6 minute read
EVENTS
Warm up ACTS
Christmas comes early every year right? A good thing, we say, as we round up some of the events that will be kicking o the festive season in Yorkshire
LOTHERTON CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE – THE WISHING TREE
THE HEPWORTH WAKEFIELD FESTIVE MARKET WEEKENDS
Over the weekends of 26-27 November and 3-4 December start your Christmas shopping and support independent makers when The Hepworth Wakefield’s popular Festive Market returns. You will find around 60 stalls selling candles, ceramics, gifts for children, homeware, prints, textiles and stationery. The Hepworth Wakefield Festive Market will be the first major event to take place in the newlycreated event space at Tileyard North, the refurbished textile mill opposite the gallery. The Hepworth Wakefield’s building will come alive during the Festive Market weekends with animations flowing across its surfaces, telling stories about Barbara Hepworth, Yorkshire landscapes and the gallery’s riverside setting.
hepworthwakefield.org/festive-market
MR & MRS CLAUS RETURN TO YORKSHIRE
Tickets are now on sale for Lotherton Hall’s Christmas Experience, from 26 November-31 December. After sell-out success in 2021, popular Yorkshire family attraction, Lotherton, has announced tickets are now on sale for this year’s Christmas Experience, where Santa and his wife, Mrs Claus, will take centre stage together once again.
VISIT SANTA AT LOTHERTON HALL MALTON CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
Getting set to again be the best Santa experience in Yorkshire, Mr & Mrs Claus are dusting o their suits and boots while the elves are preparing the festive fairydust and Christmas crafts.
And this year promises more magic than ever before with returning favourites and new additions. For the first time ever, visitors are invited to travel back in time to Christmas Past in the Hall. They will follow in the footsteps of the Gascoigne family and their sta , Lotherton’s residents in the 1800s, to get a glimpse into how this revered household celebrated the festivities in Edwardian times.
Venturing outside, revellers young and old can quite literally step into Christmas on the mesmerising woodland walk around the estate’s stunning grounds. Families will celebrate traditions old and new; pulling a giant cracker, finding the sixpence in a Christmas pudding; and stopping for a photo in a giant Christmas card! Tread carefully and they may even hear the fairies giggling and whispering in the enchanted festive Fairy Dell.
thechristmasexperience.co.uk
MALTON CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
Fondly known as Yorkshire’s Food Capital, the market town of Malton will be hosting its biggest ever two-day Christmas Festival this December, with an array of festive goodies for everyone to enjoy. Going ahead on 3-4 December, the Malton Christmas Festival will be free for everyone to come along, with 20,000 visitors across the two days expected. In addition to the epic food stalls, there will be a whole host of festivities including live music and entertainment for the whole family, to get visitors in the festive mood.
visitmalton.com/maltonchristmas-festival
YORK CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL PHOTO: GARETH BUDDO
THE CAST OF JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
CHRISTMAS AT ROUNDHAY PARK
Opening on 8 December, this is a brandnew Christmas trail featuring larger than life illuminations and much-loved seasonal music lighting up Roundhay Park in Leeds, one of the biggest city parks in Europe. Enjoy illuminated pieces that include oversized Lilies, enchanting snowdrop, colourful Neon Tree and mesmerising fire garden.
christmas@roundhaypark.seetickets.com
YORK CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL 2022
Baubles, carols and festive fairs – Christmas in York is just around the corner. Extra special plans are in place across the city this year to celebrate 30 years of York’s famous Christmas Market, St Nicholas Fair. Seventy alpine chalets will line the streets of Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square from 17 November-23 December, creating a festive wonderland with an array of local produce and artisan gifts on o er from local traders.
Brand new to York Christmas Market for 2022 is a traditional Swiss chalet, The Winter Hütte. With a spectacular terrace overlooking St Nicholas Fair, The Winter Hütte o ers a ‘Swiss with a Twist’ dining experience from one of Yorkshire’s bestknown chefs, the Michelin-starred Andrew Pern. For passers-by, there is a fully-licensed bar area serving seasonal favourites such as gluhwein and spiced cider. Dining bookings are now open on the website.
Another new addition to York’s Christmas Market 2022 is the Chocolate Circus. The brainchild of the York based family behind Herbie’s Treehouse, look out for their Instagram-worthy loaded hot chocolates. From giant snowman marshmallows to York printed wafers, there’s a topping for everyone including a full vegan hot chocolate alternative menu. Herbie’s Treehouse returns for its fifth year, with premium German mulled wine, Cornish mulled cider and Belgian hot chocolates. This year, look out for the new Herbie’s Secret Orchard at the back of the Treehouse for a special menu of hot toddies created with award-winning York Gin. Throughout the duration of the Christmas Market, resident singers and variety performers will play on the new Treetop Stage above the Treehouse.
visityork.org/christmas
YORK'S FAMOUS CHRISTMAS MARKET PHOTO: STEVIE CAMPBELL
ree of the best…
Pantomimes in Yorkshire
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Alhambra Theatre, Bradford Saturday 10 December 2022 – Sunday 22 January 2023
The cast of Jack and the Beanstalk gathered recently at the Alhambra Theatre for a giant launch of this year’s festive offering. Returning to the Alhambra Theatre before the festive season starts, panto legend Billy Pearce was joined by Emmerdale star and reigning King of the Jungle Danny Miller, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK runner-up and musical theatre performer Divina De Campo and Bradford favourite Sarah Goggin to launch Yorkshire’s giant panto.
Billy Pearce first topped the bill of the Alhambra Theatre’s annual festive production in 1993, winning acclaim from critics and audience members alike, and has since solidified his reputation as the King of Yorkshire comedy. Danny Miller is best-known for his recurring role as Aaron Dingle in ITV’s Emmerdale. During his 13-year stint on the show Danny won three British Soap Awards for Best Actor in 2012, 2013 and 2016. bradford-theatres.co.uk •
DICK WHITTINGTON Theatre Royal Wakefield 24 November-31 December
Theatre Royal Wakefield's legendary pantomime is back. Dick Whittington features dazzling sets, spectacular costumes and belly laughs from start to finish.
Starring veteran dame Chris Hannon and children’s TV favourite Sam Nixon (2021’s Beauty and the Beast), the show follows Dick and his furry sidekick Tommy through the adventure of a lifetime, from London Town to the mysterious island of Ponty Carlo… theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk •
ALADDIN Harrogate Theatre 23 November-15 January 2023
Harrogate – your magical carpet ride awaits. Times are tough for Aladdin and his poor mum Widow Twankey. That is until Aladdin finds an enchanted lamp with magical powers that can make all his wishes come true.
Packed with spectacular sets, sparkle and singalong songs, Harrogate Theatre’s magical pantomime is a firm festive favourite. harrogatetheatre.co.uk
