By Leah Conway –
As December arrives and Christmas approaches there is a whole host of festive events on the Yorkshire Coast to look forward to. This year, the Yorkshire Coast BID has pledged to support various Christmas events in Bridlington, Scarborough, Hornsea, Withernsea and Whitby. Take a look at what’s to come.
Whitby Winter Festival: A special day out for all the family
This year Whitby centre will how a full-size ice rink. There will also be events and markets to draw people to the seaside town. The Whitby Winter Festival is brand new this year. It runs from 28 November all the way to 30 March 2022, so there is plenty of time to visit!
The newly formed ‘Welcome to Whitby’ community company has organised the volunteer-run festival. The festival aims to support Whitby and its local businesses, especially after the impact of the pandemic.
The ice rink is located under the cover of a marquee on Endeavour Wharf, in the centre of Whitby for around 6 weeks over the festive period, with a number of other festival events running until March 2022. Find out more here.
Whitby Krampus Run
Whitby Krampus Run returns for its 7th year with a parade on Saturday 4 December. The parade includes a range of family-friendly activities and performances from Tengu Taiko Drummers, a fire dance by Mister Fox and a Whitby Winter Festival Ice Rink. The fun continues into the evening with Entertainment from Elvus Krampley, Westenra, Auger and Inkubus Sukkubus.
On 5 Sunday there will also be the unique, inaugural Whitby Krampus Run Wild Hunt.
Scarborough: Grue; A new magical alternative Christmas adventure
A new magical Christmas adventure is arriving at Scarborough’s Old Parcels Office. Grue, a historic word for snow or shiver, is a walk-through, family-friendly experience. Visitors will explore a journey through forest, town, sea and sky.
The adventure is a community-led project, it is made out of entirely recycled and repurposed materials. The project aims to inspire people that it’s possible to have fun with leftover Christmas packaging and little imagination!
Grue will run on weekends – 3 pm to 7 pm – and Thursdays – from 4 pm – throughout December. With extra dates on 20th and 21st December. It takes around 15 to 20 minutes to walk through the Grue adventure and up to 6 people can book into each slot.
Entry to Grue is ‘Pay What You Can’, to help it be accessible to more people. However, organisers suggest a £3 donation per ticket.
Scarborough Town Festivities
Through the first three weekends of December. There will be a variety of activities throughout the town centre running from 10 am until 4 pm.
Each weekend there will be a different interactive street theatre. The first of which – on 3 to 5 December – will see a pair of ten-foot-tall, noble and elegant lamp posts that are alive and ready to have a chat with the crowd!
The second weekend – 10 to 12 December – is ‘bouncing weekend’ with Roo’d at Christmas appearing on Saturday. This performance sees two bouncing kangaroos from Australia provide a ‘down-under Christmas experience. On the Sunday, they’ll be replaced by mischievous bouncing elves.
The third weekend – 17 to 19 December – will see mystical Ghost Caribou and wild herds person, roam a mystical world.
Along with the street theatre events, there will be a whole host of activities and workshops for children including Christmas crafts and circus skills!
Range of festive events supported by Yorkshire Coast BID
Bridlington: Lights Switch On
This year, Bridlington will launch its Winter Festival program of events. The events are supported by different local groups throughout the town and led by the Regeneration of Bridlington Old Town (ROBOT)
The festive events began on Sunday 28th November and will run various events through December. The festivities will include a lantern Walk, as well as entertainment including Bridlington Pipe Band, Bridlington Excelsior Band, Coastal Voices; A Steam Organ, Accordionist Punch & Judy Walking Jazz Band, Driffield Town Crier, Children’s Victorian-style rides and Morris Dancing.
There will also be the first ‘A Merchants’ Market’ full of Bridlington and Old Town area traders selling their wares in period costume along the High Street.
Restaurants and pubs in Bridlington will also get involved in the festivities will special events such as Ghost-themed Evenings and other musical entertainments throughout December.
On Thursdays there will also be Late Night Shopping Events, ending with another Street Festival on 19 December.
The month-long events are hoped to make a positive impact on the town, Martyn Coltman, joint chair of ROBOT commented, “[I]was so excited at the prospects for a month-long series of events and opportunities to increase footfall to Old Town and to bring sustainable long term benefits to the whole area.”
Martyn added, “We are very grateful to YC BID for seeing the potential that this and so many other projects that are rolling out across Bridlington will bring to the entire business community.”
Read more: Over 20 local events and fundraisers to get involved in this Christmas
Withernsea: Winter Wonderland & Crafters Market
Withernsea will host the brand new Winter Wonderland and Crafters Market on 11 December from 2 pm – 6 pm. It is a free event, taking place at Valley Gardens and Blue Door pop in. along with a variety of food and drink stalls, raffles and tombolas there will be a Santa’s Grotto, traditional German Market stalls and live music from Bandarama.
All the proceeds from the raffle and tombola will go towards the Food Banks & Shores Centre Pantry.
Making the festive period special
Kerry Carruthers, Yorkshire Coast BID’s CEO spoke about the BID’s involvement in the Christmas events: “As a BID we want to do anything we can to make the festive period special for the community and part of that is helping to bring new experiences to the Yorkshire Coast.
“We are pleased to be partnering with talented community groups and organisers to bring a calendar of activity to the Yorkshire Coast to help encourage people to shop and support local businesses this Winter.”
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