It’s official: Rye Christmas Festival 2019 is almost here!
The lighting volunteers have worked hard over a two week period to light Rye ready for the festive season, and there’s a beautiful Christmas tree standing tall thanks to Martello Developments Ltd and Littledown Christmas Tree Farm, Westfield.
And to top it all off, shops up and down the High Street are showcasing their goodies in their festive window displays. It really does feel magical.
This year, the committee are celebrating the fifth anniversary of the highly anticipated Rye Christmas Festival, and with just days until the festive fun returns it’s hard to not get excited. So, when does it all begin?
The festival officially returns on Saturday, December 7 with the magic beginning at 10:30am as Father Christmas arrives into town on the wonderful horse and cart. This is truly an incredible moment, so be sure to get there early for a good view of him arriving in style outside the police station on Cinque Ports Street before doing a lap of the town and heading to his grotto.
Speaking of his grotto, Father Christmas will be in his grotto in St Mary’s Centre in Lion Street throughout the day taking photos and giving gifts for all children who visit him. Tickets for this were pre-bookable on the festival website, but there will still be slots available for visitors to walk in and meet the main man himself.
This year you can re-live a fairy-tale favourite with an unforgettable pantomime performance of Cinderella at The Rye Community Centre in Conduit Hill. And if that isn’t enough to get you in the Christmas spirit, there is the interactive Elf Training Academy taking place this year, with children diving into some magical elf activities to prepare for the big day.
Like Father Christmas’ grotto, there are some booked slots for both of these activities, but tickets and slots are available on the day subject to availability. Tickets are still available for the Sunday slots of these different activities and events.
These bookable events aren’t the only fun you can expect! There will be food to treat your tastebuds, a quirky market for some festive shopping, storytelling with Kevin Graal, the iconic High Street Races, a unique ride around town on the horse and cart, four sound stages, Punch and Judy and of course – the Christmas Procession.
This month, local artists have been decorating penguins for this year’s art trail, in collaboration with Ethel Loves Me. All you have to do on the day is collect a form from Ethel Loves Me, spot all the penguins around Rye and then claim some free chocolate from Rye Chocolates.
As usual there will be road closures in place for the day of the festival. The High Street and all access points to the citadel will be marshalled and access will not be permitted from 8am-6pm.
A rolling road closure will be in place for the procession which leaves the station at 4:30pm and will temporarily affect Cinque Ports Street, Tower Street, Station Approach and Ferry Road. This year, all council car parks in the town will be free of charge for the day other than The Strand and Cinque Ports Street which are being used for the festival.
An information point will be at the bottom of Conduit Hill on Cinque Ports Street on the day where you can also find first aid.
Want to know how to pack all the information in? Purchase a guide! Every year, the committee release a jam-packed guide for the festival and this year is no different. Physical copies are available around Rye, but a digital copy can be found on the Christmas Festival website.
Be sure to get one before the big day to be in the know for all the exciting events.
Every year, the committee work throughout the year to bring this festival to Rye, and though the team are dedicated a helping hand is always greatly appreciated.
If you are able to volunteer on the day, whether it’s for setting things up or being able to guide visitors, please get in touch today and let the team know when you were available by emailing liz@christmasinrye.co.uk.
We can’t wait to see you all there!
Image Credits: Tony Ham .