October half-term holiday events at the Natural History Museum

Monday 24 October to Friday 28 October 2022

The Natural History Museum has a packed half-term of events and activities for nature fans of all ages to enjoy. Advance booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.

Museum admission
The Museum is open seven days a week (Monday-Sunday 10.00-17.50 – last entry 17.00). Visitors can book a free ticket in advance online for guaranteed entry.
Tickets are available for visits until 31 March 2023.

Members, Patrons and Corporate Supporters do not need to book general admission or exhibition tickets. Arrive at any time and you will have priority access.

Jurassic Encounters: Half-term animal show

Monday 24 and Wednesday 26 October 2022

Delve into the Jurassic and meet the modern-day relatives of the animals that lived alongside Dippy in this fantastic animal handling show.
Join us this half-term for a lively animal show where you'll have the chance to get up close to amazing animals whose ancestors roamed the Earth with Dippy and the other dinosaurs.
Meet incredible creatures, including snakes, lizards and tarantulas, and learn more about them in this 45-minute, ethical animal handling show. The show is delivered by ZooLab UK, the UK's number one company for ethical animal encounters.

Dates and time slots:

24 October 2022 14.00-14.45, 15.15-16.00, 16.30-17.15
26 October 2022 11.00-11.45, 12.15-13.00, 14.00-14.45, 15.15-16.00, 16.30-17.15

Admission: Adult: £8, Child: £8, Member: £7.20, Family packages: £22.50-£28

Location: Natural History Museum

Nearest tube: South Kensington

Online: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/events/half-term-animal-show.html

Mystery at the Museum: The Search for Dippy

Friday 28 October 2022

The year is 1905 and you have been invited to a special preview of the newest display at the Natural History Museum - 'Dippy' the Diplodocus'. But when you arrive the curators are in a panic and you realise something is amiss - 'Dippy' the Diplodocus is missing! Several parts of the dinosaur have disappeared within the labyrinth of the vast Museum. We need your help to follow the clues, interrogate the suspects and track down the missing pieces before the display's launch the following night. This escape room-like game will have you exploring the Museum after hours while you find and interview the six suspects, all of whom have something to hide.

Mystery at the Museum October half-term holiday events at the Natural History Museum travel

After the experience you will have the opportunity to view a selection of our galleries and meet some of the Museum's scientists who will be debunking myths and misconceptions about the natural world. Entrance to Dippy Returns: The nation's favourite dinosaur is included. There will be a bar at the event for drinks and light refreshments.

Date: 28 October, 18.45-22.30

Admission: Adults £35, (Members £31.50)

Location: Natural History Museum

Nearest tube: South Kensington

Online: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/events/the-search-for-dippy.html

Bring Your Own Baby: Nature Talks

Wednesday 26 October 2022

Learn about the natural world and take a break from baby talk with Museum experts and scientists. Join us for this new series of baby-friendly nature talks, created for inquisitive grown-ups looking for something to do with tiny ones in tow. With two talks on each date and topics ranging from plastic pollution in the Thames, to reproduction in sharks, you're sure to find something that appeals.
Designed for an adult audience, these talks enable you to learn about the natural world in a space that is completely baby-friendly. If your little one starts to cry, needs to feed or wants to play - no problem, we know how unpredictable they can be. Everyone is free to move around as much as they need during the event and please feel free to bring along anything that your baby may need.

Please note that babies must be under the age of one.

Dates: 26 October 14.00-15.00

Admission: £15 (Members £13.50)

Location: Natural History Museum

Online: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/events/bring-your-own-baby.html

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

14 October 2022 - 2 July 2023.
Advance booking recommended, particularly during half-term.

Dmitry Kokh Wildlife Photographer of the Year Natural History Museum half term holiday events travel (Image credit Dmitry Kokh)

Nature like you've never seen it before
Discover the natural world in all its wonder and diversity at the newly redesigned Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, where 100 remarkable photographs illustrate the precious beauty of our planet.
The redesigned exhibition space positions the photographs among short videos, quotes from jury members and photographers as well as insights from Museum scientists which invite you to explore how human actions continue to shape the natural world.
Continue your journey online and discover the planet-positive actions you can take to protect the places and species in the photographs.

Dates and times: 14 October 2022 - 2 July 2023

Location: Natural History Museum

Admission: Adult tickets from £17. See more ticketing information on the website. Members go free.

Online: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year.html

Dippy Returns: The nation’s favourite dinosaur

Now open until 2 January 2023

Dippy, the nation's favourite dinosaur, is back at the Museum for a short visit! Dippy Returns: The nation’s favourite dinosaur is supported by Prehistoric Planet, streaming 23 May on Apple TV+.
Through a tour around the UK, which involved travelling through different environments in all seasons, Dippy inspired millions of people to reconsider their relationship with nature. Now you can see Dippy's memories of UK landscapes and hear how nature inspires different communities.
Dippy Returns will run until December after which Dippy will be going on a long-term loan somewhere in the UK. The Natural History Museum is encouraging venues to apply now to host Dippy. Find out more here.

Dates: Until 2 January 2022

Admission: Free, book a free timed to the Museum in advance for guaranteed entry

Location: Waterhouse gallery, Natural History Museum

Online: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/dippy-returns.html

Behind-the-Scenes Tour: Spirit Collection

Every day, dates available until early January 2023

Go behind the scenes with our knowledgeable science educators for a look at the Museum's fascinating zoology collection preserved in spirit.
As we explore some of the Darwin Centre's 27 kilometres of shelves, you'll encounter numerous treasures hidden among the 22 million animal specimens housed here.
You'll meet Archie, our 8.62-metre-long giant squid, view specimens collected by Charles Darwin himself and learn more about our cutting-edge research.

Dates and times: Every day, dates currently available until early January

Location: Darwin Centre, Natural History Museum

Admission: Adult: £25 Member: £22.50

Online: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/events/behind-the-scenes-tour-the-spirit-collection.html

And on Monday 31 October…
Halloween

Monday 31 October, (17.00-22.30)
Calling all fright fans, Halloween lovers and museum enthusiasts - join us after hours to explore the spooky side of the Natural History Museum.

Half term holiday events at The Natural History Museum London halloween travel
Join us this Halloween as darkness falls and our doors creak open for an evening of fantastic frights, eerie entertainment and spooky science.
Explore our galleries after dark, away from the day-dwelling crowds, meet the more misunderstood members of the natural world and shake your bones on the dancefloor with a cocktail in hand at our silent disco.
This relaxed, drop-in event is the perfect opportunity for museum lovers to celebrate the creepiest night of the year.
Ticket price includes entry to the world-renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. Fancy dress is encouraged.
Add a tour of the Museum’s behind the scenes tank room to your ticket to explore the numerous creepy treasures hidden among the 22 million spirit-preserved animal specimens.

Dates and times: 31 October 2022 (19.00-22.30)

Location: Natural History Museum

Admission: Adult standard: £37, Including a tank room tour: £52

Member standard: £33.30, Including a tank room tour: £46.80

Online: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/events/halloween.html

Museum membership
Love events at the Natural History Museum? Become a member today and benefit from exclusive discounts
Become a Museum member and enjoy discounts to our ticketed events, access to our exclusive Anning Rooms, special events for members and so much more.
Or why not put something different under the tree with gift membership this Christmas?

Find out more: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/support-us/membership.html