Whether you want to step back in time for an afternoon or bring the whole family along for creative crafts, Gunnersbury Museum is the place to be this winter. Fun and interactive galleries will give you an eye-opening perspective on local history and the museum’s knowledgeable and sometimes authentically dressed team will be on hand to answer all your questions.

Arts and crafts

• Look out for a Christmas wreath-making classes on 8 December. They are a perfect excuse for a catch up with friends and family and the fruits of your labour will also make a lovely seasonal gift
• Why not bring your family along to the ‘Little Flamingos’ session on 19 December, for children to make their own toys inspired by the collection at the museum
• Join in with Stitch, Knit and Natter, a friendly monthly textile craft group where you can bring a project to work on, learn from others and catch up over a cup of tea. The next classes are 7 December, 11 January and 8 February (10.30am – 12pm) – it costs £2, including refreshments and there’s no need to book, just turn up and pay on the day.

Lantern shows

• Come along to the museum on 28 December for a day of Magic Lantern Entertainment for the whole family. Enter the bizarre and fantastical worlds of the magic lantern and see everything from burning ships, exploding volcanoes to spooky seasonal ghost stories. The events are run by internationally renowned magic lantern performers Jeremy and Carolyn Brooker. They use their authentic triunial (or triple) magic lantern, which combines three projectors in a single device, to take the audience on a seasonal celebration of goblins, ghosts and the downright weird.

Talks and tours

• Hear curator Julia Tubman discuss the history of the museum collections and the restoration project currently taking place across Gunnersbury Park and Museum on 12 December. There will also be a tour of the new galleries and redeveloped historic spaces
• Join a guided tour of the beautifully preserved Historic Kitchens on 26 January for a fascinating glimpse in to life below stairs during the 19th century
• Find out about the origins which characterises the festive season and its many myths and stories with Judith Flanders as she discusses her book, Christmas: a biography on 4 December at 7pm. Entry is £11, which includes sparkling wine and mince pie on arrival.

Reminiscence

• Gunnersbury Museum runs monthly arts and reminiscence group for people with dementia, exploring the Museum collections and sharing stories. The next sessions will be 14 December, 18 January and 15 February.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for finance and leisure said: “A visit to Gunnersbury Museum over the Christmas period is the perfect place to enjoy a seasonal sojourn into local history, exciting crafts and unforgettable Christmas entertainment.

“I encourage local people of all ages to have a look at the many brilliant events taking place in the coming weeks and make a date to visit Gunnersbury.”

Further information about the Park and Museum Gunnersbury is available courtesy of Visit Gunnersbury.