Life

Weekend Plans? Wreath making, ice skating, Chicken Run and festive fun

ELF AND SAFETY: An elf engineer inspects just one of latest modifications to the Santa Sleigh 2019
ELF AND SAFETY: An elf engineer inspects just one of latest modifications to the Santa Sleigh 2019 ELF AND SAFETY: An elf engineer inspects just one of latest modifications to the Santa Sleigh 2019

Struggling for inspiration when it comes to the weekend? Well, we’re with your guide to guaranteed good craic whether you’re going out or staying in.

FAMILY
Santa’s Post Office, 2 Royal Avenue from November 18 until December 17

Little ones can join Santa’s elves for free activities such as arts and crafts and design their own letter to Santa Claus. To make sure their post reaches the North Pole in time, they can send their letters in Santa’s special post box.

Royal Mail urge children to have their letter to Santa in the post no later than Sunday December 6
A Magical Christmas Experience, Titanic Belfast from November 24 until December 23

Journey through the enchanted forest to make a wish by the Magical Wishing Tree, before stepping through the Old Curiosity Shop to enter the elves’ Workshop.

Visit Mrs Claus in her cosy kitchen to hear festive fairytales, stop by the bustling post office to write ad post your Christmas letter before letting your creative juices flow with some arts and crafts.

Finally wrap up your Magical Christmas Experience by having your name checked off the naughty or nice list by the chief elf – those on the nice list will then get to meet Father Christmas.

The Christmas tree is one of the most famous Christmas traditions (Artfoliophoto/Getty Images)
(Artfoliophoto/Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Ice Skating sessions, Dundonald Ice Bowl, open Monday-Sunday

Get your skates on and discover the fun of gliding across Northern Ireland’s only public Olympic size ice rink. Choose from a range of skate sessions which are available 7 days per week including the option to enjoy DJ led entertainment on evenings and weekends.

A recreational figure skater
(agaliza/Getty Images) (agaliza/Getty Images/iStockphoto)
FRIENDS
Christmas Wreath Workshop, Lilian Bland Pavilion, Newtownabbey, December 14

Get creative this Christmas and make your very own door wreath using fresh greenery, pinecones, Christmas decorations and a holiday bow - the perfect way to impress guests over the festive period.

Re-use your decorations instead of buying new every year and bring the outdoors in with freshly cut greenery, in this case to make a Christmas wreath
Festive Afternoon Tea, Titanic Hotel, Belfast

Christmas can be a stressful time of year, so treat yourself to an indulgent Christmas-inspired afternoon tea with dainty finger sandwiches, sweet treats, steaming pots of tea and mulled wine all served in the elegant surroundings of the Harland Bar.

Festive Afternoon Tea
Absolutely FLABulous!, The Lyric Theatre, December 12 – 17

Rozlyn Sheridan is back as Bernie Jones after the resounding success of Nobody Puts Bernie in a Corner. Audiences can expect an evening filled with laughter, heartwarming moments and a reminder of the importance of friendship. So, get ready to laugh your way to a slimmer waistline because who needs squats when you can burn calories with belly laughs?

Expect belly-busting laughs – but also pathos and reflection – in Rozlyn Sheridan's new Bernie Jones show, at the Lyric this Christmas
WATCH
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, Netflix, from December 15

Having escaped from the farm, Ginger and Rocky welcome a new little adventurer into their lives. Back on the mainland, the whole of chicken-kind faces a terrible new threat.

The Crown, season 6 part 2, from December 14

Inspired by real events watch the final part of the hit royal series the Crown. Following on from the previous four episodes that were released in November the second half of the show primarily focuses on the impact Diana’s death had on both the royal family and the world.

Festive Classics at The Avenue Cinema Belfast, December 16

What’s better than watching your favourite Christmas films at home? Watching them on the big screen of course! This weekend The Avenue Cinema has a festive feast for the eyes showing all the Christmas classics from Home Alone and Home Alone 2 to Elf and The Santa Clause.