A view of Bourton-on-the-Water Christmas Tree in the River 2026
28 Nov 2026 – 4 Jan 2027Tradition · Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire

Bourton-on-the-Water Christmas Tree in the River 2026

One of the most-photographed Christmas sights in the country — Bourton's illuminated tree standing in the middle of the River Windrush, from the late-November switch-on until early January.

About

Every year Bourton-on-the-Water erects a Christmas tree in the middle of the shallow River Windrush that flows down the village green — the tree stands in the water, weighted at its base, and the branches are strung with lights for a photo-friendly reflection at dusk. It stays up from the November switch-on into early January.

The formal Christmas Lights switch-on evening — with the tree lit, the surrounding streets illuminated, a small Christmas market and Father Christmas — is on Saturday 28 November 2026 (dates to be confirmed by the parish council; the pattern is the last Saturday in November). The village stays busy for the full run.

In Bourton-on-the-Water

Low stone bridges arc over the shallow River Windrush in the most photographed village in the region.

Read the Bourton-on-the-Water guide →