Summary

Feedback from the General Public

Following the Winter Festival, we carried out a public survey to help us reflect and plan for the next one. We received valuable feedback, and every comment has been read and carefully considered. To reassure our community that we listen and respond, we have reviewed common themes including the festival format, rubbish management, promotion, accessibility, local business involvement, road closures, entertainment, and Christmas traditions.

Community feedback plays an essential role in shaping future events, and we remain committed to delivering inclusive, well organised festivals that benefit residents, visitors, and local businesses.

Your Questions Answered ‘Older teens prefer it to be in the evening like before or you are going to start to lose future attendees.’

The decision to hold a day time event has been received really well , residents feel the event is more inclusive and all age groups can enjoy the day all day rather than a couple of hours in the evening. The event caters for all age groups many residents have enjoyed the festival from childhood through to adulthood and now new parents are bringing their young families.

‘I was on the Wombles stand. I felt that there could be more bins around the festival site, especially near any food trucks/stalls. People were generally very good but more bins would discourage littering and people overfilling the existing fixed bins.’

This has been noted and plans for improvements in rubbish collecting are in place for 2026.

‘I really enjoyed the fact it was during the day.’

This is reassuring, thank you for letting us know.

‘My husband remarked that he hadn’t seen any advertising.’

We try to reach all of our community, the event is advertised in local press (Keynsham Voice) on social media , (Facebook and Instagram), online, posters and banners across the town and radio. We would encourage residents to pop in to our office and suggest where else we can advertise we would hate to miss anyone.

‘Much prefer the festival now it 's during the day. Felt there were too many cake stalls this year. More advertising for local shops if they are doing any special menus, promotions etc and maybe extend the road closures so all shops feel included. Maybe a couple more activities for older children maybe a treasure hunt around the High Street or Park .’

We’re glad you enjoyed the new format .

We hold a meeting in July and invite local businesses, that way if they want to be involved or have any concerns we can address them. We encourage local business to take part in the day if they are doing anything special as its a great way to promote their business. Its their Town too.

We investigated options for road closures and we are guided by BANES, and so we were not permitted as extending closures will cause huge disruptions on many public transport routes.

‘I would have preferred more stalls outside or in one place.’

The festival foot print covers a huge area to cater for the variety of activities, stalls and performances. We encourage visitors to explore every corner of our town whilst helping promote local businesses.

Placement of stalls is logistically challenging with restrictions around bollards, curbs, crucial access for emergency vehicles and shop fronts.

Your Questions Answered ‘Directions to things like Santa's grotto and market stalls in the Church would have been useful , I didn' t know they were there.’

Signage plays an important role in the success of the day and each year we add a bit more, the programme (both online and as a booklet includes a map and all the activities are listed with timings. Huge banners are placed volunteers with placards and arrows proved helpful .

‘As a veteran resident of Keynsham I am of the opinion the Winter Festival is no longer an event by the Locals for the Locals.’

We are really proud of the community collaboration from all the local primary schools, secondary schools, charities and community groups, choirs and performance groups who either performed or had stalls.

Included were Keynsham Mencap, Keynsham WI, St Johns Primary School 2 Rivers School , Wellsway School , The Lions, Smart Computers, Keynsham Now The Wombles and many more.

‘So good! Well organised, lovely team, brilliant turn out!’

We’re so glad you enjoyed it , please bring all your friends next year.

‘More stalls in High Street or in one place. Was expecting more stalls.’

We monitor the variety and range of stalls that are on offer and site them across the festival footprint . We reach out to a range of stallholders that cater for a wide audience, we advertise in general Facebook groups to attract as many diverse businesses as possible. We work with the business who apply, confirm and then commit to booking a stall . ‘ Think the Choir should be on main stage , something to get everyone in the Christmas mood.’

Planning has started for 2026 and we hope to add more choirs throughout the day and fitting in around their own commitments and resources. always good to get the programme so you don’t miss your favourites. ‘ Too many overpriced food vendors. Not affordable for most families.’

A variety of food venders for all budgets are placed across the whole festival site, local businesses are also open and look forward to welcoming extra custom.

‘It felt too commercial and less around the "magic " of Christmas - no parade, no switch on.’

St Johns Church hosts the Christmas Tree light switch on the Friday which has now become a popular evening event for the community with family activities. With the increased number of visitors, number of free activities, market stalls and complex road restrictions the parade could now be an activity that requires extra support and risk .

Your Questions Answered ‘ We absolutely loved it .’

Wonderful thankyou.

‘I get that the funfair might bring some money but it takes away from the lovely calm festive atmosphere as everyone ends up overstimulated and overwhelmed and kids wanting more and more rides which costs money.’

We take onboard comments around the fun fair and consideration is made around age appropriate activities for our community as a whole.

This year we proudly developed the Riverside square area and offered free Santa’s grotto, Frozen Princesses meet and greet , Super Pirates activities and in The Space free Face Painting, Punch and Judy and a Christmas story time in the Baptist Church. ‘ Would be nice to have more music and events into the evening rather than just the day.’

Local pubs and groups are encouraged to join in with the festivities and we have noticed some pubs have started to put on their own entertainment once the festival closes, footfall starts to lesson from 5.30 and it feels appropriate to come to a natural close at 6pm when traders start to wind down.

‘Popped down for a quick look and stayed 2 hours.’

Glad you were able to enjoy all that was on offer throughout the day. ‘ Very well organised from start to finish.’

Thank you this event takes a huge amount of planning all through the year we enjoy taking on board comments to improve every year. ‘ The festival is SO much better on a Saturday. Much more family oriented especially with all the children's rides. The Elsa and Ana meet and greet was fantastic (although a bit dark inside for very little ones). The shuttle bus from Manor Road is great .....the only reason I didn' t use it was because I parked up on my way back from somewhere. Loved the carol singers in the High St . Disappointed that St John's Church wasn' t open?

Would have been great to coincide with the Tree Festival? Well done to everyone it was really good and is feeling more like a 'community' event .

A snow machine would have been fantastic!’

We are so pleased, thank you.

St Johns Church is outside the festival foot print and road closures, we love the Christmas Tree Festival too and so every other year it is great to have another community event the following week . Our snow machine was at the Christmas Tree switch on Friday evening and in Temple Court on Saturday with local Choirs.

Feedback from the General Public ‘ The whole event was excellent , wide variety of entertainment for all ages, very well organised with superb atmosphere.’

Thank you for your comments ‘ Would be good if there was a drinking area with heaters and seats.

Difficult to participate with prams.’

We had considered heated areas, it was not feasible from a health and safety perspective, we placed seating in Riverside Square where there was space for families to enjoy activities. Some of our local pubs and cafes who are part of the day have heated outside areas. ‘ Why was there no Salvation Army band or any brass bands. This was the best bit last year.’

The Salvation Army were asked but declined to commit , our very own Keynsham Brass Band played for an hour and half from 12.30 in the Baptist church. We promote the festival both on social media , in press and with leaflet distribution for one month leading up to the event with details of venues and timings of performances and activities to help visitors plan their day.

‘I know it 's not really your decision but the cost of the rides are extortionate. They are my children's favourite part but not affordable for more than one each. Love it being in the daytime.’

Thank you for your feedback we will pass on to the contractors.

‘Could' ve gone later and more drinks available for adults to enjoy so it was less kid centric.’

We have a number of pubs in our town centre that enjoy being part of the festival they also put on their own activities and welcome potential new customers.