Chichester BID has organised a series of creative family-friendly workshops this October half term, designed to involve the community in the lead-up to this year’s much anticipated Christmas Tree Stroll.

A new addition to the BID’s Christmas in Chichester 2024 festivities, the Christmas Tree Stroll will encourage visitors and residents to take a magical wander through the city to discover 11 beautiful Christmas trees, including six that have been specially created by local artists using sustainable materials.

The half term workshops offer a unique opportunity for people of all ages to get involved in this year’s festive plans in the city and to express their creativity working alongside the commissioned local artists to help create their Christmas tree sculptures.

Inspired by Chichester Festival Theatre’s family-friendly production, ‘Hey! Christmas Tree‘, the Christmas Tree Stroll will run from Saturday 23 November through to the end of December. Each tree promises a unique blend of festive joy and artistic creativity, with sculptures made from various materials including willow, recycled milk bottles and bug hotels.

Workshops will be taking place across the city at The Novium Museum, Chichester Festival Theatre, The Assembly Rooms, Draper’s Yard and even outside in Bishop’s Palace Gardens.

The workshops are free of charge and open to all ages. Please feel free to drop-in to any of the workshops. Spaces are limited, so crafters are encouraged to arrive early or you can pre-book a spot for some of the workshops – details below.

The October half term workshops include:

• Lisa Kebell Workshop – Chichester Festival Theatre Foyer, Monday 28 October: 2pm – 4pm. Decorate wooden hanging discs and write messages to loved ones for The Remembrance Tree. Find out more here.
• Mandy Coupar Workshop– Assembly Rooms, Wednesday 30 October: 10am- 2pm. Craft doves from recycled milk cartons and paint festive scenes on hanging wooden discs for the Here is Home Christmas Tree.
• Bec Hopkins Workshop – Bishop’s Palace Gardens, Thursday 31 October: 12pm-3pm. Build your own mini-insect sanctuaries for the sculpture This Bug Hotel is not just for Christmas. Drop in or pre-book your space here.
• Helen Solly Workshop – Drapers Yard, Friday 1 November: 10am to 12pm. Create decorations from recycled milk bottles for the spider web-inspired Silver Threads tree.
• Vicki Brown Workshop – The Novium Museum, Saturday 2 November: 10am – 1pm. Create craft willow and paper stars to decorate the Tree of 100 Stars. Drop in or pre-book your space here.

These engaging workshops promise to be a delightful experience for families and individuals eager to play a part in the Christmas Tree Stroll and contribute to Chichester’s festive plans.

The Christmas Tree Stroll will be on display throughout the Christmas period and have been generously sponsored by Chichester District Council, Chichester City Council, Blue Spire Accountants, Kiwi Recruitment and Chichester Festival Theatre.

It will reopen on Tuesday, 27th August 2024.

Thank you for your understanding.