Parents in County Durham can take their children to a variety of free and bookable activities this half term at a brand-new cultural destination.
Durham County Council’s The Light, will be hosting several autumn themed activities and events, from nature trails to a spooktacular Halloween disco.
From Wednesday 28 October to Sunday 1 November, the venue will have free drop-in activities, including an autumn nature trail, in which children can explore the outdoors, spot wildlife, and hunt for animals around the grounds.
Meanwhile, on Sunday 1 November there will be a participatory poppy installation, where visitors can join artist Betty Barnet Brown to help create an impactful suspended poppy installation, which is set to be installed at The Light for Remembrance Day.
Created from thousands of woollen and fabric poppies crafted as part of Durham Market’s Remembrance appeal, the installation will be called: For our Tomorrow they gave their Today.
Along with these free sessions, the venue will have a number of bookable activities, such as a leaf lanterns workshop on Wednesday 28 October. Suitable for ages five and over and tickets costing £6, children can forage for fallen leaves to craft a glowing autumn lantern. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
On Thursday 29 October, a spooktacular Halloween disco will be taking place from 5pm-7pm. Tickets cost £6 per child, and attendees can expect frightful face painting, bewitching beats, and spooky snacks for children and grown-ups. There will also be a prize for the best dressed.
That’s not all. Families can brighten up October with a visit to Victory Over the Sun: Encounters with Light, at which children will be able to go free with a paying adult during the half term period.
Finally, on Saturday 31 October, book in a session with Perfect Pippi Ceramics, during which, for £10, young people can paint their own creepy ceramics.
Cllr Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said: “There’s no shortage of things to do at The Light this autumn. We recognise that it can be an expensive time of year in the lead up to Halloween and Christmas, and that’s why several of these sessions are free.
“We hope these sessions demonstrate that The Light is not just an art and culture venue, but also a great space for activities and events. Combined with the café and shop, our new venue will be a great destination during the colder months.”
Find out more and book a place at www.thelightdurham.org.uk.
