Christmas in Thame always has a special feel to it – the lights are always beautiful, people are full of Christmas cheer (nothing to do with the delicious mulled cider and wine you find in many of the pubs) and there’s always lots going on. The past few years have been testing for the whole community so this year there will be an even more special Christmas vibe in the air.
Too early to be talking about Christmas? Not when there’s so much going on and you want to get some of these great events in your diary! So wrap up warm and come and enjoy what the Thame community has to offer this Christmas.
If you know of a Christmas event that should be listed here then let us know!
Christmas market dates – want to buy your gifts locally and support small businesses?
As well as our great High Street and regular market, there are a number of pop-up Christmas markets. See dates and locations for local Christmas gifts and pop-up markets here.
Things to do and see throughout December – Christmas in Thame
Window Wanderland 1-24th December
Fundraiser for Thame Primary Schools and to brighten those winter evenings.
Decorate the window or outdoor space of your home or business to feature in the Window Wanderland.
Polar Bear Selfie Station – 1-24th December
Sponsored by Thame Cars, this 7ft Polar Bear will be waiting to have a selfie with you outside the Thame Town Hall between 1-24th December. There are also two competitions you can enter with the chance to win some goodies. For more information, visit the website.
Pantomime – Thame Players
The Thame Panto is something a bit different this year but still has all of the usual songs, dance, drama and laughter: Babes in the Wood – featuring Robin Hood and his Merry Men. Performances on:
Friday 3rd Dec, Wednesday 8th and Friday 10th at 7:45.
Saturday 4th, Saturday 11th, Sunday 5th and Sunday 12th at 1pm and 5:30pm.
Tickets at £10 (£9 for concessions). Buy your tickets from the Town Hall or book online.
Bookings begin on Monday 25th October.
Things to do and see on specific dates – Christmas in Thame
Friday 3rd December – Christmas lights switch-on
From 5:30pm outside the Town Hall – music from Thame Concert Band, Mulled wine and Santa turning on the Christmas lights at 6pm.
This year the people of Thame are also bringing along gifts to be donated to people in need. There are three types of gifts you can bring to help out including toys, clothing and food.
Visit the Town Council website to find out more about the Big Gift Give.
Saturday 5th December – 11am – 3pm visit Santa at the Town Hall
Come and let Santa know what you’d like for Christmas this year – he’ll be waiting in his grotto for you at the back of the Thame Town Hall and might even have a small gift for you already! There is a small charge for this event that will help raise money for Thame Round Table.
Saturday 11th December – Thame Concert band show
Saturday 11th December 4pm. ‘Let it Snow’ from Thame Concert Band – tickets £7, free entry for under 16s. Find more information on the Thame Concert Band website.
Sunday 12th December from 12-7 – Brill Christmas Event and Gift Fair
30+ stalls including hampers, wine, gifts, crafts, and treats. Hot food stalls, hot drinks, mulled wine and licensed bar.
Local Choir singling Chorals 3:30pm.
Santa ‘s Grotto 4-6pm.
Thursday 16th December from 7pm
Christmas Carols – by kind permission of Thame Farmer’s Market, North Street.
Carols, mulled wine, mince pies, raffle and auction.
Entrance fee – donation to Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.
Visit the Thame Farmers Auction Mart Ltd Facebook page for information.
Thursday 16th December 7.30pm
Thame Museum event. Online presentation by Andy Thomas: Christmas – A Festive History.
Learn about the not so straightforward history of Christmas from the Author of ‘Christmas: A Short history from solstice to Santa‘. Tickets £7 for non-members, £5 for members.
Sunday 19th December – Agrisosocial Road Run AKA The Tractor Run
Sunday 19th December – 08:30 – 16:00
Image courtesy of Michael’s Agri Photography, originally used in this article.
An event that grows in size and popularity each year will be back to raise money for Thames Valley Air Ambulance. The Agrisosocial Road Run AKA The Tractor Run is aiming to raise £10,000 this year with a target run of 350 vehicles (making it the UK’s largest Road Run). Entries close on 18th December.
The run starts at 11am from Thame Showground and prizes will be given for four categories:
- Best Commercial
- Best Modern Agricultural vehicle
- Best Vintage Agricultural Vehicle
- Best Steam Powered Machine
Sunday 19th December – Live music, dance and mulled wine
19th December 12 – 3:30pm. Come and meet the hosts of Thame Radio which will be launching on New Year’s Eve and enjoy some pop-up performances with a glass of mulled wine in Montesson Square. Wrap up warm and come soak up the festive atmosphere.
