Across the county of Lancashire, communities are preparing to celebrate Christmas 2024. We shake the snow globe and look at stately homes, festive railways, light shows and ice skating in our city, towns and villages
Stately Homes at Christmas
Sizergh Castle
Until December 24
This year, for the first time, the house will be open to visitors during the winter. Festive scenes and soundscapes around the house will reveal episodes from Sizergh’s long history.
The Strickland family have lived here for almost 800 years and although they are still in residence, the house is now owned by the National Trust.
The medieval house, which stands a few miles south of Kendal on the A591, was based on an impressive 14th century pele tower. It contains some of the finest Elizabethan carved overmantels in the country as well as a collection of English and French furniture and family portraits.
In the grounds this winter there will be an immersive nature-themed light and sound installation inspired by the Sizergh estate and designed by local artists and school children.
There will also be festive crafts to make in the Great Barn, and a free shuttle bus running from Kendal each weekend.
nationaltrust.org.uk/Sizergh
Levens Hall
December 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22
Visitors to Levens Hall and Gardens can connect with the hall’s Elizabethan roots this month, at a series of ‘Deck the Hall’ occasions, combining the joy of music, played by inspiring local musical groups.
The hall, near Kendal, is one of the best Elizabethan properties in the north and will open its doors at weekends in the run up to Christmas, with music and song provided by a range of talented local performers.
Visitors will also be able to explore the world’s oldest topiary garden, just a short walk from the Great Hall, which is home to more than 100 shaped pieces.
Levens Hall owner Richard Bagot said: ‘This Christmas event would no doubt have been much appreciated by our Elizabethan counterparts. Although the music played will be both festive and more contemporary, it will sound fantastic as it fills our Elizabethan hall. It will also be a true visual spectacle, as musicians and singers perform against the backdrop of our roaring log fire and gloriously decorated room.'
levenshall.co.uk
Speke Hall
House open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 29-December 15. Partial opening on all other days (except December 24-26 when fully closed).
Speke Hall, which stands on the banks of the River Mersey, is one of the finest surviving examples of a Tudor timber-framed manor house. This month it will be alive with festive fun for all the family.
The hall, where building work began in the mid-1500s, was neglected for a time in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and was even used as a cow shed at one time but has been restored since it passed to the National Trust in 1942.
This month visitors will be able to enjoy a magical retelling of the Twelve Days of Christmas inside the house, and a range of family-friendly events including an evening of festive music, a Christmas wreath making workshop, festive ghost stories, traditional songs and the chance to meet Father Christmas.
nationaltrust.org.uk/speke-hall
Festive railways
West Lancs Railway
Dec 8, 14-15, 21-22
Steam into Christmas with Santa and his elves on the West Lancashire Railway. Take a 25 minute heritage steam train journey from their station at Hesketh Bank and enjoy a festive magic show en route. Children will receive a gift and a goody bag and adults can enjoy mince pies and mulled wine. Tickets must be booked online at westlancsrailway.org.
Northern Belle
December 5
What could be finer than a luxurious trip back to the golden age of travel in an individually decorated 1930s Pullman-style carriage? Maybe enjoying a delicious seven-course festive lunch and wine as you travel through the Lancashire countryside.
The festive feast will be served on several journeys to stations around the country this month, but this round trip starts at Manchester and stops at Preston and Lancaster.
After a Champagne reception with canapés and caviar blinis, the seven course dinner will be followed by a cheese board, dessert and petits fours. During the journey guests will be entertained by strolling musicians and a magician. northernbelle.co.uk
East Lancs Railway
November 23, 24, 30, December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 20-24
Meet Mrs Claus, a talking Christmas tree and a choir of singing polar bears at Bolton Street station in Bury before boarding a steam train for a journey to Rawtenstall and back. During the 80 minutes round trip children will meet festive characters and be visited by Santa and an on board brass band will play favourite festive tunes. eastlancsrailway.org.uk
Lights shows
Knowsley Safari
November 30-December 23
Since its gates swung open in 1971, Knowsley Safari Park has been giving visitors the chance to see a huge range of animals roaming the vast parkland. Tens of thousands of people every year have enjoyed wild experiences and this month animals will be seen as never before.
The Foot Safari will be transformed into a magical wonderland where visitors will be able to wander among a dazzling menagerie of illuminated creatures including camels, giraffes, lion cubs and wolves.
Santa’s elves will be busy in their Winter Village workshop and there will be a Santa Panto full of festive fun, songs, magic.
Prices start at £10, knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk
RHS Bridgewater
November 27-30, December 4-8, 11-23 and 27-30
See the glorious gardens and woodlands in a new light on an enchanting illuminated trail. Glow at the RHS Bridgewater gardens in Salford features snowflake lights and glittering tunnels that turn the garden into a captivating wonderland.
The interactive and thought-provoking A Cry For Help installation is a collection of striking insect sculptures designed to highlight the decline of the insect population and how we can help protect them. And a brand-new light show by the Moonlight Gardener will feature juggling birds, levitating glass orbs and beautiful special effects.
Visitors will also hear Jack Frost – A Winter Story, a new album inspired by the myth of Jack Frost, with a story written and narrated by Alan Titchmarsh and music composed by Debbie Wiseman.
Tickets must be pre-booked, rhs.org.uk/gardens/bridgewater
Liverpool Cathedral
November 29-December 7
As the largest UK’s cathedral and the fifth biggest in the world, Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral is arguably Lancashire’s most dramatic building – and has this year been marking its centenary.
And for a week at the start of this month there will be added drama provided by the renowned arts collective Luxmuralis. After a sell-out show last year, they will return and use the stunning Gothic interior of the cathedral as a huge canvas for an immersive re-telling of the Nativity story.
The Very Revd Dr Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool said: ‘The Light Before Christmas: Starlight will offer visitors a different way of engaging with the Nativity story that people enjoy and love. It offers the perfect opportunity for people of all ages to come together and enjoy a festive experience.’
The sound and light installation, titled Starlight, is suitable for all ages. To book, go to liverpoolcathedral.org.uk
Ice skating
Towns and cities across the county will host markets, ice rinks and festive craft events. These are three of our favourites.
Lancaster
The historic city oozes festive charm and always celebrates Christmas in style.
The ice rink will once again be in Dalton Square but events are scheduled across the city throughout the month. There will be a reindeer day on December 1, a winter wonderland parade of giant snow globes on the 8th and a music festival on the 15th. On the 22nd the city centre will be filled with Christmas characters as The Grinch, winter goblins and a larger than life Elf on the Shelf visit.
On the weekend of December 7-8, the Judges’ Lodgings Museum will host a Victorian Christmas event with live music, craft activities and visit from Santa.
lancasterbid.org, lancasterjudgeslodgings.org.uk
Chorley
The town centre will once again become a winter wonderland with an ice rink, festive food and drink and rides for children from December 14 to January 5.
Astley Hall – as you’ll see on page 168 – dresses for the occasion and this year Santa will be meeting pre-booked guests in the hall’s beautiful morning room at weekends throughout December.
Panto fans will appreciate a double bill, with Chorley Theatre staging Jack and the Beanstalk from December 13-21, and Snow White at Chorley Town Hall for three performances on December 8. checkoutchorley.com, chorleytheatre.com
Manchester
Lancashire’s undisputed Christmas capital will be awash with festive fun throughout December.
With theatres staging Christmas shows and pantomimes, limitless opportunities for shopping, and a huge range of places to eat and drink, there is something here for everyone.
The ice rink will be in Cathedral Gardens until January 1, not far from the always-wonderful Christmas markets, which will have more than 220 stalls across nine sites this year. And on December 8 a huge colourful parade will weave through the city centre, with more than 400 people spreading festive joy and cheer as they process on a route that starts and finishes at the cathedral.
Mayfield Park will be transformed after dark with stunning light installations, a mesmerising lantern display, and a captivating soundscape. visitmanchester.com, twilighttrail.co.uk
