Event information
A free annual celebration of science and the arts across South Kensington.
15 and 16 June
Free events
Exhibition Road
The Great Exhibition of 1851 was revolutionary! Held in Hyde Park, it was a celebration of science, technology, art and design, showcasing objects and innovations from all around the world.
In fact, if it wasn't for this extraordinary exhibition, we, along with our neighbours the V&A and the Science Museum, might not be where we are today! It was actually the Great Exhibition that led to the creation of the permanent museum quarter in London's South Kensington.
Since 2019, the Great Exhibition Road Festival has celebrated science and the arts. At this year's festival we'll be exploring how science can help nature flourish.
Join us on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June for a weekend jammed packed with fun, free events and activities for all ages.
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Activities take place on Exhibition Road and are step free
What is the Great Exhibition Road Festival?
A free annual celebration of science and the arts across South Kensington., the festival is a collaboration between organisations on and around Exhibition Road.
What's on?
Coral Constructors
Coral reefs are home to thousands of marine animals. These important habitats are being threatened by the oceans becoming warmer as a result of climate change.
Discover the cutting-edge work our scientists are doing to help rebuild them. Get involved, repopulate your own coral reef hat and find out how you can help ocean life to flourish.
15 and 16 June, 12.00–16.30
Exhibition Road
Tours, Specimens and Crafts
Our dedicated team of volunteers will be out in force to deliver tours, object handling sessions and craft activities celebrating the extraordinary diversity of wildlife in London and beyond.
Explore the fascinating adaptations of some of the largest and the smallest animals that have ever roamed our planet. From how bees survive London’s cold winters by going underground to how dinosaurs escaped rising temperatures by taking to the air, we’ve got fascinating facts and surprising stories to tell you.
Join us and learn about the natural world’s most extreme adaptations and what we can do together to help wildlife to thrive.
15 and 16 June, 12.00–15.00
Exhibition Road
Reclaiming Our Rivers: Discuss and Doodle
Join our ecologist Lauren Cook to explore how science, policy and public action can reset our relationship with our rivers. Currently, only one river in the UK, the River Wharfe in West Yorkshire, is deemed clean enough to be labelled as bathing-quality water.
The poor state of our rivers caused by farming pollution and raw sewage threatens the survival of the animal and plant species that call our rivers home.
During this discussion held at the V&A, learn how we can reclaim our waterways to help nature and biodiversity thrive and to turn them into places for swimming and leisure.
Take inspiration from the panel discussion and doodle riverbank scenes with Lauren, who as well as working as a PhD student for us, is also a talented artist.lbert Museum.
Saturday 15 June, 15.00-15.55
The Lydia and Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre, Victoria and Albert Museum