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October Half-Term in South Ken

South Kensington's museums, galleries and cultural spaces are excited to welcome you this October half-term. With something for everyone, find your niche in this handy guide! With animated films at the Institut français, clay modelling at Leighton House, and the Princess Diana Memorial Playground open all day find your activity to fill your days in South Ken.

Family Trails at the Science Museum

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

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.

The Royal College of Music Museum & Guided Tours

10:15am–5:45pm
Royal College of Music
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The Royal College of Music's Museum offers a unique opportunity to interact with over 500 years of musical history. Items include the world’s oldest guitar and earliest keyboard instrument with strings. Enjoy a tour of the Museum, led by their knowledgeable team on Wednesdays at 12:30pm.

Behind the Scenes Tour: Spirit Collection

Daily
11am, 3pm
Natural History Museum
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Go behind the scenes with our knowledgeable science educators for a look at the Museum's fascinating zoology collection preserved in spirit.

Dippy's Naturenauts

Natural History Museum
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Welcome, naturenauts! Are you ready for an adventure? Grab your phone or tablet to explore the nature on your doorstep.

Outdoor Activities for Kids

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

Dinosaur Trail

Daily
Natural History Museum
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Are you big on museums, but short on time? NHM's knowledgeable visitor assistants have designed just the dinosaurs tour for you. It will introduce you to some of the Museum's most famous and imposing specimens. One hour

Pattern Pod

Daily
Science Museum
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Pattern Pod is an amazing multi-sensory area for children under 8 years old. Fun, interactive exhibits encourage them to recognise and copy patterns.

Go Jauntly Trail - The Story of South Kensington

South Kensington
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Have you ever wondered why South Ken has so many wonderful cultural institutions all in one place? Check out our Go Jauntly walking tour on the fascinating story of South Kensington!

Footways - exploring London on foot

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Footways
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Why not plan your visit to South Ken using the Footways walking map available at railway stations and online? You can plan your route away from the busy roads and discover a quiet and alternative side to London.

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.

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

Design and Disability

7th June 2025- 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.

Fête du cinéma d’Animation

11th- 31st Oct
Various times
Institut français
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Adult and younger enthusiasts of the animation art in all its forms can enjoy the best animated films of the recent years along with ultimate classics returning to the big screen.

Cartier

12th April- 16th Nov 2025
10am - 5:45pm
V&A South Kensington
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A major exhibition featuring more than 350 objects, charting the evolution of Cartier's legacy of art, design and craftsmanship since the turn of the 20th century.

Looks Delicious! Exploring Japan’s Food Replica Culture

2nd Oct- 16th Feb 2025
10am- 8pm
Japan House London
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Take a mouth-watering journey through the uniquely Japanese phenomenon of shokuhin sanpuru – the unexpectedly realistic food replicas displayed in front of restaurants across Japan.

Enthoven Unboxed: 100 Years of Collecting Performance

14th Sept 2024- 4th Jan 2026
10am - 5:45pm
V&A South Kensington
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Marking 100 years since Gabrielle Enthoven founded the theatre and performance collection, explore an A–Z of themes to show how performance continues to entertain, provoke and inspire

Visions of Nature: A Mixed Reality Experience

Opens 24th Oct
10am-5pm
Natural History Museum
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Equipped with a mixed reality headset, be transported a century into the future to explore what could lie ahead for the planet.

Image credit: Surrounded, 1996 © Tim Burton

The World of Tim Burton

25th Oct- 21st April
10am - 6:00pm
Design Museum
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Delve into the fantastical world of Tim Burton in this major exhibition exploring his remarkable creations and key collaborations with designers.

Halloween at the Museum

31st Oct
18:45–23.00
Natural History Museum
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A fright you'll never forget! Calling all fright night fans and museum lovers, join the Natural History Museum after hours this Halloween to explore our spooky side.

Write & Shine: Creative Writing Workshops

28 Sept - 16 Nov
7:30am - 10:30am
The Royal Parks
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Join Write & Shine for a series of early morning creative writing workshops in the Royal Parks this autumn.

Lauren Halsey: emajendat

11th Oct- 2nd March 2025
10am-6pm
Serpentine
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In her work Halsey merges past, present and future via her interest in iconography connected to the African diaspora, Black and queer icons and architecture.

Holly Herndon & Mat Dryhurst: The Call

4 October 2024 - 2 February 2025
10am - 6pm
Serpentine
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A collaboration between artists Holly Herndon and Mat Dryhurst, and Serpentine Arts Technologies, The Call proposes new cultural, legal, and technical rituals for art in the age of AI.

Biodiversity Family Festival

26th Oct - 2nd Nov
11.00–16.30
Natural History Museum
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Entertain your kids this October half term with our programme of family-friendly activities celebrating the importance of biodiversity.