Bath’s tourism, hospitality, retail and cultural organisations have come together to create a series of events in the run-up to Christmas to ensure the city’s economy stays strong during what will be one of the toughest festive periods for generations.
While Bath’s traditional – and highly lucrative – Christmas Market, pictured, has already been shelved for this year, there is a determined effort to light up city with a programme of events dedicated for residents and visitors staged in a safe welcoming environment.
Among the bodies coordinating events are Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bath Business Improvement District (BID), the destination marketing organisation Visit Bath and Bath Festivals.
Some details remain under wraps but Bath BID has announced it will begin the festive activities with two Early Bird Christmas Shopping days – on November 12 and 19 – with entertainment around the city centre and a range of promotions available to shoppers.
There will also be times dedicated to those in need of a little more time and quiet to feel welcome in the city centre shops, with dedicated Compassionate Christmas Shopping from 10am to noon on November 10 and 17.
Some of Bath’s most iconic buildings will come to life with festive illuminations while the spirit of the Christmas Market will be celebrated by 12 chalets around the city centre selling locally made gifts and treats – the same number that came together to form the city’s very first Christmas market in 2000.
The cultural and festive programme begins on the weekend of November 27 and will run until December 20.
Each weekend will involve different arts organisations running events, in the unique buildings and open spaces of our beautiful city. All events will be planned following the government guidelines on the pandemic.
Bath Festivals opens the programme in partnership with the Holburne Museum, with a conversation with artist Grayson Perry in the Forum talking about his career.
Bath Carnival and ArtSeen will be creating lanterns with community groups and schools to animate the city with some attached to rickshaws in a cycle promenade around the streets.
Open air stages will feature students, local musicians, story tellers and poets entertaining shoppers.
The Forum opens its doors on the final weekend, culminating with Bath Philharmonia accompanying Raymond Briggs’ animated masterpiece The Snowman.
The full programme of events will be announced in the coming weeks and all are subject to the changes in government advice.
