Christmas may be one of the most anticipated times of the year, but you don’t have to wait until December to feel the festive spirit, thanks to Maesteg Town Hall’s brand-new programme of events which will go on sale from 25th July!
To celebrate the reopening of this much-loved venue following its multi-million-pound redevelopment, Awen Cultural Trust’s ‘Christmas In July’ campaign will launch a whole host of professional, community and library events taking place in late November and December.
Maesteg Town Hall will once again play a key role in this year’s Christmas Parade on Saturday 7th December with family-friendly activities in the library, festive-themed food in the café, carols in the atrium and a Christmas market in the auditorium.
Other seasonal treats in the main auditorium include The Snowman and Fabba Mania at Christmas, both accompanied by live orchestras, the children’s show Father Christmas Comes Up Trumps, festive cinema and a New Year’s Eve Midday Madness event with BSL interpretation by Emma Horton.
The new library will also host Christmas-themed events, including spooky festive tales for adults and family storytime around the tree, alongside their regular activities of Bounce and Rhyme sessions for babies and toddlers, storytelling and crafts for children, and reading groups for all ages.
Heritage interpretation within the library space will help visitors engage with the history of Maesteg Town Hall and the Llynfi Valley. This will be supported by local history talks about the hall and its seven Christopher Williams paintings.
It is anticipated that community groups and organisations, including Curtain Up Youth Theatre, Maesteg Musical Theatre Society and Bois Goetre-Hen Male Choir, as well as local schools, will play a key role in the reopening programme and beyond.
Looking into the New Year, Welsh singer and presenter Aled Jones; AC/DC and Manfred Mann’s Earth Band drummer Chris Slade; the original live band sing-along Massaoke; Soul Street Productions’ Made in Tennessee and The History of Rock; and Ballet Cymru are all booked to perform in 2025.
There is also a regular programme of Free Music Fridays, community sessions in the glass atrium, lunchtime theatre productions, and cinema screenings in Y Bocs Oren (The Orange Box) including Under Milk Wood followed by a Q&A with Director, Kevin Allen.
Richard Hughes, Chief Executive of Awen Cultural Trust, said:
“We agree it’s a bit early to mention Christmas but as local excitement continues to grow for the reopening of Maesteg Town Hall after its fantastic redevelopment, we know that our customers will be eager to find out what’s on during those first couple of months and get a glimpse into 2025!
“We will continue to work closely with Bridgend County Borough Council as we edge towards building completion, followed by Awen’s fit-out period, which is anticipated to take several weeks. We cannot wait to welcome the local communities back once again and see this space come to life!”
Councillor Neelo Farr, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economic Development and Housing, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to share the news that the much-anticipated opening of Maesteg Town Hall is just around the corner! The renovation and development of this cultural centerpiece in the Llynfi Valley will open its doors once again to the public in time for some spectacular arts and cultural events delivered by our partners at Awen. I cannot wait to visit this much-loved, historic building later this year!”
Tickets for the professional performances will be on sale from 10am on 25th July 2024 on www.maestegtownhall.com. Spaces for library events can be booked directly, nearer the time.
