Free Event

Essential Information

Type
Location
Date and Times Wednesday 20 and 27 April | 2pm-2.45pm
Prices Free

‘The Art That Made Us’ Festival starts in April, with events taking place across the UK throughout the month. The festival complements the broadcast of a major new BBC television series exploring our creative history. Museums, libraries, archives and galleries are opening their doors to tell the stories behind their astounding collections.

At Royal Museums Greenwich, we will host two events in the Queen’s House exploring ‘Global Issues, Local Impacts.’ Join curators, creatives and researchers to explore key events and phenomena that have shaped artworks from the 1600s to today. How have artists responded to social and environmental challenges? What can art tell us about our past, our present and our future?

Event programme

Art That Made Us: Rising Seas

Wednesday 20 April, 2pm –2.45pm

Speakers: Sarah Hardy, Director, The De Morgan Foundation and Dr Katherine Gazzard, Curator of Art (Post-1800), RMG.

Join us to explore how Evelyn de Morgan’s The Sea Maidens (1885–86) can be reinterpreted as an allegory for the effects of climate change. This journey will take us from Hans Christian Andersen’s story of the Little Mermaid to the destruction of coral reefs. Part of the BBC Art That Made Us Festival. 

Art That Made Us: Climate Migrations

Wednesday 27 April, 2pm – 2.45pm

Speakers: Joseph Ijoyemi, Artist and Co-Founder, The Collective Makers and Dr Hannah Lyons Assistant Curator of Art, RMG.

This ‘In Conversation’ event in the Queen's House will explore social dislocation, climate change and the legacies of colonialism through Kehinde Wiley’s painting Ship of Fools (2017). Join curators and special guests to learn how Wiley's work serves as a metaphor for historical and contemporary migration. Part of the BBC Art That Made Us Festival.

What’s On

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
Events and festivals | Art and culture

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
Experiences | Christmas

The Queen's House Ice Rink

Discover the most beautiful outdoor ice skating location in London
21 November 2025 - 4 January 2026 | 10am-9pm
Free Entry
Queen's House
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Evening concert at the Queen’s House: Trinity Laban String Ensemble and the Holtág Quartet

Enjoy a night of chamber music in the former royal residence, performed by the Trinity Laban String Ensemble and the Holtág Quartet
Friday 21 November 2025 | 7.30pm-8.30pm
Adult: £16, Adult Members and Patrons: £14.40, Child: £8, Child Members: £7.20
Queen's House
Experiences | Christmas

Santa’s Grotto at the Queen’s House

Meet Santa and journey to a magical wonderland. Pre-booking recommended
Selected dates from 22 November – 24 December 2025
General tickets: £27 per person, Member tickets: £24.30 per person, Under 1s: Free
Queen's House
Experiences | Christmas

Santa’s Grotto at the Queen’s House Relaxed Sessions

Meet Santa and journey to a magical wonderland in these quieter sessions, ideal for neurodivergent and SEND visitors and those with sensory sensitivities. Pre-booking recommended
Sunday 23 November at 4.15pm, Saturday 29 November at 4pm (SOLD OUT) and Thursday 11 December at 5.15pm (SOLD OUT)
Child and an accompanying adult: £25, Additional adult: £27, Additional child: £27 | Member child and accompanying adult: £22.50, Additional adult Member: £25, Additional child Member: £25
Queen's House
Talks and tours | Salons in the Queen's House

Salons in the Queen's House: Unfit for Service

In this free lunchtime talk, historian Dr Manon Williams will explore how the Royal Navy treated sailors who were judged ‘unfit for service’ due to injury, illness, or old age
Wednesday 26 November 2025 | 1pm–1.30pm
Free
Queen's House
Experiences | Member events

Members' Experience: A Beginner’s Guide to Observing

Come along and begin your journey to observing the night sky on the historic Queen's House lawns
Wednesday 26 November 2025, Wednesday 21 January & Wednesday 25 March 2026 | 6.30pm-9pm
Free | Members only
Queen's House
Talks and tours | BSL tours

BSL Tour: Portraits in the Queen's House

Join guide John Wilson for a British Sign Language (BSL) tour of the portraits in the Queen's House
Friday 12 December 2025 | 2pm-3pm
Free
Queen's House
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

Christmas concert at the Queen's House

Join us for an evening of carols and songs, performed by local choir, Hithertones
Saturday 13 December 2025 | Performances at 6pm (SOLD OUT) and 7.30pm
Adult: £18, Child: £8 | Adult Members: £15, Child Members: £5
Queen's House
Talks and tours | Salons in the Queen's House

Salons in the Queen's House: Victory at all costs

In this free lunchtime talk, curator Fern Aldous will explore the economics and logistics that went into maintaining the Royal Navy’s ‘wooden walls’
Wednesday 7 January 2026 | 1pm–1.30pm
Free
Queen's House
Events and festivals | Museum Lates

DEBUT at the Queen’s House – Valentine’s Day Concert

A romantic night with enchanting classical music performed by DEBUT's acclaimed musicians
Saturday 14 February 2026 | VIP experience at 5.45pm | Performances at 6.15pm and 8.00pm
Adult: £30, VIP Adult: £55 (plus £3 booking fee) | Adult Member: £27, VIP Adult Member: £50
Queen's House