the home of science, arts and inspiration

A night out in London

From DJs, films, late night exhibitions, concerts, inspiring talks, immersive performances, sleepovers, Museum Lates, lectures - there is plenty to do here in South Kensington in the evening.

V&A Lates

Last Friday of every month
6.30-10pm
V&A
Map
Visit Website

An ever-changing, programme of live performances, fashion, film, installations, debates, special guests and DJs, with bars, food, and late-night exhibition openings.

Ciné Lumière

Various
Institut français
Map
Visit Website

Showcasing the best of foreign film - it screens a mix of French, European and Global films - with subtitles.

Ciné Lumière for under 25's

Institut français
Map
Visit Website

If you love cinema, and you’re 25 years old or under, Ciné Lumière For A Fiver is for you! Whether you want to see the latest releases or discover French classics, attend special Q&As or explore world cinema, enjoy discounted tickets with no booking fees.

A Night of Comedy

19th March
7.30pm
Royal Albert Hall
Map
Visit Website

The legendary Night Of Comedy will be back at the Royal Albert Hall with host Kevin Bridges, sets from Rob Beckett, Paul Chowdhry, Joe Lycett, Joanne McNally and Seann Walsh.

Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra

29th - 30th Nov
7.30pm
Royal Albert Hall
Map
Visit Website

Musical maestro Jools Holland and his revered Rhythm & Blues Orchestra are back at the Royal Albert Hall with a delightful Rhythm and Blues night.

The Poets' Revival

1st May
7pm
Royal Albert Hall
Map
Visit Website

Royal Albert Hall associate artist Rhael ‘LionHeart’ Cape presents The Poets’ Revival, reigniting the prominence of contemporary British poetry with the help of the most culturally-relevant and accomplished performers of their generation.

Friday Late: Here and Elsewhere

22nd March
6.30pm - 10pm
V&A
Map
Visit Website

This Friday Late features artists dealing with land and occupation, from Ghana to India, and places in between. Join the V&A to unpack our relationship with archives as sites for memory and reflection, and reanimate museum spaces through performances that spotlight anti-colonial struggles of not just the past, but also the present.

Burning Casablanca

27th March
Various Times
Institut français
Map
Visit Website

Fallen rock star, Larsen Snake returns to his native Casablanca where he meets Rajae, a street girl with a golden voice. They roam the city nights and fall madly in love. But their passion is quickly overtaken by their past, and the wild couple takes the road to the desert to escape their demons.

Andreas Dresen: Rabiye Kurnaz vs. George W. Bush

26th March
7pm
Goethe-Institut
Map
Visit Website

Rabiye Kurnaz can't believe it when her son is imprisoned on suspicion of being an Islamist terrorist. The Turkish mother from Bremen leaves no stone unturned to get her son released. Andreas Dresen tells the real-life story of long-term Guantánamo detainee Murat Kurnaz from the point of view of his mother and does so with a fantastic female lead.

Wild Life Drawing: Wolves

21st March
7pm - 9pm
The Royal Society of Sculptors
Map
Visit Website

Hosting the session will be animal-obsessed illustrator Laura Cuppage, who will guide you through the process of drawing wolf-dogs from life.

Brothers by Jackie Thomae

21st March
7pm
Goethe-Institut
Map
Visit Website

Join Nii Ayikwei Parkes, in conversation with German writer Jackie Thomae and translator Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp. Brothers is about family and masculinity, and the question of whether we shape our own destiny - or whether our background and character inevitably shape us.

Cinema Made in Italy

20th - 24th March
Various Times
Institut français
Map
Visit Website

The annual CINEMA MADE IN ITALY film festival hosts some of the best Italian cinema from the past year, and this year’s edition includes Alice Rohrwacher’s La Chimera, starring Josh O’Connor, Carol Duarte, Alba Rohrwacher, and Isabella Rossellini, as well as Paola Cortellesi’s There’s Still Tomorrow.

Dune: Part 2 IMAX

1st - 24th March
Various Times
Science Museum
Map
Visit Website

In the highly anticipated sequel to the six-time Academy Award-winning Dune, Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen, while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Experience the epic new chapter of the Dune saga in mind-blowing IMAX® format.

Michael Backman: Courtly Splendour

2nd May
7pm - 9pm
Leighton House and Sambourne House Museum
Map
Visit Website

Art historian and author Michael Backman will lead a fascinating talk about the Malay ancient tradition of working with silver and gold as well as the appeal their craft had for collectors in the Victorian era.

Kate Strasdin: Gilded Splendour

4th April
6.30pm
Leighton House and Sambourne House Museum
Map
Visit Website

Join Dr Kate Strasdin as she looks at the often hidden world of couture embroidery artisanship,The evening includes the chance to view the exhibition Out Shopping: The Dresses of Marion and Maud Sambourne (1880-1910), and the chance to buy signed copies of Strasdin’s latest book.

L’Olimpiade by Ensemble Matheus

29th March
Institut français
Map
Visit Website

Under the direction of conductor Jean-Christophe Spinosi, the virtuosi musician of the Ensemble Matheus revisit Vivaldi’s L’Olimpiade to a libretto by poet Metastasio after Herodotus. Expect a formidable melodic outburst in which betrayed friendships and thwarted loves compete.

Revisited Anthems by the Montreuil Orchestra

16th May
7pm
Institut français
Map
Visit Website

Conducted by Sylvain Cartigny, the Orchestre de spectacle de Montreuil will be performing national anthems revisited by contemporary composers.

Diaphonique Concert: Two Coasts by Layale Chaker

18th April
Institut français
Map
Visit Website

Violinist and composer Layale Chaker will be presenting extracts of Two Coasts: Past and Current Streams, a project supported in 2018 by the Diaphonique fund for Contemporary music run by the Institut français.

Swan Lake in-the-round

12th - 23rd June
Various Times
Royal Albert Hall
Map
Visit Website

With 60 ballerina swans shimmering in white tutus, moving in unison across the Hall, this outstanding production will captivate and enthral you. Experience a choreographic kaleidoscope as the Royal Albert Hall is transformed into a magical lake for the world’s favourite ballet.

Kensington and Chelsea Music Society (KCMS) at Leighton House

Various dates
7.30pm - 9.30pm
Leighton House and Sambourne House Museum
Map
Visit Website

Kensington and Chelsea Music Society (KCMS) will perform at Leighton House with an outstanding season of seven concerts, featuring a mixture of new and established artists, performing an exciting programme of chamber music, song and choral works.

Image credit: Lucasfilm Ltd

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark™ Live in Concert

25th - 26th May
Various Times
Royal Albert Hall
Map
Visit Website

Part of their Films in Concert series, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert will feature the London Symphony Orchestra performing John Williams’ legendary score in full for the first time since they recorded the original soundtrack in 1981.

Ghostbusters in Concert

26th Oct
7.30pm
Royal Albert Hall
Map
Visit Website

The beloved ‘80s sci-fi comedy, Ghostbusters, will join the Royal Albert Hall’s Films in Concert series: Watch Ivan Reitman’s original 1984 classic on the big screen at Halloween - all whilst Elmer Bernstein’s famous score is performed live by a full orchestra conducted by Peter Bernstein.