A packed, exciting programme of festive fun is in place this festive season right across the borough.
It’s thought to be one of the busiest years ever for Christmas events in all corners of Redcar and Cleveland.
And Councillor Carrie Richardson, Cabinet Member for Climate and Culture and Deputy Leader of the Council, has urged people from across the region to come and join in the festival fun.
She said:
“There is already a wonderful, creative vibe this year and I’m sure people from across the whole region will head to our atmospheric towns and villages by our beautiful coast and in our stunning countryside to enjoy this year’s wonderful Christmas events.”
A major highlight will be the Redcar lights switch-on and fun day on Sunday 23 November. The entertainment will start at 12pm on Redcar High Street where there will be street entertainment and a street food market as part of the build-up to the big moment. The musical main stage programme will be hosted by BBC Tees from 4pm.
Music will be provided by Redcar’s own teenage crooner George Robinson and there will be a chance to experience a walk-in snow globe and a host of other seasonal activities. Arriva will provide a Christmas bus where children can meet Santa for free and also enjoy arts and crafts.
The event is sponsored by CR Reyonds (the company working on improvements to the High Street) and Everyone Active which runs the town’s Leisure Centre. Carols around the Christmas tree start at 3pm and the lights will be switched on at 5pm.
Another large-scale event will be Saltburn Ice Trail on Saturday 13 December from 10am to 4pm. Renowned ice sculptors Sand In Your Eye will place nine amazing ice sculptures across the town creating a special trail just for one day. Each sculpture will reveal a secret that you’ll need to complete the trail.
There will also be live ice-carving and a workshop. Alongside the wonderful wintery trail there will be street performances, Saltburn Farmers Market, theatre and music. With special sculptures sponsored by Miller Homes, Arriva and Bob Little & Co.
Kirkleatham Museum and Grounds will hold its special Christmas at Kirkleatham weekend on Saturday 6 December and Sunday 7 December. Christmas market There’s a chance to meet Father Christmas (book online via Ticketsource) in the atmospheric venue as well as enjoy musical entertainers including Guisborough Big Band.
Little ones can get creative in Christmas craft workshops (small charge) and hunt for ‘naughty elves’ hidden around the museum. A major highlight will be the chance to hear stories from the Holly King, a mythical character even older than Father Christmas. Enjoy the festive market and a magical outdoor Christmas trail through the grounds.
Find out more on the museum’s Facebook page, website or call 01642 479500. Note that both the Holly King and Father Christmas (book online via Ticketsource) will also be at the museum on Saturday 13 December, Sunday 14 December, Saturday 20 December and Sunday 21 December.
The hugely popular Guisborough Town Council Christmas Festival and Parade will be held on Tuesday 2 December. There will be a Santa’s Parade with reindeer, children’s entertainers, children’s rides, musical performances and a Santa’s grotto in Sunnyfield House. Many shops, cafes and restaurants open for the extended evening too. Tickets for Santa's Grotto are £3 each and must be paid for in advance.
On sale from Mon 3 Nov at Sunnyfield House, 36 Westgate, Guisborough or call 01287 634595. Tees Foundation is supporting community groups across Redcar and Cleveland to take part in the much-loved parade through a series of artist-led workshops for community groups to create colourful costumes and lanterns for the parade via their Tees Million Fund, which grants £1 million of accessible funding to charities and groups in Teesside every year.
Other Christmas activities for families will take place across the borough and include:
- Christmas Fair at Land of Iron, Saturday 22 November, 10am - 4pm
Stalls and fun activities at the Land of iron, mining museum in Skinningrove. Check www.landofiron.org.uk for full details and prices.
- Brotton Village Hall Christmas Bazaar, Saturday 22 November, 11am – 3pm
Bag a special Christmas gift from a local business. Refreshments available for purchase
- History Wardrobe presents A Very Victorian Christmas Kirkleatham Museum, Friday 28 November, 6pm
The Scrooge Sisters are raiding the museum’s 19th Century wardrobe for a fun Christmas story. Ethel is the grumpiest dressmaker in all the land, but Ermintrude would love a jolly Christmas party, with traditions old and new. Join the two Lucys as they present a lovely history of Christmas with a fabulous textile twist. This event is aimed at adults. Tickets must be purchased for this event online via ticketsource.
- Fairy Tale Christmas at Ormesby Hall, Fri 28 Nov - Tuesday 23 December, 10.30am - 4pm, with last entry to the house at 3pm
Some of the world’s best loved fairy tales will provide the festive theme at Ormesby Hall this Christmas. Normal admission applies to visit Ormesby Hall, house, garden, and café. Go to www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/ormesby-hall/events
- Saltburn Christmas Parade and Light Switch On, Saturday 29 November, 5pm
Carols round the Christmas tree and Santa Parade in Saltburn’s premier Christmas community event.
- Loftus Christmas Market and Funday, Sunday 30 November, 11am – 4pm
Enjoy market, community fair, craft making and Santa’s Grotto at Coronation Park, Westfield Terrace and Loftus Youth Centre, Duncan Place.
- Marske-by-the Sea Annual Christmas Festival, Thursday 4 December
Marske Community Partnership present their hugely popular annual festival bringing out the spirit of Christmas in everyone throughout Marske.
- Festive Evening, Ormesby Hall, Friday 5 and 12 December, 5pm - 8pm
A late-night opening and a chance to see the house decorated for Christmas at night. There will be live festive music, Mrs Christmas telling stories in the library and the café will be selling seasonal food and drink, including mince pies and mulled wine, with marshmallow toasting to enjoy by the fire pit. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/ormesby-hall/events
- Guisborough Community Carol Service Salvation Army Citadel, Monday 8 December, 7pm
Guisborough Town Mayor Councillor Peter Berry will be holding the Community
Carol Service. Carols will be accompanied by the Salvation Army Band and a collection will take place for local charities. Everyone is welcome - enjoy a mince pie and coffee after the service.
- Saltburn, Marske & New Marske Parish Carol Service St Mark's Church, Marske, Wednesday 17 December, 7pm.
Get in the Christmas spirit with the whole community at this highly popular event.
- Christmas willow wreath-making workshops, Flatts Lane Woodland Country Park, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 December, Saturday 13 and Sun 14 December. Sessions: 9.30 - 11.30am, 12 - 2pm, 2.30 - 4.30pm daily. £25per person (non-refundable)
THE perfect way to kick off the festive season in a relaxed and fun way. Treat yourself or come along with friends and family. Supported by The Friends of Flatts Lane. All equipment supplied. Booking is essential: flattslanecentre@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk Telephone: 01642 459629
- Santa visits Flatts Lane, Woodland Country Park, Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 December, 10am -11am, 11am - 12pm, 12:30pm - 1:30pm, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Make sure you don’t miss out on this very popular experience. Along with seeing Santa, children get Christmas crafts and juice. £10 per child. Booking is essential: flattslanecentre@redcarcleveland.gov.uk Telephone: 01642 459629
- Loftus Poultry Run, Sunday 21 December. Registration opens at 9.30am at Loftus Leisure Centre. Race starts: 11am.
Close to 400 runners will run the multi-terrain festive race with excellent poultry prizes. This race has a minimum age limit of 17.
- Redcar Rotary Boxing Day Dip Friday 26 December, 11am Redcar Prom opposite the Palace Hub
THE 55th Boxing Day Dip is this year organised by the Rotary Club of Redcar. At 11am
dippers will enter the water and have a dip (not a swim) many will be sponsored and raising money for their good cause.