Festive Weekend

Step into a traditional Dickensian Christmas at Chiltern Open Air Museum as the Ragged Victorians bring the sights, sounds and stories of a Victorian festive season vividly to life.
Meet expert re-enactors and discover what Christmas was like for poorer Victorians, from festive traditions to the realities of everyday life in the 19th century. Enjoy seasonal music from local choirs and musicians, listen to festive storytelling and get creative with Christmas-themed family activities.
Wander through the museum’s collection of historic buildings beautifully decorated for Christmas with ivy, natural foliage and candlelight. Step forward in time at the 1940s Prefab to discover how families celebrated a restrained wartime Christmas with ingenious make-do-and-mend decorations.
Families can enjoy an audience with Father Christmas, while heavy horses offer festive carriage rides for a small additional charge. Browse artisan stalls filled with locally made gifts, visit the museum shop for Christmas present ideas and enjoy seasonal food and warming festive drinks from the café.
Set across the museum’s historic buildings and countryside, this atmospheric Christmas event in Buckinghamshire offers a festive family day out filled with living history, entertainment and traditional Christmas cheer.
Event Highlights
• Dickensian living history with the Ragged Victorians
• Audience with Father Christmas
• Festive storytelling, crafts and family activities
• Local choirs and seasonal live music
• Traditional Christmas decorations throughout the historic buildings
• Heavy horse festive carriage rides
• Artisan stalls, Christmas shopping and festive food & drink