125th Birthday Party
Music
- Three stages hosting local and young musicians, DJs and musical storytelling for under-5s
- Roaming musical and dance performances
Arts and crafts
- Get you creative juices flowing and contribute to giant artworks:
- Pick a colour and add a few rows or a pompom to an enormous tapestry.
- Create a paper shape to add to a gigantic artwork. At the end of the party, we’ll use the power of the sun to print those silhouettes onto a banner to make a giant cyanotype print.
- Enjoy a quieter moment colouring. Can we colour in the entire shadow of a tree by the end of the day?
Family craft corner
Get ready for the party of the year by make your very own birthday hat.
Hedgehog highway sign making
One of the best ways to encourage hedgehogs to visit a new area is to cut holes in fences. We have our own series of fence holes between the Nature Trail and the Gardens, but no sightings of any spiky friends yet. Help us encourage them to pop in by making tiny signs for our Hedgehog highway.
Games
Smallympics
One trolley, two umpires and classic eccentric games for all.
With leader boards, world records, medals, trophies and ‘hard but fair’ rule enforcement. A mixture of show, walkabout, installation, and a sports day with twists, all-comers welcome. Watch, take part, cheer on.
Activities
Object handling in the Hands On Base
Explore some of the thousands of real museum objects in our Handling Collection by touching, wearing and discovering them for yourself.
Storytelling tent
Enjoy our favourite books from the Horniman Shop brought to life by an expert storyteller.
‘Horniman Future’ station
What will the Horniman be like in 125 years’ time? Help shape the nearer future at our interactive insights station.
Horniman history display
Look back over 125 years of the Horniman with a timeline.
Memory map
Add your moments of visits to the Horniman to our big map.
Bouncy castles
Please note this activity is an additional fee.
Tours and Trails
See the Museum and Gardens from new and surprising perspectives with tours from Horniman experts or set off to explore with self-led paper or phone-based trails.
Bee Buddies
Come and meet our Bee Buddies in the sunken garden between one and three. They’ll point out interesting plants, insects and other pollinators and may have some bee friendly seeds to give away!
Food and drink
- You’ll have your pick from some of London’s best street food stalls serving up irresistible flavours.
- The Colicci Kiosk will have sandwiches, snacks and a wide selection of hot and cold soft drinks.
- Refresh at the Colicci bar with cocktails, mocktails, draft beers, a wide range of soft drinks.
Surprises
You’ll just have to wait and see!
Ticket information
- This event will take place whatever the weather and refunds will not be offered in the case of bad weather.
- This event is outside in the Horniman’s beautiful Gardens, please dress appropriately for the weather on the day.
- All members of your group, including children under the age of two, will need a ticket.
- The Gardens will be accessible to ticket holders only. Reduced-cost tickets for the Butterfly House will also be available on the day for event attendees.
- Read the terms and conditions
Accessibility
- If you have access requirements and would like to speak to someone in advance of the event, please call 020 8699 1872 or email venuehire@horniman.ac.uk
- If you are a Blue Badge holder and would like to park onsite, please see our Access page for more details.
Crowds and seating
- There will not be a dedicated quiet area in this event. For a quieter space please try the South Downs part of the Gardens.
- The South Downs has a few benches and is a grassy area with limited concrete paths. This area of the Gardens also has a sloping ground and during wet weather it may not be suitable for wheelchair users or anyone who is unstable on their feet.
- Buggies are allowed on site, however there is no buggy park.
How do I get into the event on the day?
- The Birthday Party will take place across the Gardens.
- Please enter the site via the main entrance on London Road – walk up the Avenue and you will find the ticket gate directly ahead of you. This will be the only access point for ticket holders.
- The entrance on Horniman Drive will not be open.
Terms and Conditions
- Parents remain responsible for their children at all times. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Please be aware that events are standing / dancing with limited seating, although of course you can sit on the ground. Please give those with access needs priority to seating.
- Please do not bring your own alcoholic drinks with you as these will be confiscated at the entrance gate. We will be running bags checks. You are welcome to bring baby food with you.
- We may photograph or film small parts of the event and by entering, you are giving permission for these to be used by Horniman for promotional purposes.
- Dogs are not permitted at this event.