Festive events in Arundel, West Sussex

This November and December, start your festive season in style by visiting Arundel for an eclectic feast of music, shopping, theatre, visual arts, Christmas lights and outdoor activities for the whole family. Whether it’s watching carol singers under the resonating arches of the cathedral, cosying around a hog roast with a glass of mulled wine, following the live nativity in the candlelight procession, unearthing unique and ethical Christmas presents or buying scrumptious local foods; there is something for everyone in Arundel this Christmas.

Highlights in the festive calendar include:

Saturday 13th November 2010 – The Fairtrade and Sustainable Christmas Fair
From 10am to 5pm, one of the UK’s largest fair trade and ethical Christmas Fairs returns to Arundel Castle with over 50 stalls of sustainable, re-used, fair trade, ethical and organic products. Now in its seventh year, the Arundel Fairtrade Town Group’s annual Fairtrade and Sustainable Christmas Fair 2010 is the perfect place to buy all your special Christmas gifts under one roof whilst supporting local and international ethical traders. Buy locally made organic soap; recycled wool brooches and scarves; solar powered torches; Fairtrade jewellery and bed linen; as well as bags and jewellery from as far as South America, Asia and Africa.

Attendance is free. Pedestrian access to the Fair at the Castle is via the Lower Lodge entrance in Mill Road, Arundel. Please note the rest of the castle will be closed. Refreshments will be available.

Saturday 4th December 2010 – The Rotary Club of Arundel’s ‘Spirit of Christmas’
Between 3 – 6pm, celebrate the ‘Spirit of Christmas’ in Arundel’s historic town centre, with singing and dancing from the Sompting Village Morris Dancers and the Sompting Tipteers, a Mummers drama group who will be performing a Christmas musical with a twist. Enjoy mulled wine, hot chocolate and mince pies under the mistletoe while helping to raise funds for charity. At 5pm Her Grace the Duchess of Norfolk will officially switch on the Arundel Christmas lights and illuminate the town’s Christmas tree, which for the first time will be cut from the Norfolk estate.

It’s free to attend with free parking available in the town centre car parks, so arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Saturday 11 December 2010 – ‘Arundel by Candlelight’
From 1pm, the historic streets of Arundel will close to traffic to accommodate the thousands who annually attend the renowned ‘Arundel by Candlelight’ celebration.

Make lanterns from recycled glass jars at workshops during the day before joining the evening lantern procession led by a nativity procession. Throughout the day be entertained by a variety of acts including The Littlehampton Academy Steel Band, whilst shopping at over 30 independent shops, galleries and boutiques offering unique gifts and quality service. Children can enjoy traditional Victorian rides including the chair-o-plane and hook-a-duck in Tarrant Square and meet Father Christmas to receive gifts. Enjoy mulled wine and mince pies or settle down in one of the many cosy Arundel eateries.

Free parking is available on Mill Road (Castle) car park, the Lido car park and also Crown Yard car park. Some road restrictions apply.

Saturday 18 December 2010 – Arundel Christmas Farmers’ Market
On Saturday 18th December, a special Christmas edition of the Arundel Farmers’ Market will be held around the town square where you can buy all your festive season foods, fresh and locally sourced. For more information please visit: www.arundel.org.uk

Festive Outdoor Swims
The Arundel Lido will be specially opened for free festive swims on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, so grab a towel and experience the chill. Parking is free. For more information please visit:

Cultural events this period include:

Saturday 4th & 11th December 2010 – The Arun Choral Society Carol Concert at Arundel Cathedral
At 7pm, join the 120 member Arun Choral Society and local primary schools for two carol concerts with selected readings under the impressive arches of Arundel Cathedral. Tickets are £7.00 or £2.00 for under 18s and available on 01798 831234.

Wednesday 8th – Saturday 11th December – The Drip Action Theatre Company‘s ‘The Colossus Hanging Mausoleum of Zeus’s Great Lighthouse Temple’
From Wednesday through to Saturday, The Drip Action Theatre Company will perform seven newly commissioned plays based on the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World at the Victoria Institute on Tarrant Street. Tickets are £9.00 (£8.00 Victoria Club Members, £5.00 students) in advance and are available from the Arundel Information Centre on 01903 882268. This year’s Christmas production is sponsored by Pallant of Arundel and ticket prices include festive refreshments. Performances start at 8pm with free parking available on London Road.

Also:

Jazz performances at the Arundel Jazz Club; folk at the Arundel Football Club; comedy in the cells of the Arundel Jailhouse; and several Gallery Trail artists opening their studios to the public on 11th December 2010.

For more information on all festive shopping, leisure and cultural events in Arundel this Winter please visit: www.arundel.org.uk

Useful links:
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