Many merry activities are taking place at Birmingham Museums this Christmas, and they are not to be missed. Everyone can get involved in ringing in the season with a huge variety of events – whatever takes your festive fancy!
Santa comes to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Santa Claus is coming to town… and into the doors of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery! During his weekend visits between 2nd December to 17th December, Santa will be spreading festive cheer to children and families alike in his sparkly and snow-topped grotto. Children will be given a special Christmas gift, as well as a memory for them to treasure, a printed photograph of themselves with Santa.
This event is not to be missed as tickets cost just £5 per child. With many children hoping to meet Santa every year, pre-booking tickets is recommended for this enchanting experience.
Carry on the festive spirit in the Edwardian Tearooms, where you can enjoy a Christmas lunch with all the trimmings or tuck into a festive afternoon tea with stollen mince pies and scones.
Further information: birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag/whats-on
Santa will also be visiting Blakesley Hall on Sunday 17th December. Meet the man himself in the Great Hall – all children will receive a small present and see Blakesley Hall dressed for Christmas
Visitors will also be able to make a Christmas card, a tree decoration, and add a Christmas wish to the Blakesley tree. Adults enter for £7, concessions £5 and children £3. Pre-booking is essential.
Christmas comes to Thinktank as new LEGO® Education Innovation Studio opens
You’ll struggle to find a child who doesn’t love LEGO®. That’s why Thinktank is offering free, drop-in building sessions for families this Christmas holiday in Thinktank’s new LEGO® Education Innovation Studio. From Monday to Friday, Thinktank ticket holders are invited to come along and join in the problem-solving fun, with a range of fun LEGO sets to create and build with. Experience the family playtime you might have in your living room, but so much bigger!
The Planetarium will be sprinkled with Christmas joy as visitors will be able to enjoy a festive show throughout the weekends in December and every day during the school holidays. Teaching children all about the solar system and the mysteries of the polar night this beautiful Planetarium show will really get all the family in the Christmas spirit. Planetarium shows are £1.50 per person in addition to the Thinktank admission price.
Little ones will also love the Thinktank Elf Trail, with the promise of a prize for whoever finds all 10. This trail around the museum is a great free added extra during a Christmas visit, along with daily festive arts and crafts sessions, entertaining Christmas storytelling, and light and colour sessions. Visitors can also enjoy all the Thinktank favourites, including the newly extended wildlife gallery which showcases animals from around the world.
Christmas through the ages at the Heritage Sites
A Christmas trip to one of the Birmingham Museums’ Heritage Sites is an ideal way to get in the festive spirit.
At Aston Hall this festive season, the past is no longer just a memory. On Saturday 16th December between 3pm and 8.30pm, visitors will be able to experience the sights and sounds of the festive season, from the 17th century right through to the 1940s.
Adult tickets are £12 and child tickets are £6. With only one chance to see this event, pre-booking is essential.
Further information: birminghammuseums.org.uk/aston/whats-on/aston-alive-christmases-past
Another chance to step into the past will be at Christmas Through the Ages, which will takes place at Blakesley Hall on Saturday 9th December. The St. Barnabas handbell ringers, Choir Divertimento and costumed Tudor musicians will be there to fill the hall with festive sounds. There will also be Christmas foods in the tearoom to indulge in.
Blakesley Hall will also be holding ‘Tudor Christmas Tours’ in December, every Wednesday and Thursday before Christmas.
Soho House Georgian Christmas tours will take place every Wednesday and Thursday throughout December. ‘Soho by Moonlight’ will give visitors an exclusive chance to see elegant house after hours. The guided tours of the House will show how Christmas was celebrated in the 18th century. Taking place on Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th December, and tickets are £12.
Gift shopping
The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter is an ideal place to purchase unique Christmas gifts. To help you along the way, on the Saturday 16th December, the Jewellery Quarter will be offering of day of festive costumed guided tours, live jazz performances, and a gift wrapping service to make your Christmas gifts sparkle under the tree. Mulled wine and mince pies will also be available to purchase in the Smith & Pepper tearoom.
Further information: birminghammuseums.org.uk/jewellery/whats-on/
Birmingham Museums also sells a wide range of bespoke gifts and popular products across all of its sites, catering to lots of interests and budgets. From the gifts inspired by Birmingham’s Collection to memberships offering a year of fun across the venues, shoppers are sure to find the perfect present for their nearest and dearest.
As well as getting a great gift, all purchases help to support Birmingham Museums Trust, the educational charity helping to preserve our city’s heritage for future generations.
From Wednesday 15th November visitors will be able to buy some of Birmingham Museums’ best loved gifts online. Check out the website and social media pages for more information.
Christmas creativity
If you’re feeling creative, there is a great choice of workshops to get stuck into for adults this December. Join the Millers at Sarehole Mill to bake your own Christmas treats or attend a crafting workshop to make your very own glass bauble to hang on your tree.
Celebrate with traditional carols at Sarehole Mill’s Carols in the Courtyard. A free event on Sunday 3rd December, join a communal sing-song of famous festive carols to ring in the season!
Get into the Christmas spirit at the Edwardian Tearooms, with a screening of It’s A Wonderful Life on Saturday 2nd December from 6pm. For a full festive experience on Saturday 6th December from 6pm at BMAG with sing-a-long Christmas carols, mince pies and mulled wine and the chance to shop for unique gifts. Tickets available online.
See the full list of Birmingham Museums Christmas events online at birminghammuseums.org.uk/whats-on
