About Festive Family Days

Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 December 2024 - SOLD OUT

10.30am - 4pm

Join us for a magical and memorable Festive Family Day, with creative, drop-in workshops, an opportunity to meet Victorian Father Christmas and visit the new Flower Fairies™: The Magical World of Cicely Mary Barker exhibition!

Prices

Festive Family Days with Father Christmas - SOLD OUT

Child £18 | Member Child £16.20
Adult £7 | Member Adult £6.30

Book tickets >

Festive Family Days (no Father Christmas visit) - SOLD OUT

Child £14 | Member Child £12.60
Adult £7 | Member Adult £6.30

Book tickets >


Activities to enjoy on the day

Father Christmas - Limnerslease

10.45am, 11.30am, 12.15pm, 1.45pm, 2.30pm and 3.15pm (20 minute sessions)

10.45am sessions on Saturday 14 and 21 December are reserved exclusively for families with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities - see more information below.

Experience the magic of Christmas with a visit to George and Mary's home, Limnerslease. Meet our Victorian Father Christmas and listen in as he shares a classic Christmas story and join in with other families for a festive sing-along.

For each Father Christmas time slot, there will be a maximum of 12 children's spaces available. For the SEND time slots, capacity will be less. Please check table below for available time slots.

Father Christmas time slotSaturday 14 DecemberSunday 15 DecemberSaturday 21 DecemberSunday 22 December
10.45amSOLD OUT (SEND session)SOLD OUT (SEND session)SOLD OUT
11.30amSOLD OUTSOLD OUTSOLD OUT
12.15pmSOLD OUTSOLD OUT
1.45pmSOLD OUTSOLD OUTSOLD OUT
2.30pmSOLD OUTSOLD OUT
3.15pmSOLD OUTSOLD OUT

Drop in activities across the site

Drop in between 10.30am and 4pm

Stained glass and silhouettes - Clore Studio

Play with light, silhouette, colours and cellophane to create a stained-glass window.

Tealight houses - Foyle Pottery Studio

Create a tea light holder inspired by cosy fairy houses or the Watts Gallery and Chapel.

Gem decorations - Old Kiln

Colour, cut and stick together a gem shaped decoration.

Drop in and draw - Historic Gallery

Drop in and draw in the Historic Galleries, with tips and tricks to guide you.

Also on the day, don’t forget to:

  • Visit the Flower Fairies exhibition and follow along the Tree Fairy Trail
  • Add your winter wish to our festive wishing tree
  • Visit our magical Christmas Tree at the Chapel
  • Listen to our Smartify Family Favourites audio tour and pick up one of our self-led trails and activities.

If you’re looking for something for your family to do on those lazy days after Christmas and before New Years Eve, join us back at Watts Gallery for The Make Space on Saturday 28 and Monday 30 December and Clay Club on Sunday 29 December.

Father Christmas SEND sessions

Saturday 14 and 21 December, 10.45am

The sessions on Saturday 14 and 21 December at 10.45am will be reserved exclusively for families with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, for those who would benefit from a quieter, calmer session and additional support.

Please get in touch at learning@wattsgallery.org.uk if you have any questions, and if you need to add a carer to your booking.

We will be in touch with those who booked these sessions in advance to find out how we can further provide support during families’ time meeting Father Christmas.

Christmas tree in Limnerslease, studio and home of G F Watts and Mary Watts