Unwrapping a new Christmas season of events at Caldersones Park for 2024

Public booking is now open for The Reader’s Christmas 2024-5 season of delights. 

Brunch with Mrs Claus, a wreath making workshop and A Christmas Carol Deep Read are just a few of the festive treats at Calderstones Park Christmas 2024. 

The Reader’s festive offering opens on Saturday 23 November with Christmas Incy Wincy Rhymers, for one to four-year-olds, and Elves at The Storybarn, for four to nine-year-olds, which will both be running for four weeks until Monday 23 December.   

The 2024 Christmas season culminates in Brunch with Mrs Claus, an immersive event  in the Mansion House, on Sunday 22 December at 10am and 2pm, including storytelling, games and American-style pancakes. 

Martyna Puciato, Storybarn co-leader at The Reader, said: “Father Christmas gets all the credit in the run up to December 25, but everyone knows Mrs Claus is a big help in getting the job done.  

“Families are invited to join Mrs Claus for brunch as she fills everyone in on what REALLY happens up in the North Pole some over some delightfully festive American-style pancakes.  

“We can’t wait for some delightfully festive pancakes, and our Storyhunter elves are on hand to help Mrs Claus put on some holly jolly games, crafts and songs.  

“Strike a pose, there’ll be chance to take pictures with the woman herself and there’ll even be a gift for those children not on the naughty list.” 

The Christmas countdown at Calderstones begins in mid-November.  

FRIDAY 29 NOVEMBER - SATURDAY DECEMBER 14 

Steep yourself in festive spirit by joining A Christmas Carol Deep Read over three weeks. Charles Dickens' Victorian tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, who is haunted by three spirits and learns the true meaning of Christmas, has stood the test of time as a huge influence on our ideas of celebration, charity and memory. 

There will be a Friday group: 29 November - 13 December; and a Saturday group: 30 November - 14 December. Copies of the book will be provided for use during the sessions or order your own copy by selecting the add-on with your free ticket. Recommended for 18+. 

Spending time alone is a particularly important topic at this time of year. A friendly and relaxed Ways to be Alone session will be led by one of The Reader’s experienced Shared Reading practitioners on Saturday 30 November. It will involve reading and discussing poetry and prose which expresses what being alone means to different individuals. 

This is one of a series of events designed to open up serious conversations that people do not always know how to start. There is no pressure to talk or read aloud. 

From Saturday 30 November to Sunday 1 December, The Reader will be hosting a Festive Book Flood at the Mansion House. Inspired by Icelandic Christmas tradition, the Liverpool charity will be giving away brand new books in exchange for an optional donation to help keep Shared Reading for free and for everyone. It is the perfect opportunity to pick up a Christmas stocking filler  

On the same weekend Liverpool’s wonderful independent makers will return for a festive Makers at the Mansion on Sunday 1 December, 11am – 4pm, just in time for visitors to sort their final Christmas gifts.  

Learn how to craft a beautiful seasonal hanging door wreath in a Festive Wreath Making workshop on Sunday 8 December, 10am – 1pm, with local florist Booker Flowers for £60 per person. The morning will begin with foraging for foliage in the grounds of the Mansion House, and then head back indoors to create a natural wreath with the materials you have gathered. 

This class will cover a selection of floral techniques, there will also be different types of natural accessories to customise your wreath. Fresh coffee and tea will be served alongside delicious cakes. Suitable for beginners. 

Alternatively, on the same day there is an uplifting Winter Wellbeing Workshop, 10am – 4pm, inspired by author Katherine May’s 2020 memoir Wintering. It will begin with a relaxed Shared Reading session led by our experienced practitioners using extracts from Wintering. The group will then take a guided walk through Calderstones Park to bask in the wintery landscape that May sought so much strength from using poetry and mindfulness. 

To finish the afternoon, the group will return to the Mansion House to enjoy a drink and build their own poetry collection to take home – the perfect gift for a loved one or to return to for a moment of inspiration and calm.  The £30 per person ticket will include a light lunch of soup, refreshments and cake.   

The most wonderful time of the year becomes extra special for new parents celebrating their baby’s first Christmas. They can join The Reader’s Baby’s First Christmas event in The Storybarn on Thursday 5 December and Thursday 12 December at 1pm.  

It will involve creating magical memories, singing Christmas songs, sharing festive poetry and crafting a beautiful decoration with a little one’s handprint to hang on a Christmas tree for many years to come. For babies under one, and their parents or carers.  

Pop in to enjoy Christmas Carols at The Mansion House on Wednesday 11 December and Thursday 12 December with local schools performing heartwarming festive favourites at 11.30am. Free. 

SUNDAY 15 DECEMBER – MONDAY 23 DECEMBER    

Ever wondered what happened to the mice in Cinderella?  

Families are invited to cosy up for an imaginative 50-minute retelling of this classic fairytale in Cinderella: The Mice’s Tale by Liverpool’s Bookworm Players on Sunday 15 December. With original music, interactive storytelling and a festive twist, it will be performed in The Theatre Room at 11am and 2pm. Fancy dress is very welcome! Suitable for all the family. Tickets are £10 for adults and £8 for children under 16. 

On Saturday 21 December welcome in the Winter Solstice with an extra special Winter Solstice: Poetry Walk and Breakfast around hidden gem, Calderstones Park. The walk will start at 8.15am with Solstice occurring at 9.21am, then warm up in The Reader Bookshop Cafe with a breakfast of pastries and a hot drink included in a £15 ticket per person. 

There will also be three Festive Shared Reading sessions at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm. At Shared Reading, groups read stories and poems aloud together. Everyone is welcome to share how the words make them feel, as well as their thoughts, ideas and memories. There is no pressure to talk or read aloud. Free. 

Brunch with Mrs Claus, will be served on Sunday 22 December, 10am and 2pm. (see above for more details). 

NEW THEMED CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS 

Looking to book a Christmas party? This season The Reader has unveiled The Nutcracker and The Great Gatsby Christmas Celebration packages. 

Set against the winter wonderland of Calderstones Park in the Grade II listed Mansion House will combine incredible food and drinks from The Reader’s onsite chefs with a party to remember.  

Whether it is for a group of seven or 70, there is the option to book a table or exclusive hire of The Theatre Room. Currently there is availability on a range of dates in December, including weekends, weekdays, afternoons and evenings. 

The Nutcracker package includes an arrival drink of Cranberry Mimosa or Mulled wine and a three-course festive meal for £60 per person. Check availability here. 

The Great Gatsby includes an arrival drink of Cranberry Mimosa or Mulled wine, a three-course festive meal and half a bottle of wine for £70 per person. Check availability here. 

All profits will go towards The Reader’s charitable work to improve the lives of people in Liverpool and beyond.  

For the full festive season visit here.