Discover how New Year was celebrated in the past and join in with traditional Twelfth Night and first footing celebrations at Beamish Museum, from 27th December 2024 to 5th January 2025.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, Twelfth Night celebrations were an occasion of mischief and merrymaking, with parties involving food, drink and traditional games.
Visit 1820s Pockerley Old Hall to get a feel for the Georgian merriment. Hear The Ran Tanners performing traditional Georgian music each day (11am-2pm), make your own Twelfth Night mask and sample tasty fruit punch.
See traditional food displays in the houses of Ravensworth Terrace in The 1900s Town and head to No. 3 Francis Street in The 1900s Pit Village to discover what each of the traditional first-footing gifts, such as coins, bread, salt and coal, symbolise.
Blow away the Christmas cobwebs with a walk through enchanting Elf Wood, for your last chance to find out what the elves are up to!
The Beamish Pantomime will return for 2025, oh yes it will! The Beamish Amateur Dramatic Society will take to the stage in the 1950s welfare hall with its adaptation of Jack and the Beanstalk each weekend from 4th January until 16th February 2025. Tickets for the Beamish Pantomime cost £3 per person (under 5s free, museum admission charges apply) and must be booked in advance. Book your place here: https://beamish.digitickets.co.uk/category/60700
There are two family trails to take part in during your twixmas visit to the County Durham open air museum – collect a trail sheet from the Entrance as you arrive and see if you can you find the 12 woolly characters hiding around the museum. In The 1900s Town, there are also 12 hidden mice, pick up a trail card from the emigration office or Town stalls and see if you can find them all, once completed, head to the print shop above the emigration office to receive a stamp.
Plus, explore 350 acres of history across the museum! Grab a hard hat and discover the working conditions for miners in the 1900s, meet the Land Girls and find out what life was like on the Home Front at The 1940s Farm, experience the excitement and community spirit of the 1950s in the welfare hall, get a 1950s hair-do and enjoy a trip to the cinema.
Enjoy a true taste of the past from Davy’s Fried Fish Shop, Middleton’s Quality Fish and Chips, John’s Café, Herron’s Bakery and the Tea Rooms and enjoy sweet treats from Jubilee Confectioners and Beamish Delicious Ices.
Beamish Museum’s daytime events 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.