Regular events

Enjoy a range of regular events and activities each week at the Powerhouse Museum, including film screenings in the Kings Cinema, highlight tours of the Museum and demonstrations.

Availability of these events and activities are subject to change. If planning to visit specifically for one these events, we advise contacting the Museum before to confirm availability.

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Highlight tour of the Museum
Take a guided tour and discover the highlights of the Powerhouse Museum with one of our expert volunteers. Tours run for approximately 45 minutes. Book at the cloaking counter level 3 on arrival. Tours are approximately 45 minutes and run each day. For times and to book, visit the cloaking counter on level 3 when you arrive at the Museum.

 

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Steam engine demonstrations
Our stationary steam engines are set to work on certain days. The world's oldest rotative engine, made by Boulton and Watt in 1785, is on Level 3, and several other engines can be seen in the Steam Revolution exhibition on Level 2.

Volunteers give regular talks about the engines and are happy to answer your questions. An engine driver is also on hand to attend to the engines and discuss them with visitors. And yes, the engines are run on live steam, not on compressed air!

The Museum's steam engines will be operated when staff are rostered on and available.

 

Strasburg Clock
See the intricate mechanics of the Strasburg Clock model come to life, including the procession of the Apostles, a crowing rooster and a cherub turning a sandglass.
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Starts six minutes to the hour daily

 

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Kings Cinema
The Kings cinema is a reproduction of an art deco style cinema like those of the 1930s. It has been built to look like the original theatres of the famous Kings cinema chain. In the theatre one can watch various films, hear talks and the magical sounds of our Fotoplayer, a mechanical musicmaker used to provide the accompaniment for silent films.
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For schedule, please see the daily program on the day.

 

‘Sounds and silents’
Hear the Fotoplayer, a mechanical music-make, accompany a silent film in the art deco style Kings Cinema. The Fotoplayer made music and sound for silent films until the 1930s when the talkies took over.

For demonstrations, please check daily program on the day

 

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Lace Study Centre
View different styles of lace from all over the world, independently research pieces in the Powerhouse Museum’s collection and find out more from the volunteer lace enthusiasts who staff the centre.
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10.30am - 1.30pm weekdays and Saturdays