Spend your evenings at London museums in 2022

London is world-revered for its impressive list of museums and galleries – they are almost as abundant as restaurants near Paddington Station or theaters near Covent Garden. With an estimated 170 museums in the capital, it is seldom that you find people complaining that there is not enough to do in London. Even so, the museums still go the extra mile by opening in the evenings and putting on events, so as to ensure nobody is at a loss for how to make the most of London hotels special offers. Here are five museums and galleries with exciting nighttime activities to enjoy on your trip to London. 

National History Museum Silent Disco

Head to the National History Museum, one of London’s premiere museums, for their much-loved Silent Disco. These are not just Summer events, though, nor just in 2022 – they will be running until March 2023 on various dates and take place from 10pm to 1am. It costs £27 for adults and £24.30 for members. Not to mention, it is hosted in the museum’s Hintze Hall, the biggets public gallery in the museum – that is the iconic room in which you will find the skeleton of a blue whale suspended from the ceiling. 

Onto the important stuff: what is a Silent Disco? If you have not come across this cultural experience yet, you are in for a real treat – and if you have, you know it is worth every penny. There will be three DJs playing favorites in the world of pop, rock and party classics – at the same time. But that does not mean you have to listen to them at the same time! You are presented with noise canceling headphones and you can tune into the channel that best inspires your finest dance moves. 

Address: Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 5BD

Book tickets: www.nhm.ac.uk/events/silent-disco 

Dino Snores for Grown-ups

Another nighttime event at the Natural History Museum is their Dino Snores for Grown-ups event. An adults-only party at this historic museum is everything you didn’t know you needed: fun, food, science, films, music and for those who can’t crack an all-nighter, a sleepover. It costs £185 for adults and £166.50 for members – a prime instance in which a membership is worth it if you find yourself regularly visiting hotels near Paddington Station London. The ticket price includes a drink on arrival, dinner, breakfast, and a killer line-up of activities.

Some of the activities include: free access to selected galleries and the Our Broken Planet exhibit, a quiz, a science show, stand-up comedy, an all-night movie marathon, as well as a live animal workshop with ethical handling company ZooLab. It will be a night to remember. 

Address: Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 5BD

Book tickets: www.nhm.ac.uk/events/dino-snores-for-grown-ups 

Lates

The Natural History Museum’s neighbor, the Science Museum, is not one to be left out when it comes to after-hour museum fun. Their adults-only, after-hours theme nights take place in the museum on the last Wednesday of every month. This is a free event that takes place from 6.30pm to 10pm – though there are VIP tickets for £10. The general ticket includes talks, tours, hands-on workshops on specific themes as well as much more to explore, while the VIP ticket includes 6.30pm priority entry via the VIP queue at the Main Entrance, a welcome drink at the Energy Cafe and 15% off at the gift shop. The next event is on Wednesday 27 July 2022.

Address: Exhibition Road, South Kensington, SW7 2DD

Book tickets: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/lates 

The Friday Late events at the V&A Museum are free and drop-in, taking place on the last Friday of every month (excluding January, February, May and December). This programme has been going strong for the past two decades, and brings together leading and emerging designers and artists under the museum’s roof so that the public can enjoy live performance, installations, film, debate and hands-on workshops. Looking ahead to September, the Friday Late will coincide with the London Design Festival in the museum. 

Address: Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 5BD

Book tickets: www.vam.ac.uk/info/friday-late 

Late Opening at The British Museum 

While the British Museum does not have specific themed events like a Silent Disco or a sleepover, their late opening hours make Friday nights a lot more special. Open every Friday from 5pm to 8.30pm, book a free ticket to enjoy and explore all the British Museum’s current exhibitions on your own or to join a guided tour – it is important to book a timed slot in advance to guarantee empty, these are popular events! 

The exhibitions include The World of Stonehenge (on until 17 July 2022), Feminine Power: The Divine to the Demonic (on until 25 September 2022), as well as spotlight tours, where a volunteer guides you through four areas of the collection.  

Address: Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG

Book tickets: www.britishmuseum.org/visit/late-opening-on-fridays#exhibitions 

Park Nights

Guests staying at accommodation in Paddington London need to make the most of their proximity to Park Nights 2022, a series of new performance commissions in The Serpentine Gallery’s annual architectural commission, the Serpentine Pavilion in Kensington Gardens. They take place until 13 October, and start at 8pm. It will cost you £10 to gain access to Serpentine’s 2022 Pavilion, called Black Chapel, which was designed by Theaster Gates with support from Adjaye Associates. 

The June programme included a performance from musician, composer, and innovator Roscoe Mitchell, presented in partnership with London Contemporary Music Festival and Wigmore Hall, who performed alongside musicians Dudù Kouate and Simon Sieger. Those visiting in July will have the opportunity to witness poet, musician, and activist Linton Kwesi-Johnson in action. In September, artist and filmmaker Josiane M.H. Pozi will present a brand new commission created especially for Park Nights. In October, there will be a performance from Standing on the Corner Art Ensemble, who produce musical, visual and experiential works.

Address: Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, W2 3XA

Book tickets: www.serpentinegalleries.org/whats-on/park-nights-2022