Jam-Packed October Half Term Fun at the Palace Theatre and National Civil War Centre!

At the Palace Theatre, there are two amazing family friendly shows:

• Flowers and Friendship Bracelets – The Ultimate Pop Concert
  Friday 24 October, 6pm – A high-energy celebration of pop music celebrating the hottest artists including Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter and more! Tickets: £25.50.
• Top Secret – The Magic of Science
  Wednesday 29 October, 7.30pm – A spectacular science-themed magic show for all ages. Tickets from £14.

And the National Civil War Centre offers the perfect place for parents and children to spend quality time together too! Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am–4pm, and free for residents of Newark and Sherwood, the Centre offers:

• Interactive exhibits including the Pikes and Ladders board game and touch screens.
• Replica objects, costumes and weapons for dressing up.
• Puppet companions Prince Rupert’s dog Boye and Cromwell’s horse Blackjack to accompany children on their visit around the galleries.
• Toys Through Time Trail – play with vintage toys from bygone eras, from skipping ropes to tin robots, from spinning tops to dial up phones.
• Threads of Time Trail – a town centre wide artefact hunt around Newark.
• Hidden Wonders Hunt – spot beautiful artwork from Hidden Wonders books hiding in the museum to reveal a secret hidden word.
• Its new Kiddey Exhibition, exploring the life and work of local sculptor Robert Kiddey.
• A fantastic short film bringing the stories of civil war sieges to life!
• Jaw-dropping treasures like a giant mammoth tooth, a spooky Roman skeleton, shiny armour and swords, and even a magical bottle once used to keep witches away from the house.
• An award-winning family friendly café open daily.

If you visit on Saturday 25 October, you can enjoy the ‘Guided Tour: Newark Through Time’ tour at 1pm too. Discover the rich history of Newark on this fascinating walking tour costing £6 per person (advanced book recommended to secure your place).

And if that wasn’t enough, to end a jam-packed calendar of fun at the National Civil War Centre, families are invited to join the Centre’s ‘Family Saturday: Spooky Shadows and Pocket Portraits’ event on Saturday 1 November, 10am – 4pm. This fantastic free event gives families the opportunity to get creative with shadow puppets and spooky crafts. Free entry is for Newark and Sherwood residents.

Councillor Rowan Cozens, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and the Arts at Newark and Sherwood District Council said, "We’re proud to offer such a rich and varied programme for families this October Half Term. Whether you’re exploring the fascinating history at the National Civil War Centre or enjoying a live show at the Palace Theatre, there’s something to spark curiosity and creativity in every child. These events reflect our commitment to making heritage and culture accessible, engaging and fun for all."

The National Civil War Centre / Palace Theatre is located on Appleton Gate in Newark (NG24 1JY) with a pay and display car park opposite. You can find out more by calling the centre on 01636 655765 or visiting www.nationalcivilwarcentre.com