Swindon’s town centre is set to sparkle this festive season with the launch of Swindon Winter Fest, a brand-new celebration of culture, creativity, and community taking place on Saturday 22 November.
The free, family-friendly event will transform the town centre into a winter wonderland, featuring giant interactive creatures, creative workshops, and a festive trail leading right up to Christmas Eve.
A Festival of Imagination and Interaction
At the heart of the festival will be The Whilers, a spectacular installation from innovative creative tech studio Air Giants. These glowing, 3-metre-tall robotic creatures — part sloth, part dragon, part spirit — will captivate audiences with expressive, lifelike movements as they interact with the crowd and one another.
Adding to the magic, local artists will collaborate with community groups and school children to create an enchanted lantern forest inside a vacant retail unit. Visitors can take part by crafting their own lanterns throughout the day to grow the installation.
Children will also love the panto-inspired Muddles’ Gingerbread Man Trail, created by Artsite, where decorated characters will be hidden in shop windows around the town centre.
Festive Workshops and Sustainable Shopping
Families can get hands-on with Sleeping Beauty-themed crafts, inspired by this year’s Wyvern Theatre pantomime, alongside a host of other free creative activities throughout the day.
Winter Fest will also champion sustainability through its “Once Upon a Thriftmas” campaign — encouraging people to start their Christmas shopping in Swindon’s many thrift and charity shops, filled with unique, budget-friendly, and eco-conscious gifts.
The town centre will be dressed for the occasion with festive lights and a Christmas tree in The Parade, completing the winter magic.
Building a Creative Future
This pilot event marks the start of an ambitious two-year programme to connect Swindon’s public, creative, and cultural sectors. Supported by Arts Council England’s National Lottery Place Partnership Fund, Winter Fest is delivered by Swindon Culture Collective in partnership with Swindon Borough Council, Wyvern Theatre, Artsite, and Gel Studios.
Dr Rod Hebden, Director of Swindon Culture Collective CIC, said:
“It’s been a really joyful experience working with so many local people and organisations to create something truly magical. This year, families can help create the magic together and make wonderful memories.”
Cllr Marina Strinkovsky, Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning at Swindon Borough Council, added:
“I’m so pleased we can bring Christmas activities back to the town centre in partnership with Swindon Culture Collective. Winter Fest will be full of creative fun and sustainable shopping opportunities — all while supporting local organisations and bringing festive cheer to Swindon.”
