Discover the Magic of Winter With Our Festive Events!
This winter, discover the magic of the season at Butser Ancient Farm!
Step into a world of ancient winter traditions, festive adventures and seasonal celebrations. Explore our ancient buildings, gather around crackling fires, get creative with traditional crafts and discover the stories and customs that have brought people together through the darkest days of the year.
Join the Midwinter’s Quest, our much-loved winter adventure, for one special weekend, and meet the majestic Deer Queen and Holly King as you journey through the farm.
Join us on selected weekends this December for a relaxed winter day out with seasonal crafts and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. For an extra touch of Christmas magic, families can book a special visit with green Father Christmas, meeting him in his festive home among our ancient buildings.
Enjoy festive storytelling, our special Winter Harp Concert and seasonal craft workshops, with plenty of opportunities to make memories along the way.
Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Yule, or simply looking for something special to do this winter, there’s something for everyone at Butser. As the days grow shorter and the nights draw in, come and discover a season filled with fireside stories, ancient traditions, creativity and a little winter magic.
Midwinter’s Quest
5th - 6th December
The Deer Queen and Holly King bring their magic back to Butser for a family adventure exploring the folklore of winter. Meet festive characters on a magical journey through the farm, discovering ancient traditions and winter tales along the way.
Enjoy creative make-and-take activities in our ancient houses, gather around the fire for festive storytelling and explore our ancient buildings brought to life by the magic of the season.
Festive Weekends at Butser Ancient Farm
12th - 13th December | 19th - 20th December
Join us for a relaxed winter day out at Butser Ancient Farm. Explore our ancient buildings, get creative with seasonal crafts, enjoy a winter walk and sit around the fire to imagine life long ago. A lovely opportunity for families to spend time together.
Add a visit to Father Christmas (additional cost) - help green Father Christmas find his way home by following a festive trail around the farm, then enjoy a special 10-minute meet-and-greet. Roast a marshmallow by the fire and receive a small gift to take home.
Wintry Tales by the Fire
Tales of Winter Magic - 4th December | The Horns of Yule - 21st December
Seasonal storytelling, with something for everyone! Cosy up in our roundhouse for an evening of storytelling and performance. Join us for our family-friendly performance of Tales of Winter Magic, or settle in for an atmospheric evening of haunting seasonal stories with award-winning storyteller Jason Buck.
A Winter Harp Concert
3rd December
Join us for an unforgettable evening of hauntingly beautiful music as winter descends upon the ancient grounds of Butser Ancient Farm.
Award-winning harpist Keziah Thomas returns with a spellbinding solo pedal harp concert celebrating the magic and mystery of Advent and Christmas through the ages.
Festive Shopping
27th November
Enjoy a magical evening of Christmas shopping at Butser Ancient Farm. Browse a wonderful selection of unique gifts from local makers and artisan traders, soak up the festive atmosphere, and enjoy seasonal treats. Then wander down to our beautifully lit ancient house, where you can warm up by the fire with a festive drink and enjoy the cosy atmosphere. It’s a lovely way to find special Christmas gifts and settle into the spirit of the season. Tickets must be pre-booked.
Handmade Gifts & Decorations
Escape the hubbub of Christmas shopping, and give something unique!
Learn a new skill and make your own gifts and decorations in our festive craft workshops. From corn dolly making and tree ornament crafting to traditional festive skills and more, there’s plenty to get creative with this Christmas. Need a digital gift? From vouchers and annual passes to exclusive history documentaries, we’ve got options for everyone!
Festive Winter Events & Workshops
