Welcome to the December 2025 edition of the East Riding Arts newsletter!
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and the region is sparkling with festive cheer. There’s so much to do this season! From twinkling lights to the sound of carols drifting through the air, December invites us to wrap up warm and embrace the magic of the season. Discover seasonal delights, stroll beneath glowing displays or reflect on a year of creativity. Read on to discover what’s happening near you…
Families
She Productions presents:
The Fairy Who Fell Off the Christmas Tree
Mon, 1 - Weds, 24 December | touring to East Riding Libraries and community spaces | £4 (babes in arms go free)
Tickets selling fast!
Back by popular demand, She Productions have returned to East Riding Libraries with their latest fun-filled, festive production The Fairy Who Fell Off the Christmas Tree.
It’s Christmas Eve and the Fig family are feeling festive. The tree sparkles, the stockings are hung and it’s little Freddie’s turn to place the Fairy on top of the tree. But when Fairy takes a tumble, disaster strikes! Can Bob the Bauble, Tina Tinsel and the rest of the decorations find a stand-in, or will Fairy end up in the bin?
With a set made entirely from recycled materials, this all-singing, all-dancing Christmas musical is a joyful reminder that the most priceless gift is simply being present.
Perfect for children aged 4+, every performance is relaxed and accessible by design with acoustic sound and natural lighting, making it a magical, welcoming experience for everyone.
Book tickets
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The Snow Queen
Thu, 4 - Sat, 27 December, 2.30/7.30pm | East Riding Theatre | £30/£15
Join ERT for another magical Christmas show! Directed by Richard Avery, this magical Christmas show follows Gerda on a brave quest to rescue her best friend Kai from the icy grip of the Snow Queen. A heartwarming winter adventure across Scandinavia, filled with courage, friendship, and lots of fun. Suitable for ages 5 to 105!
Book tickets
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Sewerby Winter Wonderland
Fri, 5 - Tue, 23 December | Sewerby Hall and Gardens
Returning to Sewerby Hall & Gardens from 5–23 December, this much-loved outdoor experience is back for its fifth year! Enjoy a spectacular display of lights, sound and festive fun. Relaxed performances available.
Find out more and book tickets
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Withernsea's Dickensian Christmas
Saturday, 6 December, 5 - 7.30pm | Withernsea Valley Gardens | FREE
Step back in time and experience the magic of a Dickensian Christmas at Valley Gardens! Enjoy festive entertainment for the whole family and an artisan market, perfect for seasonal treats.
Find out more
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Sleeping Beauty
Wed, 10 - Wed, 31 December | Junction Goole | £18/£14
After the huge success of last year’s Beauty & the Beast, Junction Goole returns with its third home-grown Christmas show, an enchanting retelling of the classic fairytale Sleeping Beauty. Written and directed by Tina Shuker-Abell, this festive production features hit songs from ABBA, Cher, Justin Timberlake, and more. Join them for a magical twist on a story you thought you knew!
Find out more and book tickets
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Jingle All The Way
Thu, 11 - Tue, 23 December | Pocklington Arts Centre | £16/£12
From the team behind ‘The Elves and The Shoemaker Save Christmas’ and ‘Jack Frost’s Christmas Wish’ comes a brand new Christmas adventure for all the family this December at Pocklington Arts Centre. Full of classic Christmas tunes and original songs, humour, local references and a whole load of cheerful fun, don’t miss this brand new show this winter!
Find out more and book tickets
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Dick Whittington
Fri, 12 - Sun, 4 January, | Bridlington Spa
Starring Tommy Coyle as King Rat!
It's a real knockout for Bridlington Spa's festive pantomime as former boxing champion Tommy Coyle steps into the ring or rather, onto the stage to take on the villainous role of King Rat in this year's spectacular production of Dick Whittington!
Get ready to be whisked away on an unforgettable adventure this December as Dick Whittington takes over the Bridlington Spa stage! The much-loved Christmas pantomime is packed with sparkle, excitement, and laughter, as audiences are transported to the streets of London where adventure, fame and fortune await our pantomime hero and his furry feline sidekick!
Find out more and book tickets
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A Victorian Christmas with Scrooge
Fri, 19 - Sat, 20 December, 5.30pm | St Mary's Church, Beverley | £12/£6
Enjoy a heartwarming celebration filled with traditional Victorian food, music, games, carol singing and a live retelling of Scrooge's journey of redemption.
Find out more and book tickets
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Music
The Christmas Show
Wed, 3 - Sat, 6 December | The Spotlight Theatre, Bridlington | £12/£8
Take a trip down memory lane with Spotlight Theatre as they celebrate 25 years of performances at their beloved theatre. This special showcase, sprinkled with festive magic, features community talent and even a chance for a singalong!
Book tickets
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North Ferriby's Ladies Choir presents:
Carols Around the Fire
Wednesday, 10 December, 6.30 - 7.30pm | Ferry Inn, Brough | FREE
Cosy up by the fire and soak in the festive atmosphere, as North Ferriby Ladies Choir fills the air with beautiful Christmas carols.
Find out more
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Christmas Carol Concert
Friday, 12 December, 7.30pm | St Mary's Church, Beverley, HU17 8DL | From £10
Beverley Chamber Choir presents their Christmas concert under the musical direction of Paul Dewhurst.
Book tickets
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Gareth Davies-Jones Christmas Acoustic Tour
Friday, 12 December, 7.30pm | St Nicholas Church, Beverley | From £12
Enjoy Gareth’s fresh interpretations of classic carols. Take time to relax, listen, and reconnect with the stories behind the music. Enjoy singalongs, surprises and rediscover the wonder of Christmas.
Find out more and book tickets
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Driffield Silver Band presents:
Tommy Trumpet Saves Christmas
Saturday, 13 December, 5 - 7pm | Hornsea Floral Hall | £10/£8
Celebrate the season with the award-winning Driffield Silver Band, as they bring an original Christmas story to life, featuring all your festive favourites.
Book tickets
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Handel: Messiah
Saturday, 20 December, 7 - 9.30pm | Beverley Minster | From £12
East Riding County Choir with Beverley Minster Choir and the Black Dyke Band present Handel: Messiah
Tickets: from £12 Beverley Tourist Information 01482 391672, online from www.eastridingcountychoir.org, or at the door on the evening of the concert.
Book tickets
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Theatre
Other Lives Productions presents:
Just Dickens!
Fri, 28 - Sun, 7 December, 7.30pm | Touring to various locations | £10
Celebrate the spirit of Christmas with a heartwarming evening of readings, anecdotes, curious facts, and lively dramatisations inspired by Charles Dickens , "the man who invented Christmas" .
Whether you're a fan of classic literature or simply love a good story, Just Dickens! promises a delightful mix of nostalgia, humour, and holiday cheer.
Find out more
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Workshops
Candle Painting
Friday, 12 December, 3pm/6pm | Junction Goole | £17
Join Arting’s final workshop of 2025, inspired by Alphonse Mucha’s stunning Four Seasons series. Design and paint four beautiful dinner candles to take home - perfect for welcoming the New Year and the seasons ahead.
Book tickets
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Exhibitions
Christmas in the Collections: Pop-up Archive and Museum
Friday, 5 December, 10am | Champney Treasure House, Beverley | FREE
Step back into Christmas, with a special one-day display of original archive documents and museum artefacts celebrating Christmas through the years.
Find out more
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Competitions
East Riding Festival of Words Poetry Competition 2025
Deadline: Saturday, 10 January 2026
The East Riding Festival of Words poetry competition is now open for entries! Could you win a prize of up to £500?
This year's theme for the competition is 'My Universe'.
Your universe could be something personal, or about a person, a place, or even about the universe itself! All interpretations welcome.
Entries will be judged by a panel of published Yorkshire poets, led by James Nash.
Poems are submitted to the judging panel anonymously, so each entry is judged on its own merits.
All entries must be received by Saturday, 10 January 2026. Shortlisted poets will be invited to a special event in March 2026, where they will be invited to read their poems and winners will be announced.
Find out more and enter
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There's so much happening!
You can find out more about East Riding Arts here. For more arts events across the region, visit Bridlington Spa, East Riding Theatre, Junction Goole, Pocklington Arts Centre and Visit Hull and East Yorkshire to see their full listings.
If you are an arts organisation or artist and would like an event highlighted in a future edition of Arts What’s On, email your event details to arts.development@eastriding.gov.uk. Submission is not a guarantee of inclusion, but we will endeavour to include your event where possible.
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