ENJOY MAGICAL CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES AT HOLKHAM, NORFOLK
October 3rdNorfolk
This Christmas, experience a wonderland of festive delights, as Holkham Hall opens its doors to a variety of spectacular seasonal celebrations. Visitors will leave the coldness of winter at the door as they enter the magic that is Christmas at Holkham. From November to December, the privately owned 25,000 acre estate will be hosting an array of festive events against the sumptuous backdrop of the historical state rooms, beautifully adorned with decorations which can be admired by twinkling candlelight, as well as offering indulgent locally-sourced treats and gifts for all the family, making it the perfect setting for a festive winter getaway.
ESCAPE THE CHRISTMAS CHAOS AND ENJOY A NEW CANDLELIGHT EXPERIENCE FOLLOWED BY A UNIQUE SCREEING OF THE IMMERSIVE, MOVING-IMAGE ARTWORK ’NATIVITY’ BY MARTHA FIENNES
New for this Christmas, Holkham is delighted to present ‘Nativity’, a pioneering, moving-image artwork by award-winning director and artist, Martha Fiennes. After exploring the beautifully decorated state rooms by flickering candlelight, visitors will have the exclusive and rare opportunity to enter the Chapel, where they can sit and immerse themselves in the mystical moving artwork. This unique opportunity will showcase Martha Fiennes’ concept of the Nativity, inspired by many great Renaissance paintings which have portrayed this story, with the artwork itself generating imagery which unfolds seamlessly and continuously via randomising algorithms coded by a computer. Music written specifically for the artwork by composer, Magnus Fiennes will accompany the exhibition, creating a mesmerising and highly immersive experience in which no two viewing experiences are the same. Visitors can also enjoy a complimentary glass of prosecco, elderflower presse and live music in the Marble Hall on arrival.
HOW: The exhibition will run from 27th – 30th December between 3pm – 9pm. Tickets are priced at £35 for adults and £17.50 for children. Tickets are only available to book online, please find a link here.
MEET THE CREATORS OF CHRISTMAS WITH CHRISTMAS TREE DRESSING, CHAMPAGNE A NEW AND EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE COUNTESS OF LEICESTER ON SATURDAY 7TH DECEMBER
Holkham Hall is delighted to be opening its doors for the first time for a unique chance to meet some of the faces behind Christmas at Holkham. The Countess of Leicester will welcoming guests to the Hall, where they will have the chance to hear how the original concepts are dreamt up by her and her team, and how the artists and makers turn these visions into reality to transform the Hall state rooms into magical spaces. Visitors will also learn how to dress their own Christmas tree in the magnificent style of the Saloon tree and get the chance to meet the creators of some of the show-stopping decorations, alongside entertainment from talented pianists and Harpist Zoe Arnold. Enjoy a glass of champagne in the Marble Hall on arrival before exploring the rooms by candlelight, during which the estate Archivist and Librarian, as well as the room stewards, will be able to answer any questions about the estate’s history and decorations.
HOW: The event will run on 7th December between 6pm – 9pm. Tickets are priced at £45 for adults. Tickets are only available to book online, please find a link here.
WRAP UP FOR CHRISTMAS – ENJOY A NEW MASTERCLASS ON GIFT WRAPPING BY ‘GIFT WRAP GURU’ JANE MEANS
Visitors are invited to a merry masterclass on how to wrap to perfection with ‘Gift Wrap Guru’, Jane Means. New for this November, Jane will provide expert tutorials on how to enhance a humble gift with embellishments, learn how to tackle those awkward shapes and how to make your own bespoke gift bag. This masterclass will take Christmas wrapping to a luxurious level, with a side of thriftiness as Jane shows visitors how they can upcycle vintage treasures and reuse unusual papers. Complimentary mulled wine and mince pies will be available for added festive spirit. Jane Means has been a gift-wrapping advisor and consultant for over two decades with prestigious clients including Fortum & Mason, Selfridges, Dior, Jo Malone and Victoria Beckham. She also regularly appears on TV and is the author of ‘Gift Wrapped’.
HOW: The event will run on 28th November between 1:00 – 3:30pm. Tickets are priced at £45, to find out more
CELEBRATE THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS WITH A CANDLELIGHT TOUR OF THE HISTORIC STATE ROOMS
Visitors can embark on a magical journey through Holkham’s magnificent state rooms on the estate’s popular Candlelight Tours this Christmas. The 45-minute tours will give visitors the chance to see the spectacular state rooms beautifully adorned with sweet-scented pine trees, opulent decorations and twinkling lights. The guided tour will enlighten visitors on the inspiration behind each magical setting within the rooms and provide insight into how the sensational decorations are made.
HOW: The Candlelight Tours will run on select dates between 1st -18th December. Tickets are priced at £25 for adults and £12.50 for children. Tickets are only available to book online, please find a link here
CHRISTMAS WITH A CONSCIENCE – STEP INTO A UNIQUE WINTER WONDERLAND OF ORIGAMI
This Christmas, Holkham’s historical South Dining Room will be transformed into a winter wonderland by Norfolk-based couturier, Henrietta Faire, with inspiration taken from the sky, land and water surrounding Holkham, with an Origami twist. In addition to this, Holkham will also be working with London based stylist, Alice King, who is creating a bespoke large-scale paper garland for one of the main mantlepieces in the hall. Taking into consideration the estate’s focus on conservation and sustainability, it is no surprise that Christmas at Holkham should have this focus on natural materials. Visitors will even be wowed with a very special and unique Christmas tree, made purely from snowflake paper decorations and reclaimed wood from the estate.
TREAT YOUR TASTEBUDS TO LOCALLY SOURCED WINTER DELIGHTS AT HOLKHAM’S ANNUAL FESTIVE FOOD FAIR – BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER
This December, Holkham will be raising the bar with its popular Festive Food Fair, where visitors can indulge in a whole feast of locally sourced festive delights in the elegant Lady Elizabeth Wing and courtyard. Visitors can indulge in sumptuous delights such as homemade jams, chutneys, cheeses, Norfolk gins and much more, made by the best local and regional producers in Norfolk. Visitors can also enjoy a warming mug of mulled wine or hot chocolate, plus a tasty treat from the concession stalls whilst taking in the festive atmosphere. Once again, Holkham’s live cookery theatre, hosted by Charlie Hodson and a selection of local chefs will keep visitors entertained throughout the day, providing inspiration for new and exciting ways to make a spectacular Christmas dinner.
HOW: Holkham’s Festive Food Fair will run on 14th & 15th December from 10am – 4pm. Please find more information here.
LEARN HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN FESTIVE WREATHS WITH SPECIAL TUTORIALS BY EXPERT FLORISTS
Master the art of wreath making this Christmas at these engaging workshops where guests will create their own festive wreaths with expert tuition from florist, Jo Constance and her teams. Held in the Lady Elizabeth Wing, visitors will create wreaths using fresh greenery from Holkham’s very own parkland. To get visitors fully into the Christmas spirit, they can also enjoy a complimentary glass of warming mulled wine and a mince pie.
HOW: Holkham’s festive wreath making will run on select dates between 2nd – 11th December. Tickets are priced at £55, including parking and refreshments. For more information and tickets, please find a link here.
‘AN AUDIENCE WITH FATHER CHRISTMAS’ ENJOY MAGICAL CHRISTMAS TALES, TREATS AND SINGING ELVES
Join the festivities at Holkham for a very special ‘Audience with Father Christmas’ as he pays a visit with Mother Christmas in the Saloon to treat little ones to magical Christmas tales and the all-singing, all-dancing band of Ukulele elves. Visitors will be entertained as the elves lead guests through the enchanting State rooms but keep an eye out as these mischievous elves may have a trick or two up their sleeves! Little ones will also be treated to an early Christmas present whilst parents can sip on a glass of Prosecco or soft drink.
HOW: Father Christmas will be visiting on select dates between 14th – 23rd December. Tickets are priced at £25 for adults and children. Tickets are only available to book online, please find a link here
‘NEXT STOP CHRISTMAS’ RELISH SPARKLING FESTIVE SONG FROM BRITAIN’S FOREMOST CHAMBER OPERA COMPANY, DIVA OPERA
Diva Opera’s delightful selection of highlights of opera musicals, together with a few season favourites is guaranteed to keep everyone’s spirits high. The narrative tells the story of strangers on a train, all with somewhere important to be for Christmas – but will the fates (and the weather) allow them to get there on time? It looks like a bumpy ride is in store.
HOW: Performances of Next Stop Christmas are on Thursday 5th and Friday 6th December, 7pm. Tickets are priced at £42 (Auditorium), £35 (Gallery – restricted view). Tickets are available to book online, please find a link here
UNIQUE FESTIVE SHOPPING AT HOLKHAM’S CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EVENINGS
This November, Holkham will be hosting a series of Christmas Shopping Evenings, where visitors can soak up the wonderful Christmas atmosphere whilst finding the perfect gift for a loved one. Holkham gift shop will be filled to the brim with unique and wonderful presents, including a selection of exquisite tree and room decorations, scented candles, Christmas cards, puddings, chutneys, festive hampers and much more. Visitors can also enjoy an extra 10% off all purchases and once all shopped out, can enjoy mulled wine and mince pies in the Courtyard Café. A gift-wrapping service will also be available to help remove any unwanted last-minute wrapping pressure come Christmas Eve!
HOW: Christmas Shopping Evenings will run on 14th, 21st & 28th November at 4pm – 6:30pm. Please find more information here.