What’s On

On the left hand side of a poster white text on a turquoise background of bubble shapes reads 'Science of the Sea - February Half Term' with a rocket illustration shooting of the words. On the right hand side a girl wearing ear defenders and eye goggles holds her hands up in the air smiling, and the reflection in her goggles shows a burst of flames from a science experiment.

Saturday 15 February – Sunday 23 February

Family fun with a BANG! Learn where energy comes from and witness explosive experiments in our science shows, get creative in Make & Take, and embark on a captivating Museum trail.

Resilience

Saturday 23 November 2024 – Sunday 4 January 2026

An evocative, multi-media exhibition on the resilience of Cornwall’s coastal communities past, present and future.

Sunbeam 100

Friday 28 June 2024 – Sunday 8 June 2025

An intimate exhibition celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Sunbeam one-design keelboat boat racing in Falmouth.

SURF!

Friday 28 March 2025 – January 2027

SURF! is the next major exhibition from National Maritime Museum Cornwall, celebrating a century of surfing in Cornwall.

Spring Lecture Series

Spring 2025

Our Lecture Series for Spring 2025 ‘Surf Pioneers’ draws on the themes of our new major exhibition SURF! celebrating 100 years of Waveriding in Cornwall.

Curating 100 Years of Waveriding - Lecture

Thursday 3 April, 7.30pm

Dr Sam Bleakley takes us behind the scenes on his journey curating SURF! gathering over 100 Cornish surfboards spanning 100 years of waveriding history.

A bearded man with a smiling open mount is wearing green overalls and holding a lantern and a mug, standing next to an open treasure chest, promoting Easter holiday activities.

Easter

Saturday 5 April – Monday 21 April

This Easter holidays, join the Cornish Caretakers as they bring Cornish history to life in an hilarious and informative show ‘The Cornish Caretakers and the Treasures of Cornishness’ at National Maritime Museum Cornwall.

A colorful promotional image for "Rock Pool Explorers," featuring ocean-themed graphics including seaweed and crab, includes information about a May half-term event and two girls looking excitedly in the lens of a microscope.

May Half Term

Saturday 24 May – Sunday 1 June

This May half term, discover the curious creatures found on our Cornish coast with the Rock Pool Project at National Maritime Museum Cornwall.

An underwater photograph showing a woman holding a camera with an underwater case, she is wearing a bikini and flippers. Lucia Griggi underwater photographer.

Beyond the Break: Lucia Griggi’s Journey as a Global Surf Photographer – Lecture

Thursday 1 May, 7.30pm

Lucia Griggi shares her incredible journey from the rugged shores of Cornwall to becoming one of the world’s most renowned female surf photographers.

Chris Hines SAS Campaigner holding an SAS branded surfboard and wearing a wetsuit.

Intelligent Activism and Surfing as a Catalyst – Lecture

Thursday 15 May, 7.30pm

In this lecture, Chris Hines MBE Hon.D.Sc. will look at the origins and campaigning of Surfers Against Sewage and where surfing activism sits 35 years on.

Summer Holidays

Monday 21 July – Sunday 31 August

An aerial surf adventure. Immerse yourself in the energy of the ocean waves as the dancers drop in, cut back and hang ten.

October Half Term

Saturday 25 October – Sunday 2 November

As the nights start drawing in and the shadows take over, come and join us for a spooky half term this October. Join in with the eerie shadow puppet stories and songs in the Boat Hall, get creative in spooky Make & Take, and discover the Museum trail!

A person in a dark costume plays an accordion, with Halloween-themed text promoting an event at the museum on October 31st.

Halloween at the Museum

Thursday 31 October, 4.00pm – 6.30pm

Halloween at the Museum is perfect for children and their families. Visit out of hours if you dare!

A Cornish Christmas

Saturday 20 December – Sunday 4 January

Immerse yourself in the best of what makes our beautiful part of the world sparkle at this magical time of year with A Cornish Christmas.

A photo of a man and a child taking part in Make and Take.

Minnows Makes

Once a month during term time

Get creative with your little one in Minnows Makes, craft sessions designed for under 5s. Join us to make something different each month using our most colourful and vibrant art supplies.

A photo of a lady reading a story to a group of adults and children.

Minnows Tales

Every Monday during term time

A weekly storytelling and lively sing-a-long session. Minnows Tales starts at 11am and is perfect for under 5s.

A man works on a wooden boat in a workshop.

Boatbuilding Workshop & Gallery

If you’re visiting the Museum on a Wednesday you may spot our Boat Collection Manager & Volunteers working in the boatbuilding workshop on the latest reconstruction project.