Head to National Museum Cardiff this May half term for a diverse and vibrant experience
Not only can you do that in one place at National Museum Cardiff, but entry is also completely free. A charge may apply for some events.
This May half term, visitors can enjoy a variety of engaging activities and exhibits at this great destination in Cardiff which offers a mix of art, history, and science for everyone to explore.
National Museum Cardiff is one of seven museums across Wales, which are part of the Amgueddfa Cymru family.
Mammoth MAY-hem
Bring the whole family to discover an Ice Age favourite that has now taken its place in the heart of the National Museum Cardiff! Be amazed by the most complete woolly mammoth skeleton ever found in Britain—an extraordinary mammoth discovery.
The 3D mammoth is a replica of bones discovered in Shropshire in 1986 and were dated at between 14,000 and 14,500 years old.
Join the museum for an exciting and educational adventure as you delve into this piece of history. Explore other stunning prehistoric exhibits throughout the museum and make lasting memories together.
Dinomania is back
(Image: National Museum Cardiff)
Get ready for a roarsome adventure as you enjoy prehistoric fun, including meeting adorable baby dinosaurs who might just nibble your fingers, and coming face-to-face with Spike, a huge walking Spinosaurus. He's massive, mighty, and always up for a roar!
During the 90 minute show you will learn incredible dinosaur facts. Ever wondered how fast a T-rex could run or what a Velociraptor really looked like? Dinomania have the answers. You can also explore the Dinomania fossil collection and see real fossils up close and uncover the secrets of the ancient past!
The event takes place on May 28 until June 1 at 11am or 1.30pm. This is a ticketed event, with entry £15 per person.
John Akomfrah's Listening All Night to the Rain
What could we achieve if we learned to truly listen? Contemporary art and activism become one in noted artist John Akomfrah's profound piece, Listening All Night To The Rain. Be among the first to experience it at the first stop on a UK tour following its debut at the 2024 Venice Biennale.
The immersive audio-visual piece is a journey of sights and sounds that draw out specific moments in time, events in our collective histories that have shaped individuals and societies.
It opens on May 24 and is free to enjoy. Book your free tickets in advance here.
Picture Post – A Twentieth Century Icon
(Image: Haywood Magee /Picture Post/)
Before 24-hour news and social media, how did people see the world? Groundbreaking photo-magazine Picture Post revolutionised the way Britain understood itself, capturing everyday life, major events, and shifting social attitudes, reaching 1.7 million readers at its peak.
The exhibition of some of its striking photography will reveal Britain's transformation from the 1930s to the 1950s, from war and politics to cultural change, so you can discover the moments that defined a nation.
Experience the power of photography to inform, challenge, and connect - just as Picture Post did for a generation.
Opening on May 24 book your free tickets here
Pay a visit
The museum is open from 10am until 5pm, Tuesday until Sunday (although it is open on Bank Holiday Monday). Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Its public programme is supported by People's Postcode Lottery.
Visit National Museum Cardiff to discover the full what's on programme.
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