This winter, keep warm and ignite your curiosity at the Science Museum with an exquisite new exhibition, iconic free galleries and fun for all the family in our interactive spaces.

Eat, drink and be merry at our first ever Christmas-themed Lates on Wednesday 18 December. The festive edition of our adults-only event will delve into the science of extreme cold environments and question the physics of Santa’s sleigh ride, all alongside a screening of The Muppet Christmas Carol. Book now to avoid missing out.

Our next major exhibition, Versailles: Science and Splendour, opens on 12 December exploring the unexpected, yet vitally important, role of science at the French royal court through spectacular scientific objects and artworks. Highlights include Louis XV’s rhinoceros, an extraordinarily detailed map of the moon by Jean-Dominique Cassini and the world’s most famous watch, made for Marie Antoinette.

Give the gift of a Science Museum experience this festive season with gift vouchers or annual passes. With unforgettable live experiences that make the perfect presents, be it a museum sleepover at Astronights or year-round gallery access with one of our great value Annual Passes, there’s an adventure waiting for everyone.

The Science Museum is open 10.00-18.00, seven days a week, apart from 24-26 December. 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

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

The Science Museum’s first ever festive edition of Lates will reveal the chemistry of festive food and give visitors a chance to get hands-on creating stunning decorations using mathematics, or enjoy a mulled wine and a mince pie or two while joining in an epic carol singing session. We’ll be exploring the science, technology, mathematics, and engineering that makes Christmas the most wonderful time of year.

Christmas Lates: The Muppet Christmas Carol (U) + Talk
18 December 2024
19.30 – 21.15 (Doors open 19.15)
Ticketed: £12

Join us for a screening of The Muppet Christmas Carol at our Christmas Lates and find out whether the laws of physics could permit Scrooge to visit his Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. See this festive classic on our iconic IMAX screen and experience Michael Caine as Scrooge with Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit like never before.

Astronights
7 December 2024, 17 January, 14 March, 16 May, 20 June and 11 July 2025
Standard tickets: £75; VIP tickets: £115
Age: 7-11 

Younger campers can experience a sleepover like no other at the Science Museum. Astronights includes 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. Gift vouchers are available to purchase for our Astronights to help make your loved one’s Christmas truly out-of-this-world.

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

Climate Talks: China’s Road to Net Zero
28 January 2025
Free virtual event (booking required)
Age: 14+

The Science Museum Group’s series of Climate Talks are back this winter to discuss how to tackle the problems facing our communities due to climate change. Join our panel of experts to discuss China’s road to net zero. Can it achieve its emissions targets and even lead the way in helping other nations reach theirs?

TICKETED EXPERIENCES

Versailles: Science and Splendour
12 December 2024 – 21 April 2025
Ticketed, from £12 (Ages 11 and under go free)

Versailles: Science and Splendour will unveil the fascinating stories of science at Versailles, exploring how scientific knowledge became a tool of power to enhance France’s prestige. Visitors will be invited to discover the unexpected, yet vitally important, role of science at the French royal court through spectacular scientific objects and artworks. The exhibition showcases over 100 objects, from the everyday to the extravagant, many of which have never before been displayed in the UK, such as Louis XV’s rhinoceros and one of the most complex and expensive watches in the world, made for Marie Antoinette.

For the history buff or period drama fan in your life, make sure to take a look at the gift vouchers available to buy for Versailles: Science and Splendour.

L – R: Indian rhinoceros presented to Louis XV, stuffed in 1793 © © MNHN – A. Iatzoura ; Print, ascent of a Montgolfier balloon, 1783 © Science Museum Group.

Power Up
Ticketed, daily pass: £12, annual pass: £18     
Age: 5+ 

Hands-on gaming experience Power Up allows visitors to discover the evolution of gaming from the past five decades – from classics such as Pong and Mario Kart to the latest PlayStation and Xbox – while discovering the science and history behind gaming’s most iconic developments.

With an annual pass, visitors can receive unlimited access to over 160 consoles all year long and battle it out with multiplayer Super Smash Bros or battle against up to eight players in Pac-Man Battle Royale Championship DX. Annual pass gift vouchers are available to purchase, perfect for the gamer who has everything.

L – R: Visitors enjoying a game in Power Up at the Science Museum © Science Museum Group.

IMAX: The Ronson Theatre
Ticketed, from £10  

The Science Museum’s IMAX is one of only two screens in Europe to bring together IMAX 70mm film and next-generation IMAX with Laser.  Visitors can catch Antarctica 3D (U), featuring footage from the filmmakers of Planet Earth II; A Beautiful Planet 3D (U) which showcases the tasks of crew onboard the International Space Station; Under the Sea 3D (U), following an expedition investigating the mysteries of oceans and the threats they face from climate change; and Ocean Odyssey 3D (U), which embarks on a journey with a baby humpback whale to uncover the secret of ocean currents.

Wonderlab
Ticketed, from £15 (Ages 3 and under go free)
Recommended ages: 7–14  

Visitors can explore Wonderlab, the museum’s popular interactive gallery, be amazed by live science shows and enjoy demonstrations led by a talented team of Explainers.  The gallery’s hands-on activities will inspire visitors to engage with the science all around them, through exhibits including a giant friction slide, live lightning demonstrations, a large rotating model of the solar system and more. Gift vouchers for this unmissable interactive experience are available and make a great present for the young scientists in your life.

L – R: A young visitor is reflected inside the Infinity Boxes in Wonderlab © Science Museum Group; Visitors play with Flowing Mist exhibit in Wonderlab © Science Museum Group .

FREE DISPLAYS AND GALLERIES

Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Gallery
Free

Energy Revolution: The Adani Green Energy Gallery invites visitors to explore how the world can generate and use energy more sustainably to urgently decarbonise global energy systems and limit the impacts of climate change. Looking at the past, present and future of these systems, this free gallery displays both recognisable and surprising objects alongside interactive exhibits to highlight how we can journey together to a more sustainable, low carbon future.

L-R: Gallery view of Energy Revolution with browsing visitors © Science Museum Group; Visitors in Energy Revolution looking at a parabolic trough solar mirror © Science Museum Group.

Engineers
Free 

Engineers uncovers the creative work of engineers which changes our everyday lives. Marking a decade of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, the gallery showcases winners alongside some of the most exciting engineering innovations of recent years. Visitors can take a closer look at iconic objects such as the first digital camera and the cutting-edge CMR ‘Versius’ surgical robot arm, as well as learn more about the remarkable people who invented them.

L – R: Visitors browsing the Engineers gallery at the Science Museum © Science Museum Group; Model robot drummer with drum kit made of Lego by Dr Lara Suzuki, on display in the Engineers gallery at the Science Museum © Science Museum Group.

Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery
Free

Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery is a unique interactive gallery for 11–16-year-olds which brings the overlooked but crucial world of technicians to life. Visitors can explore a variety of technical roles and try one-of-a-kind interactive exhibits which mimic the tasks technicians perform every day. Step into a film set recreated from Marvel Studios’ Black Panther to learn how technicians create blockbuster movies; try your hand at creating lifesaving drugs as a pharmacy technician; or even control a robotic arm to discover the role of advanced manufacturing technicians.

L – R: Visitors try out the lighting technician interactive in Shuri’s Lab at Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery © Science Museum Group; A visitor tries out their welding skills in Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery © Science Museum Group; Energy Networks area in Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery at the Science Museum © Science Museum Group.

Who Am I?
Free

Who Am I? explores fundamental questions about what makes you, you. Explore the science of who you are through intriguing objects, artworks and hands-on exhibits.

Pattern Pod
Walk-up, free
Ages: Under 8

This stimulating interactive gallery encourages children to develop science skills using play in a fascinating multi-sensory area. From sound to time patterns, they can explore robot trails, water ripples, textured walls and more.

The Garden
Walk-up, free
Ages: 3-6

An exciting interactive space created especially for children aged 3-6 and their parents and carers. Inquisitive children can explore construction, water, light and sound.

Highlights Tours
Free activity, drop-in 
Dates and times vary 

Join 30-minute walking tours with the Science Museum’s experienced volunteers and discover the hidden stories behind the museum’s most iconic objects and galleries. Tours are available for different galleries, with information available daily on our website or at the information desk.