Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery has released tickets for the much-loved Father Christmas at the Museum, promising a “magical storytelling and grotto experience inspired by Cornish nature.” 

This year the museum, which recently underwent a major transformation and aims to be a hub for the whole community, is offering a ‘pay it forward’ option to help spread the festive joy far and wide.  

The immersive experience centres around a different story each year; this December, Lowen the Elf tells the tale of ‘A Chattering of Choughs,’ a flock of birds who came together to help the reindeer and save Christmas. 

The scene will be set in the museum’s Nature Gallery, where the famous Trewinnard Coach has been ‘rewilded’ and is surrounded by Cornish flora and fauna.  

The culmination of the journey - brought to life with twinkling lights and spellbinding projections - brings you to Father Christmas’ secret Kernow Office for a special visit, complete with a small gift and a photo opportunity with the man himself. 

The story and production has been created by experienced Artistic Director Michael Tonkin-Jones, who works regularly with award-winning Coppice Theatre but has flown solo on his project.

Michael said: "A Chattering of Choughs is a heartwarming, original story, rich in references to Cornish history and nature as well as festive folklore. But most of all it's a tale full of joy, hope, and kindness, delivered in the beautiful surroundings of the museum."

At £8 a ticket, the museum says it wants to offer families a heart-warming festive outing which is fairly priced and accessible to as many people as possible.  

The historic museum and gallery in the centre of Truro is also operating a ‘pay it forward’ system; anyone who wants to is welcome to buy an extra ticket for a local child who wouldn’t otherwise be able to enjoy the experience. 

Donated tickets will be fairly distributed with the help of the event’s community partners, WILD, who support young parents in Cornwall.  

Museum Co-Director Bryony Robins said: “Inclusivity and accessibility is the bedrock of our mission at the museum, including in the planning and delivery of events. We’re keenly aware that for some local families, Christmas brings complex pressures and not enough simple joy, and so we’ve teamed up with WILD to implement this straightforward but effective pay it forward scheme.” 

Father Christmas at the Museum starts on 10th December in tandem with Truro’s late-night shopping, and continues with regular sessions until Christmas Eve.  

Tickets can be purchased online at www.cornwallmuseum.org/events and also at Truro Christmas Market between 21st – 25th November where the museum will have a cabin.