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Carol singing in Melksham Market Place around the Christmas tree
Whats On

Council Events

Across the year Melksham Town Council deliver a wide range of community events. Ranging from business windows competitions to Proms in the Park. National moments of Remembrance and festive celebrations

Free The Night

Free The Night

Free the Night is an electrifying glow‑in‑the‑dark march through Melksham Town centre, bursting with live music, entertainment, and a party atmosphere that lights up the whole route. The march which demands a safer world for women is timed to take place ahead of International Women’s Day.  

Date: Friday 6th March 2026

Time: From 6pm, with warm up and speeches starting at 6:30pm

Location: Meet in Melksham Market Place, the 40 minute route goes through Melksham Town Centre ending at Evie’s Kitchen in King George V Playing Fields

Banner Making Workshop

Walkers, signed up to take part in the Free The Night march, are invited to join us for a creative and empowering banner making workshop in preparation for the event.

All ages and abilities are welcome to come together, share ideas, and design meaningful, impactful banners that reflect the events call for safety and equality for women. Carry, with pride, your messages and help spread awareness about the cause.

Some materials will be provided by Melksham Town Council, however we are asking attendees to bring old bedsheets or paints if possible please.

Location: Doubles Coffee Pizza and Record, Avonside, Melksham, SN12 8BT
Date: Saturday 28th February 2026
Time: 14:00-16:00
Learn More Register Your Attendance Banner Making Workshop – Sign up
Mayors Reception Spanish Invite

Mayor’s Reception

Join us at the Mayor’s Reception, for a Spanish themed evening of encuentro, ‘coming together’, to raise money for two incredible charities, FearFree and Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance.

This annual event is a highlight in the Melksham calendar, offering an opportunity to connect with key members of the community and treat your friends, family or colleagues to a memorable night celebrating the mayor’s year and the incredible contributions of individuals with the Melksham Civic Awards.

Tickets are now available to purchase for £25 per person. With profits going to the mayor’s chosen charities. Guests’ attendance will help to raise invaluable funds for charity!

Date: Saturday 14th March 2026

Time: 19:00-23:00

Location: Melksham Assembly Hall, Market Place, Melksham, SN12 6ES

Learn More Purchase Tickets
Great British Spring Clean

Great British Spring Clean

Join the Great British Spring Clean – Melksham 2026

Dates: 13th to 29th March 2026

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.

Join the Melksham Bloomers – Sunday 29th March

On the first Sunday of every month, the Melksham Bloomers volunteer their time to help keep our town looking its best. For the Great British Spring Clean, they are inviting new and returning volunteers to join them on Sunday 29 March, replacing their usual April tidy.

Simply come along to Melksham Town Hall to get involved, or start litter picking from your doorstep and meet the group along the way!

All equipment will be provided, we kindly ask that you bring your own gloves and wear suitable footwear.

Get Your Group Involved Throughout the Week

Businesses, schools, community groups, and groups of friends are all welcome to take part at any time during the Great British Spring Clean period.

Simply tell us:

  • Your group size
  • The “grot spot” you would like to tackle
  • Your preferred date and time to litter pick

We will make litter picking equipment available for collection from Melksham Town Hall to support you in giving back to your community. This includes: litter pickers, bag collecting rings, sanitiser and hi vis vests.

Help Keep Melksham Beautiful

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to your community. By working together, we can take pride in our town and help ensure Melksham remains a place we are all proud to live, work, and visit.

Please note: For safety reasons, litter should not be collected on highways, roads adjacent to a 30mph (or higher) speed limit, or on private property without permission.

Contact us to get involved
VE Day themed window display

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 2026, participants have multiple chances to transform their storefronts into vibrant displays that engage the community and captivate consumers. These include:

  • Spring Window Judging scheduled for 8th April 2026 at 2pm
  • Melksham Gardening Window Judging scheduled for 15th July 2026 at 2pm
  • Halloween Window Judging scheduled for 28th October 2026 at 2pm
  • Remembrance Window Judging scheduled for 11th November 2026 at 2pm
  • Christmas Window Judging scheduled for 2nd December 2026 at 2pm

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.

Sign Up Melksham Business Window Competition Contact us
War Memorial, Canon Square

Remembrance

Date: Sunday 8th November 2026

Time: From 10:30 

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  November 2026.

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: Saturday 5th December 2026.

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

Times: Light switch on to commence from 6pm

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.

Contact Us More information about Melksham at Christmas 2025
Carols Round the Tree 2024

Melksham at Christmas – Carols by the Tree

Date : Friday 11th December 2026

Location: Melksham Market Place

Time: TBC

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 Garden

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 14th 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