The Science Museum in London is launching a free Pokémon Space Trail on Friday 2 October 2026, created with the European Space Agency and The Pokémon Company International. It runs until Sunday 3 January 2027 and leads an autumn line-up that also includes new Wonderlab shows for October half term and a major free exhibition on how science shaped America.
Pokémon Space Trail at the Science Museum
The trail takes over the museum’s galleries, pairing Pokémon characters with real stories of space science. It’s free, but you’ll need a timed ticket. October half-term tickets go on sale from Friday 2 October.
After the trail, fans can visit the dedicated Pokémon x ESA Gift Shop, packed with Pokémon and space-themed goodies. Entry needs a free timed ticket, and these are available to book now.
Pokémon GO players can also catch Astronaut Pikachu during their visit. With an extra ticket, gamers can head into Power Up to play Pokémon Snap on Nintendo 64, Pokémon Battle Revolution on Wii and Pokémon Legends: Z-A on Switch 2.
For grown-ups: the adults-only Pokémon x ESA Lates takes place on Thursday 26 November, 6.30pm to 10pm (18+, free, ticketed). Expect a remastered screening of Pokémon Detective Pikachu in the IMAX, hands-on science in the Open Labs and a Pokémon board game café.
October half term at the Science Museum
Wonderlab, the museum’s interactive gallery for ages 7 to 14, has two brand-new live shows running daily and included in a Wonderlab ticket:
- Are We There Yet? explores the science and maths of engines, speed and transport, past, present and future.
- Is That Light? looks at how light travels, what it can reveal and how light and maths can even start a fire.
Wonderlab prices vary, so book early for cheaper tickets. Family discounts and annual passes are available.
Other half-term picks include Power Up (ages 5+), with 50 years of games from Pong to Minecraft, and Bubble Explorers for little ones aged 7 and under (£4.50, under-2s free). The free Space Show runs at 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 3pm at weekends and in school holidays until February 2027, complete with flames and a floating plate of whipped cream.
Becoming America: How science shaped a nation
Opening Friday 23 October 2026 and running until Sunday 25 April 2027, this free, ticketed exhibition marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Highlights include a rare surviving 1776 print of the Declaration, Mark Catesby’s striking Bald Eagle watercolour and a surveyor’s compass believed to have been used on the Mason Dixon Line survey.
Astronights sleepovers
Children aged 7 to 11 can explore the museum after dark and sleep among its famous objects. This year’s programme features a new Mars mission experience and an exclusive badge. Dates are 14 November, 28 November and 5 December 2026, plus 15 January, 5 March and 12 March 2027. The three pre-Christmas dates include the Pokémon Space Trail. Standard tickets start from £82 and VIP from £125.
More to see and book
- Science Afternoon Tea: Thursdays to Sundays outside school holidays. Adults £36, kids £26, with interactive science add-ons from £10.
- IMAX films: T.Rex 3D, A Beautiful Planet 3D and Arctic: Our Frozen Planet. Dune: Part Three screens on IMAX 70mm from December (from £14, 172 minutes).
- Interactive Guides: £5, collected from the Information Desk in the Energy Hall.
- Space gallery: free, featuring Tim Peake’s Soyuz descent module and the Apollo 10 command module.
Visiting the Science Museum
The Science Museum is open seven days a week and entry is free, though visitors are encouraged to book tickets in advance.
