✨ Bury is bursting with festive cheer! ✨

With magical family events, sparkling lights, carols, theatre, festive food and lots of cosy December fun underway, Bury is the perfect place to celebrate Christmas this year.

Here’s your complete Advent guide to everything happening across the town.

🎄 Festive Events & Family Fun

1. Santa Specials – until 24 December

🚂 The East Lancashire Railway’s beloved Santa Specials steam back into town!
This includes a SEND-friendly Santa Special, created with sensory-friendly adaptations so every family can enjoy the magic.
A joyful, memory-making start to the season.

2. Santa’s Grotto at The Rock – Opens 29 November

🎅 Visit Santa in his cosy winter grotto at The Rock and make those early Christmas wishes.
A beautifully festive moment for families.

3. Mill Gate Festivities – From 29 November

Mill Gate becomes a sparkling winter wonderland with festive entertainment every weekend.

✨ Angels on Stilts – Saturday 29 November, 11am–3pm

Graceful, glittering angels will glide through the centre, spreading seasonal joy and offering the perfect festive photo opportunity.

📚 Let’s Pretend with Emma – Christmas Storytelling – Saturday 6 December

11am–12pm & 1pm–2pm
Little ones can snuggle down for a heartwarming festive storytelling session full of imagination and Christmas sparkle.

🧝 Christmas Wish & Letter to Santa Workshop – Saturday 13 December, 10am–3pm

Children can craft the ultimate letter to Santa featuring three magical elements:
• Kindness to others
• A magical song and dance
• Christmas cheer
Expect glitter, creativity and festive fun!

❄️ Meet Inka the Polar Bear – Saturday 20 December

From 11am (three 30-minute appearances)
Say hello to Inka, the life-sized friendly polar bear! Perfect for photos and family smiles.

4. Carol Singing at Mill Gate – 7 & 14 December

🎶 Live carols fill the Winter Garden with warmth and spirit—an uplifting soundtrack to your Christmas shopping.

5. Gift Wrapping Service at Mill Gate – 11–24 December

🎁 Take the stress out of wrapping and let the Mill Gate team transform your gifts with festive flair.

6. Bury Hospice Christmas Jumper Day – 5 December

📅 Wear your brightest, boldest, most joyful knit and donate to support Bury Hospice.
A feel-good festive moment for a wonderful local cause. 💚

7. Festive Event at Bury Art Museum – 6 December

Expect artisan stalls, live music, gift shop discounts, winter tasters and delicious hot chocolates.
A peaceful festive escape and a great spot for thoughtful Christmas gifts.

8. Meet The Snow Queen at Bury Market – 13 December

👑 Seasonal magic, festive music, FREE mulled wine and warming chestnuts.
A truly charming winter event!

9. Bury BID North Pole Safari – Until 31 December

🦌 Discover Bury’s hidden elves and festive creature with this magical augmented reality trail.
Meet festive characters around town by scanning at different locations—a brilliant adventure for families.

🎭 Theatre, Film and Indoor Fun

10. The Pied Piper Pantomime at The Met

A festive favourite!
Fun, laughter, music and audience interaction make this pantomime a must for December family outings.

11. Christmas Movies at Vue Bury

🎬 Enjoy cosy evenings watching magical sensation Wicked, Christmas classics, a performance of The Nutcracker and festive new releases with seasonal cinema snacks.

12. Have Fun Indoors: Hollywood Bowl, HUKD Golf & Escape Rooms

🎳 Hollywood Bowl – Strike out with festive bowling fun!
⛳ HUKD Golf – Try neon mini golf for all ages.
🧩 Compendium Escape Rooms – Gather friends or family and take on themed escape adventures for a brilliant winter activity.

✨ Eat, Drink & Treat Yourself

13. Roast Dinner & Bailey’s Hot Chocolate at Barista

🍽️ Warm up with a comforting roast, then indulge in an indulgent Bailey’s Hot Chocolate—the cosiest Christmas treat. Or maybe find your favourite hot chocolate spot! With plenty of high street favourites and indepedent cafes to choose from it’s going to be hard to choose. Here’s a few to get you started:

• Wax and Beans
• Bloom Coffee Co
• Central Cafe
• Racconto Lounge
• The Coffee House
• BAP
• Leckenby’s

14. Festive Food Fair on The Rock

A delicious Christmas celebration offering festive bites, hot treats and seasonal delights from local traders.
Perfect for browsing, nibbling and soaking up the atmosphere.

🚂 The Rock Express Land Train

Hop aboard the cheerful land train as it journeys around The Rock, adding a sprinkling of magic to festive shopping days.

✨ Church Services and Spiritual Moments

15. Advent Carol Service – 30 November, 4:30pm

📍 Bury Parish Church
A reflective service of hymns, carols and readings.
Join in person or online via livestream.

16. The Nativity – 14 December, 10am

👼 Experience the story of Christmas through drama and song.
A joyful, family-friendly service with online streaming available.

17. Christmas Carol Service – 21 December, 6:30pm

🎶 Enjoy choir performances, much-loved carols and a warm festive welcome.
Stay afterwards for mulled wine and mince pies—a truly heartwarming Christmas tradition.
Join in person or via livestream.

🌟 Lights, Atmosphere & Winter Moments

18. Christmas Light Gazing

✨ Wander through Bury with a hot chocolate and enjoy the twinkling displays across:
• The Rock
• Mill Gate
• The Old Rock
Bury looks magical at night—perfect for a cosy December stroll.

🎄 Bury Is Officially in Full Festive Mode!

With family fun, beautiful services, cosy treats and magical moments from dawn till dusk, Bury is the perfect place to celebrate the Christmas season.

👉 For full festive listings, menus and updates, visit:
www.discoverbury.co.uk