(AD)Travel back in time and experience the magic of Christmases past at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, from 26th November to 24th December (see opening dates below).
From Georgian and Edwardian festivities right the way through to 1940s and 1950s celebrations, visitors can discover Christmas through time, from delightful decorations and delicious festive food to traditional music, an exciting elf trail and Christmas crafts.
Visitors can see traditional window displays in The 1900s Town, call into Ravensworth Terrace to see the houses set up for Christmas, tuck into tasty treats from Herron’s Bakery and pick up the perfect Beamish-inspired gift at the market stalls. Children can take part in festive crafts in the Masonic Hall each weekend. Redman Park will be filled with the sounds of the season with musical performances in the bandstand each weekend.
Elves have taken over Birch Wood! Take a walk through Elf Wood and spot the mischievous elves in their houses. Be warned though, some elves have escaped and are causing mayhem around the museum, see if you can find them all with the elf trail activity.
In The 1900s Pit Village, the miners’ wives have been busy preparing their cottages for Christmas, take a look at the traditional decorations and festive displays. Call into the school each weekend to take part in Christmas crafts.
At the Fairground, enjoy all the fun of the fair with a spin on the gallopers or a whizz around the helter skelter (small charge applies).
Discover the delights of a Georgian Christmas at 1820s Pockerley Old Hall, see beautiful traditional decorations, discover the history of the yule log and play Georgian games.
Discover what a wartime Christmas was like at The 1940s Farm and make your own felt decorations each weekend.
Celebrate Christmas 1950s style at the welfare hall, Front Street terrace and Spain’s Field Farm (farm open weekends and bank holidays only).
Visit Elizabeth’s Hairdresser’s to get your hair done in a fabulous 1950s style, admire the decorations in No. 2 Front Street and enjoy festive treats from John’s Café.
Get cosy at Spain’s Field Farm and listen to Christmas stories on the radio, make a Christmas card and see how Christmas would have been celebrated on the farm in the 1950s. Spain’s Field Farm is currently open weekends and bank holidays only to allow for the continuing construction work on our 1950s Town.
Visit Father Christmas in his cosy Grotto at Rowley Station Goods Yard every day the museum is open from 26th November to 24th December. Grotto tickets must be booked online in advance (subject to availability) and will not be available to buy at the museum.
Father Christmas will also be travelling around the museum on traditional transport each weekend and during the local school holidays, be sure to give him a wave as he passes!
Opening times: Christmas at Beamish Daytimes begins on Saturday, November 26th. Beamish is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 26th November to 16th December 2022 (inclusive), 10am to 4pm (closed Mondays and Tuesdays) and daily from 17th to 24th December,10am to 4pm. Beamish Museum is closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Start the New Year in style and make good use of your Beamish Unlimited Pass with the museum’s Twelfth Night Celebrations from 27th December 2022 to 8th January 2023.
Christmas at Beamish daytimes and Twelfth Night Celebrations are included in admission and are free to Beamish Unlimited Pass holders and Friends of Beamish members, pay once and visit free for a year.
People can also pick up the perfect, museum-themed gifts for their loved ones this Christmas during their Beamish visit and also from the online shop. From sweet shop treats and award-winning chemist’s cold creams to the museum’s very own version of the classic board games Cluedo and Monopoly, there is a range of products inspired by everyone’s favourite exhibits.
For more information about Christmas at Beamish Daytimes, visit www.beamish.org.uk.
