The Welsh Museums Festival is set to return during October half-term with events across Wales spotlighting the history of Wales as well as Halloween.
Held between Saturday 26 October and Sunday 3 November, the festival offers a range of free and family-friendly activities that will immerse visitors in Welsh history, culture, and traditions.
Most of the participating museums will offer a ghost hunt for younger visitors, and free booklet to learn about past Halloween traditions in Wales, including turnip lanterns, the ‘Cropped Black Sow’, dirty blackberries, lucky stones and ‘Magic Mash’. This year’s Wales History Trails Passport Challenge will explore the history of Wales, spanning the length and breadth of the country.
Rachael Rogers of the Welsh Museums Federation, who are behind the festival, said:
“The Welsh Museums Festival showcases the amazing work done by museums across Wales. Our museums not only offer visitors the chance to learn about our Welsh heritage, but they offer free events in a warm and welcoming space, which is more important than ever. So, if you’ve already started to scratch your head about what you might do during half term, then we have the answer.”
Almost 50 museums took part in last year’s festival, catering to all ages, from interactive art workshops to Halloween-themed adventures, storytelling, and re-enactments.
The Welsh Museums Festival 2024 is set to include:
| Mid Wales:
CARAD Rhayader Museum and Gallery Be part of creating a 2D ‘Dragon’s Cave’ installation. Ceredigion Museum A series of artist-led workshops exploring the museum’s collections through words and images. North Wales Penmaenmawr Legends and Lanterns – a trail through the town and museum, including a series of workshops and craft sessions Oriel Môn Hwyl y Gaeaf – join local author Catrin Angharad for Welsh stories and songs. South Wales Torfaen Museum Celebrate the first day of winter with Welsh folklore, through art and storytelling. Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Art Gallery Explore a new Halloween trail and spooky crafts. West Wales Glynn Vivian Art Gallery Phantoms & Phantasmagoria – enjoy Halloween-themed light projections. Tenby Museum and Art Gallery Join the Welsh Halloween party, Y Calan Gaeaf, with events and storytelling. |
The Welsh Museums Festival is funded by the Welsh Government and is presented by the Federation of Museums and Art Galleries of Wales. Representing over 100 accredited Welsh museums, the Federation advocates for the preservation and promotion of Welsh culture and history
