25 Planetarium 2026

Space for Everyone: 25 Years of the National Space Centre

Discover our new Outer Solar System experience as we celebrate 25 years of the National Space Centre with a pay-what-you-can birthday offer.
  • 30th Jun 2026
  • Pay-what-you-can entry
  • One-day-only celebration
  • Special launch event
  • Surprise birthday moments
2022 07 02 Staff452

Explore our brand new Outer Solar System Experience as we celebrate 25 years of the National Space Centre.

Enjoy full access to the galleries, Rocket Tower and planetarium, with pay-what-you-can tickets available on the day.

If you’d prefer to guarantee entry and support the charity, book a full-price ticket in advance and you’ll be automatically upgraded to a FREE Annual Pass.

Book Now

The National Space Centre guide book
National Space Centre

Pay-What-You-Can

Visitors can choose what they’re able to contribute on arrival, helping to make a day out in space science accessible to everyone. While advance bookings will be charged at the standard ticket price, every penny directly supports our charitable work. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of inspiration, learning and discovery—because we believe in #SpaceForEveryone.
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BRAND-NEW Experience

Launching TODAY – be among the first to explore our brand-new Outer Solar System Experience! Our full Solar System gallery is open, now packed with exciting new things to see and do. Venture beyond the asteroid belt into an all-new zone—visit comet 67P, create your own extremophile, uncover the secrets of the gas giants, and take your own giant leap in our immersive space experience!

Two children with meteorites and magnets in the galleries
National Space Centre

Activities

Thanks to the Discovery team there will be lots of additional activities for you to enjoy.

Make your very own birthday badges, bunting, or hats, take a trip on the Tharsis spacecraft, 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. 

There will also be talks in LIVE Space, and tabletop activities happening throughout the day, so something for everyone to enjoy. 

Josh

Birthday Cake

Of course, what would a birthday party be without cake!?

Thanks to Dr Joshua Smalley, Postdoctoral Research Associate and Science Communication Champion at University of Leicester and finalist in the Great British Bake Off, we will have a cake dedicated to our birthday and the Outer Solar System.

Josh has been working with us for the last few years on Mission Bake, which won the  2025 Sir Arthur Clarke award for Achievement by a Space Media team, written or broadcast. Former winners of this award include BBC's Infinite Monkey Cage and Aardman Animation.

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25 Years of Inspiration

In 2026, the National Space Centre marks 25 years of inspiring curiosity, ambition, and discovery. Since opening its doors, the centre has welcomed more than 6 million visitors, delivered award-winning exhibitions and immersive shows, hosted astronauts and leading scientists, and inspired countless young people to pursue careers in STEM and the space sector. Beyond its walls, the National Space Centre has played a vital role in Leicester and Leicestershire’s cultural and economic life, driving tourism and helping to grow a thriving space ecosystem alongside partners such as Space Park Leicester. This anniversary is not about age—it’s about impact, momentum, and the future we are still building.

Yes, just book online in advance using your Annual Pass.

Either book your free Carer/Personal Assistant ticket when you book all tickets online, or pay-what-you-can upon arrival for your main ticket and claim the free carer ticket. Please bring proof of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Carer's Allowance Letter of Award, or a local authority carer's card (not a paid for card) to claim the free ticket on the day. 

No, as per the terms and conditions of sale when booking any ticket to the National Space Centre, tickets for Premium Events are non-refundable and non-transferrable. 

Unless you book in advance (full priced ticket) we cannot guarantee entry. We anticipate that it will be a busy day, but as we are open 10:00-19:00 we hope there will be time for everybody to join us. A pay-what-you-can ticket can only be purchased on the day.

Funders

The National Space Centre would like to thank the following funders for their support in making the Outer Solar System Experience a reality.