Highlights include:
• Magical family events: First ever immersive Santa’s Grotto, Meet Father Christmas, plus elves, activities, and gifts.
• Seasonal events: From independent artisans at Sparkle Festive Fair, to Christmas creative workshops and popular carol concerts.
• New: Landmark Late: Yule see Santa as never before in a one-off life drawing class (for adults). Prosecco, pencils, and piano are at the ready!
The Landmark Arts Centre has announced its Christmas plans with a sparkling programme of festive events which include two very different takes on Santa. In one for families, Santa is revealed with elves and even a reindeer in an immersive Santa’s grotto. In a separate event, Santa is ‘unwrapped’ for a life drawing class. ADULT ONLY.
The Sparkle Festive Fair will kick off the Landmark’s Christmas season on 17 to 19 November with a festive emporium of high-quality arts and crafts gifts, including ceramics, jewellery, homewares by independent artists and makers, providing an opportunity to get ahead of the Christmas shopping.
The Landmark is helping families to Meet Father Christmas in a heart-warming and playful reimaging of the ‘Santa’s Grotto’ formula. Children will be invited on a magical journey through his grotto where they can uncover the mysteries of Santa’s reindeer, take selfies with the Elfies, make Christmas cards, and come face-to-face with the one and only Father Christmas. Tickets include entry to Sparkle and a gift to take home. Slots run all weekend and early booking is advised. December dates to be announced.
To complement the seasonal offer over the Sparkle weekend, a variety of creative workshops are being held by expert tutors, including a Felted Christmas Tree Decoration one-off course on 18 November and a Lino Print Christmas Card Making workshop on 19 November, with mince pies and festive drinks.
Music will feature highly during the festive season. The Landmark Singers will be joining forces with the Barnes Concert Band for the Festive Harmony concert on 13 December, warming audiences with a performance filled with music from classical to Christmas, folk, and big band.
Carols by Candlelight is returning on 16 and 17 December. A festive favourite on the Landmark’s yearly calendar. Words and music will be performed by Surrey Brass with narrator Giles Abbott and local choirs. There will be carols to sing-along to and mince pies and mulled wine to get into the Christmas spirit. Tickets sold out in record time last year so early booking is advised.
Want a naughty way to get on the Nice List? Chocolatiers can indulge in a Chocolat workshop, inspired by Joanne Harris’ bestselling novel, Chocolat, on 25 November. The annual wine tasting is back bigger than anything before. Expect wines from around the world, (including Nyetimber, voted best sparkling wine in the world) plus nibbles and performances at a Wine Tasting extravaganza with Peter Lunzer, one of the UK’s leading wine experts, on 8 December. 100% of ticket sales for both events go to charity… earning you a place on Santa’s nice list!
New to the Landmark’s festive programme this year is Landmark Late: Yule on 15 December. A life drawing session with a twist. See Santa and the elves as never before! The bar will be open, music will play, and life drawing tutors will help you to see the man behind the red and white suit. Tongue in cheek, this class is perfect festive fun. And a chance to draw and take away a NUDE ELF PORTRAIT!
To round off the festive calendar there will be a special transformative Juvamukti Yoga session on 28 December, led by specialist, Gillian Reeve. Returning after her sell out class under Gaia, this special one-off session is designed for the year end. An opportunity to shed the past 12 months and kick start your detox from Christmas indulgence. A positive way to bid farewell to 2023 and welcome a new year beginning. The session includes a vegan brunch. 100% of the ticket price goes to charity…what a great way to start the year.
Harper Ray, Landmark Director, said: “I encourage everyone to see the incredible tree outside the Landmark, which is once again donated by our friends at Pines and Needles. Seeing the magnificent 15-foot tree decorated and lit … I know Christmas has arrived at the Landmark! We’ve got a packed festive season ahead. We’re thrilled to have the big man himself opening the fun at our first ever Santa’s Grotto, which promises a magical and memorable immersive experience for families. I will be at Sparkle; it’s a handy Christmas village bursting with treasures which all make for great gifts. And Christmas at the Landmark wouldn’t be complete without our popular carol concerts to get you into the spirit. And if that sounds nice… then here’s something for the naughty list… Landmark Late: Yule, see Santa and his team stripped to the baubles in a festive themed life drawing event for adults.”
At a glance:
Sparkle Festive Fair 17-19 November
www.landmarkartscentre.org/visual-arts/?genre=Fairs&instance_dates=
Meet Father Christmas 17-19 November and December Dates (To be announced)
https://www.landmarkartscentre.org/shows/meet-santa/
Felted Christmas Tree Decoration Workshop 18 November
www.landmarkartscentre.org/class/fun-felted-christmas-tree-decoration/
Lino Print Christmas Workshop 19 November
www.landmarkartscentre.org/class/sparkle-lino-print-christmas-card/
Chocolate Making Workshop 25 November
www.landmarkartscentre.org/class/chocolat-a-delicious-workshop-inspired-by-the-award-winning-novel/
Wine Tasting Fundraiser 8 December
www.landmarkartscentre.org/shows/wine-tasting-fundraiser/
Festive Harmony 13 December
www.landmarkartscentre.org/shows/landmark-sound-festive-celebration-2023/
Landmark Late: Yuletide 15 December
www.landmarkartscentre.org/shows/landmark-late-yule/
Carols by Candlelight 16 & 17 December
https://www.landmarkartscentre.org/shows/carols-by-candlelight/
Juvamukti Yoga 28 December
