The October half term holidays are going to be out of this world in St Albans, with events to commemorate 50 years since the Apollo moon landing, as well as celebrating some of the scientists with links to St Albans.
The space and science themed fun begins at St Albans Museum + Gallery with the opening of the new exhibition Science In St Albans: Novum Organum Scientiarum, which celebrates some of the scientists who have lived and worked in St Albans and the surrounding district. In addition, St Albans Cathedral will host the incredible Space Voyage, which will fill the Nave with intergalactic projections, allowing visitors to walk among the stars.
There’s a whole programme of events, music, trails, planetarium projections and even daleks! Some events are ticketed and must be booked in advance, so take a look below and get ready for an interstellar half term holidays. Also, don’t forget that there’s a huge list of spooky and non-spooky events and activities for half term here in my Guide To October Half Term.
Remember that the details of events are correct at the time of publishing. Please check the details of an event directly with the venue or organisers before you travel.
St Albans Cathedral – Space Voyage
From Monday 28th October to Friday 1st November 2019, book your tickets to visit Space Voyage at St Albans Cathedral and take a journey to the moon and stars. This spectacular space-themed son-et-lumière will illuminate the exterior and interior of the cathedral in a dramatic experience of cosmic light and sound, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing. Take a journey to the edge of the universe and back. Advance booking is strongly recommended as this is expected to be an extremely popular event. Visit the website to book tickets, or for more information.
St Albans Museum + Gallery – Science In St Albans: Novum Organum Scientiarum
Visit the St Albans Museum + Gallery from Saturday 19th October to Sunday 15th March 2020, to see the latest major exhibition, Science In St Albans: Novum Organum Scientiarum. This fascinating exhibition celebrates some of the incredible scientists who have lived and worked in St Albans and the surrounding district. Using Francis Bacon’s scientific method as outlined in his momentous works, Novum Organum, this exhibition explores the discoveries of other scientists that used his method: from the longest running agriculture experiment in the world at Rothamsted to the pioneering work of entomologist Eleanor Ormerod and Stephen Hawking’s work on black holes. Entrance is free. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Cathedral – Play Among The Stars
On Sunday 20th October 2019, at 3pm and again at 3.30pm, visit St Albans Cathedral and be transported to a galaxy far, far away, as the organ fills the Cathedral with music from the movies. Hear some of your favourite science fiction soundtracks, including the theme from Star Wars and Interstellar, as you’ve never heard them before. Suitable for all ages. Entry will be free, with a retiring collection in aid of Cathedral Music funds. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Cathedral – Space Trail
From Saturday 26th October to Sunday 3rd November 2019, visit St Albans Cathedral and make amazing discoveries with a fantastic space-themed trail that takes you to far-off places in the Cathedral, where you’ll make amazing discoveries that are out of this world! Plus, take one small step onto the moon’s surface with a special moon mat. Collect your Space Trail from reception in the Welcome Centre. This activity is free, donations are gratefully received. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Museum + Gallery – Big Draw
On Monday 28th October 2019, 10.30am-12.30pm and again at 2-4pm pop into St Albans Museum + Gallery, be inspired by the Science in St Albans exhibition and this year’s Big Draw theme. Come and discover the joy in the mindful act of sketching. As a family, work with professional artist Laura Ellis to create a fantastic masterpiece. Please note that children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. This activity is free. This activity will take place in the Learning Studio at St Albans Museum + Gallery. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Cathedral – One Small Step
From Monday 28th October to Friday 1st November 2019, come to St Albans Cathedral between 8.30am and 5.30pm and see the floor of the Crossing transformed into a lunar landscape, offering you a once in a lifetime opportunity to walk on the moon! This very special installation to commemorate the Moon Landing uses NASA imagery of the lunar surface, allowing you to walk on the moon and take you very own ‘One Small Step’. The moon mat will be free to visit during the day – why not come and take a selfie! Suitable for all ages. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Museum + Gallery – Science-Themed Museum Minis
Museum Minis at St Albans Museum + Gallery takes place on Tuesday 29th October 2019 with sessions at 10-11am and again at 11.30am-12.30pm. Enjoy a story and craft activity with a science theme, as well as a museum hunt, suitable for children aged 2-4 years old. All children must be accompanied by an adult. There is a charge of £3 per child for craft activities. Book online or pay in person at the museum. Visit the website to book your place or for more information.
St Albans Cathedral – Messy Church on the Moon
Visit St Albans Cathedral on Tuesday 29th October 2019, 9.30-11am for a morning of crafts and activities with Abbey Bear who is excited about his trip to the moon and wants you to come with him on a journey through the stars. Walk on the moon, celebrate the beauty of God’s earth and the HUGENESS of the universe. Lots of beautiful things to make and take home, space games to play and action songs to sing. Prepare for lift off! Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Museum + Gallery – Planetarium Projections – Stars and Constellations
Get your tickets for Planetarium Projections – Stars and Constellations at St Albans Museum + Gallery on Wednesday 30th October 2019, sessions at 10.30am and again at 11.45am (suitable for children aged 8 years old+). For hundreds of years the constellations have been used to tell stories, for navigation and to understand the night sky. Come and investigate the stars, starting with our own star, the Sun, learn about their life cycles and their place in the galaxy. The event takes place in a planetarium which is an inflatable dome. Visitors must remain seated for the duration of the show. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
St Albans Museum + Gallery – Planetarium Projections – Relaxed Show
Get your tickets for Planetarium Projections – A Tour of the Solar System (Relaxed Show) at St Albans Museum + Gallery on Wednesday 30th October 2019, (suitable for children aged 8 years old+). This SEND friendly show is for visitors that might appreciate a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere. Take a tour around the solar system, visiting the sun and each of the planets from Mercury to Neptune. Learn about interesting moons, follow famous space missions and visit some other unusual objects in the solar system. The event takes place in a planetarium which is an inflatable dome. Visitors must remain seated for the duration of the show. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
St Albans Museum + Gallery – Planetarium Projections – A Tour of the Solar System
Get your tickets for Planetarium Projections – A Tour of the Solar System at St Albans Museum + Gallery on Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st October 2019, (suitable for children aged 8 years old+). Take a tour around the solar system, visiting the sun and each of the planets from Mercury to Neptune. Learn about interesting moons, follow famous space missions and visit some other unusual objects in the solar system. The event takes place in a planetarium which is an inflatable dome. Visitors must remain seated for the duration of the show. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
St Albans Cathedral Family Discovery Morning – Space The Final Frontier
Come and enjoy the St Albans Cathedral Family Discovery Morning, 10am to 12.30pm on Thursday 31st October 2019. The FREE Family Discovery Morning trail allows you to explore the Cathedral with plenty of opportunity for arts and crafts along the way. Suitable for children aged 3-11 years old. Please arrive before noon so that you have time to complete the activities. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Cathedral – Doctor Who – A Voyage In Space and Time
On Thursday 31st October 2019 at 2pm, visitors to St Albans Cathedral will be taken on a rollercoaster voyage through time, space and six decades of ‘The Doctor’, with opportunities to meet real Daleks and other special guests. Frank Danes, Doctor Who expert and author of ‘Six Decades of Adventure in Space and Time,’ will take visitors on an interactive journey about all things Doctor Who – from screen history, the battle between good and evil and monsters made of bubble wrap. As part of this special free afternoon, you may also have the opportunity to meet and take photos with some of Doctor Who’s most iconic characters, including two real-life Daleks. Visit the website for more information.
St Albans Museum + Gallery – Planetarium Projections – Earth, Sun, Moon
Get your tickets for Planetarium Projections – Earth, Sun, Moon at St Albans Museum + Gallery on Thursday 31st October 2019, (ideal for children 5-7 years old). Learn more about planet Earth, the sun and the moon in this short show for younger visitors. Discover how craters are formed and how the sun creates the northern lights. The event takes place in a planetarium which is an inflatable dome. Visitors must remain seated for the duration of the show. Visit the website to book tickets or for more information.
St Albans Museum + Gallery – Cosmic Crafts
On Friday 1st November 2019, 10.30am-12.30pm and again at 2-4pm pop into St Albans Museum + Gallery and finish half-term with a BANG by getting crafty, inspired by all things planetary. Please note that children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. This activity is £2 per child and will take place in the Learning Studio at St Albans Museum + Gallery. Visit the website for more information.
Sunday Lunch and Space-Themed Arts and Crafts
23B George Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 4ES
On Sunday 3rd November 2019 book your Sunday lunch at Loft St Albans where younger members of the family will be able to enjoy arts & crafts that are out of this world! Every Sunday, Loft St Albans has a supervised children’s arts and crafts table in a dedicated area of the restaurant, to take the stress out of family dining. To celebrate Space & Science week in St Albans, the arts and crafts on offer will have a space theme! Visit the website to book your table or call Nick on 01727 865568.
Details are correct at the time of publishing. Please check the details of an event directly with the venue or organisers before you travel.
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