Beverley Minster Gears Up for Spectacular Christmas Tree Festival

Beverley Minster’s annual Christmas Tree Festival is packing 125 beautifully decorated trees into its stunning medieval building this December. 

Each tree is sponsored by a different local charity, organisation, school or business. As they are free to decorate their own tree as they wish – it means every fir tree looks unique once it’s been dressed and lit with beautiful fairy lights. 

“This year has seen a growing demand for Christmas tree decorating,” said Bob Farley who leads the festival team at the Minster.

“It just goes to show what a huge community event this is with charities, large and small joining in alongside local businesses, schools, residential homes for the elderly and many other East Yorkshire groups.

“This festival is by the community for the community, while also helping us to raise much-needed funds for the Minster.”

Last year, there was a diverse range of decorations, including crocheted bras, sunflowers, cans of beer, poppies, decorations made from hedgerow-foraged rubbish and young and old images of the occupants of a local care home.

This year’s participants are planning for set up which will begin on Thursday morning.

Visitors to the festival between Friday 1^st and Sunday 10^th December can get involved in voting for their favourite tree.

New for 2023 will be the chance for visitors to join special sessions to decorate their own Christmas wreaths among the festival trees.

Led by experts from Beverley Flower Club, the sessions will run on Wednesday 6^th, Thursday 7^th and Friday 8^th December, the same days as the Made in East Yorkshire Markets.

This means more festival activities to enjoy across Beverley. Places are limited; therefore, booking is essential.

Each participant will be admitted into the Christmas Tree Festival free of charge and can enjoy a mug of hot chocolate.

Also new are extended opening hours on Thursday 7^th December when the festival will close at 6pm instead of 4pm to allow visitors to pop in after work to see the trees.

Like last year, there will be a quiet session on Monday 4^th December between 9am and 10am for neurodiverse visitors who may struggled with the crowds and noise at other times when the festival is open.

An additional quiet session will take place between 4pm and 5pm.

Set amongst the trees, there will also be several carol concerts

• The annual carol concert organised by the East Yorkshire Committee for Macmillan Cancer Support takes place on Tuesday 5^th December at 7pm
• Carols by Candlelight, led by the Beverley Minster Choir, on Friday 8^th and Saturday 9^th December.
• During the evening on Sunday 10^th December, Britten’s Ceremony of Carols will be performed.

Entry to the Christmas Tree Festival is £5, with accompanied children under the age of 18 allowed in free of charge.

Visitors can pay by card or cash on the door.

For more details, visit www.beverleyminster.org.uk/christmas-tree-festival-2023.