About this Event
Celebrate ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ at our fun and festive day.
Get swept up in an array of activities for all ages – including wintery storytelling, interactive adventures, document workshops, carol singing, crafts, facepainting, messy play and more – accompanied by mince pies and mulled wine for the grownups!
Don’t miss out! Book your general entrance tickets now (£5 per person, under 3s go free) and be sure to 'add on' bookings for some of our in-demand timed activities.
TIMED ACTIVITIES
Time Travel Club: Arctic Adventures
11:00 and 13:00 (c. 45 mins) | For ages 5-7*
Journey to a wintery wonderland in this sensory storytelling adventure. Using props, toys and music, we’ll travel to the arctic on a festive mission!
Time Travel Club: Victorian Christmas
11:30 and 14:30 (c. 60 mins) | For ages 8-11*
Find out about Charles Dickens’ lost turkey and what this Christmas calamity reveals about how the Victorians celebrated Christmas in our workshop with original archive documents.
Enchanted Cinema presents The Snowman ⛄
11:30 and 13:30 (c. 60 mins) | For ages 8-11* | Ideal for ages 4+
Embark on a very special interactive adventure in which professional musicans will lead children and adults to create the sound effects and music from much-loved Christmas classic, The Snowman using instruments, hands and voices.
Sensory and messy play
11:15 and 14:15 (c.60 mins) | For under 5s
Tots and babies can have fun exploring and playing in our festive sensory and messy play space.
*Older and younger siblings welcome, but please add a sibling ticket when booking.
ACTIVITIES RUNNING THROUGHOUT THE DAY
Origami (for ages 5+)
Make your own beautiful origami decorations with artist Toshiko Kurata using copies of images and designs from our collection.
Christmas Craft Club (for all ages)
Have fun getting creative with our drop-in Christmas Craft Club.
Facepainting
Our resident face painter ArtyCat Faces will be on hand to transform you into a reindeer, elf or holly princess!
CAROLS AROUND THE TREE
Carols by Blue School Choir
13:00 and 15:00
We are delighted to be hosting the wonderful Blue School Choir again this year, who will be treating us to a selection seasonal favourites by our Christmas tree in the foyer.
GIFTS AND REFRESHMENTS
Explore the wonderful and unique gift selection in our shop and enjoy a selection of delicious festive food and treats available to purchase from our café, including children's christmas lunch boxes, gingerbread, mince pies, mulled wine and bailey's hot chocolates.
KEY EVENT INFORMATION
All persons attending the event require a ticket for entry - children and adults. Please book as many general admission tickets as needed for your family and then book ‘add on’ activities to avoid disappointment on the day.
The day is fully flexible, so you can drop in for 30 minutes, or stay for the whole five hours. Activities are running throughout the day, so you can arrive and stay for as long as you wish.
We don't have any childcare facilities, so you'll need to stay with and supervise your children at all times during the event.
Quiet break out spaces will be available on level one.
GETTING HERE AND PARKING
The closest station to The National Archives is Kew Gardens, approximately 10 mins walk away. It is serviced by the London Overground and District lines.
While we do have onsite parking available, we encourage visitors to use public transport if they can.
For more detail on how to reach us, click here.
Programme subject to change. Full timetable to be announced in November.
Watch the video to learn more about The Enchanted Cinema:
https://vimeo.com/988448881
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The National Archives, Bessant Drive, Richmond, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00 to GBP 5.00
