1 A Country House Christmas for all the family opens at 11am today at Lydiard House & Park, Lydiard Park, Lydiard Tregoze, Swindon. Step back in time and experience the decorated halls for the festive season. See all the elegant State Rooms adorned with traditional foliage, a beautiful Christmas tree decorated with handmade decorations and a traditional kissing ball. The intimate atmosphere of a family Christmas is recreated with winter themed arrangements in all the rooms. Standard admission applies. For more details visit 01793 770401.

Christmas At Blenheim begins at 4.40pm today at Blenheim Palace, Blenheim Palace, Woodstock. Adult £18, Child £12.50, Family £58, U3 Free. 01993 810530. Illuminating England's finest view with a bigger, brighter and more spectacular evening trail than ever before.

New for 2018, visitors can expect over a million pea-lights, lasers and projections. Wander beneath unique tree canopies drenched in seasonal colour and dripping with silvery shards of light, frosty snowflakes, stars and baubles. From the delicate and twinkling to the grand and spectacular, follow the lakeside path past the Gingerbread House and under hundreds of larger-than-life glowing flowers suspended in the branches. Sparkling hedgerows and tunnels lead visitors to a brand new Field of Light and on towards a garden filled with jewel-like, colour changing globes. There are hidden surprises too – watch out for Bubble Path before pausing at the flickering scented flames of the Fire Garden for a moment of tranquil reflection.

Luke Brown Dance kicks off today at 7.30pm, in Swindon Dance, Regent Circus, Swindon. £9 - £11. 01793 601700. A double-bill of autobiographic stories told through raw and exhilarating dance theatre. With intimate storytelling and intricate choreography, the evening blurs the lines between fantasy and reality in an honest and often comical, search for a happily ever after. Tonight will also feature a specially commissioned piece by Luke Brown, performed by students on the CAT at Swindon Dance.

November Working Weekend for all the family down on the farm begins from 9am today at Lower Shaw Farm, Old Shaw Lane, Swindon. Free. 01793 771080. This is a chance to get to know the farm, turn your hand to old jobs and new, enjoy good company and good food too! An opportunity to have bright ideas by the compost heap, happy talk in the hen house, and cool chat in the kitchen. Join us to prove that many hands make light work and that today’s stranger is tomorrow’s friend.

The Festival of Lights is trail of light and magic for all ages, designed to guide families around Swindon town centre tomorrow. The Parade has a Giant Interactive Teddy Bear – a great attraction for kids of all ages, Theatre Square has an LED waterfall/fountain shining bright – a great spot for a selfie! Havelock Square is great for the young ones as Santa’s sleigh with its very own illuminated reindeer is parked up and in Regent Circus a sparkling 20ft Christmas Tree can be seen from afar bringing Christmas tradition to the light trail while in Wharf Green a 3D twinkling Star shines brightly, all brought to the town by inSwindon BID Follow the light trail and take selfie’s at each of the illuminations and post them on social media - don't forget to tag @inSwindon! For full information on all activities please visit www.swindontowncentre.co.uk/visitor-info/christmas.

Tomorrow there is a chance to visit Swindon Designer Outlet's magical Santa's Grotto which promises a delight at every turn; plant a magic bean in special soil and put it in the sprouting chamber while you tell Santa how good you’ve been this year. By the time you’ve finished telling him what’s on your wish list and he’s given you a gift, your magic bean will have grown into a real mini Christmas tree, which you can then decorate to take home. There will also be a selfie sleigh, falling snow and a chance to meet Santa's reindeer. Visits cost £10 per child + £1.50 online booking fee from https://www.bookfatherchristmas.co.uk/swindondesigneroutlet

Kentwood Choir Christmas Cracker goes with a bang on Sunday from 6pm, Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon. £17. 01793 524481. The Kentwood Show Choir are back with special guests, Jazz Singer/Saxophonist Kim Cypher and the spectacular Aldbourne Band to start your 2018 Christmas festivities off with a bang! Choral singing at its best.

The Commonweal Christmas Market 2018 begins on Sunday at 11am, in The Commonweal School, The Mall, Old Town, Swindon. Free entry. 01793 432373. Free entry, lots of stalls selling gifts, crafts and produce. Cafe selling cakes, festive treats, Tea and coffee. Festive music, Santa's Grotto, Raffle and Tombola

Stanton House at Stanton Fitzwarren, Swindon, has some festive fun for all the family on Sunday at its annual Christmas Fair. From noon. There are Christmas stalls, festive food and drink and the young ones can go to see Father Christmas in Santa’s Grotto. Soak up the enchanting Christmas atmosphere whilst browsing for personalised and bespoke gifts for your loved ones.

A jam-packed Wood Street on Sunday will be filled with festive cheer as Swindon's Old Town has it's Christmas lights switched on! The Old Town Business Association has been gearing up for a spectacular stage show featuring entertainment and stalls before the big switch on, which will see Wood Street and beyond transformed into a twinkling wonderland. From noon there will be a Kids Zone at Joiner Lane including Santa's Grotto. There will be 12:00 - Food Stalls in Wood Street and Bars for refreshments before the big lights switch on at 5pm at the Wood Street, Main Stage.