Two festive shows at Mansfield Museum in December are aimed at introducing youngsters to live theatre.

Santa in Love, on Sunday, 11th December, and Santa Saves Christmas, on Tuesday, 13th December, are for two to seven-year-olds. Tickets can be booked at mansfieldpalace.co.uk or call the box office on 01623 633133.

Local author Adrian Beedon will lead storytelling and illustration activities, featuring the star of his books, Alfred Turtle, on Wednesday, 14th December, from 10am to 2pm. Copies of Adrian’s latest Christmas-themed book will be available to buy.

The museum is hosting its annual Christmas Tree Festival, featuring decorated trees from community groups, businesses, schools and more in its entrance arcade.

Between Friday 2nd and Sunday, 4th December, the museum’s Christmas Market is returning. Check out locally-made festive gift ideas, homeware, books, jewellery, and toys.

To promote recycling and reusing, the museum’s Swap Shop returns in December. Take clean and reusable clothes you wish to donate to the museum and you will be given the equivalent number of tokens to ‘spend’ from its stock.

Residents from all walks of life are invited to learn about our heritage and share their own stories at the Sanctuary Café on Thursday 8th and Thursday 22 December, from 12noon to 2pm. Games such as Monopoly and Scrabble are available to try.

The Under-5s Stay and Play session will be winter themed on Friday, 9th December, from 12.30pm to 2pm.

Mansfield Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 3pm, and admission is free. To find out what other events and activities Mansfield District Council’s events, market and Cultural Services teams have planned for their annual Bringing Christmas to Mansfield Campaign, visit www.mansfield.gov.uk/christmas or search for Mansfield District Council across social media channels.