Christmas has come early with news that tickets for an annual treat are going on sale this June. The Beamish Christmas Evenings are always a sell-out at the County Durham museum, with visitors snapping up the chance to enjoy its late opening and soak up the atmosphere of festive seasons gone by.
So, an opportunity to plan ahead will no doubt appeal to those keen to have something special in the bag. The museum has just announced that tickets for this year's run will go on sale on June 22, first to subscribers of its newsletter and then to the general public at 12noon.
Key Dates and Timings
Those all-important dates will be the evenings of December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18 when a sparkling and fairylight-draped Beamish will open from 5pm until 9.30pm. The whole museum site, which spans the 1800s to the 1950s, is decorated for the Christmas specials and streets and buildings are brought alive with music, with visitors able to explore festive settings typical of each era and buy festive gifts, food and drinks.
What to Expect
Visitors can browse stalls in the Edwardian town then call at nearby homes and shops before dropping into the Masonic Hall for a music performance - or into the pub for a brew. Stepping back to a different time, they can then try out some seasonal crafts or visit the Pit Village cottages and school before a wander through Elf Wood to toast marshmallows over the fire then moving on to the 1950s Town to visit the toy shop or buy a gift.
Added attractions - requiring a separate ticket - will include seasonal films to watch at the 1950s cinema and Father Christmas to visit in his grotto at Rowley Station.
Paul Foster's Comments
Paul Foster, events manager at Beamish Museum, said: “Our annual Christmas Evenings are the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit.” He advises people to book their tickets as soon as they go on sale on June 22, saying: "These evenings are always very popular, having become a family tradition for many across the North East and beyond."
Ticket Prices and Booking
Tickets cost £25.50 for adults and £16 for children and must be pre-booked online. Anyone wanting to subscribe to the museum’s e-newsletter can do so on its website.
Seasonal Films and Grotto
The seasonal films on offer at the 1950s cinema during the festive evenings will be: Nightmare Before Christmas on December 3-4; Home Alone on December 10-11; and Arthur Christmas on December 17-18. To add on a film to watch before the start of the Christmas Evening costs £6.50 for an adult and £5 for a child.
Tickets to see Father Christmas in his grotto during evening visits will cost £10 for a child - to include a small, traditional gift - and two adults, with extra grown-ups being charged £2.50 each.
Daytime Events and Other Opportunities
Beamish Unlimited Passes and Friends of Beamish memberships are not valid for evening events but there will be Christmas Daytime opportunities too - running from November 21 until Christmas Eve - for which they can be used. These also mean that others, including anyone who misses out on securing tickets for the evening openings, can still see the museum site dressed in all its festive glory as part of the general admission price.
Daytime grotto visits and extra events in the festive programme including a Breakfast with Father Christmas and a new Paws with Claus treat - an invitation for pet owners to bring their four-legged friends to breakfast with Santa - will go on sale online at 9am on June 29.
