ARTS & CULTURE
Audley End House, the grand Jacobean stately home just outside Saffron Walden, is embracing the festive season with all kinds of special events throughout December. Create a traditional wreath in a workshop with the estate’s head gardener on the 2nd, or discover Enchanted Audley End; a beautiful illuminated trail around the grounds, which runs each weekend this month. Look out for the mirror ball alley, fairy-lit maze and talking tree – and be sure to warm up afterwards with a mulled wine or toasted marshmallow. You can also go back in time to discover how festive prep looked nearly 200 years ago at the Preparing a Victorian Christmas event on 21 and 22 December. The kitchen will be a flurry of activity as the cooks begin the Christmas feast for the Lord and Lady of the house, with traditional mince pies, gingerbread biscuits and Victorian-style Christmas puds to try. english-heritage.org.uk CHRISTMAS AT AUDLEY END HOUSE
If you’re feeling a little flat this month, turn your feet to Trinity College Chapel on 3 December for a stirring performance of Handel’s Messiah . Still every bit as powerful as when it was first written in the 18th century, this epic oratorio depicts the birth, life and death of Christ, and the eventual triumph of good over evil. The work has played a special part in the Western choral calendar since its first performance in Dublin in 1742, and with its thrilling choruses and beautiful arias – including Hallelujah – it’s no wonder. See it brought deftly to life by Cambridge’s Academy of Ancient Music, joined by VOCES8, VOCES8 Scholars and Apollo. Tickets are £27 to £35. aam.co.uk ACADEMY OF ANCIENT MUSIC
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