Popular Christmas tree festival returns to Salisbury church
Colourful community creations are on display at St Thomas's
Last updated 29th Nov 2022
St Thomas's church in Salisbury is filled with almost one hundred decorated and unusual Christmas trees!
The popular Christmas Tree Festival opens today (29th November) with thousands of people expected to pop in over the next few days.
The trees have been created by local schools, organisations and businesses.
It's the eighteenth year the event has been held.
The after school club at Wyvern St Edmunds submission is entitled 'nativitree' combing both a tree and a nativity scene whilst a 'rainbow bright' tree has been created by children who go to St Francis rainbow group.
The Jo Benson Day Centre have called their offering 'Gnome for Christmas' whilst another tree has been made of recycled rubbish.
Idmiston & Bourne Valley Women's Institute have a gingerbread tree.
Not all trees are brightly decorated, Salisbury Foodbank have a poignant design this year.
Supporting local causes
The event is free to enter but donations can be left in aid of two nominated charities and the church itself.
This year the chosen charities are Alzheimer’s Support Salisbury and Friends of Salisbury Shopmobility.
Last year over 9,000 visitors to the festival contributed over £13,000 to charity!
Along with the trees there's also a musical backdrop with a 'continuous programme of festive music provided by leading local groups, choirs, soloists and bands.'
To satisfy the taste buds, there are seasonal treats and snacks available from the St Thomas’s catering team.
Opening times
Tues 29th Nov-Sat 3rd Dec - 10am until 6pm ( last entries 530pm)
Sunday 4th Dec- 12 noon -6pm ( last entries 530pm)
The Christmas Tree Festival is a notable start to a wonderful season of celebration at St Thomas’s. On December 18th the church choir will hold its traditional ‘Carols by Candlelight’ service. The extremely popular, “Carols for busy people” is held on 21st December from 1.10 pm and on 23rd December there is the Family and Children’s Christingle Service.
This Festive period culminates with Midnight Mass on 24th December and the family service on Christmas Day.
Details of these events are available on www.stthomassalisbury.co.uk