See giant prehistoric antlers at museum’s festive reindeer round-up

Youngsters in Leeds can go on a festive reindeer round-up in the shadow of the city’s biggest set of antlers this Christmas.

Leeds City Museum’s reindeer trail will give visitors the chance to find out more about reindeers and their habitat as well as seeing the museum’s giant Irish deer, which is more than 10,000 years old.

Young museum-goers can also try on their own antlers in the dressing up area and take part in the reindeer counting competition, with the chance to enter a prize draw and win a reindeer teddy.

Taking part is free, and the trail takes place every day from December 1 until Christmas.

The fun competition is part of a huge programme of festive events taking place at museums and galleries sites across Leeds.

Highlights include the stunning 500 Years of Christmas event at Temple Newsam and the spectacular Edwardian Christmas at Lotherton Hall, both on Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13.

Father Christmas has promised to make a stop at not one, but three of the city’s museums this year and will be in his enchanted grottos at Abbey House Museum and Lotherton Hall or in front of the fire at Temple Newsam.

On Sunday, December 6, the Etsy Made Local: Leeds Christmas Market will be making Christmas shopping easier for visitors to Leeds City Museum from 11am until 4pm

The event is free to attend and will showcase the best local creative talent and original products from Etsy's 3 selling categories: handmade, vintage and supplies.

The beautiful surroundings of Kirkstall Abbey will be the setting for carols with the Heritage Singers, who will be performing on Sunday, December 13 from 2pm-3pm.

The performance is free to attend and no booking is required.

Visitors to Leeds Industrial Museum will also be giving visitors a chance to make Christmas decorations on Sunday, December 6 from 1pm until 4pm.

Those taking part can weave and felt their own decorations and taking part costs £22 per person (all materials provided). Booking for the event is required and can be done by contacting 0113 378 3173.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “Christmas is always a very special time of year at our museums and galleries sites, where the beautiful surroundings and historic settings can really help bring the season to life.

“It’s wonderful to once again see such a huge and varied programme of events this year, there really is something for everyone to enjoy and I’m sure it’ll be a magical Christmas.”

The Museums and Galleries events are part of the city’s Magical Leeds campaign which will feature a number of special activities including the annual Christkindelmarkt on Millennium Square.

Part of a wider three-year strategy, the Magical Leeds campaign aims to raise the profile of the city and increase visitor numbers and encourage overnight stays over the festive period by highlighting Leeds's fantastic visitor offering, attractions and events.

For full museums and galleries events listings including admission charges and opening hours, visit: http://www.leeds.gov.uk/museumsandgalleries/Pages/School-Holidays.aspx

To find out more about Magical Leeds, please see whatson.leeds.gov.uk

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:

Stuart Robinson

Communications Officer

Leeds City Council

Tel: 0113 224 3937

Email: stuart.robinson@leeds.gov.uk

www.leeds.gov.uk