A new ‘magical kingdom’ is to form the centrepiece of Dungannon’s Christmas celebrations for 2016.
Ranfurly House, at the heart of the town centre, is to be the gateway to a festive kingdom for the weekend of 25th to 27th November, becoming home to Santa’s elves and a host of Christmas workshops and film screenings, while the viewing tower on the Hill of the O’Neill is to be transformed into Santa’s grotto.
The dome on the hill is to become a space dedicated to children – ‘Little World’ – and will be filled with traditional fun fair rides and activities, street performers, face painters, and alongside more than 30 stalls filled with crafts, food and Christmas gift ideas will form a Christmas Fair in a snug, heated marquee.
Throughout the weekend, Christmas arts and crafts activities and workshops will take place in the art studio in Ranfurly House, with story-telling, Christmas sing-alongs and film screenings of Frozen and the Polar Express also on offer.
The weekend gets underway on Friday 25 November with a light performance, live music and children’s entertainment, including the naughty, but lively pirates Cook and Line from Cbeebies’ ‘Swashbuckle’ TV show, before Santa arrives in Market Square on a reindeer-drawn sleigh, ready to switch on the Christmas tree lights.
“This is a special event for Dungannon and the aim is to use the fantastic facilities we have at Ranfurly House and the Hill of the O’Neill to create a magical experience for children, families and shoppers,” said Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Trevor Wilson. “The weekend will help to draw people to Dungannon, build a buzz around the town centre and be a truly festive start to the Christmas season”.
The Magical Christmas Kingdom takes place at Ranfurly House and the Hill of the O’Neill, Dungannon, from Friday 25 November to Sunday 27 November. For more information call 028 8772 8600 or visit www.midulstercouncil.org/christmas.