Design your own Mous-terpiece and see it brought to life by BAFTA award-winning prop maker

The diminutive, costumed characters have been a “mice” feature in Blenheim Palace’s indoor Christmas trails for many years – and this year is no exception as they will appear as part of the reimagining of Sleeping Beauty.

To celebrate, the Palace is giving children aged ten and under the chance to design a Sleeping Beauty-inspired costume, which will be worn by one of the mice in the beautifully-themed State Rooms.

The mouse could be wearing a hat, glasses, ballgown, suit of armour or even a onesie! Children can use felt tips, pencils, crayons, paint, or any other medium they choose.

A winner will be selected in early October and their fabulous costume will be handmade by award-winning TV and film prop maker Clare Elliott, who has made models for family favourites such as Postman Pat and Wind in the Willows.

The carefully costumed mous-terpiece will be displayed for thousands of visitors to enjoy during the six-week season inside the Palace, after which the winning child will be sent their mouse model to treasure forever.

The fantastic prize does not end there – with the winner receiving six tickets for their family and friends to the exclusive preview evening of Christmas at Blenheim Palace, on Thursday, November 16. The preview will include a walk around the mesmerising outdoor illuminated trail, which meanders around the glorious grounds of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The mous-tonishing prize also includes a festive Afternoon Tea for six at The Orangery and a special goody bag filled with treats from Hotel Chocolat. Finally, the winner will receive a short break for up to six people at Blenheim Palace Lodge Retreat, brought to you by Darwin Escapes, to be taken any time between Monday 13^th November and Thursday 21^st December 2023 (subject to availability).

It’s not a case of winner takes all either – there are four runners-up prizes for a family ticket to the exclusive preview on November 16 in each age group – 4 and under, 5-6, 7-8 and 9-10.

How to Enter:

1. Download the mouse template sheet from our competition website page and print it off – you can choose to print either the colour version or the black and white version. https://www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/christmas/christmas-competition/

2. Your child (between the ages of 2 – 10) can draw a costume on to the mouse using their own choice of artistic medium, whether this be felt tips, pencils, crayons or paint

3. Take a photo of / scan in the finished sheet and save as a digital file

4. Complete the entry form on our competition website page with the digital file entry sheet included. (This part must be done by an adult aged 18 or over).

Issued by Destination Marketing on behalf of Sony Music and Blenheim Palace. Contact matt.dixon@wearedestination.com or call 07884 938305 for more information.

COMPETITION DETAILS:

· Launch Friday 15^th September

· Closing date for entries Monday 2nd October

· Calling all young artists, budding designers and costume creators…it’s your chance to win a very special Blenheim Palace Christmas prize for you and your family….

· We would like you to imagine and design an amazing costume for one of the tiny mice who appear in the themed State rooms at the Palace this Christmas. This year, the theme is Sleeping Beauty, so we would like your mouse’s costume to be inspired by the Sleeping Beauty story. Use felt tips, pencils, crayons, paint or whatever other artistic medium you choose!

WINNER’S PRIZE

The winner’s mouse and their fabulous costume will then be handmade into a perfectly crafted model by award-winning TV and film prop maker Clare Elliot (who has made models for Postman Pat, Wind in the Willows, Mars Attacks! and more) and go on display in the Palace for the festive season along with all of the other exquisite Sleeping Beauty themed decorations. In the New Year, the winner will then be sent their mouse model to treasure and keep forever. 

And that’s not all – the winner will also receive six tickets for their family and friends to the Exclusive Preview of Christmas at Blenheim Palace on Thursday 16th November, with entry to Sleeping Beauty inside the Palace from 4pm where they can spot their ‘mousterpiece’ proudly on display! They will also receive six tickets for the Illuminated Trail within the Blenheim Palace grounds, running from 6pm on Thursday 16^th November, as well as a Christmas themed afternoon tea for six at The Orangery and a special goody bag filled with treats from Hotel Chocolat to be picked up on the day. Last but certainly not least they will receive a short break for up to 4 people at Blenheim Palace Lodge Retreat, brought to you by Darwin Escapes (A short break for 6 people in a 3 bed lodge, to be taken any time between Monday 13^th November – Thursday 21^st December 2023, subject to availability).

CHRISTMAS AT BLENHEIM PALACE

Inside the Palace, marvel at the story of Sleeping Beauty which has been reimagined with a contemporary twist.

Explore the rooms transformed by the retelling of this classic fairy-tale for a new generation, from the Great Hall’s huge glistening Christmas tree to the candle-lit bedchamber where the Lilac Fairy watches over a sleeping Aurora.

Wander through the evil fairy’s lair filled with toads, potions, and menacing crows, then on to the busy castle kitchen frozen in time. Watch out for spinning wheels, fluttering fairies and as the story unfolds, vines creeping everywhere. 

Looking for a happy-ever-after, the Lilac Fairy helps True Love to find a way through the woods and together they reawaken the castle after 100 very sleepy years.

Besides the illuminated trails, the Great Court will host the artisan Christmas Market in the run-up to the big day. Market closes on 17^th December.

Escape the bustle of the high street and discover a selection of treasurable gifts and enjoy some sweet indulgence. Browse the wooden chalets filled with a wide range of arts, crafts and tempting treats for foodies. There’s ceramics, textiles, homewares, jewellery and so much more. 

Your very merriest Christmas starts here. Limited capacity with timed entry. Plan now to secure the date and time of your choice.

*Separate charges apply

What:         Christmas at Blenheim Palace –
The story of Sleeping Beauty, Christmas Market and outdoor Illuminated trail

When:         From: 17 November 2023 to 1 January 2024

Why Visit:   Discover a world like no other, created for all the family to enjoy.

Admission: Limited capacity with timed entry, early booking advised.

        Indoor trail – first entry 10am; last entry 7pm (times may vary on selected dates).

Outdoor trail (closed 20, 21, 27, 28 Nov; 4, 11, 25 December) – first entry 4.30pm, last entry 8.30pm (times may vary on selected dates).

Tickets from: Combined Adult £61.50, Concession: £59.50, Child (aged 3-16) £39.50, Family £179 (2 adults & 2 children).

Parking after 10am: £10. Free entry to Christmas Market.

For full pricing and ticket information visit blenheimpalace.com/Christmas

Website:     christmasatblenheim.seetickets.com
Address:     Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire. OX20 1UL