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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,  and fantastic exhibitions, films and events for all your festive fun.

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!

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!

Family Trails at the Science Museum

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

V&A trail: Explore as a family

Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am–10pm
V&A South Kensington
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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!

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.

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.

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.

Image credit: © Jamie Smart

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

17th Oct - 12th July 2026
10am-6pm
Natural History Museum
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Pause, reflect and reconnect with the natural world through images that celebrate nature’s awe-inspiring beauty and urge us to protect it. Now in its sixth decade, the exhibition sees photographers from across the globe set out to document nature’s most incredible moments.

Blitz: the club that shaped the 80s

20th Sept 2025 - 29th Mar 2026
10 am - 6 pm
Design Museum
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Delve into the music, fashion, and design stories that shaped Blitz – the club, the people, and the movement that transformed 1980s London style.

Future of Food

24th July-4th Jan 2026
10am-6pm
Science Museum
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A free exhibition examining how science can help us find more sustainable ways to grow and produce, purchase and cook, eat and enjoy food to help protect the planet.

Places to Eat

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If you are planning a day out in South Kensington, there are lots of delicious places to eat or enjoy a drink both inside and outside depending on the weather. From cafes, bars, afternoon tea to indoor picnic areas - there is plenty of choice!

Image credit: ‘Rebirth’ Garments. Sandra Oviedo (a.k.a.) Colectivo Multipolar

Design and Disability

On til 15th Feb 2026
10am - 5:45pm
V&A South Kensington
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Both a celebration and a call to action, this exhibition showcases the radical contributors of disabled, Deaf, and neurodiverse people and communities to design history and contemporary culture. Last chance to see.

Give the gift of a Science Museum experience

Science Museum
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This festive season, what could be a more perfect present than an unforgettable live experience where your family and friends can create lifelong memories?

Films in Concert

Various dates and times
Royal Albert Hall
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The biggest movies with the best soundtracks - experience classic films with live orchestral accompaniment in the spectacular surroundings of the Royal Albert Hall.