FESTIVE season will return to Beamish later this month – as the Living Museum of the North has a range of Christmas activities guaranteed to be perfect for all the family.
During Christmas at Beamish, which runs from November 27 to December 24, visitors can enjoy traditional festivities, including an Elf Trail, yuletide treats, fairground rides and seasonal celebrations throughout history.
From Georgian times right the way through to the 1950s, hop aboard one of Beamish’s traditional trams or buses and be immersed in Christmas through time.
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During the Christmas opening weekend on November 27 and 28, Father Christmas will travel around the museum in a traditional vehicle, so be sure to keep an eye out for him. On Saturday, November 27, he will also be escorted by a marching band, which will parade throughout Beamish.
Paul Foster, Beamish historic events officer, said: “Christmas is always a fantastic time at Beamish. Visitors can see their favourite parts of the museum beautifully decorated and take part in festive fun.
“There’s a chance to visit Father Christmas, savour the aroma of delicious homemade goods cooking on the range and listen to merry music. So be sure to book your visit to Beamish and complete those important Christmas to dos before the big day.”
Alongside Father Christmas, historic activities and the Elf Trail, visitors can try the delicious yuletide treats in the sweet shop and bakery in the 1900s town.
People travelling to Beamish might also want to experience Christmas in the 1800s by having a go on the gallopers at The Fairground and popping up to Pockerley to learn about a traditional Georgian Christmas, including 1820s celebratory food and drink.
Later in the Museum, there will be an opportunity to visit Francis Street and the 1900s Pit Village to discover how miners and their families celebrated Christmas in Edwardian times, which will be alongside a forties Christmas to see how the season was celebrated at home during the Second World War.
For the children, they can visit Father Christmas in his Grotto at Rowley Station Goods Yard every day that the museum is open from November 27 to December 24.
Bringing the event into the 21-st century, families travelling to the museum will be able to enjoy a video call with Father Christmas, as he sits by the fireside in his cosy Edwardian cottage at the museum. They will also have the chance to invite other family members to join them on the call.
Those that are musically inclined can enjoy live music during weekend afternoons in the bandstand in the 1900s Town, as well as Twelfth Night Celebrations running from December 27 to January 2, 2022.
Beamish wouldn’t be complete without taking a ride on The Waggonway in the 1820s landscape during the weekends from November 27 until December 12 then daily from December 18-24.
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As with all daytime events, visitors can use their Unlimited Pass or Friends of Beamish membership to enjoy Christmas at Beamish. All visitors aged five and over must also have a pre-booked timeslot to enter the museum. Timeslots for visits up to December 24 are available to book online. Visits to Father Christmas’ Grotto must also be pre-booked online in advance – along with certain other activities at Beamish.
Beamish is open 10am to 4pm, Wednesday to Sunday (closed Mondays and Tuesdays), from November 1 to December 17, and then open daily from 10am to 4pm (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day 2021), from December 18 to January 2, 2022.
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