Theatre
Big Day Out
A Big Day Out at Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular
Make the most out of your day seeing Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular in London, including restaurants, shopping and things to do near the theatre
You won’t get closer to stepping through the screen into the 2017 movie musical than this. Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular is an immersive live show that invites guests into the big top, to watch world-renowned circus performances and experience the film’s beloved soundtrack as they’ve never heard it before. Nothing screams ‘big day out’ quite like this – but a big day out can always be bigger. Here are all the tips you need to make the most out of your day seeing Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular at the newly-renovated Empress Museum.
Things to do near Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular
Restaurants near Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular
Shopping near Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular
Bars and pubs near Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular
Tube stations and bus stops near Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular
On-theme activities for Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular
Things to do near Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular
Just half an hour from the Empress Museum in Earl’s Court, you’ll find South Kensington’s museum quarter. The free museums in the area offer more than enough entertainment for an entire day. At the Science Museum, you can learn about everything from the human body to outer space, with seasonal exhibits available to book throughout the year. The Natural History Museum lets you travel through 4.6 billion years of our planet’s history, whilst at the V&A Museum you can explore a permanent collection of over 2.8 million objects, housed in the world’s largest museum of applied arts, decorative arts and design. Not too far away from these venues is the Paradox Museum, which will delight kids of all ages. Here you can immerse yourself in a world of optical illusions, from upside-down rooms to zero gravity chambers.
Twenty-five minutes’ walk from the Empress Museum you can find Stamford Bridge, where football fans can take the official Chelsea FC tour and walk in the footsteps of their favourite players – including emerging from the player’s tunnel into the stadium. You can also explore the Chelsea FC Museum and learn the full history of the club.
A short bus ride away is Leighton House, the former home and studio of leading Victorian artist Lord Frederic Leighton. The richly decorated home is open for the public to explore, and you’ll find a wealth of impressive art and design inside.
And of course, make sure to leave time to enjoy the interactive pre-show experience at the Empress Museum, where you’ll find themed bars and plenty of other surprises waiting for you to explore – it’s recommended that visitors give themselves at least an hour to soak in the atmosphere.
Restaurants near Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular
For ease, time-efficiency and a truly immersive experience, guests can dine at the Empress Diner in the venue, serving a range of popular dishes in a circus-inspired atmosphere.
If you’re looking to venture a little further afield, La Terrazza is our top pick for a special occasion, offering fine Italian dining in a light, picturesque space housed inside a historic Kensington mansion just twenty minutes from the venue. Even closer, just a ten-minute walk away, is Barnaby’s, serving traditional British cuisine with an international twist in a stylish, cosy dining room.
Eight minutes from the Empress Museum is Koka, a light and comfortable eatery with an outside patio that serves flavourful Mediterranean dishes and sourdough pizzas – you’ll find everything from healthy options to comfort food here. If you’re in the South Kensington area, try Tombo for all-day Japanese dining, including poke, sushi and Japanese tapas, as well as excellent matcha and desserts.
For casual Italian dining, Cacciari’s is a twenty-five-minute walk or short bus ride away and boasts a range of authentic Italian dishes as well as great desserts and cocktails. Or, if you’re after a unique dining experience, you’ll find iconic venue Troubadour just ten minutes from the Empress Museum. This long-standing music venue has hosted the likes of Bob Dylan, Adele and Florence & the Machine on its grassroots, and its French-influenced restaurant is always an exciting place to eat.
Shopping near Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular
For the best shopping near the Empress Museum, head to Kensington High Street, roughly half an hour from the venue. Here you’ll find endless options, from high-end fashion and independent boutiques to high-street favourites, as well as health stores, bookshops and beauty brands. Plus, with Kensington Gardens nearby, your mid-shopping break is sorted.
Bars and pubs near Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular
Just three minutes from the Empress Museum you’ll find The Prince, an exciting event space that caters to every vibe. Whether you’re after a sunny beer garden, a live sports bar or a vibrant, friendly place to enjoy a pint or a cocktail, you’ll find it here. Check their events calendar to get the most out of your visit. Ten minutes away is The Lillie Langtry, a beautiful Fulham pub with a great cocktail menu, an extensive draught range, and their own signature gin infused on-site. It’s also a great place for a Sunday roast, as is The Atlas, also ten minutes away. With a well-chosen wine list featuring plenty of award-winners and a great range of beers served in a cosy Victorian setting, this pub is perfect for a casual pre-show drink.
Twelve minutes from the Empress Museum is Evans and Peele Detective Agency. This quirky bootlegging detective-themed cocktail lets you travel back in time with an immersive interior and creative drinks menu. In the Kensington area, High Spirit is a friendly, unpretentious venue to enjoy a cocktail, with an extensive menu and a buzzy atmosphere. And make sure to leave time to check out the on-site bars at the Empress Museum for the full Greatest Showman experience.
Tube stations and bus stops near Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular
The closest tube station to the Empress Museum is West Brompton. Just three minutes away, it’s served by the District underground line, the Mildmay overground line, and national rail. Twelve minutes away is Earl’s Court, which is served by the Piccadilly and District lines. Multiple bus routes also drop off and pick up near the venue. It’s best to plan your route with TFL.
On-theme activities for Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular
If Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular isn’t enough circus for you, Cirque du Soleil: OVO will be playing at the Royal Albert Hall throughout January and February. Exploring the extraordinary ecosystem of insect life, the show features stunning visuals and mind-blowing acrobatics from some of the world’s top performers. Speaking of world-renowned circus performers, you’ll find more of them at Sabrage, the dazzling show at Lafayette celebrating excess and glamour. With a cast of international circus elites and world-class entertainers, you’ll enjoy the best in dance, acrobatics, circus skills and burlesque – and you can even go VIP to access a hidden speakeasy.
If you want to give circus a go for yourself, the National Centre for Circus Arts is a great place to start. Their Try Circus sessions let you experiment with lots of skills, and you can also book tasters for their courses on juggling, aerial conditioning and other acts. Check out their website to see what’s on. If you’re looking for summer activities, Gorilla Circus Flying Trapeze School will teach you how to rewrite the stars in Regent’s Park – again, keep an eye on their website to see what’s coming up.
For those over eighteen and looking to keep their feet on solid ground, Trapeze in Shoreditch is a great place to celebrate circus and enjoy a cocktail at the same time. This circus-themed bar in the heart of Shoreditch has three levels to discover and frequently hosts circus performers as well as top DJs, making it the perfect place to end your night – or start your morning.
