Countdown to Christmas in Bampton promises festive thrills

Bampton is preparing for a Christmas extravaganza, and a unique new food festival.

On Friday, December 6, Christmas celebrations will begin in Bampton with a launch event for ‘Countdown to Christmas in Bampton,’ running from 3pm - late.

A festive window arts trail, with activities for children and families to enjoy will launch at the Toucan Café at 3,30pm, live music, performances, art exhibitions, a Christmas market & fun tours of the town on a steam bus (recently featured on Channel 5’s ‘Big Steam Adventure,’) will be just some of the activities that will entertain & delight visitors when they go along to this free, festive event organised by businesses and the community in Bampton – to celebrate everything that is great about this Mid-Devon town. Santa & his helpers will be entertaining visitors on Brook Street, there’ll be performances from Bampton Players, local musicians will entertain the crowds and all are invited to join in with a Community Carols ‘sing-a-long’ led by Bampton School & local musicians on the Stage at 6pm.

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Food writer, restaurant critic and MasterChef judge, William Sitwell will be switching on the town’s Christmas lights at 6pm, before leading Bampton’s first restaurant festival, ‘Bampton’s Festive Rest Fest,’ with a food safari around the town, which kicks off at 7pm.

At 8pm ‘barnstorming, urban indie folk,’ band, the Kahunas will lead the ‘Countdown to Christmas in Bampton After Party,’ celebrations at Quarrymans Rest from 8pm. Burger Factory R&R will be feeding the crowds until 11pm while other hospitality venues throughout the town welcome foodies from across the UK for an indulgent evening showcasing the very best of local food & hospitality in venues throughout the town.

The Swan, Spelt, The Bridgehouse, Bampton Delicatessen, Six on Castle, The Old Bakery and Corks and Cru – Bampton’s independent wine merchant are collaborating with Sitwell Inc. to deliver an evening food safari showcasing the spectacular offer in this small town, which punches far above its weight & is a treat for foodies .

Visitors to Bampton’s first ‘Countdown to Christmas Launch Event’ on Friday 6th December can enjoy:

3-6pm: Music, Performances, Art Exhibitions, Fun Steam Bus tours around the town, Stalls from local producers/makers, Food Popups, Bar, Meet & Greet: Santa & his helpers, Letters to Santa activity for children and families + lots more!

3.30pm: Countdown to Christmas in Bampton Window Arts Trail Launches at The Toucan Cafe & Catering Service (Window Trail runs to 24 Dec)

6pm: Bampton’s Christmas Lights Switch On - with invited special guest William Sitwell leading the countdown - followed by a Community Carols Service led by Bampton Church of England Primary School

7pm: Bampton’s Festive Rest Fest a food safari around hospitality venues in Bampton kicks off at Corks and Cru. Venues taking part in (the sold out!) Bampton Rest Fest include: Bridge House Bampton, Bampton Delicatessen, Six on Castle, Spelt Bampton, The Old Bakery, The Swan Bampton and independent wine merchant, Corks & Cru. Bampton’s Festive Rest Fest is generously supported by Mid Devon

8pm: Launch event closes & the ‘Countdown to Christmas in Bampton ‘After Party’ party kicks off at Quarrymans Rest with dancing into the night!

Countdown to Christmas in Bampton 2024 is supported by GOV.UK & Mid Devon District Council through the ‘Vibrant Town Centres’ scheme & enabled by Bampton Town Council. There are large numbers of businesses, community groups, individual residents and anchor organisations in the town supporting the event which is an opportunity for the whole town to work together – and to celebrate the festive season in Bampton.

The ‘Countdown to Christmas in Bampton 2024’ launch event is free to attend. Exmoor Rotary club members will be supporting the event with a bucket collection for distribution to local charities supporting people across Mid Devon.

For more information, see: www.thedevonbampton.com and come along to join the fun.