Shrewsbury’s Festive Events Are Here: Christmas Markets, Jumper Runs & More

We hope you’re ready to embrace the festive spirit this week in Shrewsbury! 🎄

This week’s Shrewsbury Scoop newsletter includes:

• A roundup of creative workshops and festive markets to get you in the holiday mood 🎨🎁

• Details on a festive fundraiser supporting Shrewsbury’s Foodbank Plus 🛍️

• The Shrewsbury Christmas Jumper Run and the amazing community turnout for Severn Hospice 🎽

• A spotlight on the much-anticipated Slow Food Christmas Fiesta at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings 🌟

Let’s get into the events happening around Shrewsbury this week!

Disclaimer: Please note that events listed in this newsletter are subject to change. While we make every effort to provide accurate details, we cannot be held liable for any alterations to dates, times, locations, pricing, or content after the email is sent. We recommend checking directly with the event venue for the most up-to-date information. Additionally, we are not responsible for any external links included in this newsletter. Always verify event details with the official event organizer.

Apologies for the confusion, but some of you may have received last week's Shrewsbury Scoop on Wednesday instead of Sunday evening due to a technical issue with our email software.

If this happens again, we’ll be looking into changing providers to ensure it doesn’t happen in the future. Thank you for your understanding!

CHRISTMAS FAIRS 🎄

Love Plants Christmas Market

📅 Dates: Friday, December 6th – Sunday, December 8th
⏰ Times: As below:
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Venue: Love Plants at Salop Leisure
🔗 See more details here

Join the Christmas Fair at Love Plants for a festive weekend featuring over 30 unique stalls, Christmas tree sales (with a 10% discount), and wreath-making workshops (schedule TBA).

Enjoy mulled wine, seasonal treats, and activities by Macmillan Cancer Support and Severn Hospice. A perfect holiday event supporting great local causes!

Shrewsbury Vegan Christmas Market

📅 Date: Saturday, December 7th
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Quieter time recommended: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
📍 Venue: Shrewsbury United Reformed Church, Coleham Head, Shrewsbury, SY3 7JB
🎟️ Tickets: Free entry or £2 cash donation (donation includes a warm festive drink and goodie bag)
🔗 See more details here

Celebrate all things plant-based at Shrewsbury's 100% vegan fair, featuring over 25 stalls, free samples, educational talks, a wreath-making workshop, and even a Father Christmas experience.

Shop, swap clothes and books, and enjoy delicious vegan treats. The event is dog-friendly and fully accessible, with seating areas for relaxing. Come dressed up for festive photos with an on-site photographer!

Slow Food Christmas Fiesta

📅 Date: Saturday, December 7th
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
📍 Venue: Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, SY1 2SZ
🎟️ Free Entry
🔗 See more details here

Join us for a festive celebration at the Slow Food Christmas Fiesta hosted by Slow Food Ludlow Marches at the historic Flaxmill Maltings. Immerse yourself in a day filled with delicious food, artisan market stalls, live cooking demonstrations, and engaging tastings led by top chefs and producers.

Special guests Kate Humble and Shane Holland from Slow Food UK will add their unique touch to the festivities. Enjoy great food, festive cheer, and seasonal inspiration in this dog-friendly venue, kicking off the holiday season in style!

Late Night at Shrewsbury Market Hall

📅 Date: Saturday, December 7th, 2024
⏰ Time: 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 Venue: Shrewsbury Market Hall
🔗 See more details here

Add some festive sparkle to your evening with Late Night at the Market Hall! Enjoy a vibrant mix of street food, wine, and cocktail bars, alongside a variety of stalls offering gifts, clothing, and handcrafted items. Street food favorites include venison burgers and BBQ delights, with communal tables available for dining.

Reservations are recommended at Moreish World Food or Petitglou wine bar, but walk-ins are welcome at most cafes and bars. Celebrate the season with good food, great drinks, and Christmas shopping all under one roof!

The opening times for all the different shops are listed on the Market Hall’s page above.

Festive Family Fundraiser at St Chad’s

📅 Date: Saturday, December 7th, 2024
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Venue: St Chad’s Church & Hall, St Chad’s Terrace, Shrewsbury, SY1 1JX
🔗 See more details here

Join the festive fun at St Chad’s Church & Hall with a variety of activities, including craft stalls, storytelling, Christmas films, and a wreath-making workshop.

Children can enjoy arts and crafts, and a Goodwill Grotto will collect donations for The Ark charity. All proceeds go to support the Raise Our Roof Appeal!

FOOD & DRINK 🍽️

Wine Tasting at Glou Glou

📅 Date: Wednesday, 4th December 2024
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Bar open from 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
📍 Venue: Glou Glou, 17a Castle Gates, Shrewsbury
🎟️ Tickets: Here

Join Glou Glou for a fantastic evening of wine tasting! The theme for December's tasting is "A Glou Retrospective," showcasing some of the staff's favourite wines. Enjoy 5 delicious wines, paired with locally sourced meats, cheese, and bread.

Whether you're a wine aficionado or a casual drinker, this is a great chance to try some new varieties without committing to a full bottle. The bar will be open for extra drinks before and after the tasting, and all wines will be available to buy if you find a new favourite!

Shrewsbury Farmers Market

📅 Date: Friday, 6th December 2024
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
📍 Venue: Town Square, Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury Farmers Market returns to the town square on the first Friday of each month, offering a fantastic selection of local produce from Shropshire's finest farmers and producers.

Don't miss the chance to pick up seasonal treats, handmade goods, and other delicious products.

COMMUNITY & OTHER 🤝

Steady’s Vintage: Christmas Curation

📅 Date: Saturday, December 7th, 2024
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Venue: Steady's, St Mary's Place, Shrewsbury, SY1 1DX
🎟️ Entry: £1 on the door
🔗 See more details here

Join Steady's of Shrewsbury for a curated vintage clothing event, featuring high-quality, hand-picked pieces predominantly from the 90s and 00s.

Expect to find a variety of sportswear, streetwear, knits, workwear, designer items, football shirts, and even some children's pieces. Whether you're a fan of retro fashion or hunting for unique finds, this event has something for everyone!

Walk & Talk with Different Dog

📅 Date: Saturday, 7th December 2024
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Venue: The Quarry, Shrewsbury, SY1 1JA
🎟️ Tickets: Here

Join Different Dog for a festive, dog-friendly stroll around The Quarry, all while sporting your Christmas jumpers and accessories! To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all, please review the dog behavior guidelines on the ticket site before booking.

Christmas Scavenger Hunt for Foodbank Plus

📅 Date: Saturday, 7th December 2024
⏰ Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Venue: Barnabas Community Church, Shrewsbury
🎟️ Information: Here

Join the festive fun for a great cause at this unique scavenger hunt in aid of Shrewsbury's Foodbank Plus! Whether you walk, run, cycle, or scoot, you'll explore the town, uncovering clues and finding items on your list.

Teams of up to 4 can participate, and individual entries are welcome, with the option to join others on the day. High-vis clothing and lights are recommended for those running or cycling.

The event also includes a mince pie and mulled wine or soft drink with your ticket. All profits go directly to the Foodbank Plus, making this a great way to give back while enjoying some holiday cheer!

LIVE MUSIC 🎸

Music at The Gateway

📅 Date: Thursday, 5th December 2024
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 Venue: The Gateway, Chester Street, Shrewsbury, SY1 1NB
🎟️ Tickets: Here

Join pianist Alex Arenare for an unforgettable evening at "Music at The Gateway." Part of the ongoing series promoted by the Shrewsbury and District Arts Association (SADAA), this concert will feature an exquisite performance of Schubert's complete Op.90 Impromptus, Chopin's Ballade No.1 in G Minor, Schumann's Fantasie in C, and Bach-Busoni’s Chaconne.

Perfect for classical music lovers, this is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a range of masterworks in a stunning venue.

Ex Cathedra’s Christmas Music by Candlelight

📅 Date: Friday, 6th December 2024
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Venue: St Chad's Church, Shrewsbury
🎟️ Tickets: Here

Experience the magic of Christmas with Ex Cathedra’s Christmas Music by Candlelight. Set in the atmospheric surroundings of St Chad's Church, this beloved annual event features a seamless blend of festive favourites, lesser-known gems, and contemporary works.

From the timeless 1591 Coventry Carol to a new piece by Dame Judith Weir, enjoy a beautiful mix of choral music and seasonal readings, all bathed in the glow of candlelight. A truly enchanting way to celebrate the season, this concert runs for approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, including an interval.

SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS WITH SHREWSBURY CHORAL & SHREWSBURY BRASS BAND

📅 Date: Saturday, 7th December 2024
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 Venue: Shrewsbury Abbey
🎟️ Information: Here

Celebrate the festive season with the Spirit of Christmas concert, featuring Shrewsbury Choral and the Shrewsbury Brass Band.

This joyful evening will showcase Christmas classics and seasonal favourites, though note that principal tenor Wynne Evans will no longer be performing due to his commitments with Strictly Come Dancing. Regardless, this promises to be an unforgettable evening filled with festive cheer, music, and a wonderful holiday atmosphere at Shrewsbury Abbey.

CRAFT AND CREATE 🎨

Knit & Natter at Abakhan

📅 Date: Monday, December 2nd, 2024
⏰ Time: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Venue: Abakhan Fabrics, Hobby & Home, 18 Market Street, Shrewsbury, SY1 1LE
🎟️ Tickets: Here

Join the relaunch of Abakhan Shrewsbury’s Knit and Natter group! Whether you're a beginner or an expert, bring your knitting or crochet project and enjoy a couple of hours of making, chatting, and sharing tips with fellow crafters. It's a welcoming, friendly environment where you can swap patterns, ask for advice, and just have fun while crafting together!

Waterside Art Group at The Alb

📅 Date: Saturday, December 7th, 2024
⏰ Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Venue: Albert Hotel, 14 Smithfield Rd, Shrewsbury, SY1 1PB, UK
🎟️ Tickets: Here 

Join a fun and relaxing beginner’s painting class at The Alb, where you'll be guided step-by-step by the talented Adele.

Whether you choose to paint a pheasant or a Christmas tree, this workshop is perfect for anyone looking to rediscover the joy of painting—no experience necessary!

Enjoy a creative afternoon, and leave with your own masterpiece.

HISTORY & CULTURE 🏛️

Melting Point Talk

📅 Date: Wednesday, 4th December 2024 (Repeated Wednesday, 5th March 2025)
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 Venue: Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery
🎟️ Tickets: Required for the Sun & Fire exhibition
🔗 See more details here

Join Dr. Natasha Harlow for an interactive talk on the Bronze Age at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery. This session offers the unique opportunity to handle original artefacts while learning about the fascinating prehistory of Britain.

Shropshire Archives Book Sale

📅 Date: Saturday, December 7th, 2024
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
📍 Venue: Shropshire Archives, 1 Castle Gates, Shrewsbury
🔗 See more details here

Calling all history buffs and archaeology enthusiasts! Don’t miss this special book sale at Shropshire Archives, featuring duplicate books from the local library available at discounted prices.

The searchroom will also be open for viewing archival material—just make sure to pre-order items in advance if needed. Perfect for those passionate about local or family history!

PHOTO OF THE WEEK 📸

The Shrewsbury Christmas Jumper Run, organized by Run UKAC, was a fantastic event that brought hundreds of participants together in festive spirit to raise funds for Severn Hospice. With participants donning their best Christmas jumpers, the run featured a scenic route through the quarry, all while raising awareness and funds for a great cause. Each runner received a medal and a delicious mince pie to celebrate their achievement.

This year, I took part in my very first 10k and completed the race in 1 hour and 8 minutes, raising over £200 for Severn Hospice.

Despite a forecast of rain, the weather held off, and to my surprise, it even created a stunning rainbow over the Dingle just as I was coming up to the final lap.

Not only was it a great way to support Severn Hospice, but it was also a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a festive and fun event. I look forward to joining again next year and encouraging others to participate in this amazing cause.

Submit your photo of Shrewsbury to @ShrewsburyScoop on Instagram or Facebook to be featured!

SPORTS DIGEST 🏆

Shrewsbury Town Football Club

Shrewsbury Town FC didn’t have a game this weekend, however the team host Blackpool FC on Wednesday 4th December with kick-off at 7:45pm.

Gareth Ainsworth will look to claim his second win of the season after taking over from Paul Hurst last month.

Shrewsbury Town experienced vandalism and graffiti in the stadium due to hosting the Europa League match, TNS vs Djurgårdens IF Fotboll. They are hoping to have everything repaired before Blackpool visit.

Shrewsbury Town Women play against Wolverhampton in the FA Women’s Cup on Sunday 8th December at 1pm.

Events, Clubs & More

If you would like Shrewsbury Scoop to feature a sports club or event, please email us ShrewsburyScoop @ gmail .com and we will include it in future Shrewsbury Scoop newsletters.

More Coming Soon!

In upcoming newsletters, we'll be introducing new sections like Pets, Local Gardening Tips, and Local Business Offers.

If you have something you'd like to share or be featured, whether it’s a pet story, eco-friendly tips, or a special business promotion, we’d love to hear from you!

Get in touch and let us know on Facebook, Instagram or email ShrewsburyScoop @ gmail .com what sections you'd like to see, or if you have content to share for these exciting new additions!

Thank You!

Thank you for reading Shrewsbury Scoop this week and supporting local business.

Be sure to share the newsletter with anyone else who would enjoy it!

See you next week,

Will - Shrewsbury Scoop.

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