Thursday, 3 April 2025

Horniman Museum and Gardens - What's On in April

 

The Mantis Muse

The Mantis Muse sculpture by artist David Shrigley

The Mantis Muse © Alun Callender

8 – 21 April
Horniman Conservatory
Free entry

We're thrilled to be hosting the first public display of The Mantis Muse, a giant sculpture of a praying mantis by Turner-nominated artist David Shrigley. The three-metre steel and fibreglass sculpture with a moving head was created by Shrigley to emphasise the importance of art in education and to engage young people with art and creativity. 

Join one of our Mantis Muse events in the Conservatory and spark your own creativity.

The Mantis Muse Events

Two children drawing and colouring

Drawing and colouring

8, 11-13 and 17-21 April

Take part in free, drop-in colouring activities or take inspiration and sketch your own still life drawings of Maxine, the giant praying mantis.

A girl making some craft

Stories and crafts

9 and 15 April

Join us for a special tale about a music-loving praying mantis and then create your own mantis mask inspired by the story.

An adult sitting on a mat in a forward yoga pose

Family Yoga

10 and 16 April

Explore what it might be like to be a praying mantis in a fun family yoga session! Suitable for ages 4-6.

A person using a screen print

Screen printing

14 and 19 April

Make your very own souvenir inspired by The Mantis Muse sculpture. Suitable for ages 8+.

Music at the Horniman

Gabriel ‘Sekuru’ Makamanzi’ holding a mbria

Horniman Museum Late

Thursday 3 April, 5.30-9pm

Be transported by Gabriel ‘Sekuru’ Makamanzi’s new mbira compositions and experience the spirit of Zimbabwe brought to life through music, film, storytelling and interactive workshops. Plus enjoy the Horniman's galleries and exhibitions and food and drink in the Cafe.

A display of stringed instruments in the Music Gallery

Hear it Live!

Thursday 10 April, 3.30-4pm

British-Egyptian singer Laila Samy will bring the rich sounds of traditional Egyptian and Egyptian Coptic music to the Horniman, to mark the opening of the display !كل العیون علیھا / All Eyes on Her! Laila will be accompanied by Tarek Elazhary on the oud.

Exhibitions and Displays

The robot chameleon and two children looking at it in the Robot Zoo exhibition

The Robot Zoo

Now open

How do chameleons change colour? What makes grasshoppers leap so high? Enter the fascinating world of The Robot Zoo and discover the amazing abilities of animals.

Free for Members and Benefactors.

Scarf pins wrapped in paper printed with verse by Egyptian poet Ahmed Shawki

!كل العیون علیھا / All Eyes on Her!

Opens 4 April 2025

Egyptian women take centre stage in a new free display in the World Gallery. !كل العیون علیھا / All Eyes on Her! honours the everyday activism of Egyptian women, reclaiming their heritage, position in public and role in revolutions, past and present.

Spring events and activities

A screen showing Totoro holding an umbrella

The Enchanted Cinema: Ghibli's Forest

5 and 6 April

Help create the sound effects to a selection of favourite Studio Ghibli films in this brand-new interactive show from The Enchanted Cinema.

A child making some craft

Family Craft Saturdays

Every Saturday (except 19 April)

Make some nature binoculars to spot spring wildlife or a collage of Earth to celebrate World Earth Day in these free crafty sessions. 

A poster which says Horniman Spring Fair

Horniman Spring Fair

Saturday 19 April

Join us for seasonal fun and games at the annual Spring Fair. Enjoy live music, circus skills, fete games, crafts, bubbles and lots more in our blossom-filled Gardens.

In the Gardens

Yellow flowers in the Horniman's Grasslands Garden

Members' and Benefactors' Spring Garden Tour

Wednesday 9 April

An exclusive Gardens tour for Members and Benefactors with our Head of Horticulture Errol Fernandes. Discover how Errol and his team keep the Gardens sustainable and looking beautiful throughout the year.

Not a member yet? Sign up on our website.

People browsing clothes racks at the Horniman Market

Second-hand Sunday at the Horniman Market

Sunday 13 April

Find pre-loved clothing, accessories, games, books and more at our Second-hand Sunday event taking place alongside our weekly Market on the Bandstand Terrace.

Elsewhere in London

London Museum Docklands

Secrets of the Thames

Opens 4 April 

Unearth fascinating objects and stories from London’s past in Secrets of the Thames: Mudlarking London’s lost treasures, the UK’s first major exhibition dedicated to mudlarking 👀✨

A poster advertising the Secrets of the Thames exhibition

Cutty Sark

Easter Egg Trail

18 – 21 April

Cutty Sark’s chickens have gotten loose and laid eggs around the ship – can you find them all? Solve the secret nautical code and claim a chocolatey reward in this fun-filled Easter egg trail for the whole family.

A Easter themed graphic promoting the Easter Egg Trail at the Cutty Sark
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Royal Collection Trust - Plan a springtime visit to a royal residence

 

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