There are plenty of things to do at the Science Museum over the upcoming October half term and into the autumn. As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, visit the museum with family or friends and enjoy a range of fun activities for all ages. Keep the kids entertained with live science experiments for families during half term, or join our adults-only spooky Halloween Lates.

Get your scariest costumes out for our Halloween themed museum Lates on 31 October, with a screening of recent box office hit Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and cult classic The Fly. We’ll delve into the science of phobias, explain how to survive a zombie outbreak, shine a light on nature’s real-life monsters and explore how science has inspired some of the scariest stories ever told. Book now to avoid missing out.

Play through five decades of gaming at Power Up, with plenty on offer for all the family. Budding scientists can be amazed by live demonstrations and hands-on science experiments in Wonderlab. See breathtaking documentaries in 3D on a gigantic screen in IMAX: The Ronson Theatre, or spend the night at the museum for Astronights, our sleepovers for children. Book ahead for our next exhibition, Versailles: Science and Splendour, exploring how science was at the heart of power at the French royal court, opening 12 December.

Visitors can also explore many free galleries in the Science Museum: walk beneath real rockets in Exploring Space; visit the largest medical galleries in the world in Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries; dive into the role of maths in our lives in Mathematics: The Winton Gallery; uncover the history of aviation in Flight; or discover iconic objects that shaped our society in Making the Modern World, including the Apollo 10 command module.

The Science Museum is open 10.00-18.00, seven days a week. To pre-book a free ticket to the museum, please visit this link. For further details about other galleries and exhibitions, please visit our See and Do page.

EVENTS

Climate Talks
9 October, 27 November 2024 and 28 January 2025
Free virtual events (booking required)
Age: 14+

The Science Museum Group’s series of Climate Talks are back this autumn, bringing leaders, experts, activists and campaigners together to discuss how to tackle the problems facing our communities due to climate change. Join our panel of experts to discuss the the effects of climate change on the global wildlife population or to take a closer look at the USA and China’s green energy transition progress.

Careers Live – TheatreCraft
28 October – 1 November 2024
Free drop-in sessions, 11.00 – 16.00
Age: 3–17

Have you ever wondered how many creative minds work behind the scenes to make your favourite musicals and plays come to life? Step behind the scenes this October half term and learn about technical careers in the theatre industry at our free drop in Careers Live sessions with TheatreCraft. Learn how technicians help actors soar through the sky on stage or how they create spectacular scenery. Meet lighting, sound and video technicians as well as scenic artists, set builders and automation experts – and have the chance to ask questions to professionals working in stage management, costume, hair and make-up. The free drop-in activities are aimed at young people aged 3-17, however all age groups are welcome.

Halloween Lates
Thursday 31 October 2024
18.30 – 22.00
Standard Tickets: free ; VIP Tickets: £12
Age: 18+

Science Museum Lates are adults-only, after-hours theme nights. This October, Lates celebrates all things horror; investigating spooky science and terrifying tech. Highlights include exclusive talks exploring the science of the supernatural, plenty of creepy craft activities and Halloween themed snacks, drinks and cocktails from our bars and cafes.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (12A) IMAX + talk: The Psychology of Hauntings
Thursday 31 October 2024
19.15 – 21.20
Ticketed: £18.50 (Concessions £15.50)

Catch the eagerly anticipated sequel to Tim Burton’s award-winning Beetlejuice, in glorious IMAX laser.

Feeding the Monster: Anna Bogutskaya and Philip Ball in conversation
Thursday 31 October 2024
19.00 – 20.00
Ticketed: £10 (admission), £22 (admission + book)

Film critic and broadcaster Anna Bogutskaya joins science writer Philip Ball to discuss her new book exploring what draws us to the shocks and thrills of horror.

The Fly (18)
Thursday 31 October 2024
20.25 – 22.10
Ticketed: £10

The screening of this cult classic by David Cronenberg will be accompanied by a talk on the cultural impact and the science of The Fly, by Science Museum Curatorial Lead, Dr Glyn Morgan.

Christmas Lates
18 December 2024
18.30 – 22.00
Standard Tickets: free ; VIP Tickets: £12
Age: 18+

We’re decking the halls and getting in the Christmas spirit, so prepare to eat, drink, be merry and a whole lot more at the Science Museum’s first ever festive edition of Lates. We’ll be exploring the science, technology, mathematics, and engineering that makes Christmas the most wonderful time of year, including a showing of The Muppet Christmas Carol.

Astronights
18 October, 9 November, 7 December 2024, 17 January and 14 March 2025
Standard tickets: £75; VIP tickets: £115
Age: 7-11 

Younger campers can experience a sleepover like no other at the museum, with a night full of activities. Astronights include exciting science shows and hands-on workshops, as well as the chance to see the museum after dark. This year’s programme is supported by official sponsor TEMPUR®, who will be gifting all campers a travel pillow.

L-R: Visitors at a science demonstration at Astronights © Science Museum Group; Visitors in Exploring Space at Astronights © Science Museum Group.

Night Owls
23 November 2024
18.30 – 21.30
Tickets: free (booking required)
Age: 16+

Night Owls is a sensory friendly event for visitors aged 16+ who need a quieter environment to enjoy the museum. This event is suitable for those who benefit from visiting the museum free from the hustle and bustle of the general public (for example, individuals with autism spectrum conditions or sensory processing differences).