A magical Christmas with Gibside
- Published:
- 07 September 2023
For Christmas 2023 we invited you to feel the spirit of Christmas at Gibside, with a traditional feast of festive celebrations that could warm any Scrooge’s heart.
Christmas 2023 has now finished at Gibside
The below is information for Christmas 2023. We hope you enjoyed all we had to offer at Gibside. Please check back here closer to Christmas 2024 to find out about all the exciting things we have planned for next year.
Running on select dates between Saturday 25 November 2023 to Monday 8 January 2024. Check for more details below. Excluding Christmas eve and Christmas day.
See the Chapel decorated with yuletide charm
The grand pillars will be wrapped with winter foliage, while inside the stone arches will be warmly glowing with flickering candles. Georgian inspired garlands made of ivy picked from the garden will be spun by volunteers then draped from pew to pew and idyllic music will reflect throughout the Palladian architecture.
Elsewhere, Gibside’s famous roe deer residents will be embodied by a 15-foot luminous buck, quaint Christmas trees will sparkle, and the Market Place will be veiled by soft festoon lighting.
Every day from Saturday 25 November to Tuesday 2 January. Free, admission applies.
Experience live music at Gibside Chapel
Soak up the atmosphere and seasonal spirit with traditional Christmas tunes in the Chapel. There’s a great line-up of live music from 3 spectacular folk and jazz bands. Drop in and enjoy at no extra charge.
- Sunday 3 December, 12pm-1pm – Axum Folk Ensemble
- Sunday 10 December, 1pm-3pm – William and Julie, acoustic folk duo
- Sunday 17 December, 1pm-2.30pm – Red Kites Jazz
- Saturday 30 December, 11am-2pm – William and Julie, acoustic folk duo
Join Father Christmas working at the Stables
Follow the North Star to Gibside Stables for an enchanting encounter with Father Christmas and his pointy-eared friend on this immersive theatre experience.
Embrace time together with loved ones and feel the spirit of Christmas during this interactive story time. Expect cartoonish capers from a clumsy misguided elf and discover what Father Christmas is up to on the lead to the big day.
While Mr. Claus tinkers away he’ll tell tales of his festive adventures before checking who’s made it onto his nice list. Children will take home a Christmas decoration gift and before Father Christmas says goodbye, families can take photographs together.
Book here, and for relaxed sessions book here. Booking essential. Every weekend from Saturday 2 December to Saturday 23 December. Child's ticket £12, admission applies. ALL SESSIONS SOLD OUT.
Wander along the woodland fairy trail
The gardeners at Gibside keep losing seeds and misplacing plant pots, but they’re sure it’s the work of mischievous fairies. Help them discover clues on a journey around the garden, study the activity map and explore secret nooks. Find toadstool seats for impish elves and miniature laundry lines for playful pixies. If you truly believe in magic, you might just capture a glimpse of the enchanted creatures hiding in the woodlands.
Every day from Saturday 25 November to Monday 8 January. Free, admission applies.
Children’s paper wreath making
Get little fingers sticky with glitter, glue and colouring pencils with a family craft workshop at Gibside. Create a cardboard circle and design a festive wreath with paper leaves and berries. Please ask our Visitor Reception staff about the location on the day.
Saturday 9, Thursday 14 and Saturday 23 December, 11.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 2.30pm. Free, admission applies.
Christmas light trail
Thank you to Raymond Gubbay our light trail partners for providing an illuminated Christmas trail offer from 2020 to 2022. Our light trail partnership has now ended. We have since collected feedback from hundreds of members and visitors to inspire the Christmas 2023 programme, and welcome a return of a traditional experience, which highlights the joy of spending time together with loved ones.
You might also be interested in
Things to see and do at Gibside
Discover a much-celebrated Palladian church at Gibside, take a history tour, explore the estate and enjoy outdoor play for families.
Eating at Gibside
There’s something for everyone at Gibside’s cafés, including freshly made sandwiches, wood-fired pizzas, kids' lunchboxes and, of course, really good coffee.
History of Gibside
The wealthiest heiress in Georgian times, horseback abductions, divorces and illegitimate children are just a part of Gibside’s incredible story.
Visiting Gibside with your dog
Gibside is a three pawprint rated place. There are 15 miles of paths for you and your dog to explore, lots of facilities and they’re even welcome inside the coffee shop.
Educational visits to Gibside
Gibside is the perfect place to bring a group of young people from schools, universities, Brownies and Scouts. Spark their creativity, build confidence, develop problem solving skills and enjoy nature.
Volunteering at Gibside
Interested in volunteering at Gibside? Here's all you need to know about helping us care for this special place, and how to apply if you'd like to get involved.