Great Exhibition Road Festival 2026
Register now for free!|Celebration of science and the arts
This year, the festival focuses on the complex history and lasting legacy of the first World Fair – an event that welcomed over six million visitors – through a rich programme of talks, workshops and interactive events. Discover how science and the arts continue to shape people, communities and nature, inspired by this historic milestone.
The Goethe-Institut is a partner of the Great Exhibition Road Festival, contributing a programme of German-themed activities for all ages. Browse the events below and join us over the weekend of 6-7 June 2026.
Across the festival, visitors can take part in workshops, talks, performances and installations presented by institutions including Imperial College London, the Natural History Museum, the Royal College of Music, the Science Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Royal Albert Hall, among others.
Register for the festival to receive updates and access free tickets for selected talks, workshops and events: www.greatexhibitionroadfestival.co.uk
Please note: All Goethe‑Institut activities during the festival are free of charge. Some events require advance booking, while others are available on a first‑come, first‑served basis. Please arrive on time for workshops with scheduled timeslots.
All Goethe‑Institut activities are part of this year’s London: City of Languages initiative, which brings together learners, teachers, parents and communities. More information is available here: https://londoncityoflanguages.org.uk/
Events
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Creating the world of Wuschel
Exhibition, German Days | Exhibition of Axel Scheffler’s original sketches and illustrations for Wuschel auf der Erde
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Goethe-Institut London Library, London
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Great Exhibition Road Festival 2026 - Wuschel's Mission: Interactive
Treasure Hunt | After visiting Creating the World of Wuschel, featuring the main character of a new German learning resource for primary schools, help Wuschel complete his mission through puzzles and a sticker treasure hunt.
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Goethe-Institut London Library, London
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Great Exhibition Road Festival 2026 - Experience the Great Exhibition of 1851 in the Crystal Palace in VR
VR Exhibition | Put on a VR headset and find yourself by the Prince of Wales Gate in Hyde Park in 1851!
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Goethe-Institut London Library, London
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Great Exhibition Road Festival 2026 - Germany Quiz and Wheel of Fortune
Quiz | Test your German(y) knowledge, spin the wheel of fortune and win fun Goethe Institut prizes in this relaxed, drop in festival activity.
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Great Exhibition Road Festival 2026 - Moving through Time: A Dance Experiment
Session | A movement-based workshop exploring time through the body, inspired by Einstein and Goethe, inviting you to discover your own pace and experience time differently.
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Goethe-Institut London Auditorium
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Great Exhibition Road Festival 2026 - German Taster Session for Children and Young Learners
Workshop | A playful German taster session for children and young learners, offering a first introduction to the language through games, interaction and guided activities
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Goethe-Institut London Library, London
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Great Exhibition Road Festival 2026 - German Taster Session for Adults
Workshop | Try your first German phrases in this drop in taster session and get a feel for language learning at the Goethe-Institut.
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Goethe-Institut London Library, London
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