Experience traditional Christmas festivities, from Georgian times through to the 1950s, at during Christmas at Beamish daytimes!
Christmas at Beamish daytimes run daily until 24th December 2023, with delightful decorations, festive food, merry music and Christmas crafts – a chance to join in the celebrations of generations past.
Stroll down the beautiful Edwardian cobbled street in The 1900s Town and see the exquisitely-decorated homes and shops, tuck into delicious festive treats from the bakery and sweet shop and hear brass bands in the park during weekends. Don’t forget to browse the stalls for that perfect present, and why not stop off for a festive photo in the 1900s photography studio, where there’s a new winter range of costumes (small extra charge applies).
In The 1950s Town, at the new council houses, police houses and aged mineworkers’ homes, discover how families celebrated Christmas in the 1950s. Experience the community spirit of Christmas crafts in the welfare hall on December weekends. Why not treat yourself to a new look, with a 1950s hairdo in Elizabeth’s hairdressers (small extra charge for hairdressing)?
In Elf Wood, see what the mischievous elves are getting up to. Some of the elves have escaped around the museum, can you spot them all and complete the free Elf Trail?
In The 1900s Pit Village, see the mining families all set for Christmas in the traditionally-decorated pit cottages. At weekends, enjoy choirs in the chapel and try your hand at crafts.
At The 1940s Farm, the Land Girls are preparing for Christmas, with homemade gifts and ration cooking on the menu. Get involved and make paperchains and postcards on weekends.
Join in the Georgian festivities at 1820s Pockerley Old Hall, with greenery, festive food displays and a traditional (non-chocolate!) yule log, as well as crafts to join in with on weekends.
Take a spin on the rides at the Fairground and test your skills on the sideshows (small extra charge applies).
Spain’s Field Farm will be open on weekends, where visitors can find out how 1950s farming communities celebrated Christmas.
Around the museum, enjoy mouth-watering festive food, from Christmas lunch in the Tea Rooms overlooking the Edwardian street, to mulled wine, mince pies, chestnuts and speciality hot chocolate.
Visit Father Christmas in his twinkling Grotto at Rowley Station Goods Yard (Grotto tickets must be booked online in advance, subject to availability, and aren’t available to purchase at the museum).
See either Father Christmas or Mrs Claus travelling around the museum in traditional transport on weekends and local school holidays – be sure to give them a wave.
Paul Foster, Events Manager, said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming visitors to celebrate Christmases past with us.
“Visitors can see our beautifully-decorated homes and shops, enjoy delicious festive food, enjoy music and crafts, do a spot of Christmas shopping and even search for mischievous elves!
“New for this Christmas are our latest 1950s exhibits – in the council houses, police houses and aged mineworkers’ homes, people can see how families celebrated Christmas in the 1950s, it’s sure to bring back memories for some visitors.
“Our Christmas at Beamish daytimes are included in admission and are free to Unlimited Pass holders and Friends of Beamish members.”
The fun continues after Christmas with Twelfth Night Celebrations from 27th December 2023 to 7th January 2024. Plus, there’ll be a Cinderella panto in the 1950s welfare hall on weekends in January and February (small extra charge for panto tickets, which must be pre-booked online, subject to availability).
Christmas at Beamish Daytimes and Twelfth Night Celebrations are included in admission to the museum and visitors can use their Beamish Unlimited Pass or Friends of Beamish membership.
Beamish is open daily until 7th January 2024 (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day), 10am-4pm. For more information, including full opening times, visit our Plan Your Visit page.