Bradford Council’s Museums and Galleries Service are inviting people to come and celebrate the festive season at a series of Christmas themed events.
The first event is the ever-popular Victorian Christmas Market at Bradford Industrial Museum on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 November. Meet Scrooge, the town crier and Victorian Mr and Mrs stilt walkers and say hello to the beautiful alpacas.
To kick start your Christmas shopping there will be various stalls both inside and outside the museum, as well as delicious treats from food vendors. All accompanied by the festive sounds of a brass band.
Children can also come and visit and receive a gift from Santa Claus. Tickets for Santa are £6 and can be purchased in advance from Bradford Industrial Museum reception or by ringing on 01274 435900. Entry to the Victorian Christmas Market is £2 for adults with access for children being free.
Christmas celebrations continue at Bolling Hall on Sunday 1 December when people can get involved and Deck the Halls by helping to decorate the Christmas tree in the grand hall. Children can also decorate gingerbread biscuits to take home. The activities at Bolling Hall are on a drop-in basis and are free to attend.
After its success last year, Christmas at Cliffe Castle is back over two weekends with a Quieter Weekend on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December and a Market Weekend on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December.
The Quieter weekend will have visits to Santa for children who would benefit from a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere. There will also be a variety of Christmas themed activities with rag wreath making workshops suitable for those aged 16+, on Saturday December 7 (tickets are £15 and booking is essential) and a free drop-in workshop where you can make a Christmas baubles from air-dried clay on Sunday December 8.
The Market Weekend will also have visits to Santa as well as a range of crafty type stalls ideal for Christmas presents as well as a variety of free Christmas themed activities for people to get involved in accompanied by festive music from the Crickmoor Crewe.
The visits to Santa as part of Christmas at Cliffe Castle are being run in conjunction with Keighley Lions Club and on both weekends, children will be to write a letter or draw a picture for Santa and make the elves promise. They’ll listen out for Santa’s bell before being welcomed into the grotto by your elf guide where they can have a chat with Santa, take photos and receive a gift and certificate. Tickets for Santa are £10, and booking is advisable as they were very popular last year. Details of how to book can be found on the Bradford and District Museums and Galleries website: www.bradford.museums.org
Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places said: “We’ve got some lovely events and activities for Christmas at our Museums and Galleries with a little bit of something for everyone – visits for Santa, Christmas present shopping and Christmas themed crafts for both children and adults. These Christmas events and activities in our museums are always incredibly popular, in fact Christmas wreath making sessions at Cartwright Hall have already sold out.
For information about Christmas events and to book to see Santa visit the Bradford District Museums and Galleries website www.bradford.museums.org
