It’s the most wonderful time of the year in the Ancient Cathedral City of Armagh. Join us as you soak up the magical atmosphere and ‘make merry’ this Christmas with events for all the family to enjoy. Delight in the festive charm of Georgian Day on Saturday 30th November and join Santa as ‘Armagh Lights Up For Christmas’. Throughout December, there is a full calendar of activities to enjoy including a world of magic and mystery at this year’s pantomime ‘Aladdin’, Santa’s magical event ‘Ice Capades’ and Christmas food and crafts at the Shambles Variety Market. Armagh City Centre will also be full of Christmas cheer with festive entertainment, late night opening and a free Santa’s workshop. There are many other events happening this Christmas. Read on to discover your Christmas Fairytale in Armagh…
2
Experience A Christmas Fairytale in Armagh
Sat 30th November 10.00am - 8.00pm
Armagh’s much loved Georgian Day returns for its tenth year to mark the beginning of the Christmas season. See Armagh in all its festive glory, sparkling with lights as the City goes back to its Georgian roots. Adding to Armagh’s established retail offering will be 50 festive stalls, hosted by traders in Georgian costumes, lining the streets for a unique experience that cannot be missed. Finding the perfect gift will be a delight with high-quality gifts and locally produced foods and drinks found around every corner. The experience will be enhanced with festive music, horse-drawn carriage rides and the smell of mulled wine and mince pies exuding a unique Christmassy atmosphere for all to enjoy.
Highlights include:
• Festive market • Carol singing • Georgian gentry • Horse-drawn carriage rides • Cathedral Concert • Mince pies, mulled wine and more… Free Park & Ride: Palace Demesne & Elim Church Please note: Thomas Street, Scotch Street [to Linenhall Street] and Market Street will be closed to traffic.
Plan your Fairytale Christmas at armagh.co.uk
3
Sat 30th November
5.30pm, 6.30pm & 7.30pm
Thurs 19th December 6.00pm & 7.00pm @ Market Square
An unmissable experience as ‘Armagh Lights Up For Christmas’. Join us for a spectacular celebration and a truly magical experience as Armagh City bursts into life with a dramatic lightshow projected onto Market House. Set to festive music and with a few surprises planned, ‘Armagh Lights Up for Christmas’ will be a show to remember! To the amazement of onlookers, the show will transform this beautiful Georgian building into a shimmering canvas for images and special effects. Boys and girls you better watch out…because Santa Claus is coming to town in the show’s grand finale! 4
Experience A Christmas Fairytale in Armagh
Sun 1st - Mon 23rd December @ Navan Centre & Fort
Come along and enjoy the Navan Centre’s magical Santa event, which is one of Armagh’s best ever grotto experiences. Enjoy the mini Christmas themed panto, crafts, story-telling, refreshments and other amazing Christmas activities and of course meet Santa and Mrs Claus, who have presents for all the good boys and girls.
Dates & Times:
Admission: £10.00 per child, £5.00 per adult, £5.00 for under 1’s.
Sat 7th, 14th and 21st December shows at 11.00am, 1.30pm and 4.00pm
Advance booking and payment essential tel: 028 3752 9644 or visit: www.navan.com [booking line open 9.30am - 3.30pm daily]
Sun 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd December shows at 11.00am, 1.30pm and 4.00pm Tues 3rd, 10th and 17th December shows at 7.00pm Thurs 5th, 12th, and 19th December show at 7.00pm
Monday 23rd Dec show at 1.30pm Please allow 1.5hours for your visit.
Plan your Fairytale Christmas at armagh.co.uk
5
Enjoy a relaxed shopping experience in Late Night Opening: Armagh City, with a fantastic range of Thurs 19th - Mon 23rd December high-quality shops offering exceptional customer service. Make time for family From 19th December Armagh City and friends by combining Christmas will stay open until 8.00pm on shopping with a day out: weeknights. Some shops will open • Bring the children to visit Santa in his late throughout December, so it’s magical workshop always worth a visit! See the city in • Book a table at a restaurant, a show in its seasonal grandeur with festive the Market Place Theatre or visit one entertainment accompanying of our attractions Christmas hours. • Christmas workshops for kids at Armagh Shopping Centre ainment ith Festive Entert W as m st ri Ch f ncert dO Shop To The Soun Sat 7th December: St Catherine’s Co d: zz Band, Sat 21st On The Bandstan ember: Armagh Ja th December: Elim ec D th 14 t Sa , nd Ba t 28 h Old Boys and Sa December: Armag Church Band. 6
Experience A Christmas Fairytale in Armagh
Make Your Wish @
Fri 6th - Mon 23rd December @ McCrum’s Court
Make a Christmas wish and truly magical memories in Santa’s workshop located in McCrum’s Court. Experience the magical lights and trees as you make your way to see the elves in Santa’s workshop, have your photograph taken with Santa, make a wish and hang it up in Market Square for all to see. Register in the Mall Shopping Centre during workshop opening hours. Admission: Free
gical ve his Ma d a le l il w et Santa mber an Dont forg n Mon 23rd Dece r o p prepare fo to le o Worksho P th the Nor eries...! return to cial deliv e p s e s o all th
Date & Times:
Fri 6th December: 3.00pm - 7.00pm Sat 7th December: 11.00am - 4.00pm Sun 8th December: 1.00pm - 4.00pm Fri 13th December: 3.00pm - 8.00pm Sat 14th December: 11.00am - 4.00pm Sun 15th December: 1.00pm - 4.00pm Mon 16th December: 3.00pm - 7.00pm Tues 17th December: 3.00pm - 7.00pm Wed 18th December: 3.00pm- 7.00pm Thurs 19th December: 3.00pm - 7.00pm Fri 20th December: 3.00pm - 8.00pm Sat 21st December: 11.00am - 4.00pm Sun 22nd December: 1.00pm - 4.00pm Mon 23rd December: 11.00am - 5.00pm
Plan your Fairytale Christmas at armagh.co.uk
7
COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS -
Sat 30th November
Fri 29th November • Georgian Christmas Market • Festival of Trees
8
• Georgian Day • Armagh Lights Up For Christmas • Festival of Trees • Gingerbread Alley • Christmas Floral Centrepieces Workshop • Cathedral Concert • The Argory Christmas Fair • Santa’s Gatelodge, Milford
Sun 1st December
Mon 2nd De
• Santa’s Ice Capades, Navan • Festival of Trees • Gingerbread Alley • Advent Carol Service • The Argory Christmas Fair • Santa’s Gatelodge, Milford
• Mystery of th Christmas St • Festival of Tr • Gingerbread
Sun 8th December
Mon 9th December
Tues 10th December
Wed 11th December
Thurs 12th D
• Santa’s Gatelodge, Milford • Santa’s Grotto & Sleigh Rides • St Catherine’s Concert Band • Carrickmacross Lace Demo • The Argory Santa’s Grotto
• Santa’s Ice Capades, Navan • Santa’s Magical Workshop • Festival of Trees • Gingerbread Alley • Aladdin • Santa Sunday • The Argory Santa’s Grotto • Santa’s Gatelodge, Milford
• Mystery of the Christmas Star • Festival of Trees • Gingerbread Alley
• Santa’s Ice Capades, Navan • Mystery of the Christmas Star • Festival of Trees • Gingerbread Alley • Santa’s Gatelodge, Milford
• Christmas With Cantilena • Mystery of the Christmas Star • Festival of Trees • Gingerbread Alley • Santa’s Gatelodge, Milford • Music and Readings for Advent
• Santa’s Ice Ca • Mystery of th Christmas St • Festival of Tr • Santa’s Gatel • Santa’s Grotto Sleigh Rides • Christmas Co Jenny Bristow
Mon 16th December
Tues 17th December
Wed 18th December
Thurs 19th December
Fri 20th December
Sat 21st Dec
• Santa’s Magical Workshop • Aladdin • Mystery of the Christmas Star • Festival of Trees • Gingerbread Alley
• Santa’s Ice Capades, Navan • Santa’s Magical Workshop • Aladdin • Mystery of the Christmas Star • Festival of Trees • Gingerbread Alley
• Santa’s Magical Workshop • Mystery of the Christmas Star • Festival of Trees • Gingerbread Alley
• Armagh Lights Up For Christmas • Santa’s Ice Capades, Navan • Santa’s Magical Workshop • Aladdin • Mystery of the Christmas Star • Festival of Trees • Gingerbread Alley • Santa’s Grotto & Sleigh Rides • Christmas Craft Workshops for Kids
• Santa’s Magical Workshop • Aladdin • Mystery of the Christmas Star • Festival of Trees • Gingerbread Alley • Santa’s Grotto & Sleigh Rides • Festive Christmas Tunes • Christmas Craft Workshops for Kids
• Santa’s Ice Ca • Santa’s Magic • Aladdin • Mystery of th Christmas St • Festival of Tr • Gingerbread • Santa’s Grotto • Armagh Old • Jewellery Ma • Christmas Cr Workshops fo
Experience A Christmas Fairytale in Armagh
- YOUR CALENDAR OF EVENTS
ecember
Tue 3rd December
Wed 4th December
Thurs 5th December
Fri 6th December
Sat 7th December
he tar rees d Alley
• Santa’s Ice Capades, Navan • Festival of Trees • Gingerbread Alley • Mystery of the Christmas Star • Santa’s Gatelodge, Milford • Christmas Craft Morning
• Mystery of the Christmas Star • Festival of Trees • Santa’s Gatelodge, Milford • Gingerbread Alley
• Santa’s Ice Capades, Navan • Christmas Straw Crafts Workshop • Festival of Trees • Mystery of the Christmas Star • Santa’s Gatelodge, Milford • Gingerbread Alley
• Santa’s Magical Workshop • Aladdin • Mystery of the Christmas Star • Festival of Trees • Santa’s Gatelodge, Milford • Santa’s Grotto & Sleigh Rides • Gingerbread Alley
• Santa’s Ice Capades, Navan • Santa’s Magical Workshop • Aladdin • Festival of Trees • Gingerbread Alley • Aladdin’s Magical Workshop • Mystery of the Christmas Star • Christmas Craft Workshops for Kids >>
December
Fri 13th December
Sat 14th December
apades, Navan he tar rees lodge, Milford o&
• Santa’s Magical Workshop • Aladdin • Mystery of the Christmas Star • Festival of Trees • Gingerbread Alley • Santa’s Gatelodge, Milford • Santa’s Grotto & Sleigh Rides • Christmas Wreath Making & Food Demo
• Santa’s Ice Capades, Navan • Santa’s Magical Workshop • Festival of Trees • Gingerbread Alley • Aladdin • Christmas Comedy: Boys From The Blame Game • The Argory Santa’s Grotto • Mystery of the Christmas Star >>
• Santa’s Grotto & Sleigh Rides • Armagh Jazz Band • Handmade card-making • Connecting Christmas Around The World • Christmas Craft Workshops for Kids
Sun 22nd December
Mon 23rd December
Tue 24th December
• Santa’s Ice Capades, Navan • Santa’s Magical Workshop • Aladdin • Festival of Trees • Gingerbread Alley • Service of Nine Lessons and Carols
• Santa’s Ice Capades, Navan • Santa’s Magical Workshop • Mystery of the Christmas Star • Festival of Trees • Gingerbread Alley • Christmas Craft Workshops for Kids
• Festival of Trees • Gingerbread Alley • Evensong & Blessing of the Christmas Crib
ooking With w
cember
apades, Navan cal Workshop
he tar rees Alley o & Sleigh Rides Boys aking Demo raft or Kids
Sun 15th December • Santa’s Ice Capades, Navan • Santa’s Magical Workshop • Festival of Trees • Gingerbread Alley • Aladdin • The Argory Santa’s Grotto • Cathedral Carol Service • Santa’s Grotto & Sleigh Rides
*Ou r pr Chris simpogramm tmas our b ly too b e is i full drochure g for . For e t a i arm agh. ls visit co.u k
Plan your Fairytale Christmas at armagh.co.uk
9
MYSTERY OF THE CHRISTMAS STAR
Mon 2nd December - Sat 4th January @ Armagh Planetarium
Join Armagh Planetarium this Christmas as they journey back more than 2,000 years to Bethlehem, and seek to discover a scientific explanation for the star the Wise Men followed to find the baby Jesus in the digital theatre show “Mystery of the Christmas Star”. This modern re-telling of the Christmas story will charm and captivate audiences of all ages. Pre-booking essential. For more information please visit: www.armaghplanet.com or tel: 028 3752 3689
Dates & Times:
Mon-Fri: 2:00pm Sat: 12.00pm, 2:00pm and 4:00pm Every Tues, Wed and Thurs from 3rd - 19th December: Special evening shows at 7.30pm Closed Tues 24th - Fri 27th December. 10
Experience A Christmas Fairytale in Armagh
GINGERBREAD ALLEY
Sat 30th November Sat 22nd December @ The Market Place Theatre, Armagh Tis’ the season for all things gingerbread so why not come along and see our festive gingerbread creations in all their glory. Local chefs have put their heart and souls into these incredible, edible creations. From churches to castles or even a replica of one of Armagh’s very own cathedrals… you never know what delicious treats you might find. Admission: Free
@ The Market Place Theatre, Armagh Admission: £8.00 - £12.50
For details contact Box Office on 028 3752 1821 or visit www.marketplacearmagh.com. For school performances or group bookings contact 028 3752 1828. facebook.com/marketplacearmagh Take a magical carpet ride this Christmas to the exotic lands of The East with the spectacular 2013 pantomime ‘Aladdin’. Aladdin, back to Beijing for his holidays tries to help his mum at her failing business: the Wishee Washee Launderette. However, when he falls in love with Princess Lychee, he must become rich to win her hand. Cue: a magic lamp complete with resident ‘genius’, a host of characters and a wondrous flying carpet in an adventure unlike any you will have witnessed before! Laugh out loud with the insatiable Widow Twankey, cheer Aladdin as he battles to outwit the evil Abanazar and rejoice in the Final Week traditional happy ending. et Offer:
Dates & Times:
Tick Mon 16 Dec, Tues 17 Dec & 0pm Thurs 19 Dec at 6.3 Tickets £10.00 & £8.00 [conc]
Fri 6 Dec 6.30pm | Sat 7 Dec 11.00am & 3.00pm & 6.30pm Sun 8 Dec 1.00pm & 4.30pm | Fri 13 Dec 6.30pm Sat 14 Dec 1.00pm & 5.00pm | Sun 15 Dec 1.00pm & 4.30pm Fri 20 Dec 6.30pm | Sat 21 Dec 11.00am & 3.00pm & 6.30pm Sun 22 Dec 1.00pm & 4.30pm BSL Signed Performance: Sat 14 Dec | 5.00pm Captioned Performance: Thurs 19 Dec | 6.30pm
Plan your Fairytale Christmas at armagh.co.uk
11
Steep yourself in the Christmas atmosphere at the Shambles Variety Market this December. Let the sounds and smells of festive tunes, mince pies and mulled wine lead you around the market, whilst local school children decorate the Shambles Christmas tree. Come along and try your hand at making your own Christmas wreath or let our award winning butcher show you how to prepare your Christmas feast. Highlights include: Fri 29th Nov: Georgian Christmas Market | Tue 3rd Dec: Schools Christmas Craft Morning Fri 13th Dec: Christmas Wreath Making & Food Demonstrations Sat 14th Dec: Connecting Christmas Around The World | Fri 20th Dec: Festive Christmas Tunes
FESTIVAL OF TREES
Tues 26th November to Tues 24th December @ Shambles Yard Admission: Free
Join us at the Shambles Yard for the Festival of Christmas Trees where wooden trees decorated by children from local schools will be set among an enchanted forest of Christmas trees adorned with white lights to create a magical, glistening trail.
12
Experience A Christmas Fairytale in Armagh
AT THE Join us in the Ancient Cathedral City this Christmastide as Armagh’s Cathedrals provide a place for reflection. Experience festal services, carol singing, music and readings this Christmas season.
ST PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL [CHURCH OF IRELAND]
Advent Carol Service: Sun 1st December at 3.15 pm Service of Nine Lessons & Carols: Sun 22nd December at 3.15 pm Christmas Eve: Choral Evensong and Blessing of the Crib at 5.00 pm Christmas Day: Holy Communion at 10.00 pm Christmas Day: Sung Eucharist at 11.00 am: Celebrant & Preacher: The Archbishop Service of Holy Communion: Thurs 26th - Sat 28th December at 9.30 am The Epiphany: Sung Eucharist on Mon 6th January at 10.00 am
ST PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL [CATHOLIC]
An Advent Evening of Prayer and Reflection: Wed 11th December at 7.30 pm Carol Service with the Cathedral Choir: Sun 15th December at 7.00 pm Christmas Vigil Mass: Tues 24th December at 11.00 pm Christmas Day Mass: Wed 25th December at 9.00 am & 11.00 am
Plan your Fairytale Christmas at armagh.co.uk
13
CHRISTMAS AT CRAFTSWIRL CHRISTMAS CRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS
Saturday’s in December 11.00am - 3.00pm | Admission: Free Drop into Craftswirl this Christmas, to see local craft makers demonstrate their skills whilst picking up a few ideas for your Christmas gifts:
THERESA KELLY [CARRICKMACROSS LACE]
Sat 7th December Theresa is recognised as one of the most influential Carrickmacross lace artists working in Ireland. She has transformed a traditional craft into an experimental visual medium. 14
Experience A Christmas Fairytale in Armagh
MIRUNA POPESCU AND TUGCA SENER-SATIR [HANDMADE CARD-MAKING] Sat 14th December Miruna and Tugca will show you how easy it is for you and your children to make your own beautiful creations with charming handmade cards and decorations.
OLIVIA HUGHES [JEWELLERY DEMONSTRATION]
Sat 21st December Call and see this unique collection of high quality beaded jewellery by Olivia Hughes from Shipwrecked Jewellery. There is a wide variation of hand crafted designs, each inspired by Olivia’s individual style.
Plan your Fairytale Christmas at armagh.co.uk For further information contact: Armagh Visitor Information Centre 40 English Street, Armagh. BT61 7BA t: 028 3752 1800 f: 028 3752 8329 e: vic@armagh.gov.uk For parking information visit armagh.co.uk
armagh city centre management
local businesses working together to promote armagh.. City
A