Bridlington Embraces Festive Spirit with Unique Summer 'Bridmas' Celebration

Christmas has arrived early on the Yorkshire coast, as Bridlington hosts its unique "Bridmas Day" on Wednesday, 6 August, bringing a full day of festive cheer to residents and visitors alike.

This celebration aims to highlight Bridlington as a year-round destination, demonstrating that the town offers activities and entertainment beyond the traditional summer season.

The event will see Christmas activities taking place across the town and on the beach. The This is the Coast Roadshow will be onhand to provide Christmas tunes and entertainment throughout the day.

Mark Lonsdale, General Manager at Bridlington Spa, says there have been a number of questions about why the town is celebrating Christmas in the middle of summer.

"A lot of people will wonder why on earth we are celebrating Christmas in August in the height of summer.

And the message is really simple for us as a seaside town.

Why not promote what we have at Christmas at the busiest time of the year for us, because we want to tell people we're not just a summer seaside town. We've got things going on 365 days a year.

So the best way to do that is to tell people when we've got the most people in town.

The sentiment around celebrating Christmas in summer is acknowledged as somewhat divisive. "Christmas is a really divisive time of the year when you're doing it in summer," Mr. Lonsdale commented. "I think it's a Marmite campaign. People actually really love it or they're just thinking, 'What on earth is going on Christmas in August?' But the message is we're a 365 day destination and so the best time to promote what we've got in our quieter periods is when it's at its busiest".

The day-long event, kicking off around 9:00 a.m. and continuing until 3 or 4 p.m., features a wide array of activities across various locations in Bridlington, from the South Beach to Sewerby Hall and Gardens and King Street. The entire town has reportedly embraced the initiative.

Festivities Across Bridlington:

• South Beach and Old Boating Lake are set to be a hive of activity from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.. Here, visitors can enjoy Christmas-themed games between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., and again from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., including "Dodge the Baubles," "Battle of the Christmas Crackers," "Reindeer Buckaroo," "The Grinch Stole Christmas," "Elf Retreat," "Flying Reindeers," and "Falling Snowflakes".
• The area will also host performances by the Coastal Voices community choir singing Christmas carols and songs, the Driffield brass band, meet and greets with Santa and The Grinch, face painting, a fire breather, stilt walkers, and a Christmas crafts fair. "This Is The Coast" Radio will broadcast live from the seafront throughout the day, featuring festive tunes, interviews, and competitions.
• East Riding Leisure Bridlington will host a meet and greet with Santa and provide Christmas-themed soft play for children, starting at 2:00 p.m..
• At Sewerby Hall and Gardens, visitors are encouraged to wear their Christmas jumpers. The dining room will be decorated with Christmas trimmings, and festive food will be served at the Clock Tower Café. Mr. Bubbles will present a Christmas Magic Show at 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the Orangery, with a giant bubble display following at 2:00 p.m., weather permitting. Free Christmas-themed face painting will also be available, alongside "Rusticus: Snowflakes" performances at 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:00 p.m.. Early bird tickets for the "Winter Woodland Snowman Ball," a new festive evening experience, will launch on Bridmas Day.
• King Street traders have significantly supported the campaign. The street will feature a Christmas-themed daytime market with festive stalls, handmade gifts, and food and drink, coinciding with Bridlington's regular market day. Visitors can also see Santa's sleigh and elves, perfect for photos, and a dazzling ice sculpture display that promotes an upcoming ice sculpture trail in November. In the evening, King Street will host a Christmas Food Festival with seasonal street food and mulled drinks.
• The Land Train will transform into the Santa Express for the day, running along the seafront with festive decorations and music. Early bird tickets for the December Santa Express train ride to the North Pole will go on sale on 6 August.
• Bridlington Spa will screen "Home Alone" at its Picture House at 1:30 p.m.. Joe Standerline, this year’s pantomime dame from the upcoming "Dick Whittington" production, will make an appearance to greet guests. Tickets for "Dick Whittington" and "Thank You For The Music, New Years Eve 2025" are also on sale.
• The Edge Aerial Adventure at South Cliff Holiday Park will offer a special 25% discount for Bridmas Day attendees using the promo code "Bridmas25".

Councillor Nick Coultish, cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, expressed enthusiasm for the event's return.

"Bridmas was a fantastic success last year, and we’re excited to see it return bigger and better," he said. "It’s a great way to showcase Bridlington’s vibrant programme of events, not just in summer, but throughout the winter season too. Come along and enjoy a fun-filled, festive day at the seaside!".

Mark Lonsdale says it has been great to see the support for the event from across the town including from the King Street traders.

"Big shout out to all of the traders on King Street. They've really got behind this campaign.

So they've got a Christmas themed market on Wednesday. 'cause Wednesday's Market Day in Briton. So they've really got behind that.

We've got a sleigh and elfs down there as well, along with an ice sculpture promoting the ice sculpture trail, which is coming in November.

And then we've also got in the evening on King Street, a food festival with Christmas themed festivities and food down there as well.

Huge thank you to Angela and everybody on King Street 'cause it means that we've got this throughput in the town centre of Christmas activity.

Bridmas Day follows a successful debut event last year, which garnered national TV coverage, reinforcing East Riding of Yorkshire Council's efforts to celebrate Bridlington as a year-round destination."