It’s the official end of summer as the Mayor’s Thames Festival takes over the River Thames area with a stunning line-up of arts, workshops and performances. Here’s what else we’ve found for London kids and families this weekend:
Thu-Sat: Kew the Movies at Kew Gardens, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB (Richmond overground)
Watch open-air cinema in the gorgeous gardens with a line-up of classic films every evening including The Artist (Thu), Breakfast at Tiffany’s (Fri) and Grease (Sun). From 6.30pm, adult £16/child 6+ £12/under 6s FREE (Sep 6-8)
Fri-Sun: Future Cinema Presents Grease, secret London location
Get ready for a hand-jiving, show-stopping night out as the creators of Secret Cinema, live cinema experiences, present the cult musical Grease. Come as your favourite T-Bird or Pink Lady. From 6.30pm, £35/concs & under 17s £25. Tickets released from 1pm (Sep 7-9)
Sat: Mini Maestro Festive Family Prom at St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, WC1 (Charing Cross tube)
Go on a musical treasure hunt, play real instruments or even conduct your own orchestra at this lively, interactive family concert with the London Musical Arts Orchestra, playing favourites from the Last Night of the Proms. 4.30pm, adult £8.50/child £6.50 (Sep 8)
Sat: Roald Dahl Day with Michael Rosen at National Theatre, Cottesloe Theatre, South Bank, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Celebrate the weird and wonderful world of Mr Dahl, in honour of his birthday, with readings from his classic books by former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen. Rosen also reads from his latest work, Fantastic Mr. Dahl. 10.30am, £4/£3 concs (Sep 8)
Sat-Sun: Thames Festival, Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge and beyond (check out Thames Festival travel info)
The wonderful end of summer festival also rounds off the 2012 Games this year and offers an unmissable programme of activities, with loads on for kids and families. Check out BFI Fundays family films and workshops, Blue Ribbon Village special kids’ zone in Potters Fields, Circolombia circus (pic), Kids’ Choir, a Homage to Rio celebration and of course the spectacular Night Carnival and Fireworks Finale! 10am-late, FREE (Sep 8-9)
Sat-Sun: Showtime, across London
The city’s largest ever free outdoor arts festival, presented by Mayor of London, draws to a close with performances around town including the Bandstand Marathon on Sunday, a record-breaking music marathon happening in 20+ parks across London. 12pm onwards, FREE (Sep 8-9)
Sat-Sun: Albany Outdoors, around the Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford SE8 (New Cross overground)
Join in the Albany’s free outdoor festival of music and performance, with family friendly highlights including life-sized Punch & Judy show, interactive Alice in Wonderland, the Van Man theatrical street dance, roving poets in Wordshuffle Cafe, Madcap’s Urban Village Fete and more. From 11am, FREE (Sep 8-9)
Sun: Closing Ceremony at Geffrye Museum, Kingsland Rd, E2 (Hoxton overground)
There’s Bhangra dancing, interactive stop motion animation workshops, storytelling, film screening and more at this festive event marking the end of the 2012 Games and the Stories of the World: London series, part of the Cultural Olympiad. 10am-5pm, FREE (Sep 9)
LOCAL PICK
Sun: Gillespie Park Festival, Gillespie Park, Drayton Park, N5 (Arsenal tube)
The popular local festival features everything from Morris Dancing sessions to spoken word by John Hegley. Enjoy outdoor fun with food stalls, live music, Emmanuel the Magnificent performing acrobatics and storytelling from George Fiawoo. 1-5pm, FREE (Sep 9)
We also like
Shop until you drop at Vogue’s Fashion Night Out TONIGHT, various London locations including West End and Westfield (Thu); explore Points on a Compass at HMS Belfast, SE1 (Sat-Sun); go on a Reptile Walk at London Wetland Centre in Barnes (Sun); browse among 10,000+ teddies on sale at Hugglets Teddies Fair at Kensington Town Hall (Sun); from Bengal to Bethnal Green celebrates the feast of Eid at Rich Mix, E1 (Sun)
And don’t forget the huge Team GB Athletes Parade from Mansion House through central London to The Mall on Monday, starting at 1.30pm!
Photo: Circolombia via Thames Festival web site
