Are you feeling Christmassy yet? I’ve been scouting for presents, browsing on Hallmark UK for clever, personalised cards**, and we even visited Santa’s 4D grotto at Westfield last night! I’m definitely getting in the spirit of things.
And have we got some amazing London family events lined up for you this weekend. From ice skating to traffic free shopping on Oxford Street, you have no excuse not to feel that seasonal glow. Go out and make merry… you might even bump into Dick and Dom!
Thu-Sun: Ice Rink and Santa’s 4D Grotto at Westfield London, Shepherd’s Bush
There’s gorgeous ice skating under the sparkly lights, to the pumping tunes of a live DJ as the ice rink returns to Westfield for Christmas. Also hop on the Christmas train with the elves for a magical ride into Santa’s 4D grotto experience, plus a gift and photo for the kiddies! For Ice Rink: peak times 6-9pm (Mon-Thu), 10am-9pm (Fri & Sat) & 12-6pm (Sun), off peak 10am-5pm (Mon-Thu): online tickets start at adult £10.50/child £7.50 (peak); box office tickets from adult £11.65/child £8.65/family tickets £36 – online pre-booking advised to save time and costs! For Santa’s Grotto: 10am-8pm (Mon-Fri), 9am-8pm (Sat) & 12-6pm (Sun); tickets £3/family £10 until Dec 24 (ice rink Nov 22-Jan 6)
Thu-Sun: Room on the Broom at Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Ave, WC2 (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Acclaimed theatre company Tall Stories, the team behind massive stage hit The Gruffalo Live, soars into the West End with another spell-binding adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s work. Room on the Broom features a witch and her cat, trying to retrieve her windswept belongings, with the help of a cast of animals. Will there be room enough on the broomstick or will it crack? Puppetry, music and fun for ages 3+. 11am (Wed-Fri), 10am & 12pm (Sat-Sun), some performances 2pm (confirm times on web site); £13-£20.50/family £60 (until Jan 13)
Thu-Sun: Framed Family Film Festival at Barbican Centre, Silk St, EC1 (Barbican tube)
Exciting new family film festival launches this weekend at the Barbican (and 9 partner venues), with a range of screenings, talks and workshops including films for young ‘uns like Ernest and Celestine, Lotte and the Moonstone Secret, Alfie the Little Werewolf and Zarafa; plus a chance to learn the nuts and bolts of filmmaking, family crafts and learning and a special animation workshop with Aardman Studios (of Wallace and Grommit fame). Times vary, tickets range from adult £5-£10/child £3-£6 for films and workshops (until Nov 25)
Fri-Sun: Mickey & Oswald’s Epic Tales at Getty Images Gallery, Westfield Stratford City, E20 (Stratford tube/overground)
Come and celebrate the launch of video game smash Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two at a pop-up gallery where you’ll learn the story of Mickey Mouse and his little known predecessor Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. View one-of-a-kind Disney memorabilia from the archives, ranging from Walt Disney’s earliest conception right through to his present day incarnations. There will be bespoke gaming, digital art wall and drawing workshops for little ones, plus special guests (pictured top) Dick & Dom (12-3pm, Sat)! 5.30-7pm (Fri); 11am-7pm (Sat) & 12-6pm (Sun); FREE entry (Nov 23-25)
Fri-Sun: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, W2 (Hyde Park Corner tube)
Probably the most jam-packed Christmas event in town returns with more attractions including Cirque Beserk and Zippo’s Circus, Santaland, Ice Age 4 Ice Rink, walk through Magical Ice Kingdom, German Christmas market, fairground rides, Giant Observation Wheel and more! 5pm-10m (Fri Nov 23), and then daily 10am-10pm; park entry is free, rides cost £1 and start at £2 for kids rides, £3 for adults; book for special attractions and skating in advance at www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/tickets (Nov 23-Jan 12)
Fri-Sun: South Ken Kids Festival at Institut Francais, 17 Queensberry Place, SW7 (South Kensington tube)
The hugely popular annual event celebrating kids’ literature and illustration features huge names like Quentin Blake, Lydia Monks, Tony Ross, Salvatore Rubbino and Axel Scheffler. Sign up for workshops, book readings, drawing jams and film screenings of animated films like Ernest et Celestine and The Gruffalo’s Child. Times and prices vary, range £5-£8 or buy a 4-event pass starting at £15 (Nov 23-25)
Fri-Sun: The Enchanted Woodland at Syon Park, Syon House, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 8JF (Waterloo to Kew Bridge/Brentford or Syon Lane rail)
Thousands of colourful lights transform Syon Park gardens in this magical seasonal event. 5-9pm, adult £7/child £3 (until Dec 2)
Fri-Sun: Stick Man at Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, WC2 (Leicester Square tube)
Hugely acclaimed adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Sheffler’s tale returns to the West End for a limited Christmas run. Stick Man embarks on a twiggy adventure to get back to the family tree. Filled with music, puppetry and moves for ages 3+. 10.30am (Wed-Fri), 10.30am & 2pm (Sat-Sun); £10 (until Jan 8)
Sat: Shop West End Traffic Free Day, W1 (Oxford Circus tube)
Enjoy a rare occasion to explore Oxford Street with no cars or buses in your path, as stores along the city’s busiest shopping district (including Bond St and Regent St) take part in this seasonal promotion. There’ll be live music in the streets, festive entertainment in shops, special discounts and freebies plus games and prizes too. It’s all in aid of the Make A Wish foundation for kids with life-threatening illnesses. All day, FREE entry (Nov 24)
Sat-Sun: Natural History Museum London Treasure Hunt, across London
To celebrate the launch of its new Treasures Cadogan Gallery, the museum has created this treasure hunt across 12 iconic London destinations, from Battersea Park to the Tower of London. Print out a map, visit the location, take a rubbing of the treasure you discover and enter your findings in The Hunt prize draw! 10am-4pm, FREE (final date for entries is Dec 2) (Nov 24-25)
Sun: Let’s Get Cracking for Christmas at Sutton House, 2 & 4 Homerton High St, Hackney E9 (Hackney Central overground)
Join in with traditional Christmas activities including games, as well as meet one of Santa’s elves, make stockings and help decorate Sutton House for the season. 12.30-4pm, FREE with museum admission: adult £3/child £1 (Nov 25)
We also like
Hyper Japan is at Earl’s Court (Fri-Sun); there’s a Dollshouse Festival in Kensington (Sat); catch Oliver Jeffers’ tale of a kite that’s Stuck at Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith (Sat-Sun); big kids (ages 6+ only) will love Pinocchio at Little Angel Theatre (until Jan 27)
Look out for our Kids Christmas Guide and also our Top 10 Family Shows!
Credit: Dick & Dom pic via Westfield Stratford City web site
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