Travel News Nov/Dec 2022
...CHRISTMAS! 19
ENJOY the festive season in Belfast with the whole family! There are lots of fun things to do this Christmas, from meeting Santa on an inflatable grotto, catching a festive screening, or heading to see the circus.
AN ENCHANTED CHRISTMAS AT W5
From 26th November, W5 are decking the halls for some festive family fun this Christmas. On selected dates, you can enjoy an array of seasonal experiences, including a visit to Santa, a brand-new immersive theatre show and a magical reading of a Christmas classic.
Santa Square
W5’s fourth floor has been transformed into a magical new kingdom. Take a stroll through the tunnel and be transported to the festive Santa Square where a series of merry window displays and twinkling lights await. All children that venture through will also get to meet Santa who will have a gift for them. Santa Square is an add-on experience at £10 per child. Visit includes a gift, time to chat with Santa and the option to take your own photos.
The Storyteller’s Winter Tales Step into W5’s AMAZE space on Level 4
and become immersed in a brand-new theatre show for all ages – The Storyteller’s Winter Tales. W5’s storyteller invites you into their frozen world where you can discover how the robin got its red breast, take an imaginary walk through the woods using the magic of sound and see how the mystic northern lights were created. With an exciting mix of puppetry, engaging soundscape technology and original animation, this captivating experience is sure to leave viewers in a merry mood.
T’Was the Night Before Christmas
Delve into a living storybook world in W5’s Over the Hills & Far Away zone. Past the Jungle Book animals and Peter Pan pirates is the Forest Storybook Glen where customers can enjoy a reading of the classic T’Was the Night Before Christmas.
The North Pole Post Office
Write your letter to Santa in the magical surroundings of W5 before posting it at the North Pole Post Office. You can also help to spread some Christmas cheer by creating a festive card for someone who may be on their own over the holidays.
Snowball Fight Ever wonder what it’s like to have a snowball
fight indoors? Well, now you can! W5 will be the stage for a snowball fight over the holidays. It may look like real snow but there is no chance of getting frozen fingers. Warm, dry and soft, this snow is really cool – but not in a cold way.
HYDROBIKE SANTA EXPERIENCE
Take in the amazing scenery of Belfast and visit Santa with Ireland’s most unique Santa Experience!
Travel to see Santa on your very own hydrobike, hydrobike with kids seat, tandem hydrobike or on a family KatuKanu. Peddle up the River Lagan and follow the magic trail to find Santa’s secret floating grotto. This is a truly unique experience and they can’t wait to welcome you aboard. Hydrobikes Available
Single Hydrobikes – Suitable for Age 8+ with a 24 inch inside leg to reach pedals Tandem Hydrobikes – Suitable for 2 Adults
or for kids under 8 with an Adult. Everyone still needs a 24inch inside leg to reach pedals Adult and Child Bike – Bike has a side seat suitable for Age 4+
Katakanu – They also offer the Katakanu, which is suitable for 4 to 6 people. Is a present included? Yes, present is include in the Child Tickets. Is there a height restriction? To pedal the Hydrobikes, riders need to have a 24inch inside leg in order to reach the pedals. Alternatively, they have the adult and child hydrobikes which have a side seat which the children sit on, or they have the Katakanu. What is the age restriction? Minimum age for a single bike is 8 but they also need a 24inch inside leg to reach pedals. Can younger children participate? Yes.
They have an adult and child bike which has a side seat or on tandem if the child has the correct leg measurement and is accompanied by an adult.
Do I need to be able to swim? No. Lifejackets are provided and safety boats are on hand. Hydrobikes are very stable so you should not be in the water. What do I wear? You can just wear normal
clothes and suitable for the weather, wetsuits or swim wear is not required. Hydrobikes are very stable so you should not be in the water. Where are you located? They are situated beside the Waterfront Hall. What if someone in our group is unable to
go on the hydrobikes but still wants to visit Santa’s Grotto? They offer a Santa’s Grotto Only Ticket which does not include the activity. This is suitable for members of your group who are unable to participate in the activity but still want to come along.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE MUMMERS
A Christmas Night with the Mummers at Ulster American Folk Park
Thu, 08 Dec 2022 7:30 - 9:00pm Ulster American Folk Park Head to Mountjoy Meeting House on Thursday 8th December for a Christmas night with the Mummers! Let
the Ulster American Folk Park
transport you back in time to the 19th Century where you can enjoy the flavours and smells from Christmas past.
There will be refreshments on arrival from their costumed guides, before Captain Mummer interrupts the evening with his troop to entertain you! This is a unique and wonderful way to kick start the Christmas season.
A WARTIME CHRISTMAS
Head to the Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum for Festive Fun with wartime games and toys.
Learn how people celebrated Christmas under the restraints of rationing and try your hand in the Northern Ireland War Memorial’s lucky dip!
Listen to well-loved Christmas songs, make a Christmas tree card and taste their ration recipe Christmas cake made with dried eggs. There’s something for all ages to enjoy! Free admission, no booking required. This is a drop-in event from 12pm-4pm with activities suitable for all ages.
CHILDREN’S CRAFTY CHRISTMAS IN THE POOR HOUSE
The Magic is in the History! Join Clifton House for a special family Children’s Crafty Christmas in the Poor House. Why not let the kids experience something different this Festive season? Step back in time to Christmas 250 years ago and see how children once celebrated in the Poorhouse. Learn about their traditions, gifts, food and entertainment. It’s not the ‘Scrooge’ you’d imagine it to be.
As part of the short tour, you’ll also get to experience their augmented reality app, letting
you peek into the nursery where children learned; gaze down into the basement where women and children worked on cotton spinning; and see for yourself the infamous ‘black hole’, where those who were more naughty than nice ended up!
At the end of the short tour, you will get to try your hand at a traditional period Christmas craft, facilitated by Kathleen’s Attic, which you get to take home. This year’s craft will show you how to make
wool doll figures. While your kids are happily crafting under the twinkly lights of their
Christmas tree, there will be some hot drinks and shortbread for the adults to enjoy. Clifton House has free onsite parking and is also accessible by bus, including the Hop On Hop Off Tour bus. They are a stone throw away from the bustling Cathedral Quarter, perfect for a pre or post tour treat. Spaces on these tours are limited, and advance booking is essential.
Tickets are £10pp for family members (max
5 per booking); £12.50pp for additional adults; £10 for additional children. Tour and craft suitable for children aged 5+.
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