A Very Victorian Christmas at Gloucester Folk Museum

A wishing tree, craft activities, candle-lit tours, carols and much more await visitors to the Victorian-themed Gloucester Folk Museum this Christmas.

Gloucester Folk Museum is set to be the festive destination of choice from Thursday 1 to Saturday 31 December 2011, as it celebrates Christmas in Victorian style with a host of special activities and entertainment.

Throughout December the museum will be beautifully decorated with festive garlands, traditional trees, lights, ribbons and baubles mixed-in with the atmospheric smells and sounds of Christmas.

Visitors will be able to pay a visit to St Nicolas’ Wishing Tree, enjoy children’s craft activities, candle-lit tours, a living history Christmas with the ever-popular Victorian family, carol services and the ancient custom of a Mummers Play by Lassington Oak Morris Men team.

Plus, the impressive Tea Rooms will have lots of seasonal treats to enjoy, and the popular Folk Boutique will be brimming with a beautiful range of Christmas decorations and gifts. Full details are as follows:

On the trail of a very Victorian Christmas

Take a trail to find out more about Christmas traditions and customs dating back to Victorian times. This event takes place throughout December, as per the dates listed at the footer of this page.

St Nicholas’ Wishing Tree

Organisers say magical things can be found at Gloucester Folk Museum, with Christmas wishes left in the St Nicholas’ Wishing tree being answered by a very old St Nicholas who has some rather Victorian views on what Christmas should be like. This event takes place from Thursday 1 to Saturday 17 December 2011, on selected days as per below.

Victorian candle-lit tours

Under the pale glow of candlelight visitors are invited to come and see what lurks in the shadows of the exhibits, and what stories they have to tell. This beautifully atmospheric tour promises to reveal Gloucester Folk Museum in a completely different light. While the tea rooms will be open until late. This event takes place on Thursday 1, 8 and 15 December 2011 at 6pm and 7pm. Pre-booking is essential.

A Very Victorian Christmas – Living History

Immerse yourself in the traditions of a Victorian Christmas with living history re-enactors on-hand to show you what aspects of Christmas we have to thank the Victorians for. There will be crafts and other activities to try, including plenty of inspiration for your own festive decorations. The event takes place on Saturday 3 December 2011 from 11am to 4pm.

Victorian Christmas Workshops

Discover how the Victorians celebrated Christmas and how some of our most loved traditions have developed. Help decorate the museum’s tree, discover stories behind tinsel, Christmas cards and crackers, and play a Christmas parlour game. Organisers promise a fun hands-on workshop which all the family will enjoy. This event takes place on Saturday 3 December 2011 at 12pm, 2pm and 3pm.

Creative Corner

With a different theme each session, participants will get the chance to make everything from a Victorian Christmas card to an angel tree decoration and more. This event takes place on Saturday 10, 17, Tuesday 20 to Friday 23, Wednesday 28 to Friday 30 and on Saturday 31 December 2011 at 11am to 4pm.

Lassington Oak Mummers Play

Mummers Plays are described as an ancient winter tradition with their origins in pre-Christian rituals. Traditionally villagers would perform these plays in return for food or money, which are often based on loose plots with plenty of scope for adlibbing and the introduction of characters to suit the occasion. Good cheer and much merriment is promised from Lassington Oak, and guests are recommended to wrap up warm as the play will be performed, as is the tradition, outside. This event takes place on Saturday 10 December 2011 at 3pm.

Carols at the Folk

Throughout the day Gloucester Folk Museum will be bringing guests a selection of some of the best of the county’s choir and singing groups in a ‘huge carol concert’. Whether you’d like to come and listen or join in for a sing-along, the event is sure to fill you with plenty of Christmas cheer. This event takes place on Saturday 17 December 2011 from 11am to 4pm.