FAQs

Please find a list of common FAQs about the Great Exhibition Road Festival and how to get the most out of the Festival weekend! 

On this page: 

Do I need to register for the Great Exhibition Road Festival? 

Registering in advance is highly encouraged. This means you get sent the latest updates about the Festival, as well as notified when free tickets are released for popular events.  

Is it free?  

Yes, all events at the Great Exhibition Road Festival are free and the majority of activities are drop-in (meaning you can just turn up). Some events will have free tickets that people can get in advance, which will be released closer to the weekend. Events with advance tickets will usually also have drop-in spaces available on the day. Please check the event page for details.

Is there a map of the Festival?  

Click here to view a detailed map of the Festival, outlining where different zones, performance spaces, food and drink, and other facilities are located. You also can click here to download a sensory map.

You can see a map of Festival venues on this page.  

How can I get to the Festival? 

You can find all the information you need about travelling to the Festival on this page. This will be updated with any necessary travel information affecting the Festival weekend closer to the time. 

When is the Festival and what times are events running?  

The Festival is running on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June, with activities from 12.00-18.00.  

A large amount of the Festival programme runs all day, however certain events are timed. The best way to plan what you’d like to go to is by browsing the what’s on section of our website, where you can filter by times and date at the top of the page. You can also click here to download our timed events schedule.

You can also see a list of all timed activities happening on Saturday 7 June and Sunday 8 June.

Is there a programme available?  

Yes, click here to download the Festival programme. It will also be emailed to everyone who has pre-registered and physical copies can be collected at the Festival from the information tents (which will be located on Exhibition Road, Imperial College Road and in Prince’s Gardens). The programme only contains a small selection of the events happening over the Festival weekend, check the what's on pages for more event details.

How can I plan what I want to do/see?  

Make sure to browse the what’s on section of our website and create your own itinerary by clicking the ‘heart’ on these event pages. This will create a ‘my favourites’ page (that you can see by clicking at the top of the Festival site), which you can print or email to yourself.  

Do I need to pre-book for any events? 

Some popular events will have advance tickets released closer to the Festival weekend (register to be notified when these become available).  

If you have an advance ticket, please arrive at the venue 10 minutes before the start time. Your ticket gives you priority access, however, as all Festival events are free we overbook to help ensure a full event and your space may be reallocated. Early arrival reduces this risk. 

If you don’t have a ticket for an event but would still like to go, arrive early and the Festival team will do their best to get you a space.  

What is a zone? 

Activities at the Festival are primarily grouped into Festival zones, packed full of interactive exhibits, creative workshops, and live demonstrations! 

The zones for the 2025 Festival are:  

  1. Adults Only Zone 
  2. Be a Scientist Zone 
  3. Design Innovation Zone  
  4. Eureka Zone  
  5. Family Fun Zone  
  6. Future Medicine Zone 
  7. Green Zone  
  8. Tech Zone  
  9. Natural World Zone  
  10. NextGen Zone 

Our website will list some of the events happening inside these zones, but a huge amount of exciting exhibits won’t be listed—so make sure you check them out on the day to discover a wide array of science and art activities!

Can I access all of the zones? 

While most of the zones are open to everyone and will have activities appropriate for all ages, three zones are designed for specific age groups (the Family Fun Zone, Adults Only Zone and NextGen Zone).  

The Family Fun Zone has activities for Families with children aged 12 and under, the NextGen Zone is designed for young people aged 13-25, and the Adults Only Zone is strictly 18+. No one younger than 18 will be allowed access to the Adults Only Zone.  

There may also be certain activities in other zones for specific age groups, these will be well sign-posted or if you’re unsure ask a Festival volunteer (those wearing pink high-vis vests!)  

Are there events for specific audiences (adults/young people/families)?  

Yes, there are three zones designed for specific age groups (the Family Fun Zone, NextGen Zone and Adults Only Zone). There is also content outside of these zones that have designed with specific audiences in mind, like our Super Cool-Chemistry Show for families.  

When on the what’s on section of our website, you can filter by age groups or check out our Family Favourites, Adult Highlights, and Young People Picks. 

Can I bring my pet?  

There are plenty of activities in outside spaces, dogs must be kept on leads to be permitted within external spaces of Imperial College London (where most Festival activity is programmed). Only assistance dogs will be permitted in the internal spaces of the Festival.

Partner venues (like the V&A, Goethe-Institut and Natural History Museum) will have their own rules about animals, please refer to their website or ask to be signposted to relevant partner staff on the weekend to ask.  

Where can I get more information on the day?  

There will be information tents located on the south end of Exhibition Road, on Imperial College Road and in Prince’s Gardens. You can also ask questions of any Festival volunteers (who will be wearing pink high-vis vests).  

What accessible facilities do you provide?  

Unisex wheelchair-accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are located across the Festival site and in partner institutions. Please see this page for further details of where they are located. These will also be signposted on the Festival map.  

A sensory and visual map of the Festival will also be released closer to the weekend.  

There will also be a Relaxed Session in the Family Fun Zone on Sunday morning for families with members who are neurodiverse (for example, people with autism spectrum conditions or sensory processing difficulties) who may need a quieter, less busy environment with fewer crowds to enjoy the activities taking place! Click here to download a visual story to help you prepare.

Are prayer rooms available at the Festival? 

Yes, you can access Multi-Faith room located in the Lower Ground area of Imperial College London’s Business School (where the Future Medicine Zone is location). The Centre is open from 12.00–18.00.

What Food and Drink is available? 

We will have an array of artisan producers, tasty street food vendors and delicious, sweet stalls for everyone to enjoy. From local specialities to chef’s specials, you’ll find tonnes of treats with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options available! Like to plan your day around food? Here's the food stalls that will be on offer. 

There is also access to drinking water across the Festival, in:  

  • Dangoor Plaza – outside the Queen's Tower Rooms 
  • Prince’s Gardens – on the corner of East Side 
  • Imperial College Road next to the Queen’s Tower 
  • Lower ground floor foyer of Imperial Business School 
  • Partner venues like the V&A, Natural History Museum, and Science Museum have water fountains and water at their cafes

Is there a buggy park available? 

Yes, you can access a few buggy parks at the Great Exhibition Road Festival. One is in the City and Guilds Building in Imperial College London (near Lecture Theatre 200), one at the Family Fun Zone in Prince’s Gardens and one on Imperial College Road (opposite Future Food Live) 

Can children be left unattended at activities in the Festival?  

Children must be accompanied by an adult at all activities. The Festival can get busy so please keep a close eye on children. 

Will there be security at the Festival?  

Yes, security will be patrolling along Exhibition Road, Imperial College Road, Prince’s Gardens and in the main internal zones on the Imperial College London campus. All security are highly visible. 

What if it rains? Will the Festival be cancelled? 

No! Many activities are hosted in indoor zones, and if it does rain, alternatives for some Festival activities will be found. Visitors should check with the Information Tent for updates or look out for signage in case any events have been located. 

We would only cease Festival activity if the weather is extreme. And while certain spaces (like performance stages) may be affected by wet weather, we will do our best to find alternatives and communicate them with visitors.  

Is there Public Wi-Fi available?  

Yes.  Free Wi-Fi is available throughout Imperial College London’s campus via Sky WIFI. Connect to The Cloud from the available network list, open a browser and follow the simple one-time registration process. Once registered the connection is automatic.