If your ideal summer day includes skyline views, live music, street food and a little chaos in the form of bubbles and bouncy castles, Horniman Museum and Gardens just planned it for you. The Forest Hill favourite museum is celebrating 125 years with a packed programme of events, starting with a free birthday party and unfolding into a full season of culture, creativity and community.
What is happening
The celebrations kick off with a free 125th Birthday Party on 27 June, bringing together more than 40 activities across the site. Expect three music stages, roaming performances, a storytelling tent, giant craft installations and hands-on workshops, from cyanotype printing to birthday hat making. Although free, this event still needs you to book a ticket.
Beyond the big day, the anniversary stretches across summer with weekly Family Crafts sessions, outdoor Art in the Gardens installations, and a special Horniman Market birthday edition on 28 June.
Highlights
The historic Bandstand becomes the heartbeat of the season, hosting a live music series from June to August, including jazz, Latin and steelpan performances. There are also standout ticketed evenings like a sunset string quartet and a jazz-funk night with Wayne Tucker and Emma Smith.
For families, don’t miss Enchanted Cinema, an interactive workshop where kids create live sound effects to animated films, or storytelling sessions with award-winning authors. Later in summer, Music, Jerk ‘n Tings brings Caribbean food, music and culture into the gardens.
Who is this for
This one’s for:
- South Londoners who want more from their local green spaces
- Families looking for a full-day (or full-summer) plan
- Anyone who prefers their culture outdoors, with music in the background
- Nostalgics ready to revisit a childhood favourite
Plan your visit
Come for the daytime energy, stay for golden hour. The view from the gardens as the sun dips turns the whole place cinematic. Some places you visit once. Others quietly follow you through different stages of life. At 125, the Horniman is celebrating both, and inviting you to be part of whatever comes next. Explore the full 125th anniversary programme here.
For more ideas of things to do with the kids visit our events and activities area which provides details of free events and special offers in London’s finest venues and lots more.