Council Events | Melksham Town Council

Melksham Business Window Competition

Showcase Your Brand. Inspire the Community. Win Recognition.

Throughout the year, Melksham businesses are invited to take part in a unique opportunity from Melksham Town Council to showcase their creativity, community spirit, and branding flair through the Melksham Business Window Competition.

With five themed competitions taking place in 2025, participants have multiple chances to transform their storefronts into vibrant displays that engage the community and captivate consumers. These include:

Melksham Gardening Window Judging scheduled for 14^th July 2025 at 4pm
Halloween Window Judging scheduled for 27^th October 2025 at 4pm
Remembrance Window Judging scheduled for 10^th November 2025 at 4pm
Christmas Window Judging scheduled for 24^th November at 4pm

Each event offers an exceptional platform for local businesses to elevate their presence, spark local engagement, and contribute to the visual storytelling of the town.

Businesses compete for the prestigious Melksham Business Window Competition Shield* — a coveted accolade awarded to the overall winner whose display most powerfully blends creativity, relevance, and impact.

Whether you’re a long-standing retailer or a fresh face on the high street, this is your opportunity to connect with the local community, promote your brand, and shine as part of Melksham’s vibrant business landscape.

*Certificates will be awarded to the top 3 windows in each of the competitions with first place trophies awarded for the Melksham Gardening Competition window, the Remembrance window and the Christmas window only.

Melksham Business Window Competition Contact us

Remembrance

Date: Sunday 9^th November 2025

Time: 10:45am – 12:00pm

Locations: Parade musters at King Street Car Park

Salute takes place at the Market Place

Service of Remembrance, Canon Square

Melksham Town Council, in partnership with the Royal British Legion, invites residents to attend the town’s formal Remembrance Sunday commemoration on Sunday, 9th November 2025.

The day of Remembrance will commence with a Church Service at St Michael and All Angels Church, following which the town will come together to honour the memory of the fallen with a formal Service of Remembrance beginning at 11am at the War Memorial in Canon Square.

A two-minute silence will be observed, and wreaths will be laid at the memorial in tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.

Participants in the parade are asked to muster at King Street Car Park, where the procession will form ahead of its march through the town leaving at 10:45am.

Following the Service of Remembrance The salute will be taken at the Market Place, where local dignitaries and representatives of the armed forces will be in attendance.

Members of the public are warmly encouraged to join the commemoration, standing together in reflection and gratitude alongside veterans, community organisations, and civic leaders.

RSVP your organisation’s attendance Contact us More information

Christmas in Melksham – Lights Switch-On and Christmas Market

Date: 6^th December 2025

Location: Melksham Town Hall, Melksham Assembly Hall, Melksham Market Place

Times: 2pm – 6:30pm

Melksham Town Council, working with the Melksham Christmas Lights Group, celebrates the highly anticipated annual Melksham Christmas Light Switch-On. This flagship festive event in the town’s annual events calendar brings the whole community together to share in the holiday spirit.

The Melksham Christmas Light Switch on features, Father Christmas’ Grotto, a festive market located throughout the Assembly Hall, Town Hall, and along Melksham High Street, offering a vibrant mix of seasonal goods, crafts, and local produce. Live music and entertainment will take place within the Market Place, serving as a central hub for performances and activities throughout the day as we count down to the big switch on and tree lighting.

There is also an opportunity to remember those no longer with us by leaving a memorial tag on the Melksham Memory Tree.

This cherished community tradition not only marks the beginning of the festive season but also highlights the collaborative efforts of local organisations and volunteers, enhancing the vibrancy and unity of Melksham.

We are currently seeking a community group to lead on the delivery of the grotto. The criteria to apply is detailed below. We are also accepting applications for vendors and memory tree sponsors.

Melksham Christmas Lights Stallholder Application Grotto Criteria Contact Us More information about Melksham at Christmas

Melksham at Christmas – Carols by the Tree

Date : 11^th or 12^th December 2025 TBC

Location: Melksham Market Place

Time: 5pm – 6pm

We are delighted to invite you to be part of Carols by the Tree, a cherished seasonal event held in the heart of the town in Melksham’s Market Place. Set against the backdrop of the town’s beautifully illuminated Christmas tree, this festive gathering brings the community together for an evening of traditional carols, joyful songs, and festive spirit.

Guests will enjoy the warm, inviting atmosphere while sipping on mulled wine or hot chocolate and singing along to timeless Christmas favourites. It is an occasion that captures the essence of the season—connection, celebration, and goodwill.

You can Join us in making this event truly unforgettable for families, friends, and residents across Melksham. Together, we can share the festive cheer and create lasting memories.

If you are part of a choir or school who would like to perform as part of Carols by the Tree or perhaps you are a local business who would like to support the event through sponsorship please contact the Events and Community Development Officer for further details.

Contact Us More information about Melksham at Christmas

Melksham Gardening Competition

Melksham Gardening Competition is held annually in July ahead of the Melksham Open Gardens event. Applications of entry are now open, featuring nine distinct categories open to participants of all levels.

The categories are:

A: Front Garden

B: Rear Garden

C: Courtyard/Paved Area

D:Environmental Garden

E: Single Container or Hanging Basket

F: School/Nursery

G: External business or/community premises

H: Allotment

I: Water Feature

Entry Guidelines
Participants are welcome to enter a single location in multiple categories. Should you wish to enter more than one location—such as both a private residence and a group or community project—please complete a separate entry form for each location.

Key Dates

Entry Deadline: Friday, 20th June 2025 at 4:00 PM
Judging Period: Week commencing Monday, 14th July 2025
Awards Ceremony: Sunday, 31st August 2025 at The Food & River Festival

Following submission, a member of the Town Council will contact entrants to schedule a suitable date and time for judging visits on the week of the 14^th July 2025.

We look forward to celebrating the creativity, effort, and horticultural passion that flourishes within our community.

Melksham Gardening Competition Entry Form Contact us

Great British Spring Clean

Join the Great British Spring Clean – Melksham 2026

Dates TBC

We are proud to support the Great British Spring Clean, a national initiative led by Keep Britain Tidy, aimed at promoting cleaner, greener communities across the UK.

Melksham will hosts five dedicated hubs as part of this important campaign:

Melksham South – operates from the Town Hall

Melksham North – operates from Asda Car Park

Melksham Forest – operates from the Forest Community Centre

Melksham East – operates from The Watermeadow

KGV – operates from the King George V playing Fields

All litter-picking equipment will be provided, making it easy for you to get involved and help make a visible difference in your local area.

This is your opportunity to contribute to a cleaner, more vibrant Melksham. Together, we can take pride in our town and ensure it remains a place we are all proud to live and work in.

Great British Spring Clean RSVP Contact us