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The home of science, arts and inspiration
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Image credit: Image credit: Jaron James |
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Spirits of South Kensington: Art, Mystery & Halloween Magic
There’s something in the air this October - a mix of mystery, magic and a touch of mischief. As Halloween approaches, South Kensington is brimming with things to discover, from ghostly art to playful trails and spooky workshops.
Celebrate 100 Years of Leighton House with three new major exhibitions that blur the line between past and present. Step into Ghost Objects: Summoning Leighton’s Lost Collection, which brings Leighton’s missing treasures back to life as hauntingly beautiful paper sculptures. Explore A Journey through 100 Years, a fascinating glimpse into how the museum evolved from private home to cultural landmark, and experience The View from Here, showcasing bold contemporary artists from the Middle East and North Africa.
And for those craving Halloween fun, the Design Museum is turning up the frightful charm with Halloween at the Museum - think spooky crafts, eerie eats and 1980s-inspired costumes. Meanwhile, High Street Kensington transforms into London’s Home of Halloween , where curious families can follow a mysterious trail, join peculiar workshops and end the festivities on Hallows’ Eve in the Playful Park of Peculiar - a free theatrical playground of parades, tricks and treats.
From ghostly artworks to pumpkin-lined parks, South Kensington is the place to be this spooky season!
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| Win 2x Tickets to Wildlife Photographer of the Year & a £50 Voucher for Comptoir Libanais |
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| Enter for a chance to win an unforgettable day out in South Kensington - explore the breathtaking Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Natural History Museum and enjoy a £50 dining experience at Comptoir Libanais! |
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| South Kensington Student Exhibitions Guide 2025 |
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| Explore top 2025 exhibitions near Imperial, the Royal College of Art and Royal College of Music. Marie Antoinette Style, Future of Food, THE DELUSION & Kurt Cobain: Unplugged. Dates & ticket tips. |
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| Things To Do for Under £15 |
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| Experience a budget-friendly cultural extravaganza in South Kensington. Enjoy a leisurely walk in the beautiful Royal Parks, soak in the vibrant atmosphere of South Kensington, and explore captivating exhibitions for £15 or less. |
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| October Half Term in South Ken |
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| South Kensington's museums, galleries and cultural spaces are excited to welcome you this half-term with lots of exciting trails, pop-up events, workshops and more to keep the family entertained! There will also be plenty of free events to enjoy! |
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| Build, Connect and Create with Jessica Starns |
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V&A South Kensington
28th Oct 11am-4pm |
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| Come and build collaborative sculptures inspired by interslot toys created by educator and designer Roger Limbrick. Join Adobe Creative Resident and explore themes of access and design for disability. This event is free! |
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| French Film Festival London 2025 |
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Institut français
12th–23rd Nov Various times |
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| With many UK premieres, the selection showcases the variety of voices, forms and budgets that altogether represent the wealth and diversity of French cinema production. |
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| Future of Food |
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Science Museum
24th July-4th Jan 2026 10am-6pm |
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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. |
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Image credit: © Jamie Smart
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| Wildlife Photographer of the Year |
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Natural History Museum
17th Oct - 12th July 2026 10am-6pm |
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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. |
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| Architecture of the Natural History Museum Tour |
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Natural History Museum
17th, 18th, 22nd, 24th Oct Various times |
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| Join the Museum for a special tour as they look at the fascinating stories hidden within the architecture of the iconic building. |
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| Oppenheimer (15) - 70mm |
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Science Museum
21st Oct & 18th Nov 7.15pm |
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| The first film in history to be shot in black and white IMAX 70mm film, watch multi-award-winning Oppenheimer in the format it was intended for. |
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| October Half Term |
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V&A South Kensington
27th-31st Oct Various times |
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| Visit V&A South Kensington this October Half Term for free activities and performances inspired by the Design and Disability exhibition. |
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| Halloween at the Museum |
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Design Museum
20th Oct - 1st Nov |
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| Join us for an afternoon of spooky craft activities, enjoy a special menu offer, browse our shop range, and dress up in 1980s-inspired attire for a late opening of Blitz: the club that shaped the 80s. |
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| Discovery Days: Hair raising Halloween |
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The Royal Parks
28th - 30th Oct 11am - 3pm |
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| Spook-tacular free family activities! Come and join this October half-term at the Hyde Park Learning Centre for our scarily good Halloween Discovery Days. |
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| Haunted House at the Sambourne's |
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Leighton House and Sambourne House
31 Oct 2025 6:30pm & 7:30pm |
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| Back by popular demand, the "spooktacular" after-hours tours at Sambourne House return for one night only on All Hallows’ Eve. Treat yourself to a night of intrigue and drama and hear from Mrs Sambourne herself, as she tells her guests about all things Victorian. |
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| Bride of Frankenstein |
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Science Museum
31 Oct 7pm |
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| Celebrate the 90th anniversary of this seminal horror classic at Halloween Lates. Enjoy a spooky screening of Universal’s gothic masterpiece on Halloween night itself. |
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| Triveni Quartet: An Homage to Zakir Hussain |
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Ismaili Centre
20th Nov 9pm |
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| The concert will celebrate outstanding musical creativity inspired by cultural heritage across the world. This show is curated by the Aga Khan Music Awards in collaboration with the EFG London Jazz Festival. |
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| Drink and Draw in Leighton's studio |
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Leighton House and Sambourne House
6th Nov 7pm-9pm |
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| Join a fun evening of life drawing with 2B Or Not 2B Collective at the beautiful, historic Leighton House where you can approach drawing and appreciate the human figure in an informal and relaxed setting. |
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| Goethe-Kino – Natja Brunckhorst: Two to One |
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Goethe-Institut
29th Oct 7pm |
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| East Germany, summer 1990: As the country prepares to reunite with the West, its currency is pulled from circulation. Three friends find a stash of soon-to-be worthless cash – and race to turn it into profit. Part of the Goethe-Institut’s monthly screening series of contemporary German film gems. |
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| The View from Here: Contemporary Art from the Middle East and North Africa |
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Leighton House and Sambourne House
11th Oct - 1st March 2026 10am–5:30pm |
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| Presented in collaboration with the Oriental Museum, Durham University, this new exhibition showcases emerging creative voices from the MENA region exploring heritage, memory and identity through assemblage and collage. |
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| Voices for Change: A Night of Climate Action |
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V&A South Kensington
17th Nov 6:30pm-9:30pm |
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| Join for a free evening of lively discussions, performances, hands-on creativity and inspiring stories, all exploring the challenges of and solutions to the climate crisis. |
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| Photography Now |
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V&A South Kensington
15th Nov 2025 – 12th Sept 2026 10am-5:30pm |
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| This free display explores some of today’s most pressing issues through diverse approaches to contemporary image-making. |
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| Film Music Gala |
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Royal Albert Hall
30th May 2026 3pm & 7:30pm |
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| Join an epic journey through sensational soundtracks, depicting the action-packed thrills of Mission: Impossible, Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park; the fantasy and magic of Star Wars, Harry Potter and E.T and more! |
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| Upstart: Careers in Fashion |
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V&A South Kensington
15th Nov 10.30am – 4.30pm |
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| Try free drop-in design workshops, digital design, careers fair exclusive talks from designers and fashion professionals, Illustration trails, open studios, showcases and networking. |
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| Japan House London Family Workshops |
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Japan House London
26 Oct - 2 Nov 2.30 - 4.30 pm |
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| Enjoy free family workshops learning about Japan, with activities such as pictogram badge-making and sumo wrestler origami. Children must be 6+ and accompanied by an adult. Drop-in events are held in the library.. Check the website for details. |
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| Halloween Lates |
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Science Museum
31st Oct 6:45pm-10pm |
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| Join the Museum for a night of spooky science at a very special Lates. Watch the galleries come alive after hours at the Museum's annual Halloween party that you’d be a ghoul to miss. This event is free! |
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| Orchestral Masterworks: La mer |
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Royal College of Music
16th Oct 6pm |
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| Set sail on a musical voyage with the RCM Philharmonic in a concert themed around the sea and culminating in Debussy’s majestic seascape, La mer – which he worked on while he was staying in Eastbourne. |
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| 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! |
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Discover South Kensington is an initiative of the Exhibition Road Cultural Group, a partnership of the cultural and educational organisations in and around Exhibition Road, South Kensington.
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Our partners include:
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The Design Museum
Goethe-Institut
Imperial College London
Institut franҫais
The Ismaili Centre
Kensington Palace
Natural History Museum
Royal Albert Hall
South Kensington Estates
Royal College of Art
Westminster City Council
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Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Royal Brompton Hospital
Royal College of Music
Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
The Royal Parks
Serpentine Galleries
The Science Museum
V&A South Kensington
The Royal Society of Sculptors
Japan House London
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| Copyright © 2025 Discover South Kensington. All rights reserved. |
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