South Swindon Parish Council has unveiled details about the upcoming Enchanted Gardens Light Trail set to grace the Town Gardens in December 2023. Running from December 1st to December 24th, the trail promises to showcase Swindon’s artistic flair through a captivating display of woodland lights and interactive illuminations.
In collaboration with Friends of Old Town, the Parish Council is delighted to introduce an array of delightful food and drink vendors for attendees to enjoy during the Enchanted Gardens Light Trail. Local favourites like Stockers, Mamas Desserts, Sugar Shack Bakery, The Tuppenny, and Town Gardens Café will offer a diverse range of culinary delights, promoting the vibrant local businesses that define our high streets.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, the event will feature live performances at the beloved Town Gardens bandstand, featuring talents from Revolution Performing Arts, Commonweal School, Rhythmix Goa, SALOS, and more.
Collaborating with Swindon Makerspace, a not-for-profit based in Cheney Manor, the event will boast a unique selfie spot designed within the Bandstand area of the trail. Matt Bentley from Swindon Makerspace expresses pride in showcasing the collective skills of its members, spanning woodworking, metalworking, laser cutting, electronics, and crafts.
The creative prowess of South Swindon’s young talents will take center stage in the Rose Garden. Lanterns crafted by students from Lethbridge, Croft, Lawn Primary, Holy Family, Badbury Park, and residents of Bow Court will be exhibited. These handcrafted lanterns, adorned with festive designs, reflect the diverse cultural celebrations of Swindon’s community, as envisioned by the youth during workshops facilitated by South Swindon Parish Council’s Youth Worker, Loreli Huntley.
Loreli Huntley shares insights into the lantern workshops, saying, “The theme for the lanterns is ‘Festive Celebrations,’ and children are asked to draw designs that they connect with around this festive time. There are designs around Christmas, Diwali, Hannukah, and fireworks, and all are very brightly coloured.”
The Enchanted Gardens Light Trail prioritizes inclusivity, offering a step-free experience accessible to all community members. To cater to those who benefit from reduced sensory stimuli, the Parish Council has organized a ‘Quiet Evening’ on Monday, December 11. This inclusive event will feature lowered music volume and minimized flashing effects, with mobile toilets equipped with hoists and changing tables available.
With a limited number of tickets, the Enchanted Gardens Light Trail offers allocated time slots every 15 minutes from 5 pm onwards. Dates close to Christmas, including December 22-24, are in high demand, as well as December 2, 9, and 16.
Tickets are available on the Town Gardens website: Enchanted Gardens Light Trail 2023.
John Firman, Chair of the Events Working Party at South Swindon Parish Council, is happy with the level of community engagement in this year’s event, saying, “We are very pleased that as part of this year’s Enchanted Gardens Light Trail, we have community involvement through the lanterns designed by local schools. Local food and beverage businesses will be providing refreshments, and there will be a new light installation provided by Swindon Makerspace.”
