Autumn and Winter at Mansfield Museum

Autumn winter what's on
Autumn winter what's on

We invite you to visit us this Autumn / Winter to see our exhibitions and take part in our craft and community sessions. We’re here for everyone, we’re a warm, safe space, and we can’t wait to see you

Join local author Adrian Beedon for storytelling and illustration activities featuring the star of his books, Alfred Turtle, on Wednesday 5 and Friday 14 October, Tuesday 15 and Friday 25 November and Wednesday 14 December.

Every other Friday (term-time only) we run our under 5’s Stay and Play sessions. Each session is themed with messy play activities on the week’s topic, such as Autumn, colours or shapes, and with sensory activities also available for your little ones.

Your local museum are proud to showcase the work of Mansfield and Ashfield’s young artists in the Young Picasso exhibition on Friday 7, Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 October. Winners from schools across the area in 3 age groups (9 to 11, 12 to 15 and 16 to 18) will be judged and awarded prizes by Mayor Andy Abrahams on Saturday 8 October.

Calling all 12 to 16 year olds! Help us make a new mural for the wall at Mansfield Museum this October half term. Pop in and be given a ‘Scribble Square’ to design and decorate as you wish using pencil, paint or other art materials between Tuesday 18 to Friday 21 and Tuesday 25 to Friday 28 October.

During all of October half term, we will be holding a pumpkin carving competition. Send us a picture of you and your pumpkin for our Wall of Fame at Mansfield Museum. Email it to mansfieldmuseum@mansfield.gov.uk or send it to us on our social media pages. At the end of the holidays, we will select our favourites.

We are taking collections for local food banks during the school holidays and ask anybody that can, to donate tinned and / or packet foods when they visit.

Our half term holiday arts and crafts sessions run from 10am to 12pm Tuesdays to Fridays and include:

  • Tuesday 18 October - Autumn Jars
  • Wednesday 19 October - Animal Masks
  • Thursday 20 October - Autumn Wreaths
  • Friday 21 October - Leaf Mobiles
  • Tuesday 25 October - Halloween Ghosts
  • Wednesday 26 October - Trick or Treat bags
  • Thursday 27 October - Halloween masks
  • Friday 28 October - Spooky story time

See Charlotte Middelton’s book, Christopher Nibble, brought to life by Topsy Turvy Theatre on Saturday 22 October at 11am and 2pm. The guinea pigs of Dandeville love munching dandelion leaves so much that slowly but surely dandelions are disappearing from all over town. Christopher Nibble knows that crunch time has come when there is just one dandelion left – but will this plucky little guinea pig have the flower power to save the day? Tickets are priced at adults £11, children £6 and under 2s are free. Book online at mansfieldpalace.co.uk or call the theatre Box Office on 01623 633133.

On 3 November we welcome MishMash Productions who bring Strange Creatures to Mansfield Museum. Magical, theatrical chamber music gently exploring childhood and belonging through singing, drumming and lots of fun and games. Inspired by the book Beegu written and illustrated by Alexis Deacon.

Cool Choirs returns from Wednesday to Friday 11 November so if you’re a teacher or know a child that loves to sing, contact us to sign up on 01623 463088. Look out for more information on the rest of our Christmas offerings coming soon, including our Tree Festival, Christmas Market and festive shows in the museum.

Councillor Stuart Richardson, Portfolio Holder for Health and Communities said:

“This is a wonderful programme of events, encouraging youngsters and teenagers to engage with the Museum and cultural activities at an early age and is another addition to the increasingly diverse output from Mansfield District Councils Cultural Services.”

Other regular events include our Sanctuary and Games Café (every other Thursday), Reminiscence Tea Room (third Wednesday of the month), Make a Start Mansfield (Thursdays) and Bamford’s valuations (first Thursday of the month.)

We are still seeking volunteers for our Windrush Generation project. Become a Black History Ambassador or learn about the Windrush generation and its impact, with the aim of creating an exhibition for the museum in 2023.

Mansfield Museum are open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 3pm and we can’t wait to welcome you soon. Keep up to date with all the latest news and events at www.mansfield.gov.uk/museum or follow us across social media channels @mansfieldmuseum.

Published: 29th September 2022