The excitement is building and if you need to keep the kids amused ahead of the big day, Peterborough libraries are the place to head in the lead up to Christmas.
They’re holding a huge range of festive family activities from Stories with Santa to a reindeer hunt so children can get stuck into some action-packed fun and games - and parents aren't left out with Christmas card making sessions too.
Firzana Shaheen, library services manager at City Culture Peterborough, said: “We’re excited to launch our programme of festive activities across Peterborough Libraries this year. We hope families will join us at one of our fun and crafty sessions and events aimed at both children and adults in the city as they get ready for Christmas.”
Here’s what you can enjoy
On Saturday December 4, Central Library in Broadway will hold its Stories with Santa event from 11am to 12.30pm with Christmas stories, a sing-a-along to some festive tunes and the chance to make tissue paper wreaths, a Christmas tree and a Santa mask. Santa will make a special appearance armed with presents.
Stories with Santa will also take place at Werrington Library on Tuesday 14 December and Bretton Library on Friday December 17, from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. It costs £3 per child. Booking in advance is essential; visit the library or email reading@cityculturepeterborough.org.uk to book.
Central Library is running ‘Central’s 6 Days of Christmas’ from Monday 13 to Saturday December 18. Adult visitors can enjoy a mince pie and tea while taking part in a quiz and crosswords between 2pm and 3.30pm on December 13 (costing £2 per adult). The following day, children can take part in a free Christmas-themed Storytime/Rhymetime session from 10.30am to 11am.
An adult Christmas crafts and card-making event will take place on December 15. The activity is free, with crafters being encouraged to bring along their own materials to learn from each other about creating homemade Christmas items.
Free children’s Christmas games are on the agenda between 3pm and 4pm on December 16. This is followed by another festive-themed Storytime/Rhymetime on December 17, between 10.30 and 11am, and a Children’s Christmas crafts from 3pm to 4pm (£1 per child).
To round off the week, a second Christmas crafting session for children will be held on December 18 from 11am to noon.
Other activities at Central Library in the run up to Christmas include a month-long book sale starting on December 1 and a children’s Christmas quiz, also starting on December 1, with a winner being selected at the end of the week.
In addition, other libraries in Peterborough will host similar activities. Christmas crafts at Bretton Library will be held on December 11 from 11am to 2pm and on December 18 at Orton Library from 2pm to 5pm.
Christmas Storytime and Rhymetime events are running at Bretton Library on December 13 and 16, Hampton Library on December 15 and 17 and Orton Library on December 14 and 16.
Bookworms can grab some bargain buys at a Christmas book sale at Orton and Bretton libraries on December 11 and at Hampton Library from December 13 to 18. Stock up on second-hand books for 50p each or five for £2.
For further information on the Christmas events please contact:
Central Library: email libraryenquiries@cityculturepeterborough.org.uk or call 01733 864280
Werrington Library: email werringtonlibrary@cityculturepeterborough.org.uk or call 01733 864282
Orton Library: email ortonlibrary@cityculturepeterborough.org.uk or call 01733 864296
Bretton Library: email brettonlibrary@cityculturepeterborough.org.uk or call 01733 864291
Hampton Library: email hamptonlibrary@cityculturepeterborough.org.uk or call 01733 864538