Discovery Day – relaxed opening @ Francis Crick Institute, London

Join us for a relaxed opening of Discovery Day, designed for families who prefer a quieter and calmer environment to experience our pop-up science festival. This free, ticketed event offers an opportunity to explore and enjoy various activities inside the Crick before the building opens to the public.

Your free ticket grants access to the activities from 9.30 – 10.30, followed by a relaxed Science Magic show from 10.30 – 11.00.

Discovery Day will open to the public at 11.00 and we will ask ticket holders to exit the building after the show. Our outside activities will start at 11.00, so you are welcome to stay and enjoy these whilst it is quieter earlier in the day.

Here is a little taster of some of the activities you can enjoy inside the Crick as part of the relaxed opening:

• Fruit Piano – make an apple sing! Turn fresh fruit into musical keys and explore sensors, coding, and electronics.
• Rainbow Mixing – create dazzling rainbow patterns by controlling colourful liquids. Discover how science, electronics, and coding come together in cool tech used by researchers.
• Crick News – lights, camera, action! Take the spotlight and interview a scientist to ask your burning questions and learn more about life in the lab at the Crick.

After you’ve booked your tickets, we will send out more information the week before the event, so you can plan your time at the Crick with your family.

Our relaxed opening is especially suitable for children, young people, and families with members who are autistic, neurodivergent, have sensory needs or anyone who would benefit from visiting the museum when it is less crowded. This event is suitable for families with children aged 6+.

Please book the correct number of tickets for your family group, under one booking. Each individual needs their own ticket to attend. We will not admit lone adults or unaccompanied children. Please ensure everyone in your group has a valid, individual ticket. This is due to both safeguarding reasons and the capacity of the event.

We look forward to seeing you there!