It’s Christmas! Festive lights switch-ons and Christmas fun planned across borough

An exciting, packed programme of festive fun and events has been planned for Redcar and Cleveland this year.

A major highlight will be the Redcar lights switch-on and illumination parade on Sunday 24 November where Santa himself will attend.

The fun will start at 12pm on Redcar High Street where there will be street entertainment as part of the build up to the pantomime-themed lights switch on at 5.45pm. Expect stunning visual displays, music, lights and plenty of festive fun on a musical main stage hosted by BBC Tees from 3pm. The Illumination Parade will leave Redcar Civic Centre at 4.15pm and earlier in the day there’ll be a chance to meet and greet Santa and Friends in his grotto near the Blue Clock from 12pm to 3.30pm.

Another large-scale event will be Saltburn Ice Trail on Saturday 7 December from 10am to 4pm. This year renowned ice sculptors Sand in Your Eye will create nine amazing ice sculptures around the theme of pantomime 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. The trail will feature a live ice carve, and a workshop with its own ice post box, where the elves will help you write and post your letters to Santa. There will also be street entertainment.

Kirkleatham Museum and Grounds will hold a Georgian Christmas event on Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December from 10am to 3pm each day. Kirkleatham will also host many other fun events and activities this festive season including Father Christmas visiting on Saturday 7 December and Sunday 8 December between 10am and 3pm (also Thursday 5 December and Thursday 12 December between 4.30pm and 6.30pm for children with additional needs). Booking through Ticketsource is essential – including to see Santa at the Georgian event. Find out more on the museum’s Facebook page or call 01642 479500.

Councillor Carrie Richardson, Cabinet Member for Climate and Culture and Deputy Leader of the Council, said: 

“We have an absolutely packed programme of events this year wtith festive magic wherever you look! We also have fantastic shops and businesses all getting the Christmas spirit. It’s going to be the most wonderful time of the year!”

Other Christmas activities for families will take place across the borough include:

A Fairytale Christmas at Ormesby Hall

  • Every Fri to Mon from Fri 22 Nov until Sun 22 Dec 10.30am - 3pm. Rooms adorned with decorations from beloved fairy tales including Cinderella, Snow Queen and Hansel and Gretal. Find out more and prices at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ormesby-hall

Brotton Christmas Bazaar

  • Sat 23 Nov, 11am - 3pm, Brotton Village Hall Stalls from local businesses, food and drink.

New Marske Christmas Parade

  • Fri 29 Nov, starting at 5pm Parade will start at 5pm from the Chapel and feature Father Christmas on a fire engine. Crafts, family activities, stalls and a chance to meet Santa.

Saltburn Christmas lights switch on

  • Sat 30 Nov, 5pm. Carols round the Christmas tree and Santa Parade in Saltburn’s premier Christmas community event.

Christmas Fayre at Land of Iron Museum, Skinningrove

  • Sat 30 Nov, 10am - 11am will be a quiet slot for SEND families only. General admissions 11am-12.30pm and 1.30pm - 4pm. Entertainment, craft fair and visit Santa and his elves. £5 per child and tickets can be booked online.

Pop-up Christmas shopping event Flatts Lane Country Park, Normanby

  • Sat 30 Nov and Sun 1 Dec, 10am - 3pm. Pop-up stalls supporting local business. Coffee and cake. Free entry.

Chaloner Street Christmas Market, Guisborough

  • Sun 1 Dec. Stalls and entertainment.

Guisborough Christmas Festival

  • Tue 3 Dec, 4pm. Santa’s Parade with reindeer, children’s entertainers, rides, musical performances and Santa’s grotto in Sunnyfield House. Many shops, cafes and restaurants open for the extended evening. The event is free but tickets for Santa's Grotto are £3 each from Sunnyfield House or call 01287 634595.

Marske Christmas Festival and Parade

  • Thur 5 Dec, 3pm - 6pm. Marske Community Partnership present their annual festival bringing out the spirit of Christmas throughout Marske.

Wreath-making workshops Flatts Lane Woodland Country Park

  • Sat 7, Sun 8, Sat 14, Sun 15 Dec. Two-hour sessions are from 9.30am, 12pm and 2.30pm. All equipment supplied (but welcome to bring your own if you like). £25 per person (non-refundable). Booking is essential please email flattslanecentre@redcarcleveland.gov.uk, telephone: 01642 459629 or call into the Visitor Centre.

Santa at Saltburn Tramway

  • December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23 and 24, various times ranging from 10.30am to 4pm on different days. One of the iconic trams will be transformed into Santa's enchanted grotto where your family can take a festive ride with Santa himself. Each child will receive a special gift. Tickets must be booked in advance. £15 for 2 adults and 1 child (aged 2 to 16) plus £10 for each additional child a maximum of three children. www.ticketsource.co.uk/redcar-andcleveland-borough-council

Community carols, St Paulinus RC Church, Guisborough

  • Mon 9 Dec, 7pm. The Mayor will lead carols with Salvation Army Band followed by mince pies and coffee. Money raised from donations for local charities.

Christmas Fayre. Ormesby Library & Community Hub

  • Wed 11 Dec. Fun Christmas events throughout the day.

Festive evening Ormesby Hall

Meet Father Christmas, Ormesby Hall

  • Sat 7 Dec - Sun 22 Dec. Enjoy The Frost Kingdom Show, featuring Father Christmas, The Snow Queen and Jack Frost, followed by a meet and greet and photo op with the characters and elves. Find out more including prices at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ormesby-hall

Santa visit & Christmas crafts, Flatts Lane Woodland Country Park

  • Sat 21 Dec and Sun 22 Dec, various sessions from 10am - 2.30pm. Visit Santa in his Grotto, receive a gift, and have fun making Christmas crafts in special one-hour sessions in the Centre. £8 per child. Booking and pre-payment is essential (non-refundable). Email flattslanecentre@redcarcleveland.gov.uk, call 01642 459629

Boxing Day Dip Redcar Esplanade and Beach 

  • Thur 26 Dec. Return of the hugely popular, (and freezing) dip.

New Year parties Guisborough

  • Thur 23 and Fri 24 Jan. Guisborough Town Council brings you two New Year parties. Enjoy musical entertainment and afternoon tea served to parish residents aged 70 and over only. Admission is free but tickets can be obtained in advance. Ring Sunnyfield House on 01287 634595.