SANTA Claus is coming to town for three weeks this festive period.

Hexham Community Partnership (HCP) has announced that it is bringing Father Christmas to the Old Gaol for three weeks this winter.

On top of stories and fun in Santa’s Grotto, children will be able to enjoy a wish list creation room, festive photo selfie spaces; photo ops with Santa; and a vintage North Pole post box. There will also be a gift to take home for every child. Tickets are £15 per child with discounts for larger families.

Santa and his elves will be at the Old Gaol this ChristmasSanta and his elves will be at the Old Gaol this Christmas (Image: Hexham Community Partnership) HCP’s marketing communications manager, Janie French, said: “Hexham really is magical in the lead up to Christmas and we think that this initiative will make it even more appealing to families. Santa Claus will be coming to this medieval tower for the first time since it was built in 1333. It’s going to be very special.”

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Tickets are on sale now via the Visit Hexham website at https://visithexham.com/.

The interior of the Old Gaol will be dressed to look suitably festive and its retail area will be transformed into a pop-up Hexham Christmas Shop. This will stock goods for local shops and makers, including items unique to the event.

Heather Cook, an HCP board member and owner of Green Bee on Battle Hill, said: “Inclusivity is vital, so the Old Gaol was chosen for its excellent access as well as its architecture. The building has step-free access and a lift that will take families up to see Santa. We’re also able to offer sensory-friendly sessions thanks to support from Hexham Town Council.”

The main sponsor for the event as a whole is the Forum Cinema, which will have a great range of Christmas films on offer again this year. 

Ms French added: “Big thanks also go to the team at Museums Northumberland for their help with making this happen in such a great venue and to Hexham Art Club who very kindly moved their exhibition forward this year at the Old Gaol, so that we could make Santa happen. That’s so typical of the great community spirit in this town.”