Bridlington's popular summer Christmas celebration will return in 2027 after what's been described as a "record breaking" event this August.
Festive celebrations will return to Bridlington next summer as council officials confirm plans for the fourth annual Bridmas event.
The seaside town transformed into a winter wonderland early this August, bringing seasonal activities, family entertainment, and a Christmas Cracker Trail to South Beach, the promenade, Bridlington Spa, and Sewerby Hall and Gardens.
Families met Santa and his elves on the beach, while the local land train became the Santa Express, playing Christmas classics along the seafront.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council officials confirmed the return of the event for next year, following what they described as the most successful celebration to date.
Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Councillor Nick Coultish, said:
"This year was the third annual Bridmas and it was the most successful yet, bringing in more partners, more volunteer organizations, and more businesses. And, plans are already underway to deliver a Bridmas 2027 with even more stakeholders, even more businesses, and delivering even more of that positive news that positive inward investment to Bridlington and hopefully gathering even more international attention."
The summer festival has grown significantly since its inception, attracting free screenings of The Grinch at Bridlington Spa and performances by the Coastal Voices community choir.
Organisers noted that local businesses were encouraged to join the fun by decorating their premises and dressing in festive attire to help spread cheer throughout the town.
Councillor Nick Coultish said:
"It started as a simple marketing idea three years ago and it's grown into a town wide celebration that that's recognized almost globally at least across Europe because I've had interview requests from places all over including Ireland and Norway, Sweden, etc.
And this year we welcomed more of that national media coverage. Local businesses, tourism partners and visitors from across our region were all helping to show that Bridlington is a Christmas destination as well as a summer destination."
Following the widespread success of the single-day event, some officials are now calling for the celebration to be expanded.
During a recent council exchange, Councillor Phoenix suggested extending the festivities to cover an entire weekend to capture the main tourist trade.
Councillor Phoenix and Councillor Nick Coultish discussed the potential expansion:
"why aren't we having it for two days on a weekend? Most of the people that come to the seaside book for Friday to Sunday. And is that correct? It is just one day because why can't there be two? Double the amount of income. "
I think the beauty of Bridmas is that it's almost a novelty that it happens on one day. And I think what you don't want to do is kind of ruin that favor with residents who who are coming to the to the seaside on a summer's day to enjoy seaside activities and kind of bombard them with Christmas activities. But it's certainly something we could look at. It'll be about a decision about whether that benefits residents, whether that benefits businesses in Bridlington having it over more than one day, but it's something I can take back to the team and look at because I don't think it's particularly a bad idea."
The 2026 event featured a packed programme of free entertainment, including live organ performances and the Driffield Brass Band, which brought seasonal music to the promenade.
Visitors also enjoyed interactive activities hosted by Active Coast, a local ice sculptor, giant bubble displays, and Christmas-themed face painting.
A town-wide Christmas Cracker Trail offered participants the chance to win a variety of festive prizes, including tickets to Christmas at Sewerby Hall and Gardens, the Santa Express, and Bridlington Spa's Cinderella pantomime.
Urgent Calls For Answers Over Closed Scarborough Spa Cliff Lift
Yorkshire Actor Gaynor Faye to Receive Honorary Degree From CU Scarborough
Opera-Singing Busker Receives Special Award After Raising Thousands for Lifeboat Charity
Arson Attack Leaves Scarborough Community Centre Facing A £3,000 Repair Bill
Princess Royal Celebrates Unpaid Carers During Snainton Visit
Dozens Of Employers To Showcase Career Opportunities At East Riding Apprenticeship Expo
Conversion Plan for Whitby’s Historic Abbey Wharf Market Hall
A64 Dualling Unlikely in Near Future, Says York and North Yorkshire Mayor
Urgent Fraud Warning Issued After Dozens Targeted In Fake Police Officer Scam
Mayor 'Very Confident' That Tourism Levy Can Be Implemented
North Yorkshire Hospices Warn of Cuts and Closures as Funding Crisis Deepens
New Developments Linked to Pollution Misconnections on Yorkshire Coast
