the home of science, arts and inspiration

Free Events in South Kensington

We have an abundance of free events in South Kensington for a great day out. From guided tours through the galleries, self-led walks, a new series of Lates events, free displays and miles of galleries covering art, science, design, natural history and so much more. 

V&A Photography Centre

Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am–10pm
V&A South Kensington
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The Photography Centre at the V&A houses over 600 spellbinding photos including some of the oldest known photographs to modern masters. The Museum began acquiring photographs in 1852, and its collection is now one of the largest and most important in the world.

Beguiling Beni: Safflower Red in Japanese Fashion

Until 31st March
10am - 5.45pm
V&A South Kensington
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Closing soon. The Japanese dye 'beni', made from safflower petals, produces red hues and an iridescent green. This display reveals its many uses in fashion, textiles, cosmetics and ukiyo-e woodblock prints.

Injecting Hope: The Race for a Covid 19 Vaccine

30th Nov - 12 May 24
10am - 6pm
Science Museum
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A new free exhibition explores the worldwide effort to develop vaccines at pandemic speed. See how scientists and researchers adapted to the various challenges of this massive programme.

Energy: Sparks from the Collection

Until 18th May 2025
10am - 6pm
V&A South Kensington
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This display shines a light on the diverse kinds of energy in photography, from the hidden processes intrinsic to creating a picture, to the subjects in front of the camera.

Brian Eno for 364 More Earth Days

23rd April 2023- 21st April 2024
Serpentine
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Serpentine are working with Brian Eno on developing a new set of cards. Presenting prompts and questions, the deck aims to invite young people, adults and organisations to think differently about the planet. Be part of the conversation! Send in your answers, as well as your own questions!

Young V&A

Opens 1st July
10am-5:30pm
V&A South Kensington
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Get ready to spark your creativity at Young V&A – the museum where children, young people and families can imagine, play and design. From 1 July 2023, be inspired by spaces, explore our collection and get creative. Right now, keep in touch on social.

Quiet and Scenic Walking Routes Around South Ken

South Ken
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If you’re planning your trip to South Kensington, why not take a look at our brand new walking map, created in collaboration with Footways. Get off the tube a stop early and explore London’s home of arts, science and inspiration by foot.

Leslie Linder: Decoding Beatrix Potter

Until 15th Sept
10am - 5.30pm
V&A South Kensington
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On the 50th anniversary of Leslie Linder’s gift to the V&A, This display celebrates his unrivalled Beatrix Potter collection and shines a light on Linder’s contribution to our knowledge of the world-famous author and illustrator.

Springboard: Music Creators

31st Aug- 4th April 2024
10:30am– 4pm
Royal College of Music
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This FREE course allows participants to develop communication skills and creative decision-making through inspiring, practical workshops and courses that explore how music is created, eventually working towards inventing an original composition.

Outdoor Activities for Kids

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Natural History Museum
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Fun, free things to do in a park, on the street, or anywhere outdoors.

Quiet walking routes to and around South Ken

Discover South Kensington
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If you’re planning your trip to South Ken, take a look at our new walking map, created with Footways, where you can discover a range of wonderful routes to take a quiet stroll & discover our extraordinary history. Get off the tube a stop early and explore London’s home of arts, science and inspiration by foot.

Seeing Things Queerly

10am-6pm
Science Museum
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Follow this self-led trail to discover some of the objects on display at the Science Museum that tell stories of queer communities, experiences, and identities.

How Not to Photograph a Bulldog

25th May- 20th April 2024
10am-5:30pm
V&A South Kensington
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This book display reveals how dogs have been used to teach photography, and how dog photography has developed as a discipline in its own right.

BBC World Service: The Engineers

Royal Commission for the Exhibition 1851
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Each summer, the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 holds an Albertopolis event in partnership with the BBC World Service bringing together three ground-breaking engineers and a public audience.

Thomas J Price at the V&A

Until 27th May
10am-6pm
V&A South Kensington
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British artist Thomas J Price is celebrated for his arresting yet contemplative sculptures depicting everyday people. This display sets his work in dialogue with the V&A's historic collections.

Power Up

27th July 2023- 31st May 2024
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.

The Zizi Show

25th May- 20th April 2024
10am-5:45pm
V&A South Kensington
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The Zizi Show is a deepfake drag cabaret that explores the ethical problems which exist in Artificial Intelligence (AI). The display explores what AI can teach us about drag, and what drag can teach us about A.I.

Image credit: Naoya Hatakeyama, ‘Blast #5707’, 1998. © Naoya Hatakeyama

Photography Centre

Opens 25th May
V&A South Kensington
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The Photography Centre is the UK’s largest space dedicated to a permanent photography collection. The newly reopened galleries will showcase the museum’s world-leading holdings and enable visitors to experience photography and its diverse histories in new ways.

Future Observatory display

20th Nov - 31st Aug
10am - 5pm
Design Museum Kensington
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The first display in a new space for research at the Design Museum is now open. The Future Observatory display showcases six researchers who are confronting environmental concerns and working towards liveable futures.

Refik Anadol

16th Feb - 7th April
10am - 6pm
Serpentine
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Refik Anadol, is an internationally renowned artist, director and pioneer in the aesthetics of data and machine intelligence. Visitors will experience gallery walls wrapped in AI-generated images inspired by data of flora, fungi and fauna from over 16 rainforests.

Out Shopping: The dresses of Marion and Maud Sambourne (1880-1910)

23rd March - 20th Oct
10am - 5.30pm
Leighton House and Sambourne House Museum
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A curated selection of rarely-seen outfits, this exhibition will tell the story of Marion Sambourne and Maud Messel, at a moment in history that significantly shaped fashion.

Leighton and Landscape

16th Nov - 27th April 2025
10am - 5.30pm
Leighton House and Sambourne House Museum
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This first major exhibition of Frederic Leighton’s work, following the reopening of the museum in October 2022, will focus on the artist’s production of small en plein air landscape sketches, created between 1850 up until his death in 1896.

National Art Library and Archive talks: each Monday from 15 January

https://shorturl.at/ioOV1
V&A South Kensington
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The V&A will be holding free, open sessions every Monday (except bank holidays) in the National Art Library. A member of the Library or Archives staff will introduce the history and purpose of the Library and talk about an item from their collections.

Ainu Stories: Contemporary Lives by the Saru River

16th Nov - 21st Apr
10am - 8pm
Japan House London
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Experience Ainu culture as it exists today in the southern Hokkaido region of Biratori in the UK's first exploration of the contemporary lives of this indigenous people of northern Japan.