Bright Nights

This year, our annual Barnsley Bright Nights will be slightly different. To get you into the festive spirit and to keep you safe, we’ve got a raft of online entertainment planned, as well as downloadable craft activity packs for all the family. There’s also a chance to feature in Barnsley’s very own Christmas card, and explore a Winter Windowland that’s set to light up your favourite buildings.

Bright Nights at home activity pack

Get creative this Christmas with a range of illuminating festive activities for all the family to make together at home. Make a stained-glass star, a snowflake dancer, a flickering tea light village or your very own winter window to brighten your street.

Download out Bright Nights activity pack from Tuesday 1 December, physical copies will be available to collect from the town centre. Follow Love Barnsley Town Centre Facebook or Twitter for more information.

Bright Nights Online - The Big Festive Weekend

On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December from 2pm to 10pm, join Barnsley Bright Nights online.

Watch and take part in festive fun via social media to light-up your last weekend before Christmas. Watch a unique panto with MarkMark Productions, listen to Christmas stories with Barnsley Libraries and hear a unique version of A Christmas Carol with Strata Brass. Get Christmas crazy on Saturday 19 December and show your Christmas cheer by taking part in the first-ever virtual Barnsley Christmas card, featuring festive photos and videos of your decorations and celebrations.

Whether it’s photos of your house lit up, decorations, a video of you wishing Barnsley a Merry Christmas or footage of the family singing carols (or even Christmas hits!) we want to see.

Follow the Barnsley Bright Nights event page on Facebook, and use the hashtag #BarnsleyChristmasSpirit to get involved. Videos will also be available to view on Barnsley Council’s YouTube channel.

Winter Windowland

From Thursday 10 December to Sunday 10 January from 4pm until 10pm daily, shops, businesses and buildings across the town centre will feature illuminating artwork. You can take part too by sending photos of your winter windows that will be featured in Barnsley’s Christmas card and on our social media channels.  Don’t forget to look out for our annual Christmas lights that are already switched on.

Barnsley Markets

Barnsley’s markets have got everything you need to get your Christmas wrapped up, including the best Brussel sprouts to the tastiest turkeys. Don’t forget your mouth-watering mince pies! When non-essential retail reopens, head down to the market for all your Christmas needs. Whether you’re looking for an extra special gift, the perfect wool to knit a Christmas jumper, a prezzie for the pooch or sweets and treats to enjoy with a festive film, Barnsley Market has it all, plus a range of other fantastic gift ideas. Why not create your own festive hamper with a variety of festive treats! Enjoy the festive decorations to get you in the festive mood? Don’t forget to look out for the polar bear and penguin hiding in our atrium, and see if you can spot the Nutcracker, too! Don’t forget to stop by Market Kitchen and sample festive specials from our fantastic vendors when it reopens as restrictions start to ease. The outdoor market and district markets also have a wonderful assortment of gifts and fresh produce to make any home a happy one this Christmas - so be sure to pay them a visit. Until non-essential retail reopens you can still crack on with your Christmas shopping and tick a few things off your list by using the click and collect service or home delivery service from ShopAppy. Find out more about Barnsley Markets.

Shop local this Christmas in Barnsley 

Now more than ever it’s important to support local businesses. Barnsley town centre is renowned for its fantastic variety of independents. From jewellery and fashion to lifestyle and entertainment, gifts, flowers and much more, support local businesses by shopping local. Don’t forget that many of them now have an online offer, so until you can visit in person, there’s still an opportunity to find that unique gift for someone special by shopping local. Visit ShopAppy for more information.

The Glass Works

It’s the final Christmas before The Glass Works is complete – but there’s already plenty on offer for you and your loved ones this festive season.

When current restrictions ease, you’ll be able to shop for the ideal gift from JD Sports or Deichmann – which is set to open its doors in early December. Need a break from shopping? Stop for a festive themed coffee from Coffee Boy or a spot of lunch at Falco Lounge.

More exciting details on The Glass Works at Christmas are coming soon. Checkout The Glass Works on Instagram @theglassworkbarnsley.

Light up your Christmas with Library @ the Lightbox

As well as taking part in Bright Nights, Christmas craft bags will be available from Library @ the Lightbox, where you’ll be able to make your own window star.

A limited amount of ‘My Pet Star’ books will be given away from Saturday 12 December to Christmas Eve. There’ll also be also got online Christmas story videos read by special guests that you can watch via Barnsley Libraries’ Facebook page.

Get creative with Barnsley Museums

Experience Barnsley Museum and the Cooper Gallery have got creative this year to ensure people can enjoy their festive activities at home. Running right throughout December  -they will be offering a whole host of digital fun.

At Experience Barnsley, to mark the launch of their latest exhibition, ‘I Grew Up in the 80s they will be showing you how to celebrate Christmas 80s style.  This will include recreating retro decorations that people remember so well, to serving up some sweet treats from the decade with classics like the Lion Bar. Activity packs are available online via the museum’s social media pages and website or they can be picked up from the gift shop once restrictions start to ease.

After the huge success of their award winning ‘Wow Wednesdays’ the Cooper Gallery are bringing families ‘Winterval’ another exciting digital programme of stories, dance and crafts.  Hosted on their social media channels and website every Monday in December, under 5s and their families will have a magical time taking part in festive themed activities.  Craft packs will be available from the gallery shop once restrictions start to lift - so you’ll have everything you need to take part.