With the Christmas season just around the corner, we've picked out our favourite events going on in and around the county to get you into the festive swing.

1# Explore a Christmas market with so much to offer  

Over the first three weekends in December, the onsite makers and creative businesses at Taurus Crafts will be joined by more than 30 independent traders to create the area's largest Christmas market.

The weekends will feature live performances, choirs, singing groups, delicious food and drink and hundreds of locally-grown fresh cut Christmas trees

The centre's bustling Christmas market showcases the best the area has to offer and features a diverse range of original gifts, jewellery, artworks, crafts, local cider, beer and wine, handmade preserves and sweets.

Not only will you be spoilt for choice at the market, visitors will also have the chance to meet the talented onsite designer-makers based at Taurus Crafts.

To get all the details dates and times, it's easy to join Taurus' e-newsletter or check their Facebook page and website - they are all kept up to date.

For more information visit www.tauruscrafts.co.uk

2# Take a break from the shopping with popular Christmas films, crowd-pleasing live music and comedy performances 

Christmas shoppers are invited to take a break this weekend when a winter pavilion opens in King's Square, Gloucester, on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 December to show popular Christmas films and a variety of crowd-pleasing live music and comedy performances.

Local skiffle-pop rascals Thrill Collins will headline Music Day (Saturday 12.30pm - 8pm) with their unique brand of tongue-in cheek cover versions that has garnered them cult status at Wychwood, Bestival and Glastonbury festivals.

On Film Day (Sunday 12 noon to 9pm), the pavilion will become a free pop-up cinema with a back-to-back, quadruple bill of Christmas classics.

The Winter Weekender is organised by Marketing Gloucester on behalf of the Gloucester Business Improvement District (BID).

3# Relax with an intimate evening of jazz 

Back by popular demand to Tetbury Goods Shed, Fretless4 feature a pianist, bassist and guitarist - all great soloists in their own right.

This evening of smooth, easy-listening jazz presents a combination of mainstream jazz tunes from the American Songbook mixed with shades of swing and some Latin interludes.

Creating an intimate club atmosphere, Fretlesss4 are certainly not to be missed so don't leave it until the last minutes to order your tickets or you might be disappointed!

Tickets are priced at £14 and are available at https://shed-arts.co.uk/event/fretless-4-2/

4# Enjoy four Christmas musical treats to wrap up 2018 

Gloucestershire Music (County Music Service) is back with its final musical flurry for 2018.

Their first three concerts will be hosted by the Stroud Subscriptions Rooms and will run from Sunday, December 2, to Tuesday, December 4.

Meanwhile, GM's annual Christmas Concert at the Pittville Pump Room will be on Sunday, December 9.

Steven Legge (Extended Learning & Provisions manager for Gloucestershire Music) said: "Gloucestershire Music provides its members with the opportunity to perform at some great venues across Gloucestershire as well as nationally and abroad.

"Our series for Christmas concerts will be a festive tribute and enjoyable listening. Come and join us at one of our many events."

Visit www.gloucestershiremusic.co.uk for more details of the events on the news/events page.

5# Visit the Christmas Brocante fair at Lansdown Industrial Estate 

Widdiful Holdings are hosting their first Christmas Brocante Fair in Cheltenham this weekend.

The fair is conveniently located behind the train station on Lansdown Industrial Estate.

There will be a range of wood crafts, Christmas decorations, bespoke furniture, artists and much more - including pieces from Sarah Goddard of Splash of Colour and Shelley Saguaro of Botanical Collages who creates beautiful Botanical themes.

Hot refreshments, including a Christmas favourite mulled wine, will be served in the coffee bar to keep your warm.

Sri-Licious will also be at the event serving delicious Sri-Lankan food, specialist street food dishes prepared lovingly from scratch. We're talking kottu roti,delicious short eats, adventurous sambols and a few extra special Christmas dishes too!

Cleevely Motors will be open - if you want to know more about electric vehicles, they have an education centre and knowledgable staff on-hand to offer advice and guidance.