Last Christmas, hundreds of people packed into Eglwys y Groes in Maesgeirchen for Jingle Bell Bash. The tombola sold out in just 50 minutes, game cards filled up and raffle tickets ran out. The organisers were so busy they barely had time for a panad!

Now it’s back for 2026, and if last year is anything to go by, Bangor families are in for another cracking afternoon.

Jingle Bell Bash returns on Saturday 5 December, from 11am until 5pm, with free admission and plenty of Christmas fun for the whole family.

Behind the event are Mel, Jen and Amanda, Maes-G ShowZone’s fundraising team, who have been working away for months to make sure this year’s celebration is every bit as enjoyable as the last.

“We honestly couldn’t believe how busy it was last year,” said the team. “We were rushed off our feet all day, but seeing the kids enjoying themselves made every minute worth it.

“We know how expensive Christmas can be, especially when you’ve got little ones. We just want families to come along, have a bit of fun, maybe win a prize or two and enjoy a lovely afternoon without it costing a fortune. Have a panad, enjoy yourselves and know that you’re also supporting a local organisation that does so much for the children and young people in our community.”

And there’ll certainly be plenty to enjoy!

From affordable games, lucky dips and face painting to Christmas stalls, balloons, children’s jewellery and personalised decorations, there’s something to keep everyone busy. Little ones can also enjoy a free Christmas craft table and colour their own Christmas postcard to pop into Santa’s Magic Post Box.

Last year’s 200-prize tombola was cleared out in just 50 minutes, so this year the organisers have doubled up, with two separate tombolas and 400 prizes up for grabs.

Then there’s the Christmas raffle, and what a raffle it is this year!

With prizes including a 50-inch 4K QLED television, a gas BBQ, a karaoke speaker, a four-ball golf voucher at Bull Bay Golf Club and an all-inclusive children’s football party at Bangor City Stadium, complete with a kickabout with Bangor City FC players, there’s already plenty to get excited about.

And that’s just a handful of the prizes! There are also toys, games, beauty gifts, household items, vouchers and family experiences, with even more prizes still to be revealed.

Raffle tickets are now on sale at just £1 a strip and can be purchased through the organisers’ PayPal links, which are available on the official Jingle Bell Bash Facebook Page. Tickets will also be available on the day, subject to availability.

Last year, raffle tickets sold out before the event was over, so anyone hoping to get their hands on a few strips might want to get in early!

Of course, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Santa, and Bangor’s very own Santa P will be welcoming children into his Grotto.

Santa and his elves are getting ready to welcome their young visitors, with a little Christmas magic, plenty of festive cheer and a special bell to find out who’s been naughty and who’s been nice!

And Santa has a little message for Bangor’s youngest residents:

“I’ve been checking my list, and there’s an awful lot of good boys and girls in Bangor this year! I’ve got my special bell ready too, so we’ll soon find out who’s been naughty and who’s been nice! Ho, ho, ho!”

Grotto bookings are already proving popular, with around a third of the regular sessions booked and just two spaces remaining in the Quiet Grotto, which offers a calmer experience for children who would prefer one.

Visits cost just £4 per child and must be booked in advance. There will be no walk-up appointments on the day. Families can book through the official Jingle Bell Bash website at www.jingle-bell-bash.co.uk.

Children are also invited to bring along their Christmas letters for Santa’s Magic Post Box, or colour a special Christmas postcard at the free craft table and post it while they’re there. No Grotto booking is needed to use the post box.

And when it’s time for a break, there’ll be hot dogs, chips, a warming panad and delicious hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and marshmallows. Just the thing for a December afternoon!

That’s only a taste of what’s planned, with plenty more to discover on the day.

All money raised at the event will help towards Maes-G ShowZone’s Big Variety Show at Pontio in Bangor in July 2027.

The organisers have also launched a dedicated Jingle Bell Bash Facebook Page, where families can follow the latest announcements, see the raffle prizes and keep up with everything planned for the big day.

So whether you’re coming to visit Santa, try your luck on the tombola or simply enjoy a few hours of Christmas fun with the family, Jingle Bell Bash is well worth putting in the diary.

Jingle Bell Bash takes place on Saturday 5 December 2026, from 11am to 5pm, at Eglwys y Groes, Maesgeirchen, Bangor. Admission is free.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jinglebellbashbangor

Official website and Santa’s Grotto bookings: https://www.jingle-bell-bash.co.uk