The Month Ahead – December 2018

Welcome to November's The Month Ahead. We have come to the end of the year. You can't escape the festivities this month with Christmas themed activities all around the country. Let's have a look at some of the traditional feasts and festivals, events and exhibitions that are happening around the UK this month.

Throughout December - Christmas at Holkham Hall, Norfolk. See the decorations on a candlelit tour or one of the musical performances. Bag some festive and local treats at the Food Fair.

Until 23^rd December - Enchanted Christmas Westonbirt, Gloucestershire. Follow the illuminated trail into the Christmas village with choirs, art and crafts and fairground rides.

Until 30^th December - Winter Lights at National Pinetum, Bedgebury, Kent. Be enthralled in the dark with a light trail through the trees.

Until 5^th January - Christmas at Kew Gardens. Take a stroll through the winter trail with over a million twinkling pea-lights and thousands of laser beams.

Until 6^th January 2019 - Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink. Get your skates to go for a spin with the backdrop of this historic royal palace.

Until 6^th January 2019 - Walking with the Snowman, MediaCity, Salford. Celebrate the 40^th Anniversary of Raymond Briggs' classic story of The Snowman. Around MediaCity you will find twelve giant snowman sculptures designed around the theme of The Twelve Days of Christmas.

1^st-2^nd December - Rochester Dickens Festival. Have a taste of Christmas in Kent as Charles Dickens would have known it. Spot the costumed characters and enjoy the parades and open air carol concerts.

6^th December - Winter Watch Parade, Chester. First started in the 1400s but revived in recent years a ghost band leads its way through the city followed by a cast of skeletons, cooks, angels, and devils.

6^th-9^th December - Padstow Christmas Festival. Enjoy food and drink plus free live music and a lantern parade. Also look out for the annual Santa Fun Run.

7^th-8^th December - Dunster by Candlelight, Somerset. This medieval village goes back in time as the whole village is lit by candlelight.

26^th December - Tenby Boxing Day Swim. Brave the Welsh water or wrap up warm cheer on the hardy bathers. Last year over 650 swimmers took place.

All events are subject to change. Please check with the organisers before travelling.

If you are interested about advertising your event on The Month Ahead please contact me at jibberjabberuk@gmail.com.