• Enter the festive spirit at Holkham this Christmas with candlelit tours of the magnificently decorated state rooms, seasonal opera, a series of craft workshops and a special visit from Father Christmas
• Friday 1st - Friday 22nd December 2017

Holkham Hall will open its doors this Christmas for a variety of spectacular seasonal celebrations including Candlelight Tours of the hall, magnificent music, craft workshops, a two-day Food Fair,  Christmas shopping and a special visit from Father and Mother Christmas and their cheeky elves.

The celebrations begin with a sparkling evening of song with a performance of 'Tis The Season by Diva Opera, Britain's foremost chamber opera company. Guaranteed to put everyone in the festive spirit with a feast of arias, songs and carols, audiences will also delight at the fabulous cast dressed in finest period costume.

New for this year Holkham will be hosting a selection of Christmas themed workshops. There is a workshop to suit every member of the family, including 'A Natural Christmas' workshop, which will inspire children to get creative making decorations with a special Christmas sparkle using foliage and greenery from Holkham Park. Nothing quite says Christmas like putting a hand-made wreath on your front door and budding florists can try their hand at creating their own wreaths and floral arrangements at the 'Wreath Making' and 'Festive Flowers' workshops. Whilst those with a sweet tooth will love creating edible gingerbread wreaths at the 'Gingerbread Creation' workshop.

Holkham's spectacular Candlelight Tours offer a magical opportunity to see the state rooms adorned with opulent decorations and beautiful flickering candlelight. The guided tours are a chance to hear how the decorations are made and about Holkham's history from the hall's knowledgeable guides. Visitors this year will be treated to stunning visual displays in the Landscape Room and the South Drawing Room by two talented local designers. The Landscape Room, with its collection of Old Master paintings, will form the backdrop for a show-stopping peacock themed display by local artist Kate Bagnall-Oakeley of Mock Orange Flowers. A spectacular mannequin will be decorated using fir garlands, ferns, hydrangeas and tiny lights to form a flower and garland skirt, bodice, wig and head-dress for the display. The South Drawing Room will showcase the ultimate dining experience, with the dining table ornately set for an exotic banquet. The centrepiece of the table will be a Russian wedding cake created by brilliant cake maker, Claire Owen. The cake will be hand decorated in a magical palette of colours, inspired by Holkham Hall. Claire's background in sculpture lends her creations a distinct sculptural style, meticulously executed with detailed piping, stylised forms and bold colours.

The Lady Elizabeth Wing will host a two-day Festive Food Fair with a delicious collection of Christmas food and drink from local and regional producers offering Christmas treats for food lovers, as well as an entertaining cookery theatre with demonstrations from local chefs to provide plenty of inspiration for visitor's own Christmas feasts.

Throughout the festive period Holkham's Courtyard Gift Shop – the perfect place to seek out Christmas gifts - will be open daily offering an array of exquisite tree and room decorations as used to decorate the hall, in addition to the shop's usual selection of exclusive gifts from local producers and artisans. There will be a special Christmas shopping evening in November with a 10% discount on all purchases for all customers and a gift wrapping service along with a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie to enjoy whilst they browse the Christmas selection.

Finally families will delight at the arrival at Holkham Hall of Father and Mother Christmas and their band of elves as they stop off during his busy schedule for a very special Audience With Father Christmas. Father Christmas will be in the Saloon regaling children with tales of wonder and magic, along with music and surprises from his elves. There will be a present for every child as well as a small biscuit and soft drink, or a glass of Prosecco for adults. 

-ENDS- 

Diva Opera performances on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd December, tickets cost £40

Candlelight Tours on select dates between Sunday 3rd and Wednesday 20th December,

tickets cost £18 for adults and £12 for children, suitable for 10 years and over

The Festive Food Fair  is on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th December, free entry, £3 car parking charge in Holkham Park applies (redeemable in the gift shop or café on purchases of £12 or more)

Christmas Themed Workshops on selected dates between Sunday 3rd and Wednesday 20th December, tickets cost £5 for the children's workshop and £40 for the adult workshops

An Audience With Father Christmas on selected dates between Saturday 16th and

Friday 22nd December, tickets cost £17 for adults and children (0-12 years) to include a small gift 

For further details and to book online: https://www.holkham.co.uk/events/christmas-at-holkham/introduction

For media enquiries, contact Julia Perowne, Nomi Kakoty, Tamsin Graham or Clemmie Spendlove at Perowne International – +44 (0) 207 078 0295 holkham@perowneinternational.com

Holkham is a privately owned innovative 25,000-acre estate set on one of the most beautiful stretches of the north Norfolk coastline. Built in the mid-18th century by Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester, the Palladian hall is a masterpiece. The estate comprises the hall, deer park, the world famous Holkham National Nature Reserve and beach as well as a thriving collection of businesses centered on property, farming and leisure employing more than 250 people. The estate is moving with the times and recent enterprises include Pinewoods Holiday Park, two cafés, property development and the acclaimed Victoria Inn. The summer of 2016 saw the launch of The Lady Elizabeth Wing – formerly a Victorian bowling alley – which has been converted into an impressive, contemporary wedding and events space for up to 400 people, and the Hall and its grounds host a diverse range of events all year-round.