Leamington’s Christmas Tree Festival
Christmas Tree Festival 2024 has finished, with 60 trees sponsored by local businesses, charities, and other community groups. I hope everyone had an opportunity to look around, and I'm sure you'll agree that it looked absolutely stunning. A great deal of imagination and creativity went in to the tree decorations; a huge amount of hard work was required to make it all happen. Thanks to David and Carole from Whittle Productions, to their volunteers, and from the home team, to Charles, with assistance from George, Valentyn, Simone, and others. Thanks too to the sponsors and supporters, without whom it would not be possible. The Festival charity this year was Molly Ollys, which supports children with life-threatening illnesses, and their families.
|
The Leamington Christmas Tree Festival makes a sparkling return to All Saints’ Church from Saturday 7 - Sunday 15 December.
A dazzling display of 60 trees, all sponsored by local businesses and not for profit organisations will be on display throughout the church for a week in the run up to Christmas. Supplied by Smith’s Garden Centre in Baginton, the five-foot potted trees are gifted-on fully dressed after the event to clients at local charities - The Esther Project and Helping Hands which support vulnerable adults. Now in its third year, the festival attracts over 3,000 visitors keen to experience some Christmas joy. Children are offered a free, festive activity sheet and everyone can sample Ukrainian delights from the in-house Tisto Café. The festival opens on Saturday 7 with a free Christmas workshop supported by Art Friends Warwickshire where visitors can enjoy creating a selection of Christmas decorations to be displayed on two large community trees. There will also be five artist-led tree decoration workshops in schools. Whittle Productions, the local creative community events company, with Charles Craft from All Saints’ Parish Church have programmed some additional events - visitors will be invited to enjoy Christmas stories from Tell Tale Theatre and an evening candle-lit musical experience from Lumos. For the first time the festival will have a late night opening - on Thursday 12 December where Santa will hear Christmas wishes with music, mulled wine and mince pies on offer. The festival will promote local charity Molly Ollys Wishes which supports children with life limiting illnesses. Throughout the festival they will be running a special raffle with 12 special gifts. Rachel Ollerenshaw from the charity explains@ “Molly Ollys are delighted to be the festival charity as it gives us an opportunity to tell people about the vital work we do. Come and visit our stall and sparkling tree and take part in our special raffle which is raising funds for our Charity.” Judging the ‘Best Dressed,’ ‘Most Creative’ and ‘Young Persons’ tree are Father Christoper from All Saints’ Church, Stephanie Kerr, Director of BID Leamington and Cllr Sidney Sison. Brewers Decorators Centre will be inviting attendees to vote on their favourite tree and a submitted activity sheet will be selected at random winner to receive a free three month pass to Explore Learning with a box of chocolate too! Entry is £2 with under 18’s free. For more details about the full Christmas Tree Festival Programme, visit allsaintschirchleamington.org.uk |
Plus also happening during this event...
Saturday 7th DecemberEvent: Carols by Candlelight
Time: 4pm Cost: £9.50 Individual / £19 Family Details: This is a chance to sing your favourite Christmas Carols, led by the choir of All Saints' Parish Church! |
|
Monday 9th DecemberEvent: Santa at the Tree Festival
Time: 11:00am Cost: £0 - £7.21 Details: Storytime with Santa for the under 5s and their families Fun-filled stories, songs and games around the tree with Santa and Thursday the Elf in the cosy cafe space at Leamington Parish Church. Take your own photos with Santa by the , place a wish on the magic tree and play with the Elves Toddler friendly and suitable for all ages Duration - 30 - 45 mins Tickets £6 per person (babes in arms and registered carers go free) |
|
Monday 9th DecemberEvent: A Christmas Carol and Other Tales
Time: 2:00pm Cost: £0 - £11.55 Details: Join Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and a host of other characters on a journey to discover how the Victorians invented the modern Christmas in "A Victorian Christmas Past.' A short theatrical vignette featuring charming shadow puppetry and the stories of Hans Christian Anderson Immerse yourself in the magical world of "A Christmas Carol," by Charles Dickens as our talented Storyteller Jacob Cracker and his cantankerous puppet Scrooge bring the timeless classic, to life. Get ready to be captivated by the heartwarming tale of Ebenezer Scrooge's transformation and rediscover the true spirit of Christmas. But that's not all! The afternoon will be rounded off with a festive parlour game and refreshments. Don't miss this extraordinary event that will leave you feeling merry and bright! |
|
Monday 9th DecemberEvent: A Christmas Carol and Other Tales
Time: 4:30pm and 5:15pm Cost: £11.55 - £44.04 Details: A festive experience for all generations. Santa's Magical History Tour lands the sleigh for one day only at Leamington Parish Church during the magical Christmas Tree Festival Family tickets available for groups of up to 6. Solve riddles & discover tales of Christmas history with Thursday of the Elf Guild. Make your own shadow puppets and learn how they work Pit your family’s wits & skills together in Mr Charles Dickens’ gameshow for ALL generations featuring brand new games for 2024 Last but not least spend some quality time with Santa & place an extra special Christmas wish on his Magic Wish Tree. All visitors will receive a small token gift from Santa & craft activity to take home. “ Christmas is a time for all conditions of people: little & big, young & old: yet growing up, or already growing down again”. (Charles Dickens) Santa's Magical History Tour is a Santa experience with a difference. Not only is it hosted in magical Historic buildings but the whole experience is run by elves with families in mind. Our activities, stories and games are specially created to bring the whole family together - even the teenagers have been known to have fun! Numbers of guests in each time slot are also limited to ensure that everyone has time to enjoy each part of the trail and there is little to no queueing Photography - Ana Frantz Photography |
|
Friday 13th DecemberEvent: An Elvis Presley Christmas Candlelight Experience
Time: 7:00pm Cost: £20 - £30 Details: Lumos Live brings you enchanting concert experiences paying homage to world famous artists. We’ve partnered with spectacular locations & churches across the UK to deliver a concert experience that is nothing short of magical ✨ 🌍A percentage of our profits will be donated to a different charity each month! Key Information : PLEASE READ 🗓️ Friday 13th December 📍All Saints Church, Priory Terrace, Leamington Spa, CV31 1AA ⏰ 60 Min Concert (Please Arrive 20mins Before The Concert Starts) 🪑 Seating Is First Come First Serve To Your Allocated Zones (Gold, Silver, Bronze) 8+ This event is for eight year olds & above ⌛7pm-8pm FOLLOW US – For Key News & Information Type Of Performance The performance at this event will a String Trio 🎻 List Of Songs: TBD PRIVATE HIRE 🕯 if you would like to hire our experience please email [email protected]. Perfect for weddings, engagements, anniversaries, birthdays + any special moment 💛 |
|