New Year is a great opportunity to plan your time in the up-and-coming months. Why not devote 2023 to making sure you set aside time to explore the array of wonderful things to do in South Kensington? Discover all that the New Year in South Kensington has to offer, and plan a great day out!
The Victoria and Albert Museum
The exhibition, opening in February, is the first major UK exhibition to explore the exceptional talents of the Renaissance master Donatello, arguably the greatest sculptor of all time. Experience a fresh vision of the artist and his influence on subsequent generations.
(Opening 11th Feb)
DIVA will celebrate the power and creativity of iconic performers, exploring and redefining the role of 'diva' and how this has been subverted or embraced over time across opera, stage, popular music, and film.
(Opening 24th June)
The first UK exhibition dedicated to the work of French couturière, Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel, charting the establishment of the House of CHANEL and the evolution of her iconic design style which continues to influence the way women dress today.
(Opening 16th September)
Take a look at some of the exciting courses held both online and onsite at the V&A. Join world-class experts to tell the story of the Bauhaus, the twentieth century’s most influential school of art and design. Or learn about the rich, complex and sometimes surprising story of interaction between Italy and the Islamic world, exploring the luxury goods imported to Italy and the inspiration they offered to Italian artists. All of this and so much more is running throughout the year with the V&A. Sign up now.
Take a step back in time and visit the Natural History Museums colossal titanosaur Patagotitan Mayorum, the largest known creature to have ever walked our planet. Coming to South Ken in March, his extraordinary dinosaur will be on display in Europe for the very first time!
(Opening 31st March)
Join the Natural History Museum after hours at the Museum to put your detective skills to the test at their immersive, fictional mystery-solving experience. You'll be tasked with interviewing six suspects, all of whom have something to hide, but will you be able to tell which of them is lying? With only an hour on the clock, time is ticking! Will you solve the mystery in time? The challenge is on!
If dinosaurs really are your thing, join the Natural History Museum after the Sun's gone down and let your inner child go wild for a night of fun and games at Dinosnores for Grown-Ups. Not only will you get to sleep over in the iconic Hintze Hall beneath the beloved blue whale, but guests will also be treated to a three-course dinner as well as loads of awesome activities to keep you entertained all night.
(Dates vary)
The 2022 favourite is continuing into the New year, displaying the natural world in all its wonder and diversity at Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. These remarkable photographs illustrate the precious beauty of our planet.
(Until 2nd July)
Join the world of Science Fiction. In this immersive genre-defying exhibition. You will embark on a once in a lifetime adventure through the cosmos to explore visions of the future through the science of today. Throughout this dynamic and interactive voyage, you will uncover hidden gems including authentic objects from celebrated movies, TV, and books, as well as paintings, artworks, and photography.
(Until 4th May)
This free exhibition explores the worldwide effort to develop vaccines at pandemic speed. See how scientists and researchers adapted to the various challenges of this massive programme.Through an incredible variety of artworks, interactives, and personal objects, this exhibition makes the invisible visible: from examining the virus itself to recognising the work done quietly behind the scenes that made the huge innovations possible.
(Until January 2024)
Take a look at the playful, curious and poetic objects that uncover the rich history of Surrealism and its fascinating influence on design. Uncover how one of the 20th century's most influential movements came to impact design through its questioning of the conventional and its commitment to exploring the mind, the unconscious and the mystical.
(Until 19th Feb)
Ai Weiwei is one of the most significant and recognised artists working today. Known around the world for his powerful art and activism, the exhibition will be Ai Weiwei's first exhibition to present his work as a commentary on design and what it reveals about our changing values.
(Opening 7th April)
Discover a world of wonders at Cirque du Soleil’s European Premiere of Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities. Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the iconic Royal Albert Hall, this steam-punk inspired spectacle flies into London January 2023. Gasp at the daring acrobatics, clever contortion and breath-taking talent of Cirque du Soleil that will delight all ages.
(13th January - 5th March)
English National Ballet return to the Royal Albert Hall for the first time since 2019, with Cinderella in-the-round. This sparkling ballet will transport you to an enchanting kingdom where forest creatures live alongside princes, a growing tree appears to dance in the wind, and Cinderella’s wit and generosity get her to the ball – with the help of a little bit of magic.
(15th - 25th June)
Take a look at Kensington Palace’s brand-new exhibition, opening in April. In this must-see fashion exhibition dazzling contemporary couture worn by celebrities including Lizzo and Lady Gaga, displayed alongside beautiful historic costume, highlighting parallels between the world of the red carpet and the Royal Court in the eighteenth century.
(Opening 5th April)
Great Exhibition Road Festival
The Great Exhibition Road Festival Returns in June 2023 for a celebration of science and the arts. Enjoy hands-on workshops, fascinating talks, performances and installations from iconic museums, research and culture organisations, including Imperial College London, the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, V&A and many more. Plus, indulge in food from all over the world and enjoy eclectic performances from the Royal College of Music and Royal Albert Hall.
(17th-18th June)
Across multiple weekends, Hyde Park will be putting on incredible shows featuring legendary headliners & support from today's rising stars, plus great food and drink and hospitality packages. There will also be a free-to-enter midweek programme of live music, arts, cinema, workshops and family activities for the community.
(24th June - 8th July)
It looks like an exciting year ahead in South Kensington! Make sure to keep up to date with the array of inspiring events, exhibitions, movies and workshops and so much more that South Kensington has to offer by signing up to the fortnightly Discover South Kensington newsletter here.
