A County Durham living museum is letting visitors step back in time to enjoy a traditional Twelfth Night celebration.
Beamish Museum will be holding the event from December 27 to January 7.
There will be music, family craft activities and a festive atmosphere at Pockerley Old Hall.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, Twelfth Night celebrations were an occasion of mischief and merrymaking, with parties involving food, drink and traditional games.
A spokesperson said: "At Beamish, you’ll be able to get a feel for the Georgian merriment as you sample fruit punch and Twelfth Night cake, make your own Twelfth Night mask, listen to traditional music and join in with ceilidh dancing.
"Watch out for wassailing demonstrations, a Twelfth Night tradition to encourage a good harvest, between The 1900s Pit Village and 1900s Town and see what the residents of Ravensworth Terrace have cooked up with traditional food displays in The 1900s Town.
"Discover how the New Year was traditionally celebrated in The 1900s Pit Village as you hear the story of first footing. Discover what each of the traditional gifts; coins, bread, salt and coal symbolise.
"Don’t forget to visit Elf Wood for your last chance to find out what the elves are up to! Twelve naughty elves have escaped from the woods and are hiding around the museum!
"Collect a copy of the free Elf Trail (museum admission charges apply) and see if you can spot the elves as you make your way around the museum."
On 7th January, the Georgian folk will celebrate Plough Sunday at St Helen’s Church, an important day in the agricultural calendar.
There are other fun events at Beamish to mark into your calendar for 2024 too.
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The Beamish Pantomime will be returning and the Beamish Amateur Dramatic Society will take to the stage in the 1950s welfare hall with their adaptation of Cinderella each weekend from Saturday, 6th January until Sunday, 11th February 2024.
Tickets for the Beamish Pantomime cost £3 per person (under 5s free, museum admission charges apply) and must be booked in advance. Tickets are on sale soon, see www.beamish.org.uk for more information.
Beamish Museum’s daytime events are included in admission and are free to Beamish Unlimited Pass holders and Friends of Beamish members, pay once and visit free for a year.
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