London‘s skyline is about to gain an unexpected new star.For a limited time only,the iconic Battersea Power Station will host a state-of-the-art planetarium experience,transforming one of the capital’s most recognisable industrial landmarks into a gateway to the cosmos.Visitors will be invited to swap city lights for starlight as immersive projections, cutting-edge visuals and expert-led shows bring distant galaxies, constellations and cosmic phenomena into sharp, dazzling focus-right in the heart of Zone 1.
What visitors need to know about the pop up planetarium at Battersea Power Station
Stepping under the dome is more like boarding a spacecraft than visiting a gallery. Timed shows run throughout the day, immersing visitors in 360-degree projections of galaxies, star clusters and distant planets, all narrated by specialist astronomers and science presenters. Expect curated sessions for different ages – from family-kind journeys through the solar system to more in-depth looks at black holes, exoplanets and cosmic history – plus occasional late-night screenings with a more cinematic feel.Inside, lighting is kept low, sound is carefully tuned and seating is arranged so every spot has a clear view of the digital sky.
- Location: Turbine Hall event space, inside the main Battersea Power Station complex
- Tickets: Advance booking strongly recommended; walk-ins only if capacity allows
- Duration: Shows typically last 25-40 minutes, with short breaks between screenings
- Accessibility: Step-free access and designated spaces for wheelchair users
- Good to know: Arrive 10-15 minutes early for bag checks and a swift safety briefing
| Session Type | Best For | Atmosphere |
|---|---|---|
| Family Sky Show | Kids & first-timers | Playful, interactive |
| Deep Space Live | Adults & space buffs | Immersive, cinematic |
| Stargazing 101 | Beginners with questions | Relaxed, educational |
How the Battersea Power Station planetarium will transform the iconic landmark
The arrival of this celestial pop-up is set to recast the former industrial giant as a hub of finding rather than just a backdrop for selfies and shopping. Once home to roaring turbines and coal-fired chimneys, the cavernous interior will be softened by immersive projections, ambient soundscapes and curated stargazing sessions that turn brick and steel into a canvas for nebulae, moons and meteor showers. For visitors, the experience means moving from retail concourse to deep space in a few steps, with interactive exhibits and live talks rewriting what a day out at Battersea can look like.
For the wider site, the installation acts as a cultural catalyst, weaving science, design and nightlife into the existing mix of boutiques, restaurants and riverfront views. Expect:
- New evening footfall as twilight shows pull in post-work crowds
- Family-friendly sessions that reframe the building as an educational playground
- Collaborations with local schools, universities and creatives
- Limited-run programming that keeps the experience feeling rare and newsworthy
| Feature | Impact on Battersea |
|---|---|
| Immersive dome shows | Rebrands the site as a future-facing venue |
| Timed residency | Drives urgency and repeat visits |
| STEM-led programming | Positions the landmark as a learning destination |
Key dates tickets and visiting tips for the limited time London planetarium experience
Mark your calendar: the immersive dome opens its doors in early spring, with a strictly limited run that’s expected to span just a few weeks. Weeknight sessions are tailored to after-work stargazers, while weekends add family-friendly matinees and late-night shows with more atmospheric soundscapes. Advance booking is essential, and early-bird allocations are likely to vanish fast, especially for prime-time Friday and Saturday evenings. To help plan your visit, here’s a snapshot of a typical weekly schedule:
| Day | First Show | Last Show | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon-Thu | 17:00 | 21:00 | After-work visits |
| Fri | 16:00 | 23:00 | Date nights |
| Sat-Sun | 11:00 | 22:00 | Families & groups |
Tickets are tiered by time slot and seating zone, with off-peak early shows offering the best value. Book online, opt for mobile tickets to skip queues, and arrive at least 20 minutes before your chosen session for bag checks and orientation. For a smoother experience:
- Choose mid-dome seats for the most balanced 360° view.
- Bring a light layer – the temperature is kept cool for the projection tech.
- Avoid heavy bags; storage is limited and large items may not be allowed inside.
- Check age guidance: some late shows feature louder audio and darker visuals.
- Factor in time to explore Battersea Power Station’s riverside bars and eateries before or after your visit.
What to see inside the immersive Shortlist backed space show and how to make the most of it
Step through the doors and you’re plunged into a cinema-scale cosmos: a 360° domed screen arcs overhead, wrapping you in nebulae, meteor showers and time‑lapse views of Earth that feel close enough to touch.Expect narrated journeys across our solar system, fly‑bys of Saturn’s rings, and dazzling deep‑space visuals rendered in ultra‑high definition, all synced to an immersive soundscape that rumbles through the floor. Between shows, interactive zones let you trace constellations, manipulate digital star maps and compare your handprint to an astronaut’s glove – a quiet reminder that space is both unimaginably vast and strangely personal.
- Arrive 20-30 minutes early to grab central seats with the widest field of view.
- Pick your slot wisely: family‑friendly matinees, moodier late shows for date nights.
- Keep your phone pocketed – the dome is brightest when the audience isn’t.
- Do a quick space primer (planets, constellations) so the references land faster.
- Pair it with Battersea’s riverside bars – debrief your trip to the stars over a drink.
| Best seats | Middle rows, dead centre under the dome |
| Show length | Approx.30-40 minutes |
| Vibe | Cinematic,close to IMAX but fully overhead |
| For who? | Families,date nights,space nerds,casual stargazers |
Final Thoughts
For now,the message is clear: if you’ve ever wanted to chart constellations beneath the iconic chimneys of Battersea Power Station,this is your fleeting window. The planetarium’s run is strictly temporary, and when it goes, it will take its immersive starfields and cosmic storytelling with it.
London is never short on spectacles, but few will be quite as literally out of this world. Check the dates,book ahead,and look up – because,at Battersea,the night sky is about to move indoors.
