Crying Christmas

Join us for the ancient custom of Crying Christmas – the official start of the revelry and festivities in Sherwood.

The Sheriff of Nottingham will take time away from failing to catch outlaws to proclaim the beginning of the festive season. This is the only time of year that The Sheriff and Robin put aside their differences and celebrate together.

The Sherwood Outlaws will be emerging from the forest to receive their annual pardon, enabling them to partake in all that is fun about Christmas time.

Event highlights and timings:

12:30pm – The Sheriff’s proclamation

12:45pm – Costume competition

1:00pm – Choosing of the Lord of Misrule

1:15pm – Parade to the Major Oak

2:00pm – Longbow demonstration

3:00pm – Longbow demonstration

Our costume competition is made up of 3 categories; loudest costume, most colourful costume and best outlaw costume (under 12’s only). Their will be prizes for the winners of each category with the winners being decided by our 3 judges, The Sheriff, Will Scarlett and Maid Marian.

Then it’s the choosing of the Lord of Misrule, the person in charge of the party, and it could be you!

Finally, join the outlaws on a parade to the Major Oak and the Outlaw encampment to witness an impressive display of one of the most fearsome weapons in medieval history, the longbow.

This is a free event. Parking costs just £5 per vehicle per day at Sherwood for non-RSPB members, and helps the RSPB to carry out its vital conservation work, but there is no admission charge to enter the reserve.

This event is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Dogs on leads welcome.

Please check our Plan Your Visit page for more information about coming to Sherwood Forest and Budby South Forest.