Christmas Events - October 2010 Edition
Posted September 30th, 2010
Living North Christmas Fairs
at Newcastle Racecourse 4 -7 November
and
at Hardwick Hall Hotel 12-14 November
Experience the very best in Christmas shopping at the largest event of its kind in the region. Held over four days, this year’s event will showcase 250 handpicked stands.
Full of fabulous food, interiors, art and gifts, with inspirational ideas for Christmas, plus demonstrations from the region's top chefs, don't miss the opportunity to find everything you need to make this Christmas extra special.
www.livingnorthfair.com
Visit Christmas Markets
Luxury river cruise operator AMAWaterways is offering a number of atmospheric Christmas and New Year European river cruises taking in the famous Christmas markets of Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Hungary.
Christmas Time Cruises
29 November, 6, 20 and 27 December.
Seven-night Christmas Time Cruises sailing between Nuremberg and Budapest, with ample time in the markets at Regensburg, Passau, Melk, Vienna and, for Advent with a Hungarian flavour, Budapest. There’s also an optional excursion to romantic Salzburg and in Budapest, a special evening’s sailing past the dazzling Christmas illuminations that light up the river front in the heart of the city.
Christmas & New Year special – 20 December
Departing from Budapest to Amsterdam on 20 December, AMAWaterways’ one-off, 14-night Christmas and New Year cruise celebrates both Christmas and New Year on board, with festive dinners and a convivial, party atmosphere for each. The company’s luxury cruise ship Amalyra will be in Melk on Christmas Eve (the day Austrians celebrate Christmas) until 10pm and then sailing to Linz and Passau for December 25. Be on deck at midnight on 31 December as the skies of Europe light up with fireworks to see in the New Year.
Rhine Winter Voyages – 26 November, 3 December
Advent cruises with plenty of opportunity to explore Christmas markets in popular ports between Basel and Amsterdam. The itinerary includes Christmas markets in Freiburg, Strasbourg, Speyer, Worms, Rudesheim and Cologne – interesting as each market is different, from the medieval themes of French Strasbourg to the pretty market in Rudesheim and the impressive display in Cologne, in the shadow of the magnificent cathedral with over 160 wooden stalls. Visit www.amawaterways.co.uk
Austria
Salzburg - St Peter Stiftskeller, 18 November 2010 – 6 January 2011
St Peter Stiftskeller, Europe’s oldest restaurant, welcomes visitors from all over the world to celebrate the St Mary Christmas. Every year this iconic restaurant transforms its 500sqm courtyard into a magical winter forest with traditional folklore, seasonal entertainment and famous local delicacies. Attractions range from a life-sized. Visit www.stpeter-stiftskeller.at
Estonia
Tallinn 19 November 2010 – 9 January 2011
The home of the world’s first Christmas tree, Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, this year hosts its 10th Christmas market since the tradition was revived in post-Soviet times and is already heralded as being one of Europe’s top 10 Chrstimas Markets. (Tallinn was the site of the world’s first Christmas tree, which was central to a ritual begun in 1441, when unmarried merchants sang and danced with local girls around a tree, which they then burned!) For the first time in 2010, Tallinn will host two Christmas markets. One in the heart of the picturesque medieval Town Hall Square (10am – 7pm daily) from 27 November 2010 – 9 January 2011, the other in the Rotermann Square (10am – 7pm daily) in the former industrial quarter.
Activities for children include a mini zoo, with sheep, rabbits and goats, a slide, a calendar of events each weekend, and Santa’s elves will help children find the Santa House with a post office and reindeer, from where to post their Christmas letters. Visit www.visitestonia.com, www.tourism.tallinn.ee
Short breaks and Days Out
Lapland
Santa Claus mini-breaks with Esprit Holidays
The ultimate holiday for families with young children is a trip to see Santa in his snowy Lapland home. Esprit Santa’s Lapland holidays are based in snowy Saariselka, north of the Arctic Circle, within 30 minutes of Ivalo international airport where families are greeted by mischievous Esprit elves, a reindeer led by a traditionally dressed Lapp and friendly, capable Esprit Rangers to host families to their snowy Lapland home.
Every Santa Lapland break also allows time for families to enjoy the resort and the snow, or take an optional snowy adventure, such as a snowmobile safari, a trip to see the magical Northern Lights, or try snow-shoeing, cross-country or downhill skiing.
In the run up to Christmas 2010 Esprit Holidays offer three and four day mini-breaks from £674 per adult, one child 2 - 5 years free and a second one pays £419.40 (total family price £1767.40). The price includes hotel accommodation, return flights from Gatwick, Manchester and Bristol, transfers, a private meeting with the man himself, gifts for children, free use of thermal outer clothing and a full day spent in a magical, snowy woodland wonderland, with unlimited ice-fishing, snow hockey, kick-sledding, tandem skiing, tobogganing and snow sculpting, a reindeer-drawn sleigh ride, a husky dog sled ride, a mini-skidoo ride, unlimited warm drinks and a tasty hot lunch in a traditional wooden chalet, with return transfers to the hotel.
Visit www.santaslapland.com
United Kingdom
Hampshire
Victorian Festival of Christmas at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard
The Victorian era is considered the golden age for Christmas as well as children’s literature and book illustration. With this in mind Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is inviting visitors to step into the magical world of the Victorian Festival of Christmas, Friday 26 – Sunday 28 November, visit Father Christmas, and explore their very own Wonderland.
Entering its 11th Chapter, the ‘Victorian Festival of Christmas’ will not only celebrate 150 years since the launch of HMS Warrior 1860, but also the colourful characters of childhood memories. Relive the magic of Peter Pan and the Lost Boys, but beware the pirate ships; enter the enchanting world of Beatrix Potter’s illustrations; and venture into The Secret Garden – complete with farm! Jump into scenes from the film classic, Mary Poppins, complete with chimney sweeps, chalk paintings, a carousel and kites soaring above HMS Victory.
There will be snow in the air and underfoot to recreate the festive spirit of times gone-by as visitors stroll down the Victorian Street to where they will find rest and merriment (and maybe a real ale) at Fagin’s Tavern and enjoy a sing-a-long and bawdy Music Hall-style entertainment. The aroma of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine will fill the air, as will the sounds of carol singers, music and performances at every turn, bringing the Victorian age to life.
No-one is too old to visit Father Christmas and he is waiting, complete in green dress, to find out those who have been naughty or nice and give gifts from his grotto aboard HMS Warrior 1860.
The story is brought up-to-date with a glorious bazaar of arts, crafts, festive food and drink and unique Christmas gifts at the European-style Christmas shopping markets.
Tickets include entrance to the world-class attractions, HMS Warrior 1860, HMS Victory, Mary Rose Museum, National Museum of the Royal Navy, Action Stations and also included this year; a boat tour around Portsmouth Harbour.
Bookings made before the end of October attract a 10% discount. Visit www.christmasfestival.co.uk for information and ticket booking.
Pembrokshire
Christmasland at Bluestone National Park Resort
From 19 November 2010, families can visit Christmasland in Pembrokshire’s Bluestone National Park Resort where children can play at the North Pole, visit Elf Village, dine in Christmas Café or embark on the ultimate Santa Journey where they meet the man himself!
Guests will first have to pass through Elf Border Control where an Immigration Elf will stamp passports before they start to make their way through Elf Village where the King of the Elves will be present to greet them. They will then be taken to the Incredible White Kingdom where the hard working elves get the chance to kick back and relax. Guests are then taken for an Elf Briefing before being escorted to Santa’s Sleigh Shed to help with the organisation of gifts, before helping Mother Christmas with her critical baking duties and assisting the elves as they sort through post at the Elf Post Office.
The journey culminates with kids visiting Santa’s Grotto where they will be able to chat with their festive hero, who will give them a book charting their adventure in Christmasland. Visit www.bluestonewales.com.
West Sussex
Christmas Festivities at Wakehurst Place
Enjoy the spectacle of the country’s tallest Christmas tree, a 113’ giant redwood tree, the centrepiece of the seasonal festivities at Wakehurst Place, Kew’s country estate, near Haywards Heath, West Sussex.
Tree lighting ceremony - Friday 26 November
Get in the Christmas mood as the giant tree is illuminated with 1,800 low energy Christmas lights, lighting up the night sky and visible for miles around. Entrance to the gardens at Wakehurst will be free from 4pm. There will be children’s craft activities in the mansion from 5pm to 6.30pm and a choir singing Christmas favourites from 6pm. The finale of the evening will be the switching on of the tree lights at approximately 6.30pm. Refreshments will be available during the event and the Visitor Centre shop will be open for Christmas shopping.
Christmas Sundays – 5, 12 and 19 December
Santa Claus will be in residence in the beautifully decorated Elizabethan Mansion, where visitors can also join in Christmas wreath and tree decoration making (separate charge applies). Follow a Christmas discovery trail highlighting seasonal plants around the gardens, with wandering carol singers adding to the festive cheer.
Refreshments will be available and the Visitor Centre shop will be hosting demonstrations and special events. Visitors can also dine in style in the Elizabethan Mansion (Booking essential for these Mansion Christmas lunches).
Carols Evening – 17 December
Local choirs and bands will lead the singing at the popular Carols Evening.
Gates open at 4.30pm and the carols will begin at 7pm. Free admission, but there will be a collection during the evening to support the work of Kew at Wakehurst, including Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank. Refreshments will be available, the shop will be open, and a children’s workshop will take place in the Mansion from 6pm to 8pm.
Visit www.kew.org.
Chichester
West Dean courses
Amongst the many new, and varied, 2010/11 courses offered by West Dean in the run-up to Christmas are 12 ‘Learn a Skill, make a gift’ days. These popular courses, 7 – 13 November, are suitable for complete beginners who will learn a new skill and come away with at least one finished item; a perfect personalised Christmas gift. Choose from a wide selection including Japanese paper crafts, a 3D stitched berry brooch, a forged key ring, a ceramic plant container and Christmas themed gifts using machine embroidery.
For further information on all West Dean courses, to request a brochure or to book a place, please visit www.westdean.org.uk/college
Festive Breaks in Cornwall
Christmas and New Year should be for relaxing and enjoyment and now with this special offer you can escape from the kitchen and the crowds to a deluxe 4-star apartment at Watergate Bay, Cornwall. Stay in the award-winning 4-star deluxe Beachcombers Apartments, a superb complex just 200 yards from the beach, many offering a sea view.
Our super four-night festive breaks from BreaksInCornwall.com offer prices from just £119 per person including a four-course Christmas Day lunch with coffee in the Brasserie restaurant at the neighbouring Watergate Bay Hotel, worth £55. Alternatively for a £30 supplement you can enjoy a four-course Christmas Day lunch with coffee at the Jamie Oliver-inspired Fifteen Cornwall restaurant, worth £85.
And if you would prefer a four-night New Year break, prices start at just £155 per person and include a fantastic Fairground Party at Fifteen Cornwall with a cocktail on arrival, a four-course feast and dancing to DJ music, worth £95.
Watergate Bay, only four miles from Newquay and ten miles from Padstow. is a great place to relax in the quieter winter months, with a mile-long sandy beach and surrounding coastal cliff paths are perfect for bracing walks to blow away the cobwebs.
For further details please visit:
www.breaksincornwall.com/tour-smart-festive-breaks
or call 01621 784666 quoting TSM/800.