Essential information

Type
Family fun
Location
Date and times 15-22 February 2026 | See page for details
Prices Free

Come to the Queen's House this February half term for an array of activities inspired by identity and friendship to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month.

Greenwich's historic house will be hosting storytelling sessions and musical performances suitable for all ages. All activities are free, and we'd love for you to explore the rest of the Queen's House while you're here!

The programmes have been created in consultation with families and are suitable for all ages. See what's on below. 

If you want to make the most of your visit to Greenwich, make sure you check out what's on at the National Maritime Museum and Cutty Sark during half term too.

February half term events at the Queen's House

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Mistress Babbington character actors at the Queen's House

Sunday 15 - Tuesday 17 February

Character actors

Performances at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm

Visit the Queen's House and discover characters from history with their own fascinating stories to tell. Meet Mistress Babbington, in charge of running the Queen's House following the Restoration of the Stuart monarchy in 1660, or follow Inspector Canvass to discover hidden clues in the paintings hanging in the galleries.

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A girl and boy lie in the middle of the Great Hall of the Queen's House, looking up at the ceiling

Wednesday 18 February

Storytelling sessions

Sessions at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm | Great Hall

Meet the Sea Person, a figurehead who is neither Mermaid nor Merman, but simply – themselves! This sensory storytelling session will ferry children into an underwater world filled with storytelling and sea spray. 

We’ll dive through this colourful adventure together while exploring how sea folk can look and feel however they choose. A splashingly good way to learn about what it means to be yourself.

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Four paper pirates hats, decorated with paper parrots and monkeys sit above a black and white Jolly Roger flag

Thursday 19 February

Drop-in craft session: Playing Pirates

Sessions at 11am-1pm and 2-4pm | Undercroft

What’s a pirate’s favourite letter? Most people think it’s 'R'… but a true pirate LOVES to 'C' who they can become! For many LGBTQ+ people, trying on different styles, hair and accessories is part of expressing identity. 

In this crafting workshop, families can create bold blue beards and fearsome pirate hats using paper, pens and colourful decorations.

Character actors

Performances at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm

Visit the Queen's House and discover characters from history with their own fascinating stories to tell. Meet Mistress Babbington, in charge of running the Queen's House following the Restoration of the Stuart monarchy in 1660, or follow Inspector Canvass to discover hidden clues in the paintings hanging in the galleries.

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A father and daughter look up at a painting of Queen Anne in the Queen's House in Greenwich

Friday 20 February

Drop-in craft session: Love above

Sessions at 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm | Undercroft

Imagine giving your loved one an entire painted ceiling! That is exactly what Queen Anne did for Sarah Churchill, her lifelong companion.

Families will create their own ‘love letter’ to someone – a friend, sibling, loved one – saying why they appreciate them. Expect plenty of creativity as we celebrate friendships that stand the test of time.

Character actors

Performances at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm

Visit the Queen's House and discover characters from history with their own fascinating stories to tell. Meet Mistress Babbington, in charge of running the Queen's House following the Restoration of the Stuart monarchy in 1660, or follow Inspector Canvass to discover hidden clues in the paintings hanging in the galleries.

Image
Mistress Babbington character actors at the Queen's House

Saturday 21 - Sunday 22 February

Character actors

Performances at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm

Visit the Queen's House and discover characters from history with their own fascinating stories to tell. Meet Mistress Babbington, in charge of running the Queen's House following the Restoration of the Stuart monarchy in 1660, or follow Inspector Canvass to discover hidden clues in the paintings hanging in the galleries.

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Single page of family trail. Queen Elizabeth I's head is in the centre and 5 activities are placed around with images from the collection to decorate.

Family trails

Available every day

Pick up your own family trail or kit to help you explore the Queen's House galleries, discover objects that are hundreds of years old, and learn how to protect them.

Keep up to date

Sign up to the families newsletter to be the first to hear about exciting events and activities for kids at Royal Museums Greenwich.

What’s on

Family fun

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
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
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 time | Check schedule below for school holidays
Included with entry to Cutty Sark
Cutty Sark
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
Family fun

SENsory Sailors

Come along and enjoy this brand new sensory play session for children under 13 years with special educational needs
Second Saturday of the month | 11am-12.30pm
Free | Pre-booking required
National Maritime Museum
Family fun | Experiences | Space and astronomy

Astronomers Take Over

This brand-new interactive gallery gives curious minds aged 4 to 104 the space to play, learn and explore!
Dates and times vary: check ticketing page for full details | 10am-5pm
Experience + planetarium: Adult: £18 | Child: £16 | Experience only: £8
National Maritime Museum
Family fun | Experiences | Space and astronomy

Unboxing the Universe

Blast off on an unforgettable journey through space in this exciting science theatre show, and answer some big questions about the Universe along the way
Sat 24 & Sun 25 Oct | Sat 14 & Sun 15 Nov | Sat 12 & Sun 13 Dec | 11.30pm and 1.30pm
£8 for adult / child / student ticket
National Maritime Museum
Family fun | Space and astronomy

Astronomy LEGO brick club

Join us for a LEGO brick building club themed around the night sky
Term Time: Fridays from 2.30-4.30pm | Holidays: Fridays 1.30-4.30pm
Free
National Maritime Museum
Experiences | Christmas

Santa’s Grotto at the Queen’s House

Meet Santa and travel through a magical wonderland with the Snow Queen at the Queen's House this Christmas
Saturday 14 November - Thursday 24 December 2026
Early bird: £27 per person | General tickets: £30 | Members: £25 | Under 1s: Free
Queen's House
Experiences | Christmas

Santa's Grotto at the Queen's House relaxed sessions

Meet Santa and travel through a magical wonderland in these quieter sessions, ideal for neurodivergent and SEND visitors. Pre-booking recommended
Sat 21 Nov 3pm | Fri 27 Nov 4.30pm | Fri 18 Dec 4.15pm
Child and an accompanying adult: £30 | Additional adult or child: £30 | Family Member child and accompanying adult: £27 | Additional adult or child Family Member: £27 | (+£3 booking fee per transaction)
Queen's House
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
Last Saturday of the month | 12.30-2.30pm
Ticketed | Free
National Maritime Museum
Events and festivals | Experiences

Crossings: Hidden Passages

Join us for an afternoon of dance in the Queen's House, connecting architecture, maritime history and migration
Saturday 28 November 2026 | 1pm and 3pm | Performances last 45 minutes
Free
Queen's House
Family fun | Experiences | Space and astronomy

Unboxing the Universe relaxed performance

This relaxed performance of Unboxing the Universe is dedicated to children who are neurodivergent, along with their families and carers
Wednesday 30 December 2026 | 1.30–2.30pm
Adults: £5 | Children: £5 | Carers free
National Maritime Museum

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Queen's House

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