It’s a weekend to celebrate, as we Enter (the Year of the) Dragon and Londoners get down in Chinatown. Happy New Year!
Hot Pick
Sun: Chinese New Year Celebrations, Chinatown, Shaftesbury Ave and Trafalgar Square (Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square tubes)
Spectacular Dragon dancing, Lion parade, acrobatics and more kick off the Year of Colin Farrell, Salvador Dali and other famous Dragons. There will be speeches, music and performances on the Trafalgar Square main stage and Chinese cuisine to enjoy. 10am (parade), 12-6pm (activities); FREE (Jan 29)
Sat: Hackney Children’s Variety Show– St John at Hackney Church, Lower Clapton Rd, E5 (Hackney Central overground)
Danny and his amazing balloons, jugglers, acrobats and a Tiny Travelling Tightwire Show are all part of the exciting action at this one off family special. 10am & 11.30am, £3 (Jan 28)
Sat-Sun: What a Wonderful World at Lyric Hammersmith, Lyric Sq, King St, W6 (Hammersmith tube)
Another highly interactive show from Lyngo lets kids imagine what it’s like to create a new day from scratch. For ages 2-5. 10.30am, 12pm, 1.30pm & 2pm; £8/family £30; optional Messy Play activities 15 mins after each show (£11 with ticket). (Jan 28-29)
Sat-Sun: Walk London: Winter Wanders Weekend, various locations
Put your best foot forward on one of more than 50 free led walks, including the London of Oscar Wilde and Hidden Secrets for London, funded by Transport for London. Most trails are family-friendly but check ahead. From around 10am, FREE (Jan 28-29)
Sun: Laura Veirs sings from Tumble Bee at V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, E2 (Bethnal Green tube)
Come along for an afternoon of folk & roll as singer-songwriter Veirs sings from her children’s album Tumble Bee, featuring works by Harry Belafonte and Woody Guthrie. All ages. 4-4.30pm, drop-in; FREE (Jan 29)
Local Pick
Sat: Puppetry at Parasol, 14 Wharf Rd, N1 (Angel tube)
Join a member of the London School of Puppetry at this family workshop where you can see a professional string-puller in action and make your own puppet. For ages 4-8. 2.30-4pm, drop-in (booking advised): £3 (Jan 28)
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