Exterior of the Geffrye Museum at Christmas (Photo: Hannah Taylor)
When: On until 7th January 2018
Where: The Geffrye Museum, 136 Kingsland Road, Hoxton, London E2 8EA
£: Free admission
What is it?
This Christmas, the Geffrye Museum in London is inviting you to escape from the hustle and bustle of today’s festivities and step back in time to Christmas Past.
Authentic festive decorations, lighting, music and greenery transform the museum’s period living rooms, giving an evocative glimpse into how Christmas has been celebrated in English homes over the past 400 years.
From feasting, dancing and kissing under the mistletoe to playing parlour games and hanging up stockings, from sending cards and decorating the tree to pulling crackers, giving gifts and throwing cocktail parties, Christmas Past reveals the stories behind the rich and vibrant festive traditions that have evolved through the centuries.
This year’s festive programme of events, to accompany the exhibition, include:
Christmas Greenery
Join the Geffrye gardeners and create a wonderful wreath using fresh greenery for your home. On Sunday 3rd and Saturday 9th December, 1.30pm – 4.30pm. Tickets cost £55 (£50 for concessions) and include materials and a short curator talk. Book in advance.
A living room in 1965 at Christmas Past (Photo: Chris Ridley)
Christmas Sparkle Family Workshop
Create some Christmas magic for your home in this fun decoration-making activity. On Saturday 9th December, 10.30am – 4.30pm. A free, drop-in event, with places first come, first served.
Festive After Hours
Soak up the magical festive atmosphere at this after hours special. Explore the Christmas rooms, hunt for unusual gifts at the Crafty Fox Christmas market, and enjoy crafts, music, curator talks, greenery demonstration, street food and hot cocktails. On Thursday 14th December, 4pm – 9pm. Free.
Crafty Fox Workshop: Knit your own Christmas Wreath
Knit and decorate a Christmas wreath with I Make Knots. Book a two-hour workshop, at 4pm or 7pm. Costs £35, including all materials.
Farewell Party Weekend
Say goodbye with a bang to both Christmas and to the museum, which will be closing on Sunday 7th January for two years as part of the transformational Unlocking the Geffrye development project. See the Christmas rooms for the last time, join in with the traditional Epiphany celebration and enjoy live music and performances, street food, workshops, and winter cocktails. Try some Twelfth Night Cake and a bonfire on Saturday 6th January; and live music and performances by drag queen Timberlina and punk-pop-poet showgirl Brigitte Aphrodite, and join in a farewell sing-along around the piano on Sunday 7th January.
More info: www.geffrye-museum.org.uk