Free school holiday session at the Thackray Museum exploring the science of winter sniffles and herbal remedies, inspired by the 'Where Magic Grows' exhibition.
Winter Holidays: Seasonal Sniffles runs at the Thackray Museum of Medicine from Saturday 19 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. It's a family show that looks at the science of winter, from coughs and colds to runny noses and sneezes, and puts traditional and herbal remedies like Olbas Oil, eucalyptus, lemon and ginger under the microscope. It's part of Thackray's school holiday programme, which takes on a different medical theme each term and uses creativity and play to open up medicine to children and their grown-ups.
The session was inspired by the museum's latest exhibition, Where Magic Grows, and was run in partnership with the RHS, the UK's gardening charity. That connection comes through in the focus on herbal remedies — the things people have reached for for generations when the winter cold sets in — and how they sit alongside the more clinical side of the science.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in Leeds and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
It's a family-friendly one, so it works as a day out with kids over the break. The whole thing is included in your museum ticket, so there's no extra to pay on top of your entry. The Thackray is at 141 Beckett Street, LS9 7LN, and the show runs from 19 December through to 3 January, giving you plenty of dates to pick from across the Christmas and New Year period.
