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Image: World Oceans Day 2023 © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich 

Ready to explore the ocean?
Travel down the Thames and celebrate World Oceans Day at the National Maritime Museum this June.

Featuring live performances, expert talks and science demonstrations, workshops, games and more, World Oceans Day is a family-friendly celebration of our blue planet.

Festival Highlights:
Live Performances
The Great Map at the heart of the National Maritime Museum will be transformed this World Oceans Day thanks to a global line-up of performers and musicians. 

Experience the energy of VOU, a groundbreaking contemporary dance company from Fiji. Be transported to the Pacific, and discover the island's ancient stories, tradition and culture.

The Metronomes Steel Orchestra meanwhile will be bringing the Caribbean spirit to Greenwich with a series of steel band performances throughout the day.

Family Fun
Take part in a series of free games and workshops, and look out for the pod of fabulous merfolk for ocean-inspired facepainting. Scales, coral or little fish – you decide!

Our family-favourite character Neptune, God of the Sea, will also be storming about the Museum. Best keep a weather eye out.

Expert Talks
From giants of the deep to underwater robots, discover how ocean science is transforming knowledge of our watery world. Head to the lecture theatre for a series of talks with working marine scientists, featuring experts from the Manta Trust, British Antarctic Survey and more.

Coral Corner
Since 2022 Royal Museums Greenwich has been 'growing' a vibrant crochet coral reef, and they need your help to make it bigger! Bring your pre-made creations with you or pick up a hook on the day – crochet experts will be there to help, so don’t worry if you’re a complete beginner.

Science animator Hannah Whitman will also be on hand to show you how to draw a wide range of coral species and create some amazing 3D creations using washed-up ocean plastics. The more diverse the reef, the healthier it will be!

VR and the Ocean
Want to explore the ocean without getting your feet wet? Strap on a virtual reality headset and discover life beneath the waves.

Hidden Treasures
Over 90 per cent of the Museum’s collection is in storage, but World Oceans Day is your chance to discover some rarely seen objects with Royal Museums Greenwich curators. Free gallery tours will also be taking place throughout the day, including a special curator tour of new art exhibition The Van de Veldes: Greenwich, Art and the Sea at the Queen's House.

Meet a Polar Scientist
Hear scientists and researchers from the British Antarctic Survey sharing exciting insights and real-life experiences, including a talk from Povl Abrahamsen about what it's like to control underwater robots in Antarctica.