The Beacon Museum kicks off 2026 with new exhibitions and monthly events.
SHINING A LIGHT ON THE BEACON
The Beacon Museum kicks off 2026 with new exhibitions and monthly events.
by Danni Murphy
The Beacon Museum in Whitehaven is starting 2026 with a packed programme of new exhibitions and events, including a major touring exhibition celebrating British comics and the launch of two brand-new monthly activities for children and adults.
Kicking off this years exhibitions is COMICS: The Famous & Forgotten, a touring exhibition produced by The Cartoon Museum, which will be on display in the Harbour Gallery from 17 January to 15 March 2026.
The exhibition explores the rich and varied history of comic art in Britain, from its Victorian beginnings to the present day.
Visitors can discover how comic strips first rose to popularity, uncover the stories behind iconic characters such as Dennis the Menace, and learn about influential British comic artists including David Lloyd and Bryan Talbot. Alongside well-known titles such as The Beano, Viz and 2000AD, the exhibition also highlights often-overlooked areas of comic history, including girls’ comics, underground zines and contemporary emerging artists.
Drawn from The Cartoon Museum’s nationally significant collection, the exhibition showcases some of the most nostalgic, surprising and iconic examples of British comic art. The Cartoon Museum is the only museum in the UK dedicated to collecting, preserving and displaying comic and cartoon history.
The exhibition is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Beakid
The Beacon Museum is also launching Beakid, a creative, hands-on monthly activity programme designed for children of all ages. Beakid encourages young visitors to explore, imagine and discover through themed workshops inspired by museum exhibitions, local heritage and science. Sessions are designed to be beginner-friendly, suitable for mixed ages and led by trained facilitators, with many activities allowing children to take their creations home.
The next Beakid sessions take place in February and celebrate Chinese New Year with a special two-hour experience combining creativity and hands-on learning. Children will take part in a one-hour craft workshop inspired by Lunar New Year traditions, followed by a one-hour animal encounter where they can meet real animals and learn fun facts up close.
Sessions run on Saturday 14, Sunday 15 and Tuesday 17 February 2026 at 10am, 12pm and 2pm, with tickets priced at £15 per person.
New Book Club
Also launching in 2026 is the Beacon Book Club, a new monthly reading group with a twist. Each month features a theme inspired by the Museum’s changing exhibitions, encouraging participants to explore new books, revisit old favourites and share recommendations in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
Most suggested reading is available through the Cumberland Library Service in print, e-book and audiobook formats, and everyone is welcome to attend. (Tea and cake will be provided)
The book club’s first meeting takes place on Thursday 29 January 2026, with the theme ‘New Beginnings’, followed by ‘Make Me Laugh’ on Thursday 26 February 2026.
With a dynamic exhibition programme and new monthly events for families and adults, The Beacon Museum is shaping up to be a vibrant destination throughout 2026. www.thebeacon-whitehaven.co.uk
To learn more about what’s happening, follow Cumbria Guide on our social media
Share It:
