TV presenter, conservationist and all-round national treasure Sir David Attenborough marks his 100th birthday on 8 May 2026. London's celebrating one of its favourite Londoners with these special events.
A Life On Our Planet at the Garden Cinema
Holborn's independent Garden Cinema screens 2020 documentary David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet throughout the first week of May. The one-off film sees the naturalist reflecting upon the changes he's seen on Planet Earth during his (then) 93 years. After each screening, a pre-recorded exclusive conversation between Sir David Attenborough and Sir Michael Palin is shown.
David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet at the Garden Cinema, 1-7 May 2026.
Dress like David Attenborough
On the eve of David Attenborough's birthday, fans will congregate in Trafalgar Square at 6.15pm, dressed either as an animal or Dave himself, for a heartfelt rendition of Happy Birthday, plus "a few nature themed bangers". Hope you can still hit those high notes for The Lion Sleeps Tonight.
Sing Happy Birthday to Sir David in Trafalgar Square, free, 7 May 2026.
David Attenborough's 100 Years On Planet Earth at the Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall marks Attenborough's centenary with David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth, a live event honouring his career in wildlife storytelling. The BBC Concert Orchestra performs live music from some of his programmes, with special guests from the world of conservation and wildlife filmmaking taking part to share their experiences of working with him (though note that the birthday boy himself won't be present).
David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth, 8 May 2026.
David Attenborough's Bday Bash at Bethnal Green Working Men's Club
Such is Attenborough's wide appeal, his centenary is being celebrated from the concert halls of west London (above) to the historic clubs of the East End. Bethnal Green Working Men's Club is the unexpected venue for David Attenborough's Bday Bash, "a primal, stupid, cabaret-cum-clubnight... Think Natural History realness, randy mammals and jungle vibes".
Dig out your best safari costume and dance until the small hours, overseen by a cardboard cutout of Attenborough.
David Attenborough's Bday Bash at BGWMC, 8 May 2026.
David Attenborough tribute at Chelsea in Bloom 2026
Free flower festival Chelsea in Bloom returns in mid-May with a theme of "out of this world", incorporating a floral celebration of Attenborough's birthday.
We're promised "an enormous floral globe seen from space" on the King's Road — which we assume to mean a globe looking like what the Earth looks like from space, not that this particular installation will be big enough to be seen from space (not least because that would be an awful lot of flowers). Anyway, swing by the King's Road at the end of May to get a glimpse.
Chelsea in Bloom 2026, free, 18-24 May.
Our Story with David Attenborough at the Natural History Museum
Since June 2025, Sir David Attenborough's instantly recognisable tone has voiced the Natural History Museum's immersive experience, Our Story With David Attenborough.
Real-world footage is projected onto the walls in a 50-minute, 360° experience, beginning at the very start of planet Earth over four billion years ago and telling the story of how humankind evolved and came to change the world around us, from our impact on the great whales of the oceans to our relationship with one of our closest relatives, the gorillas.
Our Story With David Attenborough, until August 2026.
