Plunge into the prehistoric deep at the Museum’s new programme of after-hours events, tours and experiences in celebration of the upcoming exhibition Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep.
From Friday 22 May 2025, the Museum’s newest exhibition, Jurassic Oceans, will open to visiting thrill-seekers. Get a little too close for comfort to a mosasaur tooth, see how you measure up next to a complete plesiosaur, dare to hold Jurassic poo and use our fierce factor to rate the deadliest creatures to ever patrol the Earth’s oceans.
The new exhibition will also bring Jurassic after-hour events:
Jurassic Oceans: After Hours
Jurassic Oceans: After Hours with Dino Disco
Dinos vs Sharks Show
Jurassic Oceans: Early Riser Jurassic Tour
Dinos vs Sharks Show
Jurassic Jaws
Jurassic Dawnosaurs
Ocean Tails
Dino Dig with Mary Anning
Women in Science Tour
Dino Snores for Kids
Jurassic Oceans: After Hours
Come meet the fiercest predators ever to live in the sea with exclusive late-night entry to our newest exhibition Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep. Learn from our scientists, explore our galleries or dance the night away at our family Dino Disco.
The deepest depths of the Jurassic oceans are staying open late at the Museum this May, and this is your opportunity to meet the most ferocious predators to ever rule the seas!
Gain exclusive after-hours entry to our newest exhibition Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep. Learn from our scientists about their cutting-edge research and explore everything our galleries have to offer. Want to take the fun to new depths? Book our special after hours + Dino Disco for families and dance the night away from 19:00 to 21:00 next to Sophie the Stegosaurus, the most complete Stegosaurus skeleton outside of the US!
Date: Friday 29 May 2026
Times: 18:45 – 21:30
(Dino Disco starts 19:00 ends 21:00)
Price: Non-member: £20
Non-member with Dino Disco: £35
Member: £18
Member with Dino Disco: 32.50
Ages: Suitable for ages all ages
Location: Natural History Museum, South Kensington, London (Hintze Hall, Waterhouse Gallery, Dinosaur Gallery, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Earth Hall, Cromwell Road entrance and gate)
Ages: All welcome but recommended for ages 6+
Tickets: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/whats-on.html?utm_source=jurassicoceans-announcementlistings-al&utm_medium=nhm-press&utm_campaign=j-oceans
Jurassic Oceans: Early Riser Jurassic Tour
Discover the Jurassic collections the Museum cares for before it opens to the public on this special guided tour.
In this out-of-hours tour, one of our knowledgeable guides will take you on a journey through deep time to learn how these amazing creatures lived. Start your adventure on land as you meet the main characters in our world-renowned Dinosaurs Gallery. Then head into our new exhibition, Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep, where you can explore at your own pace the fearsome creatures that lived in the deepest waters on the planet.
Find out how Jurassic predators were first discovered, how they adapted to life on Earth and why they’re so important to science today. Plus, you’ll have the chance to ask a Museum specialist all your pressing dinosaur and megalodon questions!
Event dates: various, starting with Sunday 24 May and Friday 29 May
Times: 9:00-10:00
Tickets: Adult (18 years+): £32
Child (0–17 years): £25.60
Adult member (18 years+): £25.60
Child member (0–17 years): £20.50
Accessibility info: Wheelchair-friendly. All ages are welcome, but content is recommended for those aged 7 and above.
Tickets: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/whats-on.html?utm_source=jurassicoceans-announcementlistings-al&utm_medium=nhm-press&utm_campaign=j-oceans
Dinos vs Sharks Show
Join us in a showdown for the ages as we try to answer the time-honoured question… What are the fiercest animals to have lived on Earth – dinosaurs or sharks?
Journey with us as we explore two of the deadliest groups in the animal kingdom – dinosaurs and sharks. In each round of this fun and educational show, you’ll meet an iconic dinosaur and a legendary shark. After learning about each one from a Museum expert, you’ll get to vote for your favourite as you, the audience, settle the age-old debate of who’s the fiercest?
Dinos vs Sharks Show tickets include entry to our new blockbuster exhibition Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep.
Date: Saturday 6 June 2026, Sunday 7 June 2026
Times: Two daily showings at 10:30–11:30, 13:00–14:00
Tickets: Adult member (18 years+): £12, Child member (0–17 years): £12
Adult (18 years+): £22, Child (0–17 years): £16.50
https://www.nhm.ac.uk/whats-on.html?utm_source=jurassicoceans-announcementlistings-al&utm_medium=nhm-press&utm_campaign=j-oceans
Jurassic Jaws
“You’re gonna need a bigger … microscope!”
Become paleo-detectives as you try to solve an underwater crime-scene from the ancient oceans in this fun-filled family event. Help uncover the identities of mystery sharks with the tools and techniques of real Museum marine palaeontologists.
Families will discover the amazing adaptations that helped sharks survive the Jurassic’s fiercest predators and find out what makes sharks essential to the health of our oceans today.
Location: Investigate Centre
Dates: Saturday 23 May – Sunday 31 May and October half term
Timings: Timed entry – weekdays every half hour 11am-4pm, Weekends 11am, 11.30am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm, 3.30pm, 4pm
Ages: Suitable for 6+
Tickets: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/whats-on.html?utm_source=jurassicoceans-announcementlistings-al&utm_medium=nhm-press&utm_campaign=j-oceans
Ocean Tails
Dive into the Jurassic seas with Ocean Tails, a playful, accessible and inclusive sensory story-sharing experience for 4–7-year-olds and their care givers. Led by our Learning Volunteers, these interactive sessions bring ancient oceans to life through imaginative stories, sounds and movement. Families will meet incredible marine creatures of the past, discover their modern-day relatives, and explore how we can all care for today’s oceans.
Location: Natural History Museum, South Kensington
Dates: School holidays and Sundays from 22 May 2026 to 3 January 2027
Timings: Drop-in
Ages: 4-7s and their families
Tickets: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/whats-on.html?utm_source=jurassicoceans-announcementlistings-al&utm_medium=nhm-press&utm_campaign=j-oceans
Women in Science Tour
Our award-winning Women in Science tour takes visitors aged 12 and up on a guided experience through the galleries discovering the stories and contributions of incredible scientists past and present. With engaging stories and specimens to ignite the imagination, the Women in Science Tours includes the inspiring story of Mary Anning, the self-taught fossil hunter from Lyme Regis who discovered the first complete ichthyosaurus skeleton at just 12 years old.
Dates: 21 May 2025 to mark Mary Anning’s birthday, and then the third Saturday of each month, and every Tuesday from 22 May 2026 to 3 January 2027
Jurassic Dawnosaurs
Dawnosaurs is a free event for neurodivergent children, including those with autism, ADHD, Tourette’s, OCD and other sensory processing difficulties.
Visitors to Dawnosaurs will enjoy the Museum, free from the hustle and bustle of the general public. Enjoy access to a wide range of galleries and activities including our family detective workshop Jurassic Jaws and free entry to new blockbuster exhibition, Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep. All activities supported by and led by experienced, neurodivergent-aware facilitators.
Date: Saturday 10 October 2026
Ages: 5-15
Timings: 8-10am
Ticketed: Free, booking required
Location: Entrance on Exhibition Road, opposite the V&A courtyard
Tickets: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/whats-on.html?utm_source=jurassicoceans-announcementlistings-al&utm_medium=nhm-press&utm_campaign=j-oceans
Dino Snores for Kids
Have you ever wanted to have a sleepover with a giraffe? Or spend the night camped beneath a blue whale? Join us for a night of exploration and adventure among the Museum’s most incredible creatures for a sleepover you’ll never forget!
After setting up camp in one of our iconic galleries, you’ll be treated to an evening of awesome activities with plenty to learn and discover along the way. Explore the Museum by torchlight, participate in an interactive activity with two Victorian palaeontologists and dig deeper with an science show presented by a Museum scientist.
At midnight, it’s time to settle down to sleep. In the morning, breakfast is served bright and early and you’ll discover incredible facts about the natural world in a trail around our fabulous galleries before the Museum opens to the public at 10.00. Ticket includes access to our new blockbuster exhibition, Jurassic Oceans: Monsters of the Deep.
Date: 30th May 2026, 18:30–10:00
Tickets: From £87
Members: from £79
Ages: 7–11 only
Tickets: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/whats-on.html?utm_source=jurassicoceans-announcementlistings-al&utm_medium=nhm-press&utm_campaign=j-oceans
