The Olympic Torch arrives in London this weekend and there are parties around town to greet its arrival. On Saturday Day 64 (Jul 21), the torch passes from Greenwich to Waltham Forest with major celebrations happening at Cutty Sark Gardens in Greenwich, the Newham Festival, Stepney Green Park in Tower Hamlets, Box Park in Shoreditch, the One Hackney Festival and Walthamstow Town Square.
On Sunday Day 65 (Jul 22) the torch travels from Redbridge Cycle Centre via Barking Park and the Dagenham Town Show Carnival Parade, through Havering and on to celebrations in Bexley Heath.
The Olympic Torch Parade carries on through the week, arriving here in Islington for a big celebration in Highbury on Thursday (Jul 26) and a concert in Hyde Park (Jul 26) with Dizzee Rascal and Katy B and of course wrapping up on Friday (Jul 27) at the Olympic Stadium.
Look out for our Olympic Guide for Families and read on for what else is cool for London kids and their grown-ups this weekend.
Sat: Photobooth Festival, Ezra St, E2 (Hoxton overground)
The Republic of Photography presents the world’s first ever Photobooth Festival with unlimited booth action in the Toddler Booth, the Disco Booth and other hand painted photo booths, plus BBQ, drink, stalls, makeovers by the Powder Puff Girls and music throughout from Rough Trade DJs. 10am-6pm, £10/family £25 (Jul 21)
Sat: Something Happening for Kids at the Place, 17 Duke’s Place, WC1 (King’s Cross tube)
Get the holidays off to a groovy start at this jam-packed fun day with interactive circus, light garden camp site, dance workshops, buggy park, soft play, outdoor picnic area and more for ages 0-6+. 10am-5pm, £6/under 2s FREE (Jul 21)
Sat: Eileen Brown at Foyles, Westfield Stratford, E16 (Stratford tube/overground)
Join the Handa’s Surprise author as she reads from her new book Boo Boo Baby and the Giraffe plus teaches special techniques to draw your own baby. For ages 2-4. 2-3pm, FREE – email to reserve your space westfieldkids@foyles.co.uk (Jul 21)
Sat-Sun: Cupboard of Surprises at Inside Out, National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 (Waterloo tube)
Enter a mysterious, musical space filled with surprises and wonder, in a play especially for ages 2 to 5. Pop-up workshop follows performance. 10.30am (Sat) and 12pm (Sat & Sun); £2.50 (until Jul 28)
Sat-Sun: Whitecross Street Party, Whitecross St, EC1 (Barbican Tube)
It’s the third year running for the Rise of the Conformists bringing the community together in a family-loving celebration of street art and street food. Loads on for kids including street football and crafts stalls. 12-6pm, FREE (Jul 21-22)
Sat-Sun: Tales Big Day Out at Chickenshed Theatre, Chase Side, Southgate, N14 (Cockfosters tube)
The hugely popular annual mini-festival for ages 0-7 features new routines from Tales from the Shed plus more creative activities and stalls for little ones. 2.30pm, £7.50; NB: SOLD OUT, returns only (Jul 21-22)
Sat-Sun: Stonehenge on Tour at Central Park, Greenwich Peninsula, SE10 (Greenwich DLR)
The mystical site is transformed into a giant bouncy castle by Sacrilege artist Jeremy Deller as part of Festival 2012. The inflatable Stonehenge hits London this weekend, with plenty of boinging to be had at Central Park. 10am-6pm, FREE (Jul 21-22)
Sat-Sun: BT River of Music at Battersea Park, Tower of London, Somerset House, Trafalgar Square, London Pleasure Gardens and Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich
Watch live music from every continent at 6 iconic London sites, with performances from Scissor Sisters (Americas stage), Baaba Maal and King Sunny Ade (Africa Stage), Arun Ghosh (Asia stage), Beverly Knight (Europe stage) and dozens more top acts throughout the weekend. From 11am, FREE (pre-booking to guarantee entry via www.btriverofmusic.com) (Jul 21-22)
Sun: Showtime on Richmond Riverside, TW1 (Richmond overground)
Watch amazing circus acts, mime, street theatre, dance and more in this international celebration of outdoor performance. 12-5pm, FREE (Jul 22)
We also like
Party on at the Baby Rock and Roll Disco at O2 Centre, Finchley (Fri) and Friends Meeting House, Hampstead (Sat); watch live bands and a parade at the Edmonton Carnival (Sat): catch the Ice Cream Van for the London Scarecrow Championships at Hackney City Farm (Sat); follow Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt at New Wimbledon Theatre (Sat-Sun)
Don’t miss our July Family Events Calendar
