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At National Museums Liverpool we've got plenty of free events, activities and exhibitions to keep the whole family entertained over the Christmas holidays. Full details are listed below.
You can also send a free Christmas e-card from our collections, or find out more about some of the Christmassy objects in our collections in our online advent calendar,
Our venues will be closed from 2pm on 24 December, then all day on 25, 26 December 2009 and 1 January 2010.
Please note that the Maritime Archives and Library will close to the public for annual stocktaking from 12.30pm on Thursday 17 December, reopening on Tuesday 26 January 2011. We apologise to our readers for any inconvenience.
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Make an event of Christmas shopping this year with a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie whilst browsing our gift range in the gallery shop.
Enjoy the festive sounds of Church Drive Primary School, St. John Plessington Catholic College and local pianist Karen Wynne. Catch the Christmas lights switch on outside the gallery at 6.15pm with Gerry Marsden and warm up by sampling the new Winter menu at the Lady Lever Dining Rooms. You can also go on a guided tour of the gallery - please pick up a ticket at the welcome desk.
All events are FREE!
Suitable for all visitors
Next date : 6-8pm (Gallery open from 10am as usual) - Wednesday 2 December 2009
Lady Lever Art Gallery
Lady Lever Art Gallery
visitor information
Catch one of our Christmas tales, including the interactive Rudolph goes on holiday and A Christmas Carol. Storytelling will take place at various intervals throughout the day. For more information call 0151 478 4393. Free event.
Suitable for families
Next date : Storytelling sessions throughout the day - Saturday 5 December 2009 | Show all dates (35 more)...
World Museum Liverpool
World Museum Liverpool
visitor information
Step back in time and celebrate Christmas Victorian style. We want you to come and help us celebrate the festive season - sing carols, listen to festive stories and find out more about the collections, the Holt family and the Victorian period. Sudley House is home to the only Victorian merchant's art collection still held in its original setting.
Suitable for all visitors
Next date : 11am-4pm - Saturday 5 December 2009
Sudley House
Sudley House
visitor information
Family craft activities inspired by 'An Edwardian Family Album' to get you in the festive mood! Free.
Suitable for families
Next date : 11am-4pm - Sunday 6 December 2009
Lady Lever Art Gallery
Lady Lever Art Gallery
visitor information
Get into the spirit of Go Penguins! and create a crazy penguin using a variety of collage materials. Free.
Suitable for 5yrs+
Next date : 1-4pm - Saturday 12 December 2009
Walker Art Gallery
Walker Art Gallery
visitor information
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One of the most experienced and versatile of local bands, with an impressive collection of their own material. Jade Wright at the Liverpool Echo praised their “laidback summer tunes to dance and dream to.” Their musical pedigree embraces heaviest of metal, Merseybeat, platinum-winning guitar sessions, and gentle songs of love, loss and longing. Find out more on their MySpace page.
Free entry.
Suitable for all visitors
Next date : 2pm - 4pm - Saturday 12 December 2009
Walker Art Gallery
Walker Art Gallery
visitor information
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Make your own salt dough ornament or eco-friendly Christmas card to take away in this crafty workshop.
This event is linked to the collections in the 'Seized! Revenue and Customs uncovered' gallery at Merseyside Maritime Museum.
Suitable for all visitors
Next date : 1-4pm - Saturday 12 December 2009 | Show all dates (1 more)...
Merseyside Maritime Museum
Merseyside Maritime Museum
visitor information
Christmas creativity for all the family.
Suitable for all visitors
Next date : 1-4pm - Saturday 12 December 2009 | Show all dates (3 more)...
National Conservation Centre
National Conservation Centre
visitor information
Make your own greetings cards and decorations inspired by objects from the Sámi people from the far north of Europe and Pagan midwinter celebrations. Free!
Suitable for families
Next date : 2.30pm-4pm - Sunday 13 December 2009 | Show all dates (1 more)...
World Museum Liverpool
Weston Discovery Centre
World Museum Liverpool
visitor information
Every year the nation nervously gather around their television screens and watch as one new talent is discovered and crowned as having ‘The X Factor’. However this year the winner will not be receiving a Christmas No.1 or a multi-million pound record deal, instead the judges plan to take the winner hostage and conduct scientific experiments to discover what actually is ‘the x-factor’. Who wins…you decide!! FREE - collect a ticket from the information desk.
Suitable for all visitors
Next date : 12.30pm and 2pm - Saturday 19 December 2009
World Museum Liverpool
Treasure House Theatre
World Museum Liverpool
visitor information
Drop into Big Art and make your own penguin model inspired by Go Penguins!
Suitable for 3yrs+
Next date : 1-4pm - Saturday 19 December 2009 | Show all dates (1 more)...
Walker Art Gallery
Big Art
Walker Art Gallery
visitor information
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“The Nativity – Sounds and Images from the Renaissance”
Renaissance Music Group has been a powerhouse of early music singing, both secular and sacred, for over 40 years. This performance brings some of the music for Christmas by Orlando Lassus, as impressive and fresh now as it must have been when written 500 years ago, and a magnificent way to start the Christmas season. Performance also includes a showing of some of the depictions of the story of Christmas in Renaissance art, including some in the gallery’s collection. Free event.
Suitable for all visitors
Next date : 2-4pm - Saturday 19 December 2009
Walker Art Gallery
First floor
Walker Art Gallery
visitor information
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Quartermaster Robert Hichins was at the wheel when Titanic hit an iceberg. Hear his fascinating story told by our resident actor.
Suitable for all visitors
Next date : 1.30, 2.30 and 3.30pm - Saturday 19 December 2009 | Show all dates (2 more)...
Merseyside Maritime Museum
Merseyside Maritime Museum
visitor information
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Story-time fun for your little ones in the Sea Urchins play area.
Suitable for families
Next date : 11am, 1, 2, and 3pm - Saturday 19 December 2009 | Show all dates (1 more)...
Merseyside Maritime Museum
Sea Urchins play area, 1st floor
Merseyside Maritime Museum
visitor information
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Every Sunday you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the Walker Art Gallery with our resident jazz masters and appearances from special guest performers.
Check our Jazz at the Walker page to see which band is playing each Sunday.
Suitable for all visitors
Next date : 12.30pm – 3pm - Sunday 20 December 2009 | Show all dates (1 more)...
Walker Art Gallery
Walker Art Gallery
visitor information
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Meet our Sniffer dog and his friend Smugglebuster in our fun family-friendly role play linked to the collections in the 'Seized! Revenue and Customs uncovered' gallery at Merseyside Maritime Museum.
Suitable for families
Next date : 1-4pm - Sunday 20 December 2009
Merseyside Maritime Museum
Merseyside Maritime Museum
visitor information
Think you’ve got what it takes to be a customs officer? Come and search our ship to see if you can spot any signs of smuggling.
Places are limited - pick up your free ticket on the day at the welcome desk.
This event is linked to the collections in the 'Seized! Revenue and Customs uncovered' gallery at Merseyside Maritime Museum.
Suitable for all visitors
Next date : 1, 1.30, 2, 3 and 3.30pm - Sunday 20 December 2009 | Show all dates (2 more)...
Merseyside Maritime Museum
Merseyside Maritime Museum
visitor information
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Our resident demonstrator reveals the facts and myths surrounding the sinking of the world famous Titanic.
Suitable for all visitors
Next date : 11am - Sunday 20 December 2009 | Show all dates (4 more)...
Merseyside Maritime Museum
Merseyside Maritime Museum
visitor information
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An afternoon of arts and craft activities inspired by the colourful world of the carnival.
Suitable for all visitors
Next date : 1-4pm - Sunday 20 December 2009
International Slavery Museum
International Slavery Museum
visitor information
Get your fingers at the ready and decorate a Christmas card with a penguin inspired winter landscape.
Suitable for 5yrs+
Next date : 1-4pm - Monday 21 December 2009 | Show all dates (1 more)...
Walker Art Gallery
Walker Art Gallery
visitor information
Get into the festive spirit and join us for a different Christmas activity each day. Free.
Suitable for 3yrs+
Next date : 1-4pm - Monday 21 December 2009 | Show all dates (3 more)...
Walker Art Gallery
Big Art
Walker Art Gallery
visitor information
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Come behind the scenes and see some of the 750,000 insects in the museum’s collections. Discover how we use the collections to conserve insects in the wild and see the largest, smallest and strangest insects we have.
This is a ticketed event. Collect your FREE ticket from the information desk on the ground floor of the museum.
Suitable for 5yrs+
Next date : 1pm - Tuesday 22 December 2009
World Museum Liverpool
World Museum Liverpool
visitor information
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The Kingston brooch, on display on level 3, is believed to be the finest Anglo-Saxon brooch ever found in England. Join our workshop to make your own Anglo-Saxon style brooch to take home. Free!
Suitable for families
Next date : 2.30pm-4pm - Sunday 27 December 2009
World Museum Liverpool
Weston Discovery Centre
World Museum Liverpool
visitor information
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Ever wonder what a Fid is or why a ship is a she? All will be revealed in this fascinating hands-on session.
Suitable for all visitors
Next date : 1-4pm - Sunday 27 December 2009 | Show all dates (1 more)...
Merseyside Maritime Museum
Merseyside Maritime Museum
visitor information
What could be hiding in the murky waters? Drop anchor and create your own nautical monster in this art and craft session.
Suitable for families
Next date : 1-4pm - Sunday 27 December 2009 | Show all dates (1 more)...
Merseyside Maritime Museum
Merseyside Maritime Museum
visitor information
Join us for a fun-filled craft session as we celebrate the giant penguins in Liverpool this Christmas.
Suitable for all visitors
Next date : 1-4pm - Sunday 27 December 2009 | Show all dates (1 more)...
Merseyside Maritime Museum
Merseyside Maritime Museum
visitor information
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Immerse yourself in African tales in this free drop-in interactive storytelling session for younger visitors.
Suitable for families
Next date : 1.30, 2.30 and 3.30pm - Sunday 27 December 2009
International Slavery Museum
Life in West Africa gallery
International Slavery Museum
visitor information
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Feel the beat in a fun filled afternoon of African drumming and tribal dance.
Suitable for all visitors
Next date : 1.30, 2.30 and 3.30pm - Monday 28 December 2009 | Show all dates (1 more)...
International Slavery Museum
Life in West Africa gallery
International Slavery Museum
visitor information
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Meet our very own pirate and find out about life on the ocean wave in this interactive storytelling session for ages 8 and under. See if you have what it takes to be a fearsome treasure hunter.
Suitable for families
Next date : 1.30, 2.30 and 3.30pm - Tuesday 29 December 2009 | Show all dates (1 more)...
Merseyside Maritime Museum
Merseyside Maritime Museum
visitor information
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Learn more about the endangered species that customs officers protect in this free drop-in workshop, where you can make your own animal sculpture using modelling clay.
This event is linked to the collections in the 'Seized! Revenue and Customs uncovered' gallery at Merseyside Maritime Museum.
Suitable for all visitors
Next date : 1-4pm - Wednesday 30 December 2009
Merseyside Maritime Museum
Merseyside Maritime Museum
visitor information
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Based upon the true story of William and Ellen Craft, this performance follows their personal journey from enslavement to freedom.
The performances on 30 December 2009 will be British Sign Language interpreted.
Suitable for all visitors
Next date : 2pm and 3pm - Wednesday 30 December 2009
International Slavery Museum
International Slavery Museum
visitor information
Meet our demonstrator, find out about life in West Africa before the transatlantic slave trade and see objects from our handling collection up close.
The sessions on 15 November 2009 and 17 January 2010 will be British Sign Language interpreted.
Suitable for all visitors
Next date : 1-4pm - Thursday 31 December 2009
International Slavery Museum
International Slavery Museum
visitor information
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Tracking the historical changes influencing women artists, this exhibition explores the similarities and differences between the status and careers of women working in different areas within the fine and decorative arts fields as reflected in the collections of the Walker Art Gallery.
Read more about The Rise of Women Artists
Walker Art Gallery
Friday 23 October 2009
to
Sunday 7 March 2010
Walker Art Gallery
visitor information
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Liverpool Daily Post and Echo photographer Stephen Shakeshaft has been capturing the lives of local people since the 1960s.
Read more about Liverpool People by Stephen Shakeshaft
National Conservation Centre
Friday 18 September 2009
to
Sunday 24 January 2010
National Conservation Centre
visitor information
Please note: end date in Spring 2010 to be confirmed.
Read more about A Sweet Life: fashion in a Liverpool sugar merchant's family
Sudley House
Friday 10 April 2009
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Sunday 7 March 2010
Sudley House
visitor information
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An exhibition highlighting the ongoing struggle to combat human trafficking around the world, through the experiences of people whose lives have been affected by this modern day slave trade.
International Slavery Museum
Friday 31 July 2009
to
Monday 30 August 2010
International Slavery Museum
visitor information
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An exhibition of portrait photographs by John Ferguson celebrating the contribution that Black people have made to British culture and public life over the last few decades.
Read more about Black Britannia
International Slavery Museum
Friday 7 August 2009
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Sunday 28 February 2010
International Slavery Museum
visitor information
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An exhibition of personal photographs giving a fascinating insight into the life and leisure time of a middle class family at the beginning of the 20th century.
Read more about An Edwardian Family Album
Lady Lever Art Gallery
Friday 23 October 2009
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Monday 3 May 2010
Lady Lever Art Gallery
visitor information
