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. 

Princess Diana Memorial fountain

Daily
Hyde Park
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A unique fountain memorial to Princess Diana designed to reflect her spirit of life and love of children.

Princess Diana Memorial Playground

Daily
During winter/spring 6am-7:45pm
Kensington Gardens
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Explore and have a great adventure in the playground with a huge wooden pirate ship which is the centrepiece of the Diana, Princess of Wales' Memorial Playground.

V&A Photography Centre

Daily: 10am-5:45pm - Friday: 10am–10pm
V&A
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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.

Re:Imagining Musicals

Until 4th Feb 2024
10am-5:45pm
V&A
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This display celebrates the glittering world of musical theatre, exploring the evolution and craftmanship of iconic musicals, from Miss Saigon and My Fair Lady to modern classics SIX the Musical, and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

Beguiling Beni: Safflower Red in Japanese Fashion

Until 31st March 2024
10am-5:45pm
V&A
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The Japanese dye 'beni', made from safflower petals, produces red hues and an iridescent green. This display reveals its many uses in fashion, from heel-less shoes by Noritaka Tatehana, to textiles, cosmetics and ukiyo-e woodblock prints.

Injecting Hope: The Race for a Covid 19 Vaccine

30th Nov - 7th Jan 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

25th May-20th April 2024
10am-6pm
V&A
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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!

Hidden Treasures of the RCM Collections

6th June- 21st Jan 2024
10.15am-5.45pm
Royal College of Music
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Discover unique treasures from the RCM Museum and Library collections. Featuring long unseen artworks, historic manuscripts, and unusual and ingenious musical instruments, this exhibition shares rarely seen objects and stories hand-picked from the thousands of objects and stories.

Young V&A

Opens 1st July
10am-5:30pm
V&A
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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.

Music Lates

19th Oct
6:30pm-10pm
Science Museum
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Music Lates is a celebration of Turn It Up: The power of music, a new blockbuster exhibition coming to the museum this autumn.

Secret Sentinels by Clare Burnett PPRSS

15th July- 30th Sept
The Royal Society of Sculptors
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These three Secret Sentinels are designed to stand in front of the newly restored Royal Society of Sculptors. They celebrate the work of Elliot and Fry, the court photographers who commissioned the beautiful facade in the late 19th century as well as drawing attention to the 21st century surroundings.

The Royal Society of Sculptors Summer Show

On til 30th Sept
Monday -Friday 11am - 5pm, Saturday 12 - 5pm
The Royal Society of Sculptors
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Explore a fabulous showcase of members' and fellows' work at Dora House. This year's theme is The Shape of Life, selected by guest curator Edward Bulmer.

How to Build a Low-Carbon Home

Until March 2024
10am-6pm
Design Museum Kensington
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How can we design our homes to respond to the climate emergency? Discover how architects are reimagining wood, stone and straw to design homes fit for the future in this free display.

Maha Ahmed: Where Worlds Meet

21st Oct-3rd March 2024
10am-5pm
Leighton House and Sambourne House Museum
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Maha's work takes inspiration from traditional Persian and Mughal manuscripts and classical Japanese painting, creating fantastical, imaginary worlds which draw of her personal experiences.

Email is Dead

28th Sept- 22nd Oct
10:00am - 17:00pm
Design Museum Kensington
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A playful and immersive display in partnership with Intuit Mailchimp to explore email’s transformational powers. With the acceleration of new technologies like artificial intelligence and new methods of connecting online, the display will ask: how will email shape our future?

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.

Prix Pictet Human, 2023

From 29th Sept
10am-5:45pm
V&A
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The theme for 2023's prize is 'Human', inviting reflections on the experiences, emotions, relationships and challenges that define our collective existence. The twelve shortlisted photographers will have their work exhibited at the V&A.

ANTIFURNITURE

26th Sept-29th Oct
10am-5pm
Design Museum Kensington
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A free display created by performance artist Fyodor Pavlov-Andreevich will see a collection of wooden furniture spread throughout the museum. Climb, hide within, and temporarily inhabit these sculptures to create your own experience of ANTIFURNITURE.

Leslie Linder: Decoding Beatrix Potter

Until 25th March 2024
10am-5:45pm
V&A
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Discover Leslie Linder, how he cracked the code of Beatrix Potter’s secret journal and showed the world her art.

Georg Baselitz: Sculptures 2011-2015

5th Oct- 7th Jan 2024
10am-6pm
Serpentine
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Bringing Georg Baselitz’s sculptural works to the fore, this solo exhibition offers an intimate glimpse into the creative process of a ground-breaking artist.

Growing Together: Autumn Garden Assembly

22nd Oct
2pm-5pm
Design Museum Kensington
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Enjoy short, inspiring talks by expert horticulturalists, garden designers and writers, meet the Growing Together volunteers to swap seeds, hints and tips, enjoy creative activities for all, seasonal refreshments and more!

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.

Understanding Your Own Carbon Footprint

26th Sept
4:30-5:00pm
North Kensington Library
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This workshop explores what children can do to mitigate climate change, understand more about carbon footprints, how to calculate them and discover how we can reduce our emissions to help mitigate the impact of climate change.