Dunster Winter Festival 2024

Dunster Winter Festival, Somerset

This is a new daytime only event which has replaced Dunster by Candlelight!

The Festival will be a celebration of Christmas - for Dunster villagers and visitors. In 2024, the Festival activities will be held during the day on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December and will feature music, theatre, art and craft workshops, mediaeval-themed entertainment and craft stalls.

Charming at any time of the year, the village will be dressed for Christmas and will look stunning during the Festival weekend.

In 2024, the Festival activities will be held during the day on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December and will feature music, theatre, art and craft workshops, mediaeval-themed entertainment and craft stalls. Charming at any time of the year, the village will be dressed for Christmas and will look stunning during the Festival weekend.

Nina Dodd, Head of Entertainment said: “In its first year, there'll be a variety of entertainment designed for visitors of all ages. I'm thrilled that the Mediaeval Baebes are heading the lineup - I can't wait to see the reaction from our visitors! With so many daytime events this year, there's still plenty of opportunity for volunteers to join our friendly team. Please get in touch if you want to be part of the very special weekend.”

We are at the early stages of designing the programme for the Winter Festival on the 7-8th December.

The Dunster Winter Festival Community Interest Company is being established to run the event on behalf of the village. Composed of Dunster residents and businesses, it has three goals:

Create an event just before Christmas for the village and visitors to enjoy

Fundraise for the charities and community groups that care for the village and villagers

Promote winter trade in Dunster

Committee member David Noad says: “The organising Committee is creating the 2024 Festival from scratch. Our long-term goal is to produce an event on a similar scale to the much-loved Dunster by Candlelight, with a road closure that enables a procession and on-street entertainment during the evening as well as the day. This year, without the significant funds needed, we are concentrating on building the team and resources for a daytime-only event.

Dunster Village is unique with it's wonderful, wide, High Street overlooked by the Medeival Castle. The village hasn't changed over the centuries except for the horse and cart and having lost 'The Shambles' which was a group of small houses called 'sheds' down the centre of the Street. They came down in the early 19th Century leaving us with a lovely wide street.

There was always a thriving busy market with lots of people wandering around selling their wares. Particularly the wool which was sold in the Medeival Yarn Market. The Yarn Market is still at the top of the High Street and The Street is full of interesting cottages and houses. They weren't all built at the same time some are much older than others but there are no modern buildings here.

NB. previously, Dunster by Candlelight has operated a park and ride - details of drop off and pickup arrangements to be clarified nearer the time.