Saturnalia Light Festival

See the Vindolanda gardens illuminated and learn about the festival of Saturnalia celebrated by the Romans from the 17th - 23rd December. This Roman festival includes the giving of token gifts, feasting and decorating with garlands of holly and candles.

Here at Vindolanda we will be celebrating by decorating the gardens and running festive events including crafts, talks and tours. Take a look at the calendar below to see what is on when.

Clay Craft: Create your own Christmas Decoration or gift wrap accessory. These wonderful little tokens can be used to decorate or given as gifts themselves.

Saturnalia: Travel back in time and see our Roman Saturnalia feast - a great photo opportunity. Learn about the midwinter festival as celebrated by the Romans and what traditions last until today.

Friday 1st Dec: Gardens are lit from 2pm - Daily throughout December

Saturday 2nd Dec: Clay craft in the Activity Centre - 12pm - 3pm

Sunday 3rd Dec: Clay craft in the Activity Centre - 12pm - 3pm

Friday 8th Dec: Saturnalia in the Activity Centre - 12pm - 3pm

Saturday 9th Dec: Saturnalia in the Activity Centre - 12pm - 3pm

Sunday 10th Dec: Saturnalia in the Activity Centre - 12pm - 3pm

Friday 15th Dec: Saturnalia in the Activity Centre - 12pm - 3pm

Saturday 16th Dec: Clay craft in the Activity Centre - 12pm - 3pm

Sunday 17th Dec: Clay craft in the Activity Centre - 12pm - 3pm

Saturday 23rd Dec: Day of Giving - A free token gift when you visit on the 23rd of December the last day the Saturnalia festival and the day when gifts are exchanged.

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Become a Friend

Become a member of the Friends of Vindolanda which helps support our work all year round and gives you access to both our sites Roman Vindolanda Fort & Museum and the Roman Army Museum & Magna Fort.
Saturnalia Light Festival

1st December - 31st December
Roman Vindolanda
Join us for our annual lighting of the gardens at Vindolanda this year we are focusing on the festival of Saturnalia and how it might have inspired some of our modern day traditions. Gardens are lit daily with specific days for Saturnalia events.
Castrum: Vindolanda Excavations 2024 - 2028

Learn about what our research aims are for the 2024-2028 excavation seasons. What is an SMC and why do we need one? A closer look at why we are excited about our next phase of excavation at Vindolanda Roman Fort.
Roman Pottery

What is it? What was it used for? How was it made? How does it help the archaeologists understand the people of the past? Roman pottery and all you need to know about it.

Recent Finds Exhibition

April 2023 - January 2024
Roman Vindolanda Museum
The Recent Finds case shows off some of the most exciting finds from last years excavation. Some you will have seen before on social media others will be complete surprises. Find out what was uncovered over the 2022 excavation season.
2024 Magna Excavations

1st April - 27th September 2024
Roman Magna Fort
Magna Excavations 2024 part of the Roman Army Museum. The archaeologists and their teams of volunteers will be out Mon - Fri weather permitting. See history as it is uncovered.

Tickets

How to visit Vindolanda Roman Fort and Museum and the Roman Army Museum. This page will take you through the new systems we have in place for visiting our sites, what is open and how to visit.
Roman Vindolanda Fort & Museum

Visit Roman Vindolanda today and you will find one of the North East’s most famous and not to be missed tourist attractions lying in the beautiful landscape of Hadrian's Wall Country. Formerly a key military post on the northern frontier of Britain, Vindolanda is the home of Britain's 'Top Treasure' - the Vindolanda Writing Tablets - and is one Europe's most important Roman archaeological sites, with live excavations taking place every year.
Roman Army Museum

Lying in magnificent countryside next to a sweeping section of Hadrian's Wall and based at the site of Magna Roman Fort, the Roman Army Museum is an authentic and dramatic tribute to Rome’s extraordinary military legacy. Step into the life of a Roman soldier and experience life on the front line of Emperor Hadrian’s formidable British frontier.
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Have you got questions about what to expect when you arrive or how to book? Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions page which answers some of our visitors most popular queries.
Getting here

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Day Planner

This is a suggested day planner for your visit to Roman Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum.
Luna, Moon Goddess

Volunteer blog - Jackie James
The ancient Roman moon goddess, Luna, derives her name from the Latin lucere, meaning ‘to shine’ and was seen not only as the divine embodiment of the moon but also the female counterpart of the sun, Sol.
Work for us

Find out about any opportunities to join the award winning teams at Vindolanda and the Roman Army Musuem. We currently have three new fixed term posts with the Vindolanda Trust- Part of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site and based at the Roman Site of Magna.
Book a Place

Find out about what's involved, how to participate and when you can see the digging taking place. We are now fully booked for the 2024 Excavation season.
Local Accommodation

There is a vast range of places to stay near to Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum with all budgets catered for.

Carved stone depicting mystery horseman uncovered.

A beautifully carved sandstone relief which depicts a naked male figure holding a spear stood in front of a horse/donkey has been uncovered during the annual excavations at the Roman fort of Vindolanda near Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland. Read more