There's a chance to celebrate Christmas in the (very) old fashioned way at Kirkleatham Museum.
It’s just one of a packed programme of Christmas events this year (see below) – including the big Christmas lights switch-on this Sunday (27 November) - and one boy, Joseph Dodds, nine, has already taken the chance to enjoy Georgian era toys and games at the museum where there will be a number of events on the Georgian Christmas weekend of Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 December.
Joseph’s mum, Ellen Bissell, from Redcar said:
“Joseph loved playing with the Georgian toys and the whole family are looking forward to heading down to the museum to enjoy what is really a special weekend at the museum.”
Other events at the Georgian weekend will include a Georgian Christmas table display (provided by community group, Community Stepping Stones CIC), Father Christmas with his elves and reindeers, Kirkleatham Owl Centre with feathered friends and there will be the chance create your own Georgian inspired decorations with artist Jane Riley along with other arts and crafts.
A range of stalls bringing a variety of goods can be found within the pavilion as well as around the museum grounds and a selection of food and drinks which will be available in the newly opened Kirkleatham Café.
Indoor and outdoor trails will take place along with a Christmas makeover of our Domestic Bliss exhibition. Small charges apply for some activities.
As part of the event, Redcar and Cleveland new start businesses have won the opportunity to trade with a selection of exciting stalls in a competition sponsored by Anglo American and delivered in partnership with Enterprise Made Simple & Business Redcar Cleveland.
The winners were selected at a judging panel after submitting a business plan, cash flow and a video application, which highlighted the business owner and their exciting new business.
Each successful applicant has received a grant & ongoing business support to assist them in preparing their business for this event.
Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Culture, Cllr Louise Westbury, said:
“The Museum is always looking at ways to create magical events that engage our communities and the Georgian Christmas event offers a range of ways to engage for free, alongside a range of activities that are paid for and opportunities to buy and support local businesses. This is a fantastic event and it’s wonderful that so many of our amazing businesses are taking part.”
Find out more about Kirkleatham Musem by visiting: www.redcarcleveland.co.uk/enjoy/kirkleatham-museum
This year’s Christmas lights switch-on in Redcar will be held this Sunday 27 November with an Illumination Parade. The day will begin at 2.30pm with some exciting High Street activity, moving on to the main stage programme at 3.30pm with the Illumination Parade starting at 4pm from the Civic Centre.
This year, three inspiring residents nominated by the public will turn on the lights and become the Cleveland Christmas Star and, in a festive display of mass creativity, more than 200 participants from schools and community groups will throng the streets with artwork created with professional artists, including lanterns, costumes and exciting visual spectacles that will light up the route from the Civic Centre to Redcar Town Clock and back again!
The parade will also be decked with professional performers, with the sights, sounds and smells of everything festive whilst being entertained by outstanding musical artist Sisi, as well as Groove Inc for a little bit of soul, funk and Christmas classics, supported by the talents of Tuned In’s young people. The event will be compered by BBC Tees’s Scott Makin.
Renowned ice sculptors Sand in Your Eye will return to the borough on 17 December, from 10am to 4pm to place nine ice sculptures across Saltburn, creating a wonderful one-day trail for families to explore. Each sculpture will reveal a secret that you’ll need to find to complete the trail competition. Scrooge and Mr. Scratchit will attend as they travel across the town spreading Christmas cheer.
Theatre Illuminaire will bring lamposts to life and Bell and Bullock have travelled back from Victorian Times with their eccentric engineering marvel – a time machine.
Other Christmas activities for families will take place across the borough include:
- Panto-themed Christmas - Ormesby Hall – on Fridays and also on 19, 20, 21 & 22 December
- Elf Crazy Christmas Crafts - Ormesby Hall – from 11am to 3pm every weekend from 26 November and also on 19, 20, 21 & 22 December
- Santa’s Grotto & Christmas Crafts – Flatts Lane Countryside Park – 10th and 11th December 2022
- Eston Christmas Market – Thursday, 1 December, from 12pm to 5pm
- New Marske Annual Christmas Parade – Friday, 2 December, from 5pm
- Saltburn Christmas Parade and Light Switch On – Saturday, 3 December, from 5pm
- Family Fun - Redcar High Street – Saturday, 3 December, from 10am to 3pm
- Christmas Fair - Liverton Village Hall – Saturday, 3 December, from 10am
- Georgian Christmas – Kirkleatham Museum – on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 December, from 10am to 3pm
- Wreath-making workshop - Flatts Lane Countryside Park – on Saturday 3 & 17 and Sunday 4 & 18 December – sessions from 9am, 11.30am and 2.30pm
- Santa’s visit at Luke Senior Hall – Loftus – Wednesday, 7 December, from 1pm to 4pm
- Marske Christmas Festival, Santa Parade and Craft Fair – Thursday, 8 December
- Festive evening - Ormesby Hall – Friday, 9 December, from 6pm to 8pm
- Carol service - St Margaret’s Church, Brotton – Sunday, 11 December, at 3.30pm
- Beer & Carols – Saltburn – Saturday, 17 December, from 4pm to 7pm
- Carol service - Redcar Cemetery – Sunday, 18 December, at 3pm
- Carol service - All Saint’s Church, Skelton – Sunday, 18 December
- Boxing Day Dip – Redcar – Monday, 26 December
- Beauty & the Beast – Redcar – between 27 December and 2 January
Kirkleatham Walled Garden will also host several events and workshops including:
- Snow Ball – Saturday, 10 December - £40/person
- Festive lunch – Sunday, 11 December - £16.95/person
- Willow Angels – Friday, 9 December - £25/person
- Perfect Pins and Brooches – Saturday, 17 December - £12/person
For further information on all the events across the borough please visit Enjoy (redcarcleveland.co.uk)