The Horniman Museum and Gardens has announced a series of events to celebrate its 125th anniversary, starting with a free birthday party on 27 June which will offer visitors a fun-filled day of more than 40 activities across the south London venue. 

The party will include giant crafts, music stages and roaming performances, multiple tours and trails, birthday-hat-making and opportunities for visitors to share their memories of the Horniman and their hopes for its next 125 years.

Further highlights of the Forest Hill attraction’s 125th year include a season of live music concerts on the Horniman’s historic Bandstand, a special birthday-edition Sunday market, the return of firm favourite Music, Jerk ‘n Tings, a schools event, and more. 

Ahead of the festivities, the Horniman is seeking memories and photos of the Forest Hill attraction from visitors past and present – from long-ago school visits and family outings to favourite objects, memorable exhibitions and events. 

Michael Salter-Church, Chair of Trustees of the Horniman Museum and Gardens, says: ‘We’re excited to share our plans to mark this milestone anniversary year. Thanks to generous support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and all our supporters, we will be opening new and revitalised spaces in our stunning Gardens and the Museum during the next 12 months. These have been delivered as part of our transformational Nature + Love project which continues our focus on the natural world we all share. I’m even more excited to think about the next 125 years of the Horniman and what future generations of visitors might see and do here.’ 

Gordon Seabright, Chief Executive of the Horniman Museum and Gardens says: ‘The Horniman has welcomed generations of visitors since it opened on 29 June 1901, and we know what a special place it has in people’s hearts. We’re looking forward to as many people as possible joining the celebrations for our 125th anniversary, and we’d especially like to hear people’s favourite moments and memories at the Horniman, as we look to the next 125 years.’ 

The 125th Birthday Party activities include:

• three stages hosting local and young musicians, DJs and musical storytelling for under-5s
• roaming musical and dance performances
• storytelling tent
• giant weaving, tree shadow colouring and giant cyanotype printing
• crafts - birthday-hat making and hedgehog highway sign making
• Horniman history display, memory map and ‘Horniman Future’ station
• children’s games and challenges at the Smallympics
• tours and trails, including bird spotting and the Animals Everywhere AR trail 
• bubbles and bouncy castles
• food stalls and bars.

To secure free tickets to the Horniman’s 125th Birthday Party, visit: horniman.ac.uk/event/125th-birthday-party/    

For information on the Horniman’s 125th anniversary programming visit:  horniman.ac.uk/125

To share memories and photos, email web@horniman.ac.uk – a selection of visitors’ messages and pictures will be shared on the Horniman website and social media channels.