How to Celebrate Our 25th Birthday With us
- 15th Jun 2026
- Author: Elliott Langley - Marketing Administrator
On 30 June, we will be celebrating a truly special milestone: our 25th birthday. It was on this day in 2001 that we first opened our doors to the public, welcoming curious families and space enthusiasts through our entrance for the very first time. Fast forward 25 years, and here we are, still inspiring, still exploring, and still welcoming visitors from across the UK and beyond.
If you have been following us on social media, then you will already know that we have been building anticipation for this milestone moment. We are incredibly excited, and yes, a little proud too. As an independent charity, reaching 25 years is no small feat, and it simply would not have been possible without the ongoing support of our visitors, partners, and community.
Of course, we could not let such an occasion pass without celebrating it. We have got a fantastic line-up of activities, experiences, and special touches planned; not just for the big day, but throughout our anniversary year. So, for this Our Space, I have created a guide to help you get involved and make the most of our birthday celebrations.
Join Us on the Day
Our official birthday falls on 30 June, and we have planned something truly special to mark the occasion. We will be hosting a Pay What You Can Day, reinforcing our commitment to being a ‘Space For Everyone’. We want as many people as possible to join us, whether you are a long-time supporter or visiting for the very first time. We are seeing this as our birthday party, so we will be staying open a little later in order that everyone has a chance to join us.
And what is a birthday party without cake? We are delighted that Josh Smalley, Postdoctoral Research Associate and Science Communication Champion at University of Leicester and finalist in the Great British Bake Off, will be creating a bespoke birthday cake for us on the day. You will of course be able to grab a slice and celebrate with us.
We will also be unveiling our highly anticipated brand-new Outer Solar System experience. This exciting new addition has been in development for a long time, and we cannot wait for you to discover it. It promises to be a highlight of the year and a fantastic way to mark this milestone birthday, so come and discover our immersive space experience, create your own extremophile (and see if it can survive longer than mine did...), and uncover the secrets of the gas giants.
Soak Up the Birthday Atmosphere
From the moment you arrive, you will notice that the Centre has been transformed to mark the occasion. A 25th Birthday sign will welcome you in, setting the tone for a day of celebration. Inside, birthday bunting will bring a real sense of occasion, creating a vibrant and joyful atmosphere throughout the building.
Any good Birthday party needs some fun activities, so our Discovery team will be helping you make your very own birthday badges, bunting, or hats. Plus, drop in for a hands-on baking session with Josh Smalley, or join the Youth Voice community group for something special to celebrate this special day.
We have also taken the opportunity to refresh the Our Solar System gallery, one of our most popular areas. We have had lots of lovely messages from people telling us their children have been missing the gallery, so this is the perfect time to come back and reacquaint yourself with Our Solar System, or even see it for the first time.
Special Birthday Events
Our 25th year has already featured some incredible moments. Earlier in May, we were honoured to welcome Helen Sharman, the first Briton in space, to help us kick off the celebrations with a talk in our galleries. And continuing that theme of inspirational guests, Tim Peake, the UK’s first ESA astronaut, will be joining us later this week to give a talk in the planetarium and hold a book signing.
But the celebrations do not stop there. As the year continues, we will be hosting a series of 25th anniversary film clubs, featuring films that were originally shown all the way back in 2001… including a very special Secret Screening for the first time. If you would like to know what the film is, well, you will need to come and find out.
Birthday Treats and Keepsakes
No celebration would be complete without something to take home. To commemorate the occasion, we have created a special-edition 25th Birthday tote bag and lollipop (wonderfully modeled here by Dan and Jesal), so be sure to pick one up from the Shop and support our charity.
And if you are feeling peckish, stop by Boosters Café, where you will find delicious birthday cake cookies. They are the perfect sweet treat to enjoy during your visit, or to take away as a little reminder of the day.
A Huge Thank You
As we celebrate this milestone, I want to take a moment to reflect on everyone who has been part of our journey. Whether you have visited once, returned year after year, attended a special event, bought a souvenir, chatted with a member of our team, joined us online when we were closed in 2020, or recommended us to a friend or family member, you have helped make the National Space Centre what it is today.
So thank you to every visitor, every supporter, every colleague, and every partner who has helped us create a place where curiosity thrives and space truly is for everyone.
I hope you will join us, whether on our birthday itself or at one of the many events planned throughout the year. However you choose to celebrate with us, we cannot wait to welcome you. Here is to 25 incredible years, and to the next 25 of discovery, inspiration, and exploration at the National Space Centre.
Pay-what-you-can tickets will be available on the day (not online), while those who want to guarantee entry and support the charity can purchase a full-price ticket in advance and be automatically upgraded to a FREE Annual Pass.
Funders
The National Space Centre would like to thank the following funders for their support in making the Outer Solar System Experience a reality.
