Christmas spirit is well and truly coming alive, as Manx National Heritage launch a package of events and activities for this festive season, starting with a Skandi Style Christmas Artisan Market at the House of Manannan this weekend.
Organised by the Creative Network, the Skandi Style Christmas Artisan Market is on Saturday 14 November and Sunday 15 November from 10am and includes a performance by St Germans Handbells at 1.30pm each day.
The activity programme includes a number of craft workshops; Christmas bauble making for children, 3D card making, quilting, festive bunting making and hand painting Harry Kelly’s Cottage onto your own Christmas card design. Workshop prices range from £5 to £15, with all materials provided. Spaces can be booked at www.manxnationalheritage.im.
On Saturday 5th December the Snow Queen arrives in Castletown to take up residence in her winter palace at Castle Rushen. During her visit, Her Royal Snow Majesty will be receiving subjects in the Presence Chamber, from 10am. Tickets to this magical event are almost sold out, so would-be attendees will need to be quick to book a space. This year, on 9 December, the Snow Queen is hosting an additional reception, especially for her under 5s subjects. The Snow Queen will be accompanied by some of her special winter wonderland friends. Spaces can be booked on the MNH website.
On Sunday 6 December at the Manx Museum, there’s another opportunity to find those special Christmas gifts when local Manx artisan crafters will be showcasing their products, with entertainment including traditional music and song by Simon Rea (Truman Falls) and Jeff Jepson. The Bay Room will be open for the purchase of festive treats. Local artisan producers include; Janet Taylor, Isle Be Creative, Manx TurnEd, Breeze Candles, IsleStyle, Cherie Collier Textiles, Aossi, Felicity Wood Designs, Kathryn Cain Design, Snaefell Soaps, Rosie J Wood, ELEMENTIsle, Dee & Bee’s wax wraps, Jo Lewy Ceramics and Kim Gee Studio who will all be showcasing their fabulous products.
Also on 6 December at the Manx Museum, there’s an opportunity to take a break from shopping and join a talk in the Lecture Theatre at 2pm called ‘This is Christmas’ by MNH’s own Katie King who will provide an entertaining and nostalgic look back at Christmas on the Isle of Man in the 1960s and 1970s. Using images and stories from the Manx newspapers, this light hearted talk will stir a memory or two of life on the Island in those days. The talk accompanies the ‘This Is Christmas’ exhibition in the Exploratorium Gallery in the Manx Museum which opens on 26 November.
On 12 December at 3pm, Astronomer, Howard Parkin will tell the Christmas star story and its link to the Island. Further talks in the MNH Stargazing Series continue into the New Year. See MNH website for full details.
There’s also the opportunity to visit The Grove on 12th and 13th December to see the house come to life with Christmas cheer and find some Island inspired gifts in our festive shop.
Julia Cullen, Public Engagement Manager for Manx National Heritage said:
“Even though Christmas will be a little different both on the Island and around the world, we hope our festive programme offers something for everyone to enjoy”.
MNH are giving the gift of free postage and packing to the UK and in the Isle of Man for items purchased on its online shop at www.manxnationalheritage.im/shop. The offer runs until Monday 7th December. Every purchase supports MNH’s work in caring for the Islands heritage.