YESTERDAY (26 October 2024) marked the start of the Welsh Museums Festival 2024, which returned in a bid to get families into museums this Halloween half-term. From Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3 November over 45 museums across Wales will host a jam-packed week of free and fun activities for all ages, with a brand-new Wales History Trails Passport Challenge also in the mix.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a fan of spooky Halloween traditions, or simply looking for a memorable half-term experience, this festival funded by Welsh Government and organised by the Federation of Museums and Galleries of Wales has something for everyone.
A range of interactive and family-friendly events are taking place, including Halloween-themed trails, art workshops, storytelling, historical re-enactments, and cultural celebrations. Many museums will also offer a free Halloween booklet to take home, including Welsh tales and traditions, such as the Cropped Black Sow and turnip lanterns.
The Wales History Trails Passport Challenge also returns; this exciting initiative encourages families to visit participating museums and collect stamps in their ‘passports’. Continuing until the end of April 2025, the challenge involves 35 of the festival museums in total. Young visitors who visit just one participating museum during half-term could be in with a chance to win a den making kit, and if they visit six by 27 April 2025, they could win a brand-new scooter.
The Minister for Culture, Jack Sargeant, when visiting Rhondda Heritage Park this week to take a look at this year’s passports and to check out the park’s new digital black gold exhibition, said: “This fantastic festival is such a great opportunity to see how Welsh Government funding, with intrinsic support from the Museums Federation Cymru, can make a real impact on visitors’ experiences to our nation’s beloved museums.
“We are keen to highlight the contributions museums make across Welsh communities, and with so many taking part in this year’s Festival it’s a real chance for people to visit their local museum and have fun this half term.
“With such a variety of events and activities planned, there’s sure to be something for everyone to enjoy.”
Professor Jane Henderson, Board Member of the Federation of Museums and Galleries of Wales, said: “The Welsh Museums Festival is a wonderful example of the relevance of our heritage as a focus for family fun, lifelong learning and social wellbeing.
“We are delighted that Welsh Government has invested in Welsh museums and their communities and look forward to welcoming everyone to our exciting week of events.
“We hope our visitors take up our bilingual passport challenge and are inspired to take part in free events across warm and welcoming spaces during half-term and well into the future.”
Festival Museums 2024 (*denotes passport challenge museum)
North Wales:
- Porthmadog Maritime Museum*
- Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum*
- Sir Henry Jones Museum*
- Mold Museum and Library*
- Greenfield Valley Museum and Heritage Park*
- Storiel*
- Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw*
- Penmaenmawr Museum*
- Oriel Môn*
- Brambell Natural History Museum*
- Wrexham Museum
- Yr Ysgwrn
- Ruthin Gaol Museum
- Conwy Culture Centre
- Llŷn Maritime Museum
- National Slate Museum*
South Wales:
- Nantgarw China Works Museum*
- Abergavenny Museum*
- Torfaen Museum
- Chepstow Museum*
- Firing Line Museum, Cardiff Castle*
- National Museum of Cardiff*
- Pontypridd Museum*
- Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery
- Rhondda Heritage Park*
- Shire Hall Museum*
- Big Pit National Coal Museum*
- National Roman Legion Museum*
- Blaenavon Community Museum
Mid Wales:
- Y Gaer, Museum, Art Gallery & Library*
- Ceredigion Museum*
- TimeScape Rhayader
West Wales:
- The Egypt Centre*
- Dylan Thomas Centre*
- Tenby Museum and Art Gallery*
- Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre*
- National Wool Museum*
- Parc Howard Museum*
- Dylan Thomas Boathouse*
- Carmarthenshire Museum*
- Milford Haven Museum*
- National Waterfront Museum*
- Glynn Vivian Art Gallery*
- Swansea Museum
- Museum of Land Speed
- Haverfordwest Town Museum*
The Welsh Museums Festival is generously funded by the Welsh Government and organised by the Federation of Museums and Art Galleries of Wales, the leading advocacy body for Welsh museums.
For full details visit the Welsh Museums Festival website.
