FROM SEA SHANTIES TO SPACE STATIONS, ASTRONAUTS TO ANTHEMS: MAY TAKES OFF AT THE NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE

The month kicks off on 1 May with Small Space Days, a gentle introduction to space for the Centre’s youngest explorers. Designed for early years visitors, it’s a chance for little ones to get hands-on with discovery with stories, crafts and play plus a toddler friendly planetarium show which is they’re sure to go (goo goo) ga ga over.

Things take a more relaxed turn on 10 May with an Accessible Afternoon , offering a quieter, more supportive experience to support children, young adults and families with additional needs and disabilities, designed for SEND visitors who would benefit from a quieter experience. With relaxed lighting and sounds around the Centre and hands-on sensory activities that are drop-in, to allow visitors to experience them in their own time. It’s all about making space — quite literally — for everyone to explore comfortably.

Then, on 22 May, things take a sharp turn into full swashbuckling chaos with an after-hours  Pirate Party celebrating the 30th anniversary of Muppet Treasure Island and featuring film screenings, live music performance, treasure hunts, access to the galleries, and pirate-themed fun.

This special evening event transforms the Centre into a pirate’s playground, with film, live music performance, out-of-hours gallery access, treasure hunting, and plenty of victuals and grog.

The evening’s main event, a 30th anniversary screening of Muppet Treasure Island will take place in the UK’s largest planetarium with an early screening for families, a later 18+ screening, access to the galleries throughout, activities from our own space pirate crew, all topped by an amazing performance from the The Puppet Folk Experience.  This is a night that every pirate can enjoy – and there may even be some rum in the bar!

The following evening, 23 May, offers something a little more grounded — though no less extraordinary. An Evening with Helen Sharman marks 35 years since the UK’s first astronaut journeyed to the MIR Space Station, and she’ll be sharing her story in the heart of the galleries.