Worcester Cathedral has officially started the countdown to Christmas with the announcement of dates and timings for its highly anticipated Christmas Tree Festival 2024.
The festival will be open to visit from Thursday 5 December 2024 until Monday 6 January 2025 (excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), during normal visiting hours - 10am-5pm Monday–Saturday and 12.30-3pm on Sundays. This year there will be autism friendly quiet hours on Saturdays 7, 14 and 21 and on Monday 23 December, from 9-10am. - these slots will be ticketed but free to limit numbers, offering a quieter, less busy experience.
It promises to be a bumper year, with tree pitches now fully booked by local schools, charities and business, and this year will see 150 sparkling trees lining the Medieval Cloisters and Chapter House. And for the first time, the Cathedral is delighted to have four local businesses onboard sponsoring the festival - Haus Installations, Nicol & Co Estate Agents, Thermabead Ltd and Vandemoortele Worcester.
Haus Installations: “Haus Installations is a local family-run uPVC specialist with decades of experience, leading the way for change in the window & door industry.
“Worcester is our home and as a local business with family at heart we are delighted to be sponsoring this years’ Christmas tree event. We have always taken the time to visit the cathedral with our families and it has become somewhat of a tradition amongst staff here. We were fortunate enough to participate in last years’ event and loved every photo, video and message we received about our tree.
“Now we get to leave our mark on this amazing event, located at the most iconic building in Worcester."
Nicol & Co: "Nicol & Co is a proud independent estate agent that supports homeowners and purchasers across Worcester, Droitwich, and Malvern as they take their next steps on the property ladder.
“Our unique approach ensures we leave a lasting impression and are memorable for the right reasons. After participating in last year’s Christmas Tree Festival by decorating a tree, we’re thrilled to return as sponsors for this year’s event.
“At the heart of our business is a commitment to giving back. We actively engage in community initiatives, sponsorships, and donations, with over £70,000 contributed to local charities through our community fund. Supporting the Christmas Tree Festival aligns perfectly with our values, allowing us to showcase our dedication to the community once again.
“Working with the Cathedral is incredibly important to us. It serves as a pillar of the community and a cherished landmark in Worcester, making it a perfect partner for our efforts to support and uplift those around us."
Thermabead Ltd: "ThermaBead Ltd is the home of the most advanced cavity wall insulation to date.
“We are the leading manufacturers, suppliers and installers of cavity wall insulation in the UK, helping our customers make the best choice for insulating homes, businesses or new build projects. Sponsoring the Christmas Tree Festival allows us to engage with the community in a festive and meaningful way, contributing to a tradition that brings joy to many.
“Our involvement reflects our commitment to cultural and social initiatives, aligning our brand with values of celebration, togetherness, and goodwill. Working with the Cathedral also means a lot to our workforce, who have grown up with its events and gatherings over the years and are proud to be associated with an iconic landmark that is deeply respected and admired within the city.
“Sponsoring this event is not just about visibility; it’s about being part of something larger and more impactful."
Vandemoortele Worcester: "Vandemoortele was originally established in 1991 supplying the UK market with unbaked frozen pastry products.
“To this day, we remain the sole UK manufacturer to fulfil large scale pre-proofed frozen viennoiserie for the wholesale and retail market and are still located at the original site in Lower Broadheath. We are passionate about shaping ‘A Tasty Future’ so that everyone’s everyday food can be enjoyed.
“We are delighted to once again be a part of the Christmas Tree festival and, in turn, support the valuable work that the Cathedral does for the local community and beyond."
Cathy Sloan, Director of Fundraising at Worcester Cathedral, said: “Our stunning Christmas Tree Festival has become a much-loved and cherished community event, holding a special place in the hearts of our visitors and becoming a part of many families’ Christmas traditions.
“Its popularity has grown over the years with local schools, charities and businesses flocking to design a tree and take part in this beautiful festive event. It has become clear with its growth in both size and popularity that many organisations wish to play more of a part in this special event, helping us to fund the festivities and enjoying the benefits of a prime tree location, an invitation to the festival launch event, and complimentary tree recycling.
“The Christmas Tree Festival is a self-funding event that is free for visitors to enjoy each year. We are extremely grateful to receive the kind support of our sponsors this year, enabling us to continually grow this spectacular festive event, visited and loved by many thousands of people every year.”
Worcester Cathedral’s Christmas Tree Festival is a finalist in this year’s Visit Worcestershire Tourism Awards Festival & Event of the Year category – the result of which will be announced in March 2025.
