03-06-2025
The summer programme of events including free late opening at Horniman Museum
A museum in Forest Hill is offering a free late-night opening to mark World Oceans Day.
The Horniman Museum and Gardens is marking the occasion with an event on Thursday, June 5.
From 5.30pm to 9pm, guests can enjoy a night of coral-themed activities inspired by the Horniman's Project Coral research.
The evening will feature performances, games, and experiences presented by Royal College of Art students.
Visitors can also explore the museum's collections after hours and enjoy the current exhibitions.
This late-night opening is free of charge, with no advance booking required.
However, some activities may incur a fee.
On Sunday, June 8, from 10am to 3pm, the Horniman's Second Hand Sunday market is returning.
Local sellers will be offering a variety of second-hand clothes, books, toys and more, promoting sustainable shopping.
The market is free for all to enjoy.
Later in the month, the Horniman Plant Fair is set to take place on Saturday, June 21, from 11am to 4pm.
In partnership with Plant Fairs Roadshow, the event will showcase a wide variety of plants from small and independent nurseries.
Visitors can also interact with specialist growers, attend a series of talks curated by head of horticulture Errol Fernandes, watch a live botanical installation, and try their hand at dry flower arranging.
Advance booking is required, with tickets priced at £12 for adults and £3 for children.
The plant fair is primarily aimed at adult visitors, and there will be no children's activities.
Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a lead.
In July, the Horniman Gardens will be transformed into a midsummer daydream for the Big Fish Little Fish family rave on Saturday, July 5, from 2pm to 6pm.
The event will feature crafts, a bubble show, circus skill workshops, and storytelling.
It will also showcase some of London's best street food stalls.
Advance booking is essential, with tickets priced at £20 for adults and £15 for under 16s.
On Wednesday, July 30, the Llama Library, featuring author Holly Ryan and illustrator Ella Bailey, will be holding a storytelling and crafts event.
The event will run in four sessions at 10am, 11.30am, 1.30pm, and 3pm, with tickets priced at £7.50 per child.
The ticket includes one free adult.
On Saturday, August 16, the Horniman will host a celebration of Caribbean culture.
The event, running from 1pm to 6pm, will feature a line-up of musical talent, a selection of jerk, vegan, and vegetarian dishes, and an arts and crafts market.
Tickets will be on sale from June, with prices for adults set at £17, over 60s at £12, and children at £10.
The Horniman Museum's exhibitions and displays will also be open to the public.
The Robot Zoo, running daily until November 2, 2025, offers an insight into the mechanisms that give animals their amazing abilities.
The Egyptian women-themed exhibition All Eyes on Her is a new collaborative display honouring the everyday resistance of Egyptian women.
The Great Kingdom of Benin display highlights the rich cultural, creative, and political history of the Kingdom of Benin.
The Horniman Museum and Gardens is free to visit and open daily, from 10am to 5.30pm.
The World Gallery, Music Gallery, and Natural History Pop-up display in The Studio are all free to visit, with no advance booking needed.
However, the Natural History Gallery and Nature Base are currently closed for redevelopment until 2026.
The Aquarium, Butterfly House, and The Robot Zoo require advance booking, particularly during busy periods such as weekends and school holidays.
