The Bowes Museum has an extensive programme of events for the festive season, including the annual Christmas Market, anew Christmas Fair, and Santa’s enchanted wonderland grotto, details of which can be viewed here, below, and on the attached. We also have a wonderful new exhibition opening this Saturday, 25th November. Running throughout the festive period until March 2018, it is dedicated to rediscovering the essence of Streatlam Castle, the former ancestral home of John and Joséphine Bowes, the remains of which vanished in a series of explosions in 1959.
FESTIVE EVENTS FOR DECEMBER
Breakfast with Santa
Date 2 & 9 Dec Time 10.00 – 11.30 Cost Adult £15.00, Child £10.00
Santa is taking time out from feeding his reindeer and keeping the elves in order to invite families to join him for a traditional breakfast in our enchanting Jubilee Room, where he’ll create magical memories as he chats to you and hands out presents. Price includes a gift for children.
Afternoon Tea with Santa
Date 2 & 9 Dec Time 2.15 – 3.45 Cost Adult £20.00, Child £15.00
Santa is taking time out from feeding his reindeer and keeping the elves in order to invite families to join him for a festive afternoon tea in our enchanting Jubilee Room, where he’ll create magical memories as he chats to you and hands out presents. Price includes a gift for children.
Christmas Fair
Date 13 & 14 Dec Time 3.00 – 8.00 Cost £5.00 Adult, £2.50 Child
A Traditional Fair in the Museum grounds, with delicious food chalets, fairground amusements, lantern trail and entertaining family activities. The Museum remains open during these hours with admission included in the Fair charge.
Christmas Market
Date 15 Dec Time 3.00 – 8.00; Date 16 & 17 Dec Time 10.00 – 6.00
Cost £5.00 Adult, £2.50 Child
The Bowes Museum’s annual Christmas Market – a firm favourite in the region’s calendar – has been extended this year. It will be bigger and better than ever, with over 100 hand-picked stallholders offering original locally sourced Christmas produce, live music, seasonal entertainment, prize draws from Smooth Radio and the popular park & ride ‘Santa’ buses (Sat & Sun only) ensuring this feel-good family event is not to be missed.
Santa’s Enchanted Wonderland Grotto
Date 13 – 15 Dec Time 3.00 – 7.30 Cost £5.00 Adult, £10.00 Child, £5.50 (Under 1’s) – Inc entry to Christmas Fair & Museum
Date 16 & 17 Dec Time 10.00 – 5.30 Cost £5.00 Adult, £10.00 Child, £5.50 (Under 1’s) – Inc entry to Christmas Market & Museum
Date 18 – 22 Dec Time 3.00 – 5.30 Cost £8.50 Child, £4.00 (Under 1’s) Free admission to Grotto for accompanying adult
Wander through an enchanted corridor to arrive at Santa’s workshop, where you will be entertained by one of his elves: write your letter, look for his naughty friend and browse in the toyshop windows before taking a magical journey to meet Santa all cosy in his sitting room, where he will complete the magic with an early Christmas present.
Story Telling
Date 13, 14 & 15 Dec Time 3.00 – 8.00
Drop In, included in Christmas Festival admission charge.
Bring a blanket and join Tillytoo Tales in the magical story garden for some fun festive storytelling.