Saturday 18 November 2023 – Tuesday 2 January 2024
Step into a world of festive wonder with a host of family fun activities and Christmas cheer across Brighton & Hove Museums.
For the first time in many years, Father Christmas will be in his magical grotto as he returns to the Royal Pavilion Estate. Little ones can tell Father Christmas what they’re most looking forward to this Christmas and receive a present. Forget the queues and long waits, this year you can book a private time slot and enjoy an exclusive experience. There are even winter wonderland activities for kids to keep everyone happy before or after meeting the man himself.
To make a day of it, visitors can immerse themselves in the splendour of lavishly decorated trees and delve into the rich history of Royal Christmases past at the Royal Pavilion.
The mischievous Royal Pavilion Mice make their return and are ready to spread festive cheer. Will you be able to spot them with our free family trail?
Look for the magical mice as they enjoy a wonderful traditional festive season with parties, delicious food and gifts in mini-sized scenes throughout the historic palace. Their little cousins are popping up at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery and Hove Museum of Creativity too this year.
Royal Pavilion visitors can spot them on with our mice trail hiding by the spectacularly decorated Christmas trees on display including one inspired by the exotic interior of the pavilion. This Christmas tree is a recreation of Victoria and Albert’s Christmas tree which appeared on the cover of the Illustrated London News in 1848. This captured the public imagination, and soon Christmas trees could be found in homes across Britain. Find out more by listening to our history of Christmas audio guide tour.
Don’t forget to take a selfie before heading to the Royal Pavilion shop to buy wonderful gifts for all the family. Kids can discover their own mouse to take home – there are mice chefs, artists, dancers and even a space mouse. Then enjoy some festive fare in our Royal Pavilion tearoom, run by Sugardough.
For a more modern take on A Christmas Carol, families can crack the codes and puzzles for a fun game at Preston Manor run by Pier Pressure. Teams will bring the characters to life in an original half escape room, half immersive theatre experience.
But Christmas isn’t just for the kids and there are lots of traditional evenings for the grown-ups such as glamorous Christmas Banquets. Tickets are selling fast, so book now.
If you enjoy a good singsong, tickets are still available for a joyous carol concert in the Royal Pavilion Music Room to get everyone in a festive mood.
Over at the Booth Museum of Natural History, they are celebrating Christmas with some fun arts and crafts with pop-up workshops and some rather peculiar animal exhibits, including a reindeer, getting into the festive mood.
Check out our website https://brightonmuseums.org.uk/ to book tickets and find out more.
CEO of Brighton & Hove Museums Hedley Swain said: “This year we’re thrilled to welcome back a very special guest to the Royal Pavilion estate. Families will be able to have a magical day visiting Father Christmas and enjoying our fun Regency mice trails and festive Christmas decorations.
“There is so much to do in our venues with Christmas craft workshops to fascinating talks about the history of Christmas.”
