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The home of science, arts and inspiration
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Hello 2026 đź‘‹
Happy New Year! A new year brings fresh exhibitions, big ideas, and plenty to get excited about in South Kensington. From February half-term activities for curious kids and families, to evening Lates that shake off the winter blues, there’s lots to dive into over the next few weeks.
You’ll find free exhibitions, film nights, talks and performances, plus a chance to win tickets to along the way. Whether you’re planning something creative, cultural or just a good night out, we’ve pulled together a few highlights to kick the year off well.
Here’s what’s coming up - and there’s plenty more where this came from.
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Image credit: Luke Hayes
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| Win 2x Tickets to Wes Anderson: The Archives |
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Design Museum
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| We've partnered up with the Design Museum to offer you the chance to win 2x tickets to Wes Anderson: The Archives! |
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| Learn A New Skill in South Ken! |
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| The start of a new year is the perfect time to challenge yourself, pick up a new skill, and explore fresh experiences. Here’s a round-up of opportunities to expand your horizons in 2026! |
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| Your 2026 Bucket List in South Ken |
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| Make 2026 the year you explore all that South Kensington has to offer! With world-class exhibitions, cultural landmarks, and hidden gems waiting to be discovered, this iconic London neighborhood has something for everyone. |
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| February Half Term in South Kensington |
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| Head to South Ken during half term for a fun-filled week of events, workshops, drop-in sessions, trails, exhibitions, films and more. |
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| Water Pantanal Fire |
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Science Museum
6th Feb – 31st May 10am-6pm |
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| This thought-provoking free photography exhibition reveals the fragile beauty of the Pantanal, the world’s largest wetland, and the threats to its rich wildlife. |
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| Picture Making |
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Serpentine
27th March - 6th Sept 2026 10am-6pm |
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| Over three decades Brown has gained a reputation for her unique approach to painting, characterised by vigorous brushwork, a vivid sense of colour and dynamic all-over compositions that hold the viewer in an active space of looking. |
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| Saturday Talks: Alexa Chow on Peter Doig: House of Music |
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Serpentine
31st Jan 3pm |
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| Alexa Chow, Assistant Exhibitions Curator, leads a tour of Peter Doig: House of Music. Transforming the gallery into a listening space, House of Music brings together recent paintings and, for the first time, integrates sound into Doig’s work. |
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| Imperial Lates: Happiness and Health |
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Imperial College London
29th Jan 6pm-9pm |
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| Beat the winter blues and start 2026 afresh with an evening of science, music and fun for your body and mind. This event is free! |
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| Cirque du Soleil's OVO |
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Royal Albert Hall
9th Jan - 1st March Various times |
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| The bugs are back in town. The critically acclaimed OVO by Cirque du Soleil returns to the Royal Albert Hall in January 2026. An exhilarating experience for the whole family, the classic is back and better than ever. |
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| A Night of Comedy |
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Royal Albert Hall
24th March 7:30pm |
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| Robert has personally selected an unbeatable line-up featuring Maisie Adam, Bridget Christie, Jack Dee, Andy Hamilton, Dom Joly, Miles Jupp, Athena Kugblenu, Stewart Lee and Dara Ă“ Briain. |
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| Winter film night: journeys with purpose |
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Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
4th Feb 7.00pm-9.45pm |
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| Join us for a night of thought-provoking short films that illuminate the diverse stories behind a collection of journeys with purpose. |
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| Future of Food Lates |
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Science Museum
11th Feb 6:45pm-10pm |
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| Get a taste of the future at a free February Lates celebrating the Museum's must-visit exhibition. |
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| Blitz: the club that shaped the 80s |
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Design Museum
20 Sept 2025 — 29 March 2026 10am-6pm |
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| Delve into the music, fashion, and design stories that shaped Blitz – the club, the people, and the movement that transformed 1980s London style. |
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| Dino Disco |
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Natural History Museum
27th Feb, 27th March 7pm |
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| Grab the family and come to a new Dino Disco where you can don a set of headphones and dance the evening away. With tunes suitable for kids and adults alike and a choice of three different DJs to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Suitable for ages 6-12. |
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| Hunger Games: Catching Fire (12A) 70mm |
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Science Museum
11th Feb 2026 7:15pm |
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| Relive the unforgettable sequel to The Hunger Games in stunning IMAX 70mm at the Science Museum. |
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| HyakkĹŤ: 100+ Makers from Japan |
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Japan House London
3rd Dec- 10th May 10am-8pm |
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| Involving more than 120 artists, craftspeople and self-taught makers from across Japan, HyakkĹŤ is a celebration of contemporary Japanese craft aesthetics. |
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| Valentine’s at the Museum |
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Natural History Museum
14th Feb 6:45pm–10:30pm |
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| What could be more romantic for nature lovers than Valentine’s Day at the Natural History Museum? How about a Valentine’s evening exploring our galleries after hours! |
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| The Jazz Age Compilation |
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Leighton House and Sambourne House
29th Jan 6.30pm - 9.00pm |
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| You're invited to the Party of the Century! Leighton House is celebrating its Centenary - and we're turning back the clock to the dazzling 1920s! Slip into your finest flapper dress or sharpest tuxedo and step into an evening of pure vintage glamour. |
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| Family Fun (5 - 10 yrs): Pattern and Collage with Maliheh Zafarnezhad |
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Leighton House and Sambourne House
17th Jan 11.00am – 12.30pm & 2.30pm – 4.00pm |
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| This workshop invites families to create layered mixed media collages using photocopies of historical photographs, architectural details from the house, tile patterns from the Arab Hall, and Persian carpet designs from the collection. |
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| Young People with Additional Needs (11-16yrs): Image-transfer art with Maliheh Zafarnezhad |
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Leighton House and Sambourne House
7th Feb 11am-12:30pm |
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| In this calm and welcoming session led by The View from Here exhibition artist Maliheh Zafarnezhad, young people with additional needs are invited to explore Leighton House through touch, colour, and imagination. |
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| Dig Deeper |
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Natural History Museum
21st Jan 6:30pm–8pm |
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| Delve into our pioneering projects and find out more about our collections as we celebrate and showcase the world-leading scientific research we carry out here at the Museum. |
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| Young People (11-16 yrs): Plaster Carving with Mariam Ashraf |
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Leighton House and Sambourne House
24th Jan 1pm - 5pm |
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| Tutored by Mariam Ashraf, in this hands on workshop participants will learn the basics of plaster carving by tracing simple designs with large, clear lines, exploring their creativity and developing their manual skills. |
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| Disco Inferno |
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Royal College of Music
22nd Jan 7:30pm |
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| Get ready for an evening of glitz and glamour, as for one night only the Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall is illuminated by the sparkle of the disco ball. |
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| Contemporary Brazil: Symposium and Film Concert |
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V&A South Kensington
23rd Jan 3pm-7:30pm |
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| This special event celebrates contemporary practice from Brazil, marking two major commissions for the V&A Photography Centre by artists Jonathas de Andrade and Rosângela Rennó. |
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| Harp Showcase |
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Royal College of Music
27th Jan 6pm |
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| Hear the very best solo and ensemble arrangements as RCM harpists celebrate their instruments. Pay what you can! |
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| PLATFORM: Simone Brewster |
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Design Museum
13th Feb– Jan 2027 10am-6pm |
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| PLATFORM is an annual display dedicated to showcasing contemporary design practice. Opening in February 2026, the second edition in the series will present the fascinating work of designer Simone Brewster. |
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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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