Essential Information
| Type | Events and festivals |
|---|---|
| Location |
Royal Observatory
|
| Date and Times | Saturday 14 September 2024 | Various times |
| Prices | Prices vary, see page for more details |
Have a 'Grand Day Out' at the Royal Observatory to celebrate NASA's International Observe the Moon Night!
We'll be putting on a fun-filled day centred on our lunar neighbour, including screenings of Wallace and Gromit's A Grand Day Out with a live music soundtrack, special Moon-focussed planetarium shows and workshops, and a chance to observe the Moon through the Royal Observatory's telescopes.
What's more, throughout the day you’ll get the opportunity to meet our fantastic astronomers, who will inspire you to look up and discover our celestial companion.
Daytime schedule
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A Grand Day Out screening
11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm and 7.30pm (part of our evening observing session) | £12 adults, £6 children, £8 students and under 25s. Members get a 10% discount
We'll be screening the iconic claymation Wallace and Gromit film A Grand Day Out in the Planetarium, scored by a live band.
In Nick Park’s first film featuring the famous duo, Wallace and Gromit enjoy a day out with a difference when a quest to find cheese prompts a visit to the Moon. Despite a few hiccups with their homemade rocket, the duo makes a successful lunar landing, arriving just in time for lunch. But a strange, mechanical being isn’t too happy to see Wallace eating slices of moon cheese…
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Claystation
12.30pm, 2.30pm and 4.30pm | Add-on to the screening, with limited capacity | Recommended ages 5+ | £3 per person
If you've been inspired by Wallace and Gromit, then get stuck in and create your own clay figure at a self-led workshop.
Have any questions about the Moon or anything else astronomical? An astronomer will be on hand to answer all your queries.
Sessions last around 45 minutes.
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Lunar-themed planetarium shows
£12 adults, £6 children, £8 students and under 25s. Free for Members
Come along to one of our regular planetarium shows, which will have a special Moon theme for the occasion.
12.30pm - Audio Universe (7+)
2.30pm - Moons Beyond Counting (7+)
4.30pm - The Sky Tonight Live featuring the Moon (7+)
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Young Astronomers Workshop
11.30am– 4.30pm | Recommended 7-11 years old | Free with a Royal Observatory or Planetarium ticket
Come along to a free, drop-in family workshop and join a range of activities themed around the Moon.
Held inside the learning spaces at the top of the Astronomy Centre, these sessions are free for both Royal Observatory visitors and Planetarium ticketholders. Just ask staff for directions when you arrive.
Sessions last around 15 minutes.
Evening screening and observing session
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7.30pm - 9.30pm | £16 adults, £8 child, Members get a 10% discount | Recommended ages 11+
The evening will kick off in the Planetarium with a screening of A Grand Day Out accompanied by a live band. After this, we'll take a closer look at the Moon through our modern telescopes (weather depending).
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What is International Observe the Moon Night?
International Observe the Moon Night is an occasion set up by NASA to bring people together worldwide to celebrate, learn about and observe our Moon.
NASA says, "Everyone on Earth is invited to learn about lunar science and exploration, take part in celestial observations, and honor cultural and personal connections to the Moon. We encourage everyone to interpret “observe” broadly!"
So, where better to join in than at the Royal Observatory?
Our partners
Essential information
How do I get to this event?
The Royal Observatory is at the top of a steep hill within Greenwich Park with spectacular views across London. Please allow plenty of time to get to us in advance of your session. For more information on getting to the Observatory by train, bus, car, boat, bike and on foot, click here.
As the Observatory is located inside Greenwich Park, which closes at 8pm in September, those attending the evening session will have to leave in the following way:
- Those leaving by car can exit via St Mary's Gate at the northwest end of the Park.
- Those on foot will be taken by a free minibus from outside the Observatory to St Mary's Gate.
Please be aware that the minibus is not wheelchair accessible. If you have any concerns or need to make alternate arrangements, please contact Bookings at bookings@rmg.co.uk or call our Bookings team on 0208 312 6608.
All of this information is available for download here and will also be included with your ticket.
Are companion/carer tickets available?
Companions to visitors with disabilities are entitled to free admission. Please select the ticket type when booking via the link at the top of the page or you can contact the Bookings Team on 020 8312 6608 or email Bookings@rmg.co.uk.
How do I book tickets?
To book A Grand Day Out, click here and choose your tickets, then select the day and time you would like to book before scrolling down and clicking 'add to basket'. On the next page, you'll have the option to book Claystation, which is an add-on to the screening, before proceeding to checkout.
To book tickets to Observe the Moon, visit the same link and scroll down. Under the section 'Observe the Moon', pick your tickets and the time and date of your visit and then click 'add to basket'.
For Member tickets, click here and log into your Membership portal, then select your tickets.
I have another question.
Check our frequently asked questions here. If you're still not sure, call or email the Bookings team.
Call: +44 (0)20 8312 6608
Email: bookings@rmg.co.uk
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Header image by Alexander Andrews on Unsplash