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Exhibitions and events

20 events

Pieces of paper laid out on the floor on top of each other.

Artists making books: poetry to politics
. Free .

This intriguing new show explores the history of artists taking on the medium of books.

Japanese festival float model teaser 1

Japan’s Festival Floats
. Free .

For centuries, summertime in Japan has centred around spectacular local festivals with costumes, singing, dancing and incredible floats.

A close up photograph of a silver griffin. The griffin has curled horns, a beak and gold details including its wings.

Luxury and power: Persia to Greece
. Book now .

Drawing on dazzling objects, this exhibition explores how luxury shaped the political landscape of Eurasia in the first millennium BC.

Ink and colour picture showing the head and shoulders of an elderly Chinese woman with her hair tied back. She is wearing green earings and a blue jacket decorated with gold leaves around the neck.

China’s hidden century
. Book now .

In a global first, the resilience and innovation of 19th-century China is revealed through the stories of its remarkable individuals.

A close up photograph of a woman wearing a blue dress underwater, with the sun on her face and her eyes closed.

£10
11 Jun 2023

Dauntless – Grace O'Malley, Pirate Queen
. Book now .

Debs Newbold gleefully delivers the boisterous, remarkable and inspirational story of her hero: Grainne ni Mhaille – Grace O'Malley.

View from the side showing the head and shoulders of a toddler looking through a red-framed magnifying glass.

Family activity

13 Jun 2023

Little Feet: exhibition explorer
. Free .

Explore our special exhibition 'Luxury and power: Persia to Greece' and take part in fun activities in this session for under 5s.

Colourful kimono-like informal gown with a swooping phoenix on the front. Colours are mainly brown, pink, purple and blue.

Accessible event

15 Jun 2023

Audio-described tour of China’s hidden century exhibition
. Book now .

VocalEyes' Timna Fibert leads this audio-described event, which provides evocative visual descriptions with a guided tour of the exhibition.

On the left, a limestone head of a male statue with curly hair and beard and a wreath of leaves on his head. On the right, a marble portrait of an ageing man with curling beard and moustache.

Members' conference / Members' exclusive

£75 (Members)
17 Jun 2023

Great civilisations: Greece and Persia
. Book now .

Members are invited to this exclusive day-long conference, featuring talks by leading experts on the ancient Greek and Persian worlds.

Selection of gold, silver and glass tableware, including dishes and drinking vessels.

Lectures & discussions / Study days & courses

£35
18 Jun 2023

Gold, silver and glass from the Middle East to the Eurasian steppe
. Book now .

In this one-day international conference, scientific research will be used to throw new light on the luxury materials of antiquity.

A close up of traditional Bulgarian costumes in red and blue with lace and embroidery detail.

23 Jun 2023

Celebrating traditional Bulgarian culture
. Free .

Join the London Bulgarian Choir and Folklore Ensemble Bulgaria – London for a free performance celebrating the country's cultural heritage.

Image of Rodreguez King-Dorset, half of his face in shadow.

24 Jun 2023

Windrush Secret
. Book now .

A remarkable play, following speeches by a white, far-right racist party leader, a black Caribbean diplomat and a Home Office official.

A teddy and a dog soft toy leaned against a red cushion with scissors slightly visible at bottom of image.

Family activity

29 Jun 2023

Little Feet: creative China
. Free .

Join the Little Feet Teddies and explore fabulous fabrics, create calligraphy masterpieces and making your mark on our giant scroll.