the home of science, arts and inspiration

Christmas in South Kensington

Bring your family and friends to South Kensington for a magical festive treat. From Christmas carols, seasonal movies and more at the Royal Albert Hall to wild rides, ice skating & ice slides at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Luna Winter Cinema at Kensington Palace,  fantastic exhibitions, films and events find your festive fun.

Royal Albert Hall Tours

Most days of the year
Royal Albert Hall
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Take a peek inside London's most iconic music venue. Did you know that the Royal Albert Hall once hosted a séance; flooded the auditorium with 56,000 litres of water for an opera concert; and that criminals, as well as musicians and politicians, have graced the Hall’s stage?

Turn it Up: The Power of Music

Until 1st Sept 2024
10am - 6pm
Science Museum
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Just announced Turn It Up: The Power of Music has been extended through the summer! Don't miss this extra chance to explore this smash-hit exhibition and discover what is it about music that drives us to create, perform, feel, connect with others.

Power Up

10am - 5.30pm
Science Museum
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Immerse yourself in this hands-on gaming zone, featuring the very best video games and consoles from the past 50 years. From Pong to Pacman and Minecraft to Mario, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a retro games fan, a serious gamer or just want to beat your family at Mario Kart.

Engineers

Daily
10am-6pm
Science Museum
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Engineers shape the world that we live in, creating bold, ground-breaking innovations that respond to global challenges and improve billions of lives. But how much do we know about the people behind these innovations?

V&A trail: Explore as a family

Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am–10pm
V&A South Kensington
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Are you ready to go on an adventure? This trail takes you on a journey through V&A galleries, exploring some of the incredible cultures and traditions you can see. You will discover objects that are hundreds of years old, uncover secret meanings behind animals and colour in art, and learn about some of the wonders of the museum, from an emperor's throne to dragons, from plaster casts to wigs!

IMAX: The Ronson Theatre

Daily
Varies
Science Museum
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Experience this fully immersive IMAX, on one of the biggest cinema screens in the UK. With an IMAX laser 4k projector and an IMAX 70mm film projector, this experience is great for all cinema lovers. Regularly showing are scientific documentaries and the latest blockbuster releases.

Design Museum Shop Christmas Gift Guide

Design Museum
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Channel your inner interior designer and transform your space into a winter wonderland with classic and contemporary decorations from all the wonderful designs that are on offer at the Design Museum Shop this Christmas!

Natural History Museum Christmas Gift Shop

Natural History Museum
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Go wild with the dinosaur decorations this year! Look out for the T. rex on skis, the Stegosaurus in a bobble hat and the Triceratops tree topper to top it all off. As for decorating yourself and the kids, there is also festive knitwear!

Versailles: Science and Splendour

12th Dec- 21st April 2025
10am-6pm
Science Museum
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Just announced! Discover how the Palace of Versailles used science as a tool of power in this illuminating new exhibition.

Image credit: Historic Royal Palaces / Alex Rory Jacobs

The Orangery Restaurant re-opens

Daily
10am - 6pm
Kensington Palace
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After major conservation work, the 18th-century Orangery at Kensington Palace has reopened its doors. Visit the iconic restaurant in a stunning setting for an elegant lunch or an indulgent afternoon tea.

The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence

Opens 9th Nov
10am - 5.45pm
V&A South Kensington
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Just announced! This major exhibition will celebrate the extraordinary creative output and internationalist culture of the Golden Age of the Mughal Court (about 1560 – 1660) during the reigns of its most famous emperors: Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan.

Image credit: 1959 Barbie No. 1 © Mattel, Inc.

Barbie: The exhibition

5th July - 23rd Feb 2025
10am - 5pm
Design Museum
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A major exhibition exploring the design evolution of one of the world’s most famous dolls: Barbie®. Journey into the Barbie universe and discover over 250 remarkable objects, with rare, unique and innovative dolls dating from 1959 to the present day.

Naomi in Fashion

22nd June 2024 - 6th April 2025
10.00am - 5.45pm
V&A South Kensington
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An exhibition exploring the extraordinary career of fashion model Naomi Campbell. Through the work of leading global designers and photographers we celebrate her creative collaborations, activism and far-reaching cultural impact.

Wonderlab

Daily
10am - 5.30pm
Science Museum
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At this interactive gallery, discover the beauty of the science and math that shape our everyday lives. This unmissable experience will ignite your curiosity, fuel your imagination, and inspire you to see the world in new and exciting ways.

Astronights

Dates and times vary
Science Museum
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If your child has ever wanted to explore the museum after dark, or if the idea of spending the night in one an iconic galleries fills them with excitement, then they’ll love Astronights, a sleepover at the Museum!

Family Trails at the Science Museum

Science Museum
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Go on a journey of discovery and exploration around the Science Museum.

The River

26th July - 26th Jan 2025
10am - 4.30pm
Natural History Museum
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Opening Soon! This new sound installation by artist Jana Winderen in collaboration with sound specialist Tony Myatt explores the watery depths of the River Thames. It features captivating recordings from an underwater habitat that’s often inaccessible to our ears.