By 
Shipston-on-Stour’s Victorian Evening is one of south Warwickshire’s best-loved small-town Christmas events, and a short drive from Stratford-upon-Avon. Run by the Rotary Club of Shipston-on-Stour for more than two decades, it fills the High Street with festive stalls, music and food for an early-evening celebration that includes the switch-on of the town’s Christmas lights and its Tree of Life.
On this page
When is the 2026 Victorian Evening?
The 2026 date hasn’t been announced yet. It’s usually held on a Friday evening in early December, from about 6pm to 8pm. In 2025 it was Friday 5 December, and in 2024 Friday 6 December. We’ll add the date here once the Rotary Club confirms it. You can also check Love Shipston’s What’s On.
What to expect
Last year’s Victorian Evening had more than 35 stalls along the High Street, with:
- Music from the Shipston Town Band, the Cotswold Choir and the Shipston Primary School choir
- The town Christmas lights switch-on, and the Tree of Life, whose lights carry dedications to loved ones in support of Shipston Home Nursing
- A traditional carousel, stilt walkers and Father Christmas’s grotto
Make an evening of it
Shipston’s High Street has several historic pubs and inns for a warming drink or dinner, including The George Townhouse, The White Bear and the thatched Black Horse. Book ahead on Victorian Evening, as they fill up quickly.
More Christmas events near Stratford
- Stratford-upon-Avon Christmas Market (28–29 November and 5–6 December 2026)
- Christmas at Charlecote Park
- Christmas shows and pantos
Planning Christmas in Stratford? See every Christmas date in Stratford for 2026: the lights, the markets, pantos, Santa and more, in one place.
Alex Harrington
Alex Harrington grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and runs What's up, Stratford? as an independent guide to the town.
