Located at the heart of the National Maritime Museum, Ocean Court is the place to explore the ocean.  

It's home to the Ocean Map, a giant map of our watery world. Leap across the seas, spot incredible sea creatures and discover why the ocean is vital to all life on Earth.

To celebrate the reopening of Ocean Court, we’re hosting a special season of events. There’s plenty to discover, from ocean festivals to family activities. Come along, make a splash and see what’s on offer below. 

Event programme

Image
A child holds her mother's arm as they both peer curiously at a small crab held in front of them

World Ocean Day

7 June | Free 

Get ready for an epic ocean adventure at our festival, which brings together science, creativity and community engagement. Meet ocean experts, enjoy musical performances from around the world and take part in science shows. 

Image
David Attenborough in blue jacket in front of white cliffs and the sea
Keith Scholey ©Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios

Film screenings: Ocean with David Attenborough

8 June at 10.30am, 1pm and 3pm | Free 

Celebrate World Ocean Day with a screening of David Attenborough’s major new documentary. Featuring spectacular footage of coral reefs and kelp forests, Ocean with David Attenborough highlights how a healthy ocean can keep the planet stable and flourishing. 

This will be followed by a behind the scenes segment, which shows the making of the documentary. 

Image
Group of people sitting facing away from camera on yoga mats on the floor which is a giant map, looking towards instructor

Movement on the Map: Yoga

13 June at 9.30am | Free 

Get moving on the new Ocean Map with a gentle yoga session. No prior experience is necessary – please bring a yoga mat with you. 

Image
Detail of a photograph showing the ship Empire Windrush docked at Southampton Harbour in 1950

Windrush Day

21 June from 11am-4pm | Free 

From live music and crafting activities to family history workshops and artist talks, learn about the significance of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush – and the legacies of the Windrush generation. This event is in partnership with the Caribbean Social Forum, the Migration Museum and other local partners. 

Image
A group of people stretch their arms to the side

Movement on the Map: Tai Chi Qigong

4 July at 1pm and 1.45pm | Free 

Come and practise Tai Chi Qigong on the new Ocean Map. The 30-minute sessions will mindfully explore the interconnectedness of our watery world through flowing movements. 

Image
Portrait photo of the band Blue Machine, featuring the group of four stood on board historic ship Cutty Sark
Image courtesy of the artists

Ocean Songs

11 July at 7pm and 8.30pm | £10 

Get ready for an evening of live music performed by ensemble Blue Machine. Bringing together intricately layered electronics with live strings, wind and vocals, this performance celebrates the natural wonders and mythology of the ocean. 

Image
A dance leaps beside Nelson's Ship in a Bottle sculpture
Photography by Jack Thomson

Rhythm!

12 July from 11am-5pm | Free 

Go with the flow at our vibrant dance festival, inspired by the ocean and movement. Dive (or jive) into dance workshops and discover how the ocean connects us through craft sessions and games. 

Image
A photograph of children wearing cardboard cars smiling and laughing
Martin Brown

Ready Steady Sail!

19 and 20 July at 10.30am, 12pm, 1.45pm and 3.15pm | Free

Join us for a creative art adventure and an interactive performance as you craft and sail a ship across our new Ocean Map! The 30-minute sessions have been created in partnership with A Line Art and pre-booking is recommended.

Image
A family takes part in a print workshop during World Oceans Day at the National Maritime Museum. The father is peeling away a sheet of paper as two children look on

Ocean: above and below

Daily from 23 July – 31 August (except Mondays) | Free 

This summer holiday, embark on an ocean adventure through storytelling, workshops and interactive fun. Are you ready to make a splash? 

Image
A Black man wearing green sunglasses and a geometric patterned top stands contemplatively by the River Thames

International Slavery Remembrance Day

23 August from 11am-5pm | Free 

Explore the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade and its abolition. 

What’s On

A child holds her mother's arm as they both peer curiously at a small crab held in front of them
Events and festivals | Ocean Court

World Ocean Day

A family-friendly celebration of our ocean at the National Maritime Museum
Saturday 7 June 2025
Free
National Maritime Museum
David Attenborough in blue jacket in front of white cliffs and the sea
Events and festivals | Ocean Court

Ocean with David Attenborough: free screenings in Greenwich

Celebrate World Ocean Day with free screenings of David Attenborough's new documentary at the National Maritime Museum
Sunday 8 June 2025 | Screenings run throughout the day
Free
National Maritime Museum
Group of people sitting facing away from camera on yoga mats on the floor which is a giant map, looking towards instructor
Experiences | Ocean Court

Movement on the Map: Yoga

Get moving on the new Ocean Map with some gentle yoga sessions
Friday 13 June 2025 | 9.30am (sold out) and 10.15am
Free
National Maritime Museum
A portion of the Ocean Map at the National Maritime Museum showing major port cities around Asia and Africa
Talks and tours | Ocean Court

Members' Tour: Ocean Map

Join Tim May, Curator of Maps and Mobilities, to learn how the new Ocean Map was developed and about the deeper history of ocean-centric cartography
Monday 16 June 2025 l 11am-12pm
Free for Members
National Maritime Museum
Detail of a photograph showing the ship Empire Windrush docked at Southampton Harbour in 1950
Events and festivals | Ocean Court

Windrush Day 2025

A day of creative workshops, informative talks and discussion to explore the significance of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush and the legacies of the Windrush generation
Saturday 21 June 2025 | 11am - 4pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
A group of people stretch their arms to the side
Experiences | Ocean Court

Movement on the Map: Tai Chi Qigong

Find your flow in these gentle sessions on the Ocean Map
Friday 4 July 2025 | 1pm-1.30pm and 1.45pm-2.15pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Portrait photo of the band Blue Machine, featuring the group of four stood on board historic ship Cutty Sark
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Ocean Songs

Live music at the National Maritime Museum celebrating our ocean planet, its mythology, natural wonders and as-yet-undiscovered depths
Friday 11 July 2025 | 7pm and 8.30pm
£10
National Maritime Museum
A dance leaps beside Nelson's Ship in a Bottle sculpture
Events and festivals | Ocean Court

Rhythm!

Go with the flow at our vibrant dance festival, inspired by the ocean and movement
Saturday 12 July 2025 | 11am-5pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
A photograph of children wearing cardboard cars smiling and laughing
Family fun | Ocean Court

Ready Steady Sail!

Join us for a day of ocean fun with crafting, storytelling and through an interactive walkabout performance to bring our new Ocean Map to life!
Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 July | 10.30am, 12pm, 1.45pm, 3.15pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
A mother and daughter sit on the Great Map during World Ocean Day at the National Maritime Museum
Family fun | Ocean Court

Ocean: above and below

Dive into an ocean adventure at the National Maritime Museum this summer!
Daily except Mondays | 23 July - 31 August 2025
Free
National Maritime Museum
A Black man wearing green sunglasses and a geometric patterned top stands contemplatively by the River Thames
Events and festivals | Ocean Court

International Slavery Remembrance Day

Explore the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade and its abolition at the National Maritime Museum
Saturday 23 August 2025 | 11am-5pm
Free
National Maritime Museum