Avoncroft Museum invites visitors to prepare for Christmas in the traditional way at a special Candlelit Christmas evening on Saturday 2nd December.

The Museum will be launching its Christmas programme with an evening of festive activities, entertainments and refreshments, setting the scene for a traditional English Christmas. For two hours, from 7pm, the whole museum will be wrapping up warm and getting into the festive spirit with the sounds and flavours of Christmas from times past.

There will be costumed re-enactors in the historic buildings preparing for Christmas in the traditional ways, demonstrating Tudor and Victorian customs in the Town House and the Toll House, and recreating a 1950s Christmas in the Prefab. Visitors can see the renovated Lister Mill in action where there will be freshly milled flour available to purchase and seasonal baking to try.

Entertainments include fire juggling, traditional Christmas storytelling, Morris dancing and a Punch and Judy show. Visitors can enjoy the spectacle of magical moving trees, a magician performing close-up magic and every kind of festive music from choirs, and brass bands to showman’s organ music and bell ringing. 

A craft fair will be held in the stunning Guesten Hall selling local produce and handmade items, while the museum shop will be open selling unique gifts, gift vouchers and Museum memberships. 

For younger visitors, there is a special reindeer trail, the train will be running offering rides on the miniature Santa Express, and Father Christmas will be on site.

There will be seasonal treats to enjoy at stalls throughout the Museum such as mulled wine and cider, roast chestnuts, Christmas Casserole, a hog roast, mince pies, doughnuts and prosecco. 

Tickets cost £8 for adults and £5 for children - pre-booking is essential for this highly popular event, and can be booked through the Avoncroft Museum Shop on 01527 831363. For further information, visit their website.