Photo: there's a traditional Christmas scene waiting for you at Peterborough Museum.
London and the South-East
At Hollytrees Museum on December 14 artist Valerie Osment helps visitors create their own unique Christmas baubles and crackers with a traditional emphasis. An accompanying exhibition traces the history of today’s Christmas customs.
On December 11 and 18 at Brighton Royal Pavilion there’s a lively guided tour of this magnificent building with a seasonal focus, as well as festive music and carols in the impressive 19th century Music Room.
Photo: the Royal Pavilion looks fantastic at this time of year.
The Imperial War Museum has a different take on the season. From December 20-23 and 27-28 you can meet a 1940s housewife and discover how hard Christmas was with only rations and homemade presents.
An accompanying exhibition looks at the 1940s house at Christmas and how they enjoyed themselves without television and expensive gifts.
Photo: the Imperial War Museum shows how different Christmas was during the war. © Imperial War Museum, London.
Central And East Of England
Continuing with the more traditional themes of the season, Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery’s new exhibition looks at how Christmas is celebrated differently around the world and explains the origins of our own Christmas traditions.
Displays of toys and gifts through the ages show how tastes have changed. There are also workshops for children to make their own decorations to take home.
Strangers’ Hall, one of Norfolk’s most historic buildings, is offering tours on December 10 and 17, led by different historical figures. Learn about Christmas in 1660 and Tudor, Victorian and Georgian style decorations. Visitors can also drop in on Saturdays to look around.
At the Guildhall in Leicester the Kingfisher Chorale perform an evening of Christmas carols on December 17 and 20. It includes an eclectic mix of old and new carols from the last 600 years and is performed by an open fire.
Also in Leicester the Harborough Museum has an art workshop on December 13. Children of all ages can create their own Christmas cards and there will be a Victorian printing press.
The Snibston Discovery Park in Leicestershire has a range of activities such as fun days for the under 5s, wreath and decoration making sessions and a craft fair. The historic Snibston Colliery Railway will also be open.
Photo: Blists Hill Victorian Town offers old-fashioned Christmas fun and games.
West England and Wales
Blists Hill Victorian Town, near Telford, has a special festive weekend on December 13 and 14 and looks at how the Victorians celebrated Christmas.
It includes carol singing around the tree, Santa’s grotto, trips through the town by horse and carriage and a traditional merry-go-round.
Photo:Children will love the activites on offer at Blists Hill Victorian Town
There’s a chance to see the first-ever 3D animated Christmas film, showing at the IMAX Theatre in At Bristol until January 30.
In Santa vs. the Snowman a lonely snowman devises a plan to take over Santa’s empire and is soon engaged in a full-scale polar battle involving hot chocolate guns and giant robots.
If you feel in need of some exercise, the National Trust is organising some fantastic walks. Winter Warmer is a one-hour walk along the national nature reserve at sandy Studland Beach in Dorset on January 4 and features rare birds and wildlife.
In Wales the Roman Legionary Museum in Caerleon is hosting a Christmas party on December 12 and offers craft stalls, children’s activities and a choir.
The Welsh Slate Museum in Llanberis is decorating their quarrymen’s cottages with traditional decorations and provides seasonal food and gifts
To find out about what's on in Scotland, Northern Ireland & The North Of England click on this link
