Christmas Special with John Griven.

The Shudders are at The Southgate. James Mitchell at The Three Crowns. The Coco Club Christmas Ball at the Corn Exchange. Christmas Party at the Exchange. Recommendations out of town, find a reggae night with Knatti P at the Barge on Honeystreet and Ruby Darbyshire at the Woodbridge.

Sunday 8th sees a family Christmas Party at West Lavington Village Hall in aid of Julia’s House. Sunflower Events Christmas Fair at the Corn Exchange. Christmas Fayre at The Barge, Seend Cleeve.

Music at the Southgate from 5pm with The Wholesome Soul Trio.

Wednesday 11th, acoustic jam at the Southgate.

Thursday 12th is the second Exchange Comedy Night for The Mayor’s Appeal.

Friday 13th there’s Devizes Good Afternoon Choir’s Christmas Invitation with Children from Wansdyke School at St Andrew’s Church. Young Curators Club: Mid-Winter Celebrations: Yule and Saturnalia at Wiltshire Museum.

Saturday 14th: Table-top Sale for Camps International to Peru Trip: 12-4pm at The Wharfside. LECTURE: Digging for Erlestoke by Leigh Chalmers and Dr Phil Harding at Wiltshire Museum. And the opening of a new exhibit at the Museum, Megalithic Connections – Drawings & Etchings by Dave Gunning, which runs until 22nd Feb.

Christmas Market at Hillworth Park, in which Santa is fully booked, but he’s also at, Breakfast With Santa at the Fire Station! Santa! Hey! I know him!

The Big Sound Christmas Concert at the Corn Exchange. Sour Apple at the Three Crowns, The Worried Men at The Southgate. And Karl Maggs has got the Jingle Bangers in the mix at the Exchange.

Sunday 15th, Wish Tree Gathering from 3-5pm at Quaker’s Walk. Devizes Town Band Christmas Party at the Corn Exchange. And Manos Puestas at The Southgate at 5pm.

Wednesday 18th, acoustic jam at the Southgate.

Friday 20th, John Grivan’s celebrated Ghost Walk of Devizes, takes on a Christmas spin. You find tickets at the Wiltshire Museum website.

Devizes most celebrated house nights, Palooza returns to The Exchange.

Saturday 21st: Barrelhouse at The Southgate. Adam Woodhouse at The Three Crowns, and the Long Street Blues Club Christmas Party with the Thomas Atlas Band. DJ Mike Alford is at the Exchange.

Sunday 22nd is the Tractor & Tinsel Run at the Market Place. Charity Fundraiser with Burn The Midnight Oil, new band fronted by the fantastic Chrissy Chapman at The Southgate, from 5pm.

Monday 23rd: The Unpredictables at The Three Crowns, being anything but unpredictable!

Tuesday 24th: Spend Christmas Eve at The White Bear, where the one, the only Jamie R Hawkins will be singing a few songs with Vince Bell too.

Thursday 26th: The Last Thursday of each month is also open mic time in the Cellar Bar of the Bear Hotel, from 7:30. We assume this will take place as usual.

Friday 27th: Drew Bryant at The Three Crowns. Twixmas Fun Quiz at The Pelican. DJ Stevie MC at the Exchange for an after Christmas Party.

Saturday 28th: The Killertones Underground at The Southgate; nice one!

Tuesday, New Year’s Eve: find Soundhog Karaoke at The Three Crowns. Back to Skool New Year’s Eve Party at the Pelican. The Original PJ & Mister M at the Bear Hotel. DJ Karl Maggs at The Exchange, and NYE Party at Seend Community Centre; Happy New Year!

That’s your lot, unless there’s something we missed? Tell us about it, please do, we can add it, it isn’t going to cost you anything more than being nice to me when you see me next! I hope everyone has been good all year, and wish you all a merry Christmas and Happy New Year!