BACCANALIA

03/09/2025

✨ We’re gearing up for our biggest and best Christmas Town yet – and we want YOU to be part of it! 🎄

💝 We want to hear from Gift Traders. Whether you sell Christmas classics or something totally unique, we’d love to showcase your creations 🎁

👉 Apply to trade with us here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UJw2JIBRQRi1ZnSeNjdODN8niHi5d6WJ/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=111765118151391832714&rtpof=true&sd=true

📅 Closing date for gift trader applications: 26th September 2025
Let’s make this year the most magical Christmas Town so far! ✨

02/09/2025

✨ What’s On This Week ✨

📍 Street Food Market - Aycliffe September 2025 Friday 5 September, 3 - 8pm
Join us for an afternoon of tasty treats at Newton Aycliffe Town Centre! From sweet to savoury, there’ll be something for everyone. Plus, enjoy FREE mini golf – fun for all ages.

📍 South West Durham Heritage Festival– Spennymoor Talks
Saturday 6 September, Spennymoor Town Hall
Two fascinating free talks exploring Spennymoor’s artistic heritage:

🖼 11.00am – Norman Cornish: His Life and Work
John Cornish, son of the celebrated artist Norman Cornish MBE, shares the inspiring journey of his father’s life from miner to nationally recognised artist, illustrated with some of his most iconic works.

🎨 1.00pm – Tisa and the Spennymoor Settlement
Discover the remarkable story of Tisa Hess, the German Countess who came to Spennymoor in the 1930s to teach art and sculpture. Learn how she influenced the Settlement, her later return visits, and how her life as a nun shaped art on social justice worldwide.

🎟 Both talks are FREE but spaces are limited! Book your tickets here 👉 https://baccanalia.ssboxoffice.com/events/

29/08/2025

27/08/2025

✨🎄 Long ago, in the heart of Bishop Auckland, a sleepy marketplace began to shimmer with twinkling lights and whispers of Christmas magic… and once a year, it transforms into something truly extraordinary. 🌟

📖 That time has come again - bookings for Christmas Town are now OPEN!

🎟️ Choose your Pass, gather your loved ones, and step into the story this 4–7 December.

👉 Visit www.bishopaucklandschristmastown.co.uk to unwrap your Christmas Town experience.

26/08/2025

Free mini golf ⛳️

20/08/2025

We can’t wait to see the spectacular bikes in Bishop Auckland Market Place on Friday 22nd August, 8–9pm, before they set off on the Light Parade around the town. ✨🏍️

Then on Saturday, don’t miss the Parade of the Nations, setting off from the Rugby Club at 5pm – a celebration you won’t want to miss! 🌍🎉

16/08/2025

13/08/2025

A big thank you to MADEby Bridge Creative & Bridge Creative for designing and building our stunning wooden “FAMILY” letters for The Bishop Auckland Family Festival

These letters have been travelling to events in the run-up to the festival, and we’ve loved seeing so many of you stop by to help us decorate them with colourful bricks. Your creativity has truly brought them to life! They look incredible thanks to your input!

You’ll be able to see the finished “FAMILY” letters on display at The Bishop Auckland Family Festival this Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th August, 11am–4pm, at Jane Strong Park.

12/08/2025

Jane Armstrong Park is back to looking s***k and span! We are all ready for The Bishop Auckland Family Festival event this weekend on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th August. Of course, the park will be left just as clean and tidy after the event.