Celebrate Advent with Westminster Abbey
Virtual
Anytime
Free
Explore the story of Jesus’ birth and create Christmas crafts to bring festive cheer to your home. Enjoy weekly over advent or indulge in one sitting for a day of family fun. The Abbey is also holding an in person Christmas Family Day on 11 December when families will have the chance to decorate a shooting star and sing along with world-famous Westminster Abbey choir.
Follow the 12 Days of Christmas Trail at Worcester Art Gallery & Museum
Worcester
27 November 2021 – 8 January 2022
Free
Do you know The Twelve Days of Christmas song? Find all the things ‘my true love’ sent to Worcester Museum. Download the 12 Days of Christmas Trail to follow during your visit – all the images were created by the 11th Worcester Brownies.
Watch Suddenly a Star at The Story Museum
Oxford
1 December 2021 – 2 January 2022
Tickets: £10
The Story Museum’s Christmas show is back and pulling out all the stops after being postponed last Christmas due to COVID-19 restrictions. ‘Suddenly A Star’ is a magical amalgamation of traditional tales which feature cunning mice and clever grandparents, dancing donkeys and warm wishes. The show is suitable for ages 5+.
Suddenly a Star at The Story Museum, Oxford.
Time Travel with The National Archives
Kew, London
Friday 3 December (0-2s), Saturday 4 December (5-7s), Saturday 11 December (8-11s)
Free (0-2s), £5 (5-7s), £7.50 (8-11s)
Join in the festive fun for all ages at the National Archives this December. There is a sensory storytelling session for babies and toddlers, a wintery adventure in the Arctic for 5-7 year olds, and a look at festive feasting throughout history for 8-11s.
Light Show: Say thanks to keyworkers with Snape Maltings
Suffolk
3-23 December, 5-5.10pm
Watch and play with this beautiful new light installation outside Snape Maltings Concert Hall, created by artist Oliver Hill. People are invited to submit a message of thanks to keyworkers who have supported them over the last two years, which will then be displayed in colourful lights at 5pm each day.
Celebrate Hanukah with the Jewish Museum London
Camden, London
Sunday 5 December, 2.30-4.30pm
Included in museum ticket
Whether you have celebrated many Hanukahs or no Hanukahs, everyone is welcome at this family day. Join with friends and family to make your own doughnuts, explore the museum with a Hanukah activity trail or sit back and play a fun game of dreidel.
Father Christmas and Friends from National Museum Wales.
Meet Father Christmas and Friends with National Museum Wales
Virtual
Saturday 11 December, 12.15-6.40pm
Tickets: £5.58 per family
Join the elves as they get ready for the big day in this virtual event from the winners of Best Digital Activity in our Family Friendly Museum Award 2021. Aimed at children aged 3-8 years old, enjoy cooking with Mother Christmas, craft activities with the elves, a sing along with a local school choir, storytime with Santa and a live video call to meet some real reindeer in a Secret Forest in Lapland. British Sign Language translation is available for all video content.
Enjoy a Family Day out with William Morris Gallery
Walthamstow, London
Saturday 11 December, 1-4pm
Free, drop-in
Family days at the William Morris Gallery are back! Join in a Christmas craft activity inspired by the Young Poland Exhibition and make your own Christmas decoration to take home with you. Enjoy a special storytelling session from Uncle Kweks, the children’s author and spoken word poet, and take on the Young Poland family trail to see if you can win a prize!
Get crafty in a Family Christmas Workshop with The Box Plymouth
Plymouth
11-12 December or 18-19 December, 10am-11.30am, 12.30pm–2pm, 2.30pm–4pm
Free, drop in
Create your own book with marbled paper or make your very own felt and fabric Christmas decorations in these fun family sessions from one of the museums shortlisted for our Family Friendly Museum Award 2021.
See the lights at Lincoln Castle
Lincoln
11-23 December 2021
Tickets: From £2 for Grounds access. Admission applies for Illuminated Wall Walk.
Enjoy spectacular views and festive sparkle with the return of Lincoln Illuminated. Walk through displays of Christmas lights and Christmas tree lined pathways – and on selected dates, you can even bring your dog!
