Fun things to do in December!

Monday 9 December - Sunday 15 December

Festive Music from Brass Quintet Cadenza

  • Brampton Museum, Brampton Road, Newcastle, ST5 0QP
  • Sat 14 December, 2pm
  • Festive tunes and sing-along with five-piece brass band Cadenza to get you in the Christmas spirit. An indoor event.
  • Good to know: the venue is wheelchair-accessible with 2 wheelchair-accessible toiets. 
  • Here are some of the things Brampton Museum do to make their events more inclusive for all guests
    • Relaxed music events: All of Brampton Museum’s events are relaxed. There are gentle light levels within the room so more accessible than a darker concert hall. When you pre-book your ticket you can reserve a space in the front row or an individual seat at the back where you can have distance from other viewers and some space to move around.
    • Sensory borrow bag: The museum has free of charge ‘borrow bags’ with children’s ear defenders and fidget toys which can be helpful for children with ADHD, autism or sensitivity to noises. Please ask at reception and make sure to return it before you leave.
    • Visual guide: You, or a member of your family, may be on the autism spectrum or have a special educational need that means visiting an unfamiliar place can cause anxiety. Our downloadable guide has been designed to lead you and/or your family through your arrival at our museum, who you will meet and the spaces you will see. It has been designed with autism in mind. You can also watch the short welcome video: Welcome to Brampton Museum
  • Book online at: Festive Music from Brass Quintet Cadenza at The Brampton Museum event tickets from TicketSource or for free tickets contact  Elise Turner 01782 742212 bramptonmuseum@newcastle-staffs.gov.uk
  • Cost: £5 adults, £3 children, free tickets to any family in difficulty.

Apedale Valley Light railway - ride the train and meet Santa - quiet train 

  • Loomer Rd, Chesterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme ST5 7LB
  • Saturday 14 December, 12pm.
  • Other (non-quiet) train times are available here: See Santa at Apedale
  • Your party will board the train at the platform adjacent to the Apedale Heritage Centre. During the 15-minute round trip, Santa will meet the train and come back to the Heritage Centre. Then, the children can meet Santa in his grotto.
  • Good to know: On this quiet train ride there will be no music and the lighting in the grotto will be turned up. We can carry two standard wheelchairs per train.There is an accessible toilet at the Apedale Heritage Centre. For more details regarding accessibility see Access Statement | Apedale Valley Light Railway.
  • Cost: Advance Price: Children - £12.50, Adults - £9.00
  • On the Day Price: (subject to space being on the trains) Children - £15.00, Adults - £10.00

Christmas Lights

If you love Christmas lights, here are some places you can see a great display:

  • Benfleet Place Christmas Lights, Longton, ST3 2RU

    • Every day until 9 January, from 3:30pm - 9:30pm. 
    • The organisers say "We offer a quiet, safe space for any child to experience a Christmas Light Display with Christmas music. If you do decide to come along to see our lights, you're very welcome to message us as well, so your child will receive a sensory goody bag and get up close to the decorations. We do encourage and invite parents/carers to allow their children to touch the decorations with supervision. It's all part of the sensory aspect for the Childs/children's experience."
    • For more details see Benfleet Place Christmas Lights | Facebook 
    • Cost: there is no charge to see the lights but the organisers are collecting donations for Caudwell Children.

  • Bromsberrow Way Christmas Lights, Meir Park 

    • Every day from 4:30pm - 9pm
    • The organisers say. "Please come on foot - don't drive into the road - and respect properties.
    • For more details see Bromsberrow Way Christmas Lights | Facebook
    • Cost: there is no charge to see the lights but the organisers are collecting donations for DougieMac and Donna Louise Hospice

  • Trentham Winter Light Trail

    • Every day, except 25 December, until 31 December, various time slots
    • An illuminated light trail throughout Trentham Gardens
    • There is information about accessibility at Trentham here Accessibility around Trentham Gardens
    • For more information and to book tickets, please visit Winter Light Trail tickets
    • Cost: adult tickets £17.50 - £22.50, child tickets £13 - £17, family tickets £55 - £65