The autumnal equinox occurs in September each year, and in the northern hemisphere the date marks the end of summer and beginning of autumn.

The Earth is tilted on its axis. This means that the Sun illuminates the northern or southern hemisphere more depending on where the Earth is along its orbit.

However, at two points in the year the Sun will illuminate the northern and southern hemispheres equally. These are known as the equinoxes.

When is the autumnal equinox in 2025?

In 2025 the autumnal equinox will occur on 22 September at 18.20 GMT (19.20 BST).

Find out more about equinoxes and solstices

Image
A photo looking up at the Royal Observatory's Flamsteed House during Autumn. Trees are turning from green to gold

When is autumn?

There are three main different ways of defining autumn: astronomical, meteorological and phenological.

Astronomical

Astronomically, the four seasons centre around the equinoxes and solstices. However, there is disagreement between those who see the equinox or solstice as the start of the season, and those who hold that it represents the middle of the season.

Meteorological

By contrast, meteorologists tend to divide seasons into periods of three whole months based on average monthly temperatures, with summer as the warmest and winter as the coldest. On this basis, for most of the northern hemisphere the autumn months are usually September, October, and November.

Phenological

The third way of defining autumn is to use what are known as phenological indicators. These cover a range of ecological and biological signs, such as the leaves falling off the trees and the migration of birds to warmer climates. These events of course are greatly influenced by weather and climate, and so changing climate could cause autumn to start earlier or later than the standard astronomical or meteorological definitions.

Visit the Royal Observatory to find out more about the history of measuring time and the seasons.

Autumnal equinox facts and customs

The Harvest Moon is the name given to the full moon that occurs nearest to the autumnal equinox. Historically the light of the Harvest Moon was said to enable farmers to work late into the night, helping them to bring in the crops from the fields. The Harvest Moon usually falls in September.

Saturn also has equinoxes, but because it takes almost 30 years to orbit the Sun, they only happen about every 15 years.

Saturn Equinox
Saturn Equinox, NASA

For those located at high northern hemisphere latitudes, the autumnal equinox paves the way for increased chances to see the aurora borealis. According to NASA, the equinoxes are prime time for the Northern Lights, and geomagnetic activities are more likely to take place in the spring and autumn than in the summer or winter.

Green aurorae arcing over snowy mountains beside a still lake
Glow of Vestrahorn by Ewa Jermakowicz – Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2022 Aurorae shortlist

Mabon is a modern Pagan ritual marking the autumnal equinox. The ritual gives thanks for a plentiful harvest and recognises the need to share the Earth’s fruits in the coming winter months. It is the second of the three Pagan harvest festivals, which include Lammas/Lughnasadh and Samhain.

In Japanese culture, the autumn equinox is celebrated with the tradition of Higan. It is a time to remember deceased relatives, as well as mark the passing of the seasons. Higan officially lasts for seven days, beginning three days prior to the equinox and ending three days after it.

Because of time zone differences, the equinox can be on different days for different locations.

Reynolds' Series of Astronomical Diagrams - The Theory of Seasons
Explaining the seasons
AST0051.1 • Prints & Drawings
This diagram shows the Earth's annual rotation around the Sun, surrounded by the signs of the zodiac and the positions of the equinoxes and solstices. It is one of a series of educational cards first issued in 1846.

Photos of the autumnal equinox

Image of Glastonbury Tor's shadow with moon double the size in the background

"In 2021 I really got into imaging the Moon at a distance with something in the foreground," explains Astronomy Photographer of the Year entrant Hannah Rochford. "In this case, it is people enjoying the Full September Harvest Moon as it rises behind Glastonbury Tor.

"The first time I planned a moonrise (using PhotoPills) and saw the Moon rising was absolutely magical. I cannot explain how it felt. The perspective never fails to excite me. I took this from a few miles away from the Tor to get that ‘gigantic’ Moon look.

"Capturing the Moon is what led me into my deep-sky astrophotography journey, which is my favourite thing. A lot of people think that this is a composite, but it is one image. I took it with my 10-year-old, second-hand Canon camera."

Visit Astronomy Photographer of the Year to see more of the world's greatest space photography.

Visit the Royal Observatory

Visit the home of Greenwich Mean Time and stand on the world-famous Prime Meridian Line

What’s On

Events at Royal Museums Greenwich.

Images of constellations, the Moon, Mars, a comet and the Andromeda galaxy
Planetarium shows

The Sky Tonight

A classic guide to the night sky presented live by a Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomer
Daily except Thursdays
Adult: £12 | Child: £6 | Student: £8
Royal Observatory
Illustration of Ted in a spacesuit in front of the Moon.
Planetarium shows

Ted's Space Adventure

Join Ted the bear on an adventure around the Solar System in this special live planetarium show for under-7s - perfect for little astronauts everywhere!
Weekends and school holidays
Adult £12 | Child £6 | Student £8
Royal Observatory
A family enjoy looking through a telescope during a science demonstration at the Royal Observatory
Experiences

Observatory Unlocked

Drop by and chat with our Royal Observatory Explainers as they bring science and astronomy to life
Saturdays and Sundays
Included with Royal Observatory admission
Royal Observatory
A red, yellow, pink and blue gas clouds behind images of Saturn and the Earth. Over the top of this are white, glowing sound waves and music notes.
Planetarium shows

Audio Universe: Tour of the Solar System

Experience the Solar System like never before - by travelling on a spacecraft that can turn the objects in space into sound!
Weekends and school holidays
Adult: £12 | Child: £6 | Student: £8
Royal Observatory
Family engaging coding workshop
Workshops

Coder Dojo

Be inspired by the collection and create computer programmes, animation, art and electronic experiments in response
First Saturday of the month (unless stated otherwise below)
Free
Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre
Man and woman looking at gingerbread on cutty sark
Talks and tours

Shipkeeping in action

This is your chance to meet the team who care for and conserve Cutty Sark
Every Wednesday | 11am-3pm | Drop-in
Free for Cutty Sark ticket holders
Cutty Sark
A member of the conservation team shows a tour group a globe
Talks and tours

Behind the scenes tours at The Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre

Explore the inner workings of Royal Museums Greenwich and see conservation in action on one of our guided tours
Second and fourth Thursday of every month (see page for details) | 1.30pm
Adults: £16 | Members: £12
Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre
Inside Royal Museums Greenwich collections centre - rows of objects including two ships figureheads
Talks and tours

Saturday Super Store Tours

Come behind the scenes and explore the stores at the Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre
First Saturday of every month at 1.30pm
£12
Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre
Social club hold colourful lights
Family fun

SENsory Social Club

Join the weekly online club for adults and young people with SEND
Friday during term time | 11am (Online session) or 1pm (Onsite session)
Pay what you can
Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre
Image of a small proportion of the Sun, which is lit up in golden yellow at the surface and moves to darker colours away from the surface. A golden plume of a coronal mass ejection is coming out of the Sun and flowing parallel to it.
Exhibitions

Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition

See the world's greatest space photography at the National Maritime Museum
Open daily until 11 August 2025 | 10am-5pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
A man dressed in period sailor costume leads a tour of the National Maritime Museum, with kids and parents following behind
Talks and tours

Character Encounters at the National Maritime Museum

Visit the National Maritime Museum every Saturday to discover a different character from history with their own fascinating story to tell
Every Saturday
Free
National Maritime Museum
Close-up shot of a person's hands as they use a felt-tip pen to draw an intricate pattern on a small piece of wood
Workshops

Saturday Art Club

Join the weekly creative drop-in for young people aged 13-16 during term time at the National Maritime Museum
Saturdays from October 2024 - April 2025 | 10am-1pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Mistress Babbington character actor at the Queen's House
Family fun

Character Actors at the Queen's House

Meet historical characters connected to the Queen's House and take part in exciting performances
Sundays | 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm
Free
Queen's House
Drone view of the historic Royal Observatory buildings during the day. Trees surround a central group of brick buildings, with the distinctive 'Onion Dome' of the Great Equatorial Telescope in the centre
Events and festivals

350 years of Royal Observatory Greenwich

Celebrate the anniversary of one of the most important scientific sites in the world
Throughout 2025
See page for details
Royal Observatory
James Robson the cook, one of the characters you can meet on board Cutty Sark. He wears a flat cap and red scarf, and is pointing at the ship's rigging
Family fun

Cutty Sark Characters

Meet colourful characters from Cutty Sark’s past and hear astonishing stories about life at sea in the age of sail
Weekends during term term | Daily during school holidays
Included with entry to Cutty Sark
Cutty Sark
Talks and tours | Member events

Members' Tour

Embark on a voyage of discovery around the Museum in the company of one of our volunteer guides
Various dates | 11am - 12pm
Free for Members | Booking essential
In Greenwich
Soprano Lizzie Holmes, DEBUT
Events and festivals

DEBUT at the Queen's House

A night of enchanting classical music as part of DEBUT's acclaimed 'Secret Concerts' series
Thursday 19 June and Thursday 4 September 2025 | Performances at 6.45pm and 8.15pm
Adult: £30, Child: £25 (plus £3 booking fee) | Adult Member: £27, Child Member: £22
Queen's House
Conservator in action
Workshops

From Object to Art

Join our community of makers at The Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre
First Saturday of every month | 10.30am-12.30pm
Free
Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre
The gold hilt of a sword against a dark fabric background. The outline of a human skull has been digitally superimposed on to the right side of the hilt, creating an unsettling central motif
Exhibitions

Pirates

Explore the myth, discover the truth: Pirates at the National Maritime Museum is now open
Open daily until 4 January 2026 | 10am-5pm
Adult: £15 | Student: £11.25 | Child: £7.50
National Maritime Museum
Girls doing craft
Family fun | Member events

Members' crafting

Join us for exclusive craft workshops, just for Members.
Every other month | 11am-11.45am, 12.15pm-1pm, 1.30pm-2.15pm, 2.45pm-3.30pm
Free for Family Members – booking required
In Greenwich
Adults and children enjoying a storytelling session.
Family fun

Play Tuesdays

Bring your under 5 on a different adventure every week! Explore the Museum together through song, dance and stories
Term time Tuesdays | 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.00pm, 2.00pm
£4 per child and accompanying adult | Under 6 months free
National Maritime Museum
Two young children pull on ropes that act as part of the rigging for historic ship Cutty Sark
Family fun

Ship Mates

Hop aboard Cutty Sark for sensory sessions for under 5s!
Term-time Wednesdays | 10.30am, 12.00pm & 1.30pm
£5 per adult, under 5s free
Cutty Sark
A group of four with adults and children participating in a craft.
Family fun

Safe Harbour

Safe Harbour is a series of free workshops created to provide a safe space for foster and adoptive families with children under 13 years
Monthly: Next date 28 June | 12.30pm - 2.30pm
Ticketed | Free
National Maritime Museum
Images of different coloured stars, a nebula, a supernova and a blackhole
Planetarium shows

Starstruck

Discover the birth, life and death of a star presented live by a Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomer
Weekends and school holidays in May
Adult: £12 | Child: £6 | Student: £8
Royal Observatory
A mum and her child watch on as a group of sea shanty singers perform at historic ship Cutty Sark
Family fun

Sea shanty singers

Join our resident sea shanty groups at Cutty Sark on the first weekend of every month as they sing traditional maritime songs
First weekend of every month
Included with entry to Cutty Sark: £20 Adult | £10 Child
Cutty Sark
Sensory Sailors
Family fun

SENsory Sailors

Come along and enjoy this brand new sensory play session for children under 13 years with special educational needs
Once a month on Saturdays | 11am-12.30pm
Free | Pre-booking required
National Maritime Museum
Portraits of Queen Consort Henrietta Maria and King Charles I
Events and festivals

Charles I & Henrietta Maria: 400th wedding anniversary

King Charles I and Queen Consort Henrietta Maria invite you to celebrate their landmark wedding anniversary with a programme of activities at the Queen's House
From 11 to 23 May 2025 (see page for details)
Varying prices (see page for details)
Queen's House
A woman looks at the painting of Elizabeth I known as the 'Armada Portrait', hanging in the Queen's House
Workshops

Artist Masterclass: Portraits Drawing Workshop

Develop your portrait skills in this special guided workshop, led by artists Federico Baeza-Autillo and Sarah E Shaw
Select Fridays and Sundays between May and September 2025 | 10.15am-12pm
Adult: £20 (plus £3 booking fee per booking), Adult Member: £15.00
Queen's House
(Source of a mother helping the child to draw using a pencil Picture)
Family fun

Discover Sundays

Each Sunday come and explore the Museum's collection through hands on creative activities
Term time Sundays | 11am - 1pm | 2pm - 4pm
Free | Drop-in
National Maritime Museum
Queen's House Loggia
Experiences

Queen's House Classic Treasures Tour with drinks on the balcony

Head to Greenwich for a new refreshing and effervescent tour experience
Select Sundays between May and September 2025 | Tour at 3.30pm
Adult: £20 (plus £3 booking fee per booking); Adult Members: £15
Queen's House
The gold hilt of a sword against a dark fabric background. The outline of a human skull has been digitally superimposed on to the right side of the hilt, creating an unsettling central motif
Talks and tours | BSL tours

BSL Tour: Pirates

Join John Wilson for a British Sign Language (BSL) tour of our Pirates exhibition at the National Maritime Museum
Thursday 15 May and Saturday 1 November 2025 | 2pm-3pm
Adult: £15 | Student: £11.25 | Child: £7.50
National Maritime Museum
A woman climbs the rigging of historic sailing ship Cutty Sark. She is looking down at the photographer on deck, and the rigging and masts are above her
Experiences

Cutty Sark Rig Climb

Experience life at sea and climb the rigging of one of London's true icons
16 May - 31 October | Fridays and Saturdays
Adult: £60 | Child (10-17): £49 | Student: £55
Cutty Sark
The Sailor [Maurice Alan Easton] - Cropped
Talks and tours

The Queen's House Curator Tour: The Art of Naval Portraiture

Join Dr Katherine Gazzard, Curator of Art at Royal Museums Greenwich, for a unique tour of the Queen’s House, exploring the complex and often surprising history of naval portraiture
22 May, 5 and 20 June 2025 | Tours start at 3.30pm
Adult: £5; Adult (includes a signed copy of the book): £20 | Adult Member: Free; Adult Member (includes a signed copy of the book): £18
Queen's House
Three pronged nebula stretching upwards
Workshops | Member events

Flamsteed Astronomy Art Attack: A Beginners Workshop

Join the Flamsteed Astronomy Society for a beginners workshop in astronomy art, hosted at Mycenae House
Thursday 22 May 2025 l 7pm
Members: £15
Other
Girls doing craft
Family fun

May half term at the National Maritime Museum

Find fun for all the family at the National Maritime Museum this May
24 May – 1 June 2025 | 11am-4pm
Free | Drop in
National Maritime Museum
A family walks along the Main Deck of Cutty Sark
Family fun

May half term at Cutty Sark

It's all happening on board Cutty Sark this May half term - discover the fun family activities you can enjoy on the iconic tea clipper
Saturday 24 May - Sunday 1 June 2025
Included with entry to the ship
Cutty Sark
The new crescent Moon alongside an antique qibla compass.
Planetarium shows | Community astronomy

Astronomy and Islam

Join us for a special show featuring the New Crescent Moon and historic Islamic astronomy
Select Saturdays and Sundays | 10.30am
£10 Adult | £5 Child
Royal Observatory
A woman points out something of interest in a painting to a family group
Family fun

May half term at the Queen's House

Find free workshops, character encounters and creative activities for all ages inside Greenwich's historic villa
25 May - 1 June 2025 | See page for timings
Free
Queen's House
A collection of multi coloured stars seen by the Hubble Space Telescope
Planetarium shows | Community astronomy

Morning Stars

Our more relaxed planetarium shows for those who prefer a calmer environment, such as people with ASD
26 and 30 May, 2 and 16 August, 25 and 27 October | 10.15-11.00am
£10 Adult | £5 Child | Free Companion tickets
Royal Observatory
A composite image of the moons Io (small and yellow), Deimos (tiny and mishapen), Enceladus (white and covered in cracks) and the Moon (a deep grey and covered in craters) on a black background
Family fun

Out Of This World: Moons

Explore the moons of our solar system in this family workshop
27 May and 28 October 2025 | 10.30am - 12 noon
£5 per child
Royal Observatory
Robert Fletcher MHCS talk image
Talks and tours | Maritime History and Culture Seminars

The Captain’s Tale: Mori Katsue, Osaka Shosen Kaisha, and the Japanese Gaze on Interwar Africa

Join us for a free online talk by Caird Fellow Professor Robert Fletcher
Tuesday 27 May 2025 | 5.15-6.30pm
Free
Online
A collage of different moons of the solar system; Triton, Enceladus, Phobos, Pandora, Ganymede, Iapetus and Mimas
Planetarium shows

Moons Beyond Counting

Learn more about our own Moon and some of the more exotic moons of the Solar System in this show narrated by our Royal Observatory astronomers
Weekends in June | 2.30pm
Adult £12 | Child £6 | Student £8
Royal Observatory
The Great Equatorial Telescope dome of the Royal Observatory Greenwich, lit up at night with a full moon in the sky above
Talks and tours | Member events

Members' Lecture: Astrophotography at the Royal Observatory - behind the scenes

Join Dr Greg Brown as he showcases the Observatory’s most recent work in the field of astrophotography
Tuesday 3 June 2025 l 6.30pm-7.30pm
Free | Members only
Royal Observatory
Trinity Laban Concert in the Queen's House Great Hall
Events and festivals

Lunchtime Concerts at the Queen's House

Enjoy musical performances in the Queen's House given by students from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance 
Select Wednesdays (see page for details) | 1pm-2pm
Free, drop in
Queen's House
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
The red planet, Mars
Talks and tours | Member events

Members' Online Lecture: Mars - A Beginner's Guide to Exploring the Red Planet

Get a comprehensive introduction to the Red Planet from astronomer Brendan Owens
Tuesday 10 June 2025 l 6.30pm-7.30pm
Free for Members
Online
Robbie Atatoa at Pacific Encounter Gallery
Workshops

Spotlight on Polynesian traditional crafts: Mangaian carving

Join distinguished Mangaian carver and cultural educator Robbie Atatoa as he leads a special workshop
Wednesday 11 June 2025 | 12.30pm-4.30pm
Adult: £7 | Student: £5 | Child: £5
National Maritime Museum
Photo of the Andromeda Galaxy - a dark black sky sprinkled with stars
Talks and tours | Observatory lectures

Think Space Lectures

Listen to astrophysicists about cutting-edge research in space science with our free online lectures.
Next Lecture 12 June 2025 | 6pm-7pm
Free
Online
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
Free
National Maritime Museum
A woman gazes at portraits of historic figures. Three paintings are displayed in a gallery in front of her
Workshops | Member events

Members' Artist Masterclass: Portraits Drawing Workshop

Develop your portrait skills in this special guided workshop, led by artists Federico Baeza-Autillo and Sarah E Shaw
Friday 13 June 2025 | 10.15am-12.15pm
Free | Members only
Queen's House
photo with a model of a woman, standing on a map and a canvas tent behind her, like an animation
Events and festivals | Refugee Week

Maritime Migration: Film Screenings and Panel Discussion | Refugee Week 2025

Filmmakers, creatives and academics come together to mark Refugee Week
Friday 13 June 2025 | 6.30pm-8.30pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Images of Chinese constellations, the Earth, Moon, Mars, Crab supernova and some spacecraft
Planetarium shows | Community astronomy

Chinese Astronomy

From stars to space exploration, explore ancient and modern Chinese astronomy in this live planetarium show
14 June, 9 August, 4 October 2025 | 10.30am
Adult £10 | Child £5
Royal Observatory
A portion of the Ocean Map at the National Maritime Museum showing major port cities around Asia and Africa
Talks and tours | Member events

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
part of a drawing showing a boat sliding out of the frame
Events and festivals

Refugee Week 2025

Find out about the events taking place at Royal Museums Greenwich to mark Refugee Week
16-22 June 2025 | See page for details
Free
In Greenwich
Close-up view of a woodblock-style illustration of pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Bonny is in the centre holding a lamp, while Read is off to the right
Talks and tours | Member events

Members' Lecture: Pirate Queens

Join Dr Rebecca Simon to delve deeper into the lives of two of the most infamous female pirates, Anne Bonny and Mary Read, who terrorised the Caribbean in and around Jamaica
Thursday 19 June 2025 l 6.30pm-7.30pm
Free | Members only
National Maritime Museum
Photo of the Longest Johns, three men in front of a brick wall
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Cutty Sark concert: The Longest Johns - Pieces of Eight Tour

Set sail for an unforgettable night of sea shanties and maritime tunes as The Longest Johns take to the stage at Cutty Sark!
Thursday 19 June 2025
Adults: £25 | Members: £22.50 - sold out
Cutty Sark
Image of two women standing at a table, one is wearing a bright pink outfit and one a yellow top. They are both smiling at someone slightly off camera. They are inside a museum with a glass roof.
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
Call Me Ishmaelle Cover.jpg
Talks and tours

Members' Lecture: Call Me Ishmaelle

Join author Xiaolu Guo as she reimagines the epic battle between man and nature in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick from a female perspective, Call Me Ishmaelle.
Thursday 26 June 2025 l 6.30pm-7.30pm
Free | Members only
Cutty Sark
Thames sailing barge - Pudge
Experiences | Member events

Members' Thames Sailing Barge Weekend

Join us for an amazing trip in an authentic Thames barge
Friday 27 – Sunday 29 June 2025
£240.00 per person
Other
Microphone on stage
Exhibitions | Refugee Week

No Direction Home: Stand-Up Comedy Evening

Join us for an evening of laughter from No Direction Home as part of Refugee Week 2025
Friday 27 June 2025 | 6.30pm-8pm
Adults (pay what you can): £7.50 or £10
Cutty Sark
Photograph of the entrance to the National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals | Member events

Members' Summer Party

Join fellow Royal Museums Greenwich Members for a fabulous evening at the National Maritime Museum
Tuesday 1 July 2025 l 6.30pm-8.30pm (Sold out)
Free for Members – booking required
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals

Teachers' Evening 2025

Celebrate the end of term at the National Maritime Museum and find out about schools sessions, resources, CPD and project opportunities at all Royal Museums Greenwich sites
Thursday 3 July 2025 | 4.30pm-7pm
FREE for UK school teachers and educators
National Maritime Museum
A group of people stretch their arms to the side
Experiences | Ocean Court

Movement on the Map: Tai Chi

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 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 collage of historical astronomical imagery including illustrations of astronomers, the observatory, planets and the Moon
Planetarium shows | Royal Observatory 350th anniversary

The Sky Tonight 1675

Celebrate 350 years of the Royal Observatory Greenwich by exploring the past and present night sky with our astronomers
Daily in August (except Thursdays)
Adult: £12 | Child: £6 | Student: £8
Royal Observatory
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
A drawing of a Royal Naval Auxiliary tanker seen in starboard-quarter view, turning in the River Thames off Greenwich. In the background is the Old Royal Naval College. There is a black smoke coming out of the top of the boat
Conferences

Britain, Conflict, and the Sea conference

This conference seeks to explore the ways in which modern Britain has been shaped by ideas and practices of maritime war.
Friday 12 September 2025 9am-5.45pm | Saturday 13 September 9am-3.30pm
Adult £50 | Postgraduate Researcher/Student £25
National Maritime Museum
An abstract image showing strands of colourful wool moving through a loom
Events and festivals

Fabric of the Land: the Cutty Sark Wool Experience

Step aboard Greenwich's historic ship after hours for a special night of craft, history, film and music
Thursday 9 October 2025 | More details coming soon
£25
Cutty Sark
A stack of multiple coloured 'cakes' of wool, including yellows, pastel reds and blues
Workshops

Fabric of the Land: Weaving with Ella Doran

Join award-winning designer Ella Doran for a hands-on weaving workshop inspired by Cutty Sark’s history of transporting wool from Britain to Australia
Saturday 11 October 2025 | More details coming soon
£25
Cutty Sark
Photo of man holding a model ship. He is wearing a navy blue coat and beany hat.
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Charlie Connelly - Attention All Shipping

Charlie Connelly's hilarious one-man show brings the legendary shipping forecast vividly to life
Friday 17 October 2025 | 7-9pm
Adult: £22 | Member: £20
Cutty Sark
Knitting needles stuck into a light and dark blue woollen design, with balls of wool and a blanket of yellow and white wool arranged artfully around
Workshops

Fabric of the Land: Knitting with Remiiya Badru

Join us on board historic ship Cutty Sark for a hands-on knitting workshop in a friendly and supportive environment
Saturday 18 October 2025 | More details coming soon
£25
Cutty Sark
Image of the Fairport Convention, four men standing in a line and smiling at the camera
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Cutty Sark concert: Fairport Convention

Don't miss your chance to see Fairport Convention underneath the copper hull of Cutty Sark - this will be a night not to be missed!
Sunday 26 October 2025 | 7pm - 9.25pm
Adults: £40 | Members: £36
Cutty Sark
Ted on the moon
Family fun

Holiday to Space

Travel across the Solar System and help Ted prepare for a holiday on another world during a planetarium show and interactive workshop for ages 3-6.
29 May (sold out) and 31 October 2025 | 10.30am
£5 per child
Royal Observatory
View of Shanty singers in front of figurehead display in Cutty Sark dry dockk
Events and festivals

Sea Shanty Festival 2025

Visit Cutty Sark for a fantastic day of sea song performances and workshops in celebration of the tea clipper's 156th birthday
Saturday 22 November 2025 | 10am - 4.30pm
Free with entry to ship
Cutty Sark