11 November 2019
Here are 10 reason why you should consider visiting this delightful Spa Town at Christmas time:
- Even bigger real outdoor ice rink this year with a separate rink for parents and toddler sessions in the daytime and Bavarian Curling in the evening: a traditional German ice game somewhere between curling and bowls! The rink is open from 15 November 2019 to 5 January 2020 in Calverley Grounds which is situated across the road from the main line train station serving trains from Hastings and London.
- Visit Father Christmas in his authentic log cabin at Calverley Grounds. Families can book to have a 10-minute exclusive meeting with Father Christmas. A professional photograph is included with each booking along with an age appropriate gift. Children can also write a letter to Father Christmas with a merry elf which they can then hand to Father Christmas during their visit.
- Christmas Lights and Illuminations. This Christmas the town will have beautifully illuminated streets, and for the first time, these will include winter scenes projected onto some of the town’s most iconic buildings including one which will look just like falling snow close to the entrance to Royal Victoria Place shopping centre.
- Royal Victoria Place shopping Centre is home to all your favourites stores, excellent family facilities and a great range of places to eat and relax. A festive entertainment programme is planned for every Sunday in December when parking is just £2 all day. Santa will be arriving at his magical Arctic themed Grotto on Thursday 14 November from 4.30pm along with Chase and Marshall from the popular TV series PAW Patrol. Santa will be in his beautifully decorated grotto every day until 24 December.
- A festive Farmers Market will take place each Saturday throughout December between 9am and 3pm in Market Square where shoppers can buy speciality produce.
- Late Night Shopping in Royal Victoria Place until 8pm Monday from 16 December to Monday 23 December with free parking between 4pm and 8pm. (except Sunday 22 Dec when the centre closes at 4.30pm).
- The historic High Street and Pantiles. Take a stroll down the picturesque High Street with its unique shops and restaurants to the historic Pantiles which is a winter wonderland with beautifully lit trees, historic buildings and a Georgian colonnade once famous for attracting royal visitors. The Pantiles is now the idyllic setting in which to enjoy the wine bars, cafés and restaurants.
- Santa Specials at the Spa Valley Railway. Just a five-minute walk from the Pantiles is the Spa Valley Railway which will be running steam trains throughout the Christmas period. Children can meet Santa and receive a present on board the Santa Specials which run between Eridge and Tunbridge Wells West on selected days from the end of November to Christmas Eve. You can also book Murder Mystery experiences and Christmas dining opportunities on board the High Weald Belle.
- Christmas Pantomime. Flying into the Assembly Hall Theatre will be Peter Pan so come and meet Peter and the lost boys, Tiger Lily and Tinker Bell and get ready for a family show full of fun, fairy dust and pirates galore! Set sail for Neverland and take on Captain Hook and prepare for out-of-this-world flying effects, galleons of laughter and the hungriest of crocodiles. Opens from 7 December to 5 January.
- Theatre Productions at Trinity Theatre has an amazing programme of events including a new production of the ‘Snow Queen’ which sees Kai lured away from his village by the icy embrace of The Snow Queen. Original music, puppetry and more than a sprinkling of snow will bring this classic tale to life for families between 12 December and 5 January. Or why not book to see a performance of Dicken’s famous ghost story A Christmas Carol on 28 November. Music lovers can listen to a musical trio and soloists while enjoying Christmas lunch on 1 and 8 December. Ballet fans can watch a live production of Coppélia by The Royal Ballet on 15 December at 6.30pm and The Nutcracker will be shown on 17 December on 7.15pm.
