Over the festive holidays, we have a fantastic choice of things for you to see and do to make your Christmas sparkle. Highlights include carols and The Nutcracker ballet at the Royal Albert Hall, your last chance to ice-skate at the Natural History Museum, fantastic exhibitions, special film screenings and so much more.
Science Museum
From 18 December – 5 January 2022, the museum is open Monday - Sunday, 10am - 6pm (last entry 5.15pm and will be closed on 24 - 26 December.
- Amazônia
Until March 2022. Ticketed, £8 for students
The UK premiere of Amazônia by world-renowned Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado explores the dialogue between nature and humanity. Comprised of over 200 black and white images, it presents his view of the indigenous people, forests and rivers of Amazônia.
- Ancient Greeks: Science and Wisdom
Until 5 June 2022. Ticketed, free
Rare and remarkable treasures are brought together in the UK for the first time in Ancient Greeks: Science and Wisdom. This exciting exhibition will reveal how curiosity and investigation were central to the ancient Greek understanding of the universe, as they are for scientists today.
- Our Future Planet
Until September 2022. Free
Our Future Planet is the first significant UK exhibition to be presented on the subject of carbon capture and storage. From conserving ancient woodlands to installing processes that prevent carbon dioxide leaving power stations and factories, the exhibition considers how carbon can be stored or used to create everyday products like toothpaste or even vodka.
- IMAX: The Ronson Theatre
Student tickets £10. Show dates & times: Vary
The Science Museum’s revamped IMAX cinema is now one of only two screens in Europe to feature the very best of digital and analogue cinema on one screen. This winter visitors can enjoy BBC Earth’s Antarctica 3D; A Beautiful Planet 3D; and Hubble 3D, all in immersive IMAX with Laser in 3D.
Natural History Museum
The Museum is open Monday-Sunday 10 am - 5.50pm (last entry 5pm) and will be closed on 21-27 December.
- Fantastic Beasts™ - The Wonder of Nature
Open til 3 January. Ticketed, students £17.50
Last chance to see this celebration of magical beasts and fantastic animals. Discover where the real world and the Wizarding World intertwine, and how the wonders of the natural world have inspired myths, legends and magical creatures for generations.
- Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Open til 5 June 2022. Ticketed, students £12.50
Explore the natural world in all its fragility and diversity at the annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, where 100 powerful photographs tell the story of a planet under pressure.
- Natural History Museum Ice Rink
Open til 16 January (closed 25 December). Ticketed, £20.35
This is the last chance to experience the thrill of skating surrounded by fairy lights nestled in frost-covered trees, with the smell of mulled wine in the air. Set against the backdrop of the Waterhouse building, the Ice Rink at the Natural History Museum is one of the most magical places to be this winter.
- Our Broken Planet - How we got here and ways to fix it
On until summer 2022. Free
This evolving display explores how humans have transformed the natural world. Through over 40 objects chosen by Museum scientists, they reveal the consequences of our actions and examine some of the solutions that could help mend our broken planet.
Victoria & Albert Museum
The V&A is open, Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am – 5.45 pm (last entry 4.45 pm) but will be closed on the 24-28 December.
- Bags: Inside Out
On until 16th January 2022. Ticketed, students £10, adults £12
Bags: Inside Out explores the style, design and craftsmanship of the ultimate accessory. This exhibition offers an understanding and insight into the function, status, design and making of bags across the world and throughout history.
- Prix Pictet 2021: Fire
6th December to 9th January 2022. Free display
Now in its ninth cycle, 2021’s prize theme is ‘Fire’. This free display features 13 artists who have taken inspiration from major global events and personal experiences and through photography highlight themes of sustainability and the environment.
- Maurice Broomfield: Industrial Sublime
On until 6th Nov 2022. Free display
Maurice Broomfield's dramatic photographs captured factories and their workers in an era of rapid transition, depicting the remnants of the industrial revolution alongside emerging technologies.
- Christmas at the V&A
Online only. Free
Get creative and make your own Christmas cracker, V&A-inspired Christmas tree decoration or Beatrix Potter Christmas card. Or for the more curious, follow an interactive family Christmas trail and learn more about the hidden festive treats in their collections.
- Fragmented Illuminations: Medieval and Renaissance Manuscript Cuttings at the V&A
On until 8th May 2022. Free
Take a closer look at these highlights from our collection of Medieval and Renaissance manuscripts in this free display that explores the origins of these beautiful manuscripts and the 19th-century context in which they were collected, cut up and copied.
Royal Albert Hall
- Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall
Dates vary. Ticketed
The Royal Albert Hall has been the home of Christmas in London for 150 years. This year’s programme is full of heart-warming live events and there’s something for everyone, from Christmas carols to traditional concerts, jazz, classic ballet and more.
Design Museum
The Museum is open daily but will be closed 24-26 December. Opening times are 10am – 6pm.
- Waste Age: What can design do?
On until 20th February. Ticketed, students £10.90
A new generation of designers is rethinking our relationship to everyday things. From fashion to food, electronics to construction, even packaging - finding the lost value in our trash and imagining a future of clean materials and a circular economy could point the way out of the Waste Age.
- Amy: Beyond the Stage
On until 10 April. Ticketed, students £10.75
Discover the story of Amy’s early career through her recordings and teenage notebooks to unravel the creative process behind her music, and pay tribute to her rich range of influences.Explore the outfits she wore during her greatest performances, handwritten lyrics and personal items that have never been exhibited before.
Japan House London
Opening times vary over the Christmas period. Closed 25 & 26 December and 1 & 2 January.
- Windowology: New Architectural Views from Japan
On until 10 April. Free but booking required
Explore how windows take on cultural significance and surprisingly shape all our views on the world. Windowology: New Architectural Views from Japan examines how windows influence our views on the environment, contemporary urban living, craftsmanship, design, architecture, and in print literature.
Kensington Palace
Open Wednesday to Sunday: 10 am-4pm (last admission 2.30pm). Closed 24-28 December and 29 December - 2 January.
- Royal Style in the Making
On until 2nd January. Tickets part of Kensington Palace admission - adults £19.50
This exhibition explores the intimate relationship between fashion designer and royal client, revealing the process behind the creation of a number of the most important couture commissions in royal history. On display is the wedding dress of Diana, Princess of Wales.
- The Luna Winter Cinema
On between 12 - 23 December. Ticketed, standard admission £19.50
The stunning Pavilion, located on the Orangery Lawn of Kensington Palace makes a truly unique setting for a winter cinema experience. Experience iconic films from Elf and Home Alone to Love Actually and The Holiday.
Royal Parks
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
On until 3 January (closed 25 December). Ticketed, prices vary.
One of the UK’s most festive events offering a wide variety of attractions, activities, entertainment, food, drinks and so much more. When the evening comes around, Hyde Park is transformed by thousands of sparkling lights so grab your mulled wine, hot chocolate or stein of Bavarian beer and join in the festive fun!
For more great events and festive fun in South Kensington, take a look at our Christmas events page and if you are looking for some fantastic gift ideas, take a look at our South Ken Christmas gift guide.
