What’s on in Wiltshire – November 2021

The days are getting shorter, there’s a chill in the air, and November is just around the corner. There are lots of events planned for this coming month here in Wiltshire, including fabulous firework displays, fun family events, exhibitions, performances and foodie fun. Plus, at the end of November there will be festive events and Christmas activities kicking off as advent and the count-down to Christmas begins. Here’s our run-down of some exciting upcoming events taking place in Wiltshire this November.

Autumnal Activities and Outdoor Events

November means autumn colours and frosty nights, making it the perfect season to wrap up warm and head outside. This November, Salisbury Cathedral will be illuminated by an incredible light and sound experience, Sarum Lights - Heaven and Earth from 9 to 13 November. This family-friendly spectacular will focus on the beauty and splendour of our galaxy and planet, encouraging us each to contemplate our personal place in the universe. There will be soundscapes and light projections to enjoy and admire both inside and outside the Cathedral.

For foodies, Fire & Feast Autumn takes place at the Field Kitchen near Bradford on Avon on 12 November. Enjoy a sumptuous 3-course feast cooked over the coals and under the stars. Just over the Wiltshire border at the Hawk Conservancy Trust, you're invited to explore the wonderful world of owls on 6 November at evening event Owls by Moonlight.

And don’t miss fireworks night at the start of the month; Bonfire night will be on Friday 5 November 2021 and there are many exciting firework displays planned across Wiltshire.

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Image: Towner Eastbourne 

Art Exhibitions

Step inside out of the cold and get your fix of culture at an art exhibition here in Wiltshire this November. Cutting It Fine: The Art of the British Wood Engraver by Salisbury Museum features over 120 original prints, showcasing the fascinating medium of wood engraving. Meanwhile, at Wiltshire Museum in Devizes, the Eric Ravilious: Downland Man exhibition continues, with stunning watercolours of local chalk landscapes from 20th century painter Eric Ravilious. From 6 November, Fisherton Mill's annual festive exhibition Simply Christmas features a range of artwork and handmade crafts to suit all tastes, including paintings, textiles, ceramics, sculpture, Christmas decorations, jewellery, and furniture.

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Performance, Theatre and Comedy

Whatever kind of performance you like best, there’s lots to see in November in Wiltshire. Trowbridge Town Hall have an eclectic mix of live music planned, including alternative folk trio Tenderlore on 6 November and riotous IDestroy on 20 November. Just down the road in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire Music Centre have dazzling folk father-and-daughter duo Martin & Eliza Carthy performing on 3 November, vocal jazz iconoclast Stacey Kent on 19 November, leading local orchestra Bath Symphony Orchestra on 20 November and much more.

Meanwhile Pound Arts Centre in Corsham present live comedy from the acclaimed Sara Barron on 10 November as well as hit comedy show by Jayde Adams on 13 November. At Wyvern Theatre in Swindon, you can catch Swan Lake performed by the Russian State Ballet and Opera House on 13 November, comedy from Jack Dee on 20 November, and family-friendly theatre Horrible Histories from 24 to 27 November. That should keep you going.

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Festive Fun

Is it too early to start talking about Christmas? Not when we’ve got brilliant festive events taking place from late November here in Wiltshire! Christmas at Longleat will see Longleat House illuminated with festive lights which will continue around the grounds. Visitors are invited to follow the winding Winter Wonderland path, sing-along with Britain’s biggest singing Christmas tree, follow the disco balls through the after-dark Hedge Maze, settle down for story-time with live owls and even meet Santa and his elves. Christmas at Longleat begins on 6 November and runs until the new year, bringing music and magic to Wiltshire this festive season.

Elsewhere across the county, there’s Christmas at Stourhead, with over a million lights, lasers and seasonal sounds filling the air with festive fun from 26 November. Just over the Wiltshire border in Gloucestershire, Westonbirt Enchanted Christmas - Search for the Lost Reindeer takes place on winter weekends from 26 and 27 November. Experience mesmerising light displays and stunning spectacles as you help reunite Father Christmas with his lost reindeer at Westonbirt the National Arboretum. Devizes Window Wanderland will run from 25 to 28 November, transforming the streets and neighbourhoods of Devizes into magical outdoor art galleries showcasing the creative talent of the local community.  And the Army Flying Museum's Christmas Bazaar takes place on 20 November, with the chance to browse stalls from local craftspeople, pick up a Christmas pudding and take a photo with Santa in a helicopter!

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We hope we’ve given you lots of inspiring ideas for things to do around Wiltshire this November. Take a look at the places to stay here in Wiltshire and start planning a winter getaway to our timeless county. There are plenty of things to do and places to visit during your trip, from ancient standing stones to sumptuous spas.