Stan the resident T-Rex at Manchester Museum. © Manchester Museum
Manchester is full of things to do this Christmas, with activities planned at museums and galleries all across the city.
Visitors of all ages can enjoy a Crafty Christmas by heading down to the People’s History Museum and having a go at making cards, decorations, festive lanterns or paper ‘stained glass’ window hangings. Runs from December 17 to January 2 2006. While you are at the museum you can take the opportunity to explore its popular Crime and Punishment exhibition before it closes on January 15.
The Manchester Museum has a number of events running during the holidays. From December 19-22 you can make Christmas decorations for your home at the Deck the Halls arts and crafts session or Bring in the New Year by making a unique personalised calendar from December 28-30. While you are there you can also visit Stan, the museum’s resident T-Rex skeleton.
A potential traffic hazard is tackled during the blackout in 1939. From the North at War exhibition. © Imperial War Museum
If you find yourself overloaded on Christmas TV then don’t forget that Manchester’s brand new North City Library is due to open on January 4. This purpose-built building is set to be a flagship for the city with state of the art facilities and an exciting children’s library space.
Head to the Imperial War Museum North where the Holiday Hotspots activity sessions are an opportunity for the family to explore the museum. The sessions run from December 19 to January 8. It’s also the your last chance to catch The North At War, which runs until January 8. This major exhibition focuses on the experiences of people in the north of England during both world wars.
Manchester Art Gallery has an internationally renowned collection. © Manchester Art Gallery
What about taking a highlights tour of Manchester Art Gallery? The tours give a fascinating insight into the gallery’s internationally renowned collection which spans six centuries of British and continental fine and decorative art. Tours are free and run at 2pm on December 17, 18, 27 and 28 and January 7 and 8.
The science of bodily functions is tackled in the fun Grossology exhibition at the Manchester Museum of Science and Technology. Kids can learn as they snigger in this fascinating exhibition, with Nigel Nose-it-All and Burp Man.
Rock and Roll Icons: The Photography of Mick Rock, runs until January 8 at URBIS in Cathedral Gardens. Mick Rock has captured some of the most iconic photographs in music over the last 40 years, including portraits of stars like Iggy Pop, Queen, in their Bohemian Rhapsody shoot, Blondie, and David Bowie throughout his Ziggy Stardust phase. More recent work features The Chemical Brothers, Marilyn Manson and Johnny Marr.
