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Free Events in South Kensington

Discover an unforgettable day in South Kensington with our guide to free events. Delve into guided tours through galleries, embark on self-led walks, immerse yourself in our new series of Lates events, explore captivating free displays, and journey through miles of galleries showcasing art, science, design, natural history, and beyond. 

The Hair in the Cable

3rd March-25th Aug
9:30am-5:30pm
V&A South Kensington
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A new display by Mimi Ọnụọha. In her ongoing series ‘The Hair In The Cable’, Ọnụọha reframes the cultural and philosophical roots of the internet.

Giuseppe Penone: Thoughts in the Roots

3rd April- 7th Sept
Serpentine
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Through a series of sculptures and installations, visitors will encounter the delicate yet powerful ways in which Penone reveals nature’s hidden structures, rhythms, and gestures.

Exploring Space

Closes 2nd June 2025
10am - 6pm
Science Museum
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After almost 40 years of showcasing real rockets and spacecraft, don't miss your last chance to see this out-of-this-world gallery!

Performance Festival 2025

25th April- 4th May
Various times
V&A South Kensington
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Escape rationality, embrace fiction and question your perspectives with special events including live performances, talks, screenings, tours and workshops – all inspired by the theme of 'illusion'.

Siam through the lens of John Thomson

28th April- 30th May
10am-5pm
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
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Thomson was a 19th-century master photographer, traveller, writer, and was RGS Instructor of Photography. His work from this period includes portraits, landscapes and scenes of festivals in Thailand.

Nature Adventurers: Immersive Outdoor Sessions

26th April & 3rd May
10am - 3pm
The Royal Parks
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Come along to our purpose-built learning centre for Nature Adventurers, a series of Saturday activity sessions for 8–12-year-old adventurers and nature lovers.

Making things that move us: a gaming lens on design, motivation, and everything else

14th May
5:30pm-6:30pm
Imperial College London
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How do we understand & inspire motivation? Join Professor Sebastian Deterding, Chair in Design Engineering, to explore how computational media, including games, shed light on what drives us.

Athena Lecture 2025: Overcoming challenges in the pandemic

7th May
1pm-2pm
Imperial College London
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Dame Kate Bingham, Managing Partner, SV Health Investors, and former Chair of the UK Vaccine Taskforce, explores the lasting impact of women's leadership and resilience during the pandemic.

Upstart Careers in Photography and Film

10th May
11am-4:30pm
V&A South Kensington
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A free festival exploring pathways into creative careers in still and moving image.

London Craft Week x V&A Academy 2025

13th - 20th May
Various times
V&A South Kensington
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From millinery and silversmithing to weaving and puppetry, be inspired by live demonstrations from world class artisans as part of London Craft Week.

Embracing Craft, Connecting Culture

12th-18th May
11am-6pm
The Royal Society of Sculptors
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This free exhibition showcases crafts and traditions across regional boundaries and generations, representing the essence of Hong Kong as a melting pot of vibrant cultures.

May Drop-in Designs & Performances

28th-30th May
Various times
V&A South Kensington
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Join the Museum this May for half term activities that explore joy and storytelling through art and design.

Digital Kids: Create Stories with Clay

27th-30th May
11am-4pm
V&A South Kensington
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Get hands-on with clay to create words or characters, then bring them to life in a short animated film.

Future of Food

24th July-4th Jan 2026
9am-6pm
Science Museum
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Just announced! A new, free exhibition about how food must change to protect the planet. Be the first to see it this summer—opens 24 July 2025.

The Global Conference of the Birds

23rd May-1st June
10am-5pm
Ismaili Centre
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Tanzanian artist Shafina Jaffe blends spirituality, nature, and sustainable practice on Tanzanian bark cloth. Jaffer’s work reflects on the soul’s search for truth amid today’s climate crisis.