Do you know of any Tudor themed Christmas events taking place near you? Do let me know and I’ll add them to our Events page and our Anne Boleyn Files Facebook page.
Here are a few I know about:-
- Christmas at Hever Castle, 2nd – 24th December – The Hever Castle website says “Narnia comes to the castle as a liberal sprinkling of magic transforms the gardens into a sparkling Winter Wonderland. Father Christmas and his elves will be in his workshop and there will be donkey rides in the orchard. The Ice Maze will enchant and confound as visitors follow the clues to reach the surprise hiding at the centre. The Christmas shop will be open and the restaurants will be serving a selection of seasonal favourites.”
Telephone 01732 865224 or visit www.hevercastle.co.uk - Twelfth Night Madrigal Dinner, Cary, North Carolina, Saturday 8th January – This event will be held at the Herb Young Community Center 101 Wilkinson Ave in Cary, NC, at 7pm-9pm. The Historical Enrichment Society say “Celebrate Twelfth Night, the official end of the Christmas season, with medieval traditions and a Madrigal dinner. King Henry VIII is your host for the end of the 12 Days of Christmas. Your evening includes a feast, limited wine/beverage, merriment, song, dance and a variety of entertainment. Cash Bar will be available.” Find out more at http://www.historicalenrichmentsociety.org/historicalMadrigal.html
- Kingmaker’s Mediaeval Christmas Banquet, Warwick Castle, various dates up to 23rd December – Click here for details of this, the Castle’s candlelit tours, Carols at the Castle and other Christmas events.
- Nadelik: A Cornish Christmas, 19th December, Pendennis Castle – English Heritage say: “Join us at Pendennis Castle to celebrate Christmas the Cornish way. Visitors can expect a truly Cornish welcome as we embrace all of the best traditions and trimmings from Christmas past with mince pies, mulled wine, Christmas lights, carol singers and fireside tales; this event couldn’t fail to make even Scrooge smile!” Click here for details.
- Medieval Myths and Legends, 27th-31st December, Dover Castle – English Heritage say: “It’s Christmas at the Court of King Henry II. It’s a time of feasting and of celebration but most of all it’s a time for songs and stories. Stories of brave knights and heroic quests, of Lancelot and Guinevere, of King Arthur and his round table. Stories of ghosts, werewolves and vampires, exciting stories of brave heroes and greedy peasants. Join the King and his court and test your skills for the chance to be crowned the Christmas King! Also take part in the Christmas Quest as you explore different areas of this fascinating fortress.” Click here for details.
- Carols at Kenilworth Castle, Saturday 18th December – Gates open 5.30pm, carols start at 6pm. See http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/events/carols-at-castle-kc/
- Christmas Past: 400 Years of Seasonal Traditions in English Homes Exhibition, The Geffrye Museum, London, until 5th January 2011 – For this exhibition, the Geffrye Museum has recreated 11 Christmas interiors from the 16th century to the present day, focusing on how the middle class celebrated Christmas. See http://www.geffrye-museum.org.uk/ for details.
- A Sussex Christmas, Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, Chichester, Sussex, 26th December to 1st January, 10.30am – 4.00pm – The Weald and Downland Museum website describes this event: “Experience the traditions of Christmas past and discover how our ancestors enjoyed the Festive Season. Walk off the Christmas pud as you enjoy our traditionally decorated houses with their crackling log fires, with many decorated for Christmas in the style of the period when they were originally built. Also enjoy a variety of festive fare, music and stories. Come and enjoy a truly merry Sussex Christmas in our beautiful downland setting.” See http://www.wealddown.co.uk/Events-Information/A-Sussex-Christmas
- Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink, until 9th January 2011 – See the Hampton Court Ice Rink Website for information.
- Tudor Christmas at Hampton Court Palace, 27th December to 2nd January – The Historic Royal Palaces website says: “Join Henry VIII as he celebrates Christmas 1540 with two of his queens – his new young wife Catherine Howard and his ‘beloved sister’ Anne of Cleves. Listen to the court gossips, watch the King’s Fool rehearse his show, impress the nobility with your dancing, join the court musicians and enjoy a children’s pageant – all designed to entertain the King, the Queen and the Court. Down in Henry VIII’s Kitchens, our historic cooks will also be preparing food suitable for a king to dine on at Christmas.” See http://www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/WhatsOn/TudorChristmas.aspx
