Bradford Council’s Cliffe Castle Museum and Park will play a key role in bringing the Christmas cheer to Keighley with two special weekends of festive activities on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10, and Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 December. The events will run from 11 am to 3:30 pm each day.
The festive offerings cater to diverse interests, featuring a Santa’s grotto, live music, market stalls, family crafts, and more on various dates. Additionally, there will be a designated “Santa only” day for those seeking a more tranquil experience.
Within the elegant setting of the Bracewell Smith Hall at the Bradford Council-managed museum, children will have the opportunity to meet Santa Claus. Tickets for Santa’s grotto are priced at £10 per child. As part of the experience, children can compose their own letter to Santa or create a drawing. Following this, they will listen for the sound of a bell, indicating their turn to visit the grotto in small groups.
Children can then post their letter or drawing in a special post box, engage in conversation and take photographs with Santa, and receive a special gift along with a certificate as a keepsake. All proceeds from the Santa visits will contribute to the Keighley Lions charity.
Due to limited availability, it is highly recommended to book time slots in advance to secure a spot and avoid disappointment. Tickets can be booked at www.keighleylions.org.uk/shop/p/santas-grotto-ticket-cliffe-castle.
The festivities commence gently on Saturday 9 December with a more laid-back ‘Santa only’ day. The celebration builds on Sunday 10 December with Santa’s grotto and live festive music from the Cricklemore Crewe within the museum.
On Saturday 16 December, Santa will return to his grotto, accompanied by a Christmas art and craft fair, family activities inside the museum, winter nature crafts, and mulled apple juice in the park.
Sunday 17 December will conclude the festivities with the last opportunity to see Santa, along with arts and craft stalls and family activities inside the museum. Those walking their dogs in Cliffe Castle park on Sunday 17 December may encounter Santa-paws distributing dog biscuits and offering photos between 10:30 am and 11:30 am. Donations for the Keighley Lions are encouraged, and festive doggy outfits are welcomed.
On both Saturday 16 and Sunday 17, an illuminated art, music, and light installation will take place at the park’s bandstand between 3 pm and 6:30 pm.
While all activities are free, visits to Santa’s grotto are £10 per child, with proceeds benefiting the Keighley Lions.
Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “Christmas is such a special time of year for children, and this is just one of a series of events we are holding in our museums and parks to help get people into the festive spirit.
“Tickets to see Santa at Cliffe Castle are limited, so people should get their tickets booked as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. The event is raising money for the Keighley Lions a charity helping people in need across the world.”
For more information about Christmas events across the Bradford district, visit www.visitbradford.gov.uk.
