Christchurch Yuletide Festival 2022
A new Yuletide Festival to celebrate Christmas is coming to Christchurch this year, launching on Saturday 26th November, the priory town will be celebrating with a special Yuletide Festival. Going back to the season’s more traditional roots, Christchurch will be welcoming the Holly King, Ivy Queen, magical fairies and singing townsfolk onto the High Street before they process through the town to turn on the Christmas Lights.
Presented by Christchurch BID, the Yuletide Parade and Christmas Light Switch On will feature the internationally renowned, Christchurch-based Gobbledegook Theatre company who will bring the Holly King, Ivy Queen, and the Lord of Misrule, along with their entourage of over 20 performers to life, including Mad4Dance, Highcliffe Charity Players, and Funky Little Choir all performing as they process from The Priory along the High Street where they will join with the Mayor of Christchurch to perform the “spell” which turns on the Christmas lights.
Christchurch BID Manager, Christina Pengelly, said: “The BID is thrilled to be funding festivities in Christchurch this year and working with Christchurch Chamber, Christchurch Town Council, Christchurch Rotary, BCP Council, and our wonderful sponsors to provide music, theatre, arts & crafts and a Yuletide Procession alongside the Light Switch-on as well as a fantastic Yuletide space from the 25th of November in Saxon Square. Lots of shopping options from local businesses to local artisans will give residents a varied choice of Christmas gifts.”
Event Manager, Mandy Polkey, Stir! Events said: “This year, Christchurch is doing things differently. We’re making a new story, a myth, a new folk ritual for the lighting up of the High Street for Christmas. The magical light switch on this Christmas features a mediaeval fairy court, dancers, singing townsfolk and a traditional yule log as well as beautiful folk music by the band, ‘Hummingbird’.”
This year’s yuletide festivities will also include a Yuletide Market along one side of the High Street with a stage for music and entertainment supported by Jay Rachet from Hot Radio near the Fountain roundabout, as well as workshops to make Yule headdresses, storytelling, and face painting. Tasty treats to eat and drink from local suppliers will also be available.
The Yuletide Festival will be starting in Saxon Square on Saturday 26th November at 11am, the market stalls will be open from 1.30pm, and at 3pm crowds will be treated to a festive carol service outside the Christchurch Baptist Church at Bargates. The parade will then go around the town at 5pm, leading up to the Christmas Lights Switch On at 5.30pm followed by live music for Yuletiders to enjoy.
“We’re hoping the people of Christchurch will help us celebrate together by wearing greens and browns and hats and headdresses decorated with seasonal flowers and foliage.” Mandy adds “Whilst we’re taking inspiration from the past – and the beautiful natural environment around the town – we are also encouraging people to think about what they can do to be good ancestors.”
Also new this year, and starting on Friday 25th November in Saxon Square is a Christmas Market open all the way through December until Christmas Eve selling a range of art, craft, artisan food and drink gifts. The Hop On Inn (Bar Bus) will be delivering Christmas Cheer with mulled wine, mulled cider, and naughty hot chocolates while the Cheeky Fox Churros will be offering delicious vegan churros. Rotary Christchurch will be presenting its Living Advent Calendar with performances dotted around Christchurch town.
Yuletide in Christchurch is presented by Christchurch BID in association with Christchurch Town Council, Stir! Events, The Ducking Stool Tearooms, Christchurch Chamber of Trade and Commerce, and Rotary Christchurch.