A magical event is lighting up Cullercoats this December in a free Christmas-themed treat for all ages.
The Cullercoats Community Advent kicked off on December 1 and runs all the way until December 30. If you’re not familiar with the prospect, think of it as a giant real-life advent calendar - with new festive scenes popping up in the area each day in the countdown to Christmas.
The unique event is sponsored by For the Love of the North, the fiercely local shop housed in Whitley Bay’s Spanish City offering a range of unique North East memorabilia, and talented Cullercoats artist Joanne Wishart - whose gallery forms part of the stunning advent trail. The displays are for everyone to enjoy for free, and range from the traditional to the wacky as local residents and businesses show off their creative flair.
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This December marks the advent’s seventh year in Cullercoats, and the beloved festive event is all thanks to the efforts of one local woman. Kris Koth, 39, who also works full time at Acorns in North Shields which offers support to families affected by domestic abuse, decided to set up the Christmas trail when she moved to Cullercoats.
“I don’t have much family over here, so for me it was a way of trying to do something to connect with the local community at Christmastime and bring people together - to get people talking to their neighbours,” Kris explained. When getting the advent up and running, it was most important for Kris to provide something for the area that wouldn’t leave people out of pocket like so many other festive events.
“There’s so much that involves people queuing and panicking for tickets - there are more and more elaborate things that you can pay for, especially with children, at Christmas,” Kris said. “And people can’t always afford that - not all of those things are accessible for everybody.”
This is where the real magic of the Cullercoats Community Advent lies - whether it’s getting the creative spark going among the households and local businesses creating the displays or simply getting people out in the fresh air to get a glimpse of them, the month-long event promises to bring people together without having to spend anything. Events that all the family can enjoy for free is particularly welcome amid the cost of living crisis.
Kris told the Chronicle that in her several years of running the advent, she has heard many heartwarming stories of how it has brought people together in Cullercoats. “The sense of tradition, and communities holding their own traditions - having something that children grow up with and remember, that they feel part of - that’s what it’s all about,” she said.
You can find a map of all the venues taking part on the Cullercoats Community Advent Facebook page. While several displays are already up around Cullercoats, there are plenty more to be unveiled up until Christmas Eve - and all the displays will remain on show until December 30, so you haven’t missed out if this is the first you’ve heard of the trail.
As well as dozens of homes participating in the festive trail, here’s the full list of businesses in Cullercoats taking part:
Joanne Wishart Gallery, St George’s Road
Jamieson’s of Cullercoats, St George’s Road
Vain Hairdressing, St George’s Road
The Boatyard, John Street
Cullercoats Methodist Church, The Broadway
Cullercoats Watch House, Front Street
5th Whitley Bay Scout Group, Links Road
Cullercoats Primary School, Marden Avenue
Curves Cullercoats, Farringdon Road
The household displays will be available to view between 5.30pm and 9.30pm, or 4pm from Christmas Eve. Each display will also include a festive symbol that you have to hunt for and number on your trail map - hand in your complete map at Jamieson’s or Joanne Wishart Gallery for a chance to win a prize in a raffle supported by local businesses.
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