This week’s highlights include drawing duels in South Kensington, line dancing in Bethnal Green, a loveable alien flick in Bayswater and to get you in the seasonal spirit, the reindeer have arrived at London Zoo!
Look out for our bumper guide to Christmas in London!
HOT TICKET
Meet Santa in his Reindeer Lodge at ZSL London Zoo, Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Regent’s Park tube)
A chance to cosy up with Mr Claus amid live reindeer in the Zoo’s parklands. Tickets are selling out fast! 10.30am-3.30pm, adult FREE (with regular Zoo ticket)/child £5 (available dates Dec 20-23)
Thu-Sun: South Ken Kids Festival Institut Francais, 17 Queensberry Place, SW1 (South Kensington tube)
Authors and illustrators converge for four days of talks, films, book signings, workshops and drawing duels!
Top billing includes Quentin Blake, Lauren Child, John Hegley, Axel Scheffler and Hannah Shaw. 10am-7pm daily, £5-£7 per event/Dolphin pass (12 tickets) £40/Whale pass (20 tickets) £50 (Nov 24-27)
Sat: Winter Illustration Festival at the Illustrated Cupboard, Bury St, SW1 (Green Park tube)
Celebrate the annual Winter Exhibition at this one day event with book signings by Angela Barrett and Shirley Hughes (Alfie), kids’ reading corner, music, tea, cake and raffle. 11am-5pm, FREE (Nov 26, exhibition until Jan 31)
Sat: Family Day at Homemade Festival, Chisenhale Dance Space, 64-68 Chisenhale Rd, E3 (Bethnal Green tube)
Come along for kids’ creative dance tasters, hula hooping, line dancing, DIY arts and crafts plus tea and cakes. 2-5pm, FREE (Nov 26)
Sun: E.T. at Whiteleys Shopping Centre, W2 (Queensway tube)
Relive your childhood wonder at the Nomad Pop-Up Cinema’s screening of the Spielberg alien classic. Altogether now: ‘Phoooone home!’ Doors 2.30pm, film 3pm; adult £8/child £4 (Nov 27)
Sun: Primrose Hill Christmas Fair, on Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Chalk Farm tube)
Enjoy traffic-free shopping with gift and craft stalls, food, mulled wine, kids’ rides, Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw plus Santa and elves. 11am-5pm, FREE (Nov 27)
Local Pick
Sat-Sun: Enchanted Christmas House, London Art House, 2-18 Britannia Row, N1 (Angel tube)
Meet Mrs Claus and her old man in a world of enchantment, enter the Busy Elves workshop, dive into the Genie cave, savour the Gingerbread House, play in the Garden of Winter Wonder, watch a live show and round it off with a family meal, minced pies and mulled wine. All kids (age 18 months to 9 years) will get a gift from Santa. 10.30am-2.30pm; £49/family of 4 £159 (until Dec 24)
Find out more great London Family Events in our November Calendar
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