Christmas at Holkham

Christmas at Holkham

Enter the festive spirit at Holkham this Christmas with candlelight tours of the magnificently decorated state rooms, seasonal opera, a series of craft workshops and a special visit from Father Christmas

Friday 1st – Friday 22nd December 2017

Holkham Hall will open its doors this Christmas for a variety of spectacular seasonal celebrations including Candlelight Tours of the hall, magnificent music, craft workshops, a two-day Food Fair, Christmas shopping and a special visit from Father and Mother Christmas and their cheeky elves.

The celebrations begin with a sparkling evening of song with a performance of Tis The Season by Diva Opera, Britain’s foremost chamber opera company. Guaranteed to put everyone in the festive spirit with a feast of arias, songs and carols, audiences will also delight at the fabulous cast dressed in finest period costume.

New for this year Holkham will be hosting a selection of Christmas themed workshops. There is a workshop to suit every member of the family, including ‘A Natural Christmas’ workshop, which will inspire children to get creative making decorations with a special Christmas sparkle using foliage and greenery from Holkham Park. Nothing quite says Christmas like putting a hand-made wreath on your front door and budding florists can try their hand at creating their own wreaths and floral arrangements at the ‘Wreath Making’ and ‘Festive Flowers’ workshops. Whilst those with a sweet tooth will love creating edible gingerbread wreaths at the ‘Gingerbread Creation’ workshop.

Holkham’s spectacular Candlelight Tours offer a magical opportunity to see the state rooms adorned with opulent decorations and beautiful flickering candlelight. The guided tours are a chance to hear how the decorations are made and about Holkham’s history from the hall’s knowledgeable guides. Visitors this year will be treated to stunning visual displays in the Landscape Room and the South Drawing Room by two talented local designers. The Landscape Room, with its collection of Old Master paintings, will form the backdrop for a show-stopping peacock themed display by local artist Kate Bagnall-Oakeley of Mock Orange Flowers. A spectacular mannequin will be decorated using fir garlands, ferns, hydrangeas and tiny lights to form a flower and garland skirt, bodice, wig and head-dress for the display. The South Drawing Room will showcase the ultimate dining experience, with the dining table ornately set for an exotic banquet. The centrepiece of the table will be a Russian wedding cake created by brilliant cake maker, Claire Owen. The cake will be hand decorated in a magical palette of colours, inspired by Holkham Hall. Claire’s background in sculpture lends her creations a distinct sculptural style, meticulously executed with detailed piping, stylised forms and bold colours.

The Lady Elizabeth Wing will host a two-day Festive Food Fair with a delicious collection of Christmas food and drink from local and regional producers offering Christmas treats for food lovers, as well as an entertaining cookery theatre with demonstrations from local chefs to provide plenty of inspiration for visitor’s own Christmas feasts.

Throughout the festive period Holkham’s Courtyard Gift Shop – the perfect place to seek out Christmas gifts – will be open daily offering an array of exquisite tree and room decorations as used to decorate the hall, in addition to the shop’s usual selection of exclusive gifts from local producers and artisans. There will be a special Christmas shopping evening in November with a 10% discount on all purchases for all customers and a gift wrapping service along with a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie to enjoy whilst they browse the Christmas selection.

Finally families will delight at the arrival at Holkham Hall of Father and Mother Christmas and their band of elves as they stop off during his busy schedule for a very special Audience With Father Christmas. Father Christmas will be in the Saloon regaling children with tales of wonder and magic, along with music and surprises from his elves. There will be a present for every child as well as a small biscuit and soft drink, or a glass of Prosecco for adults.

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