Can you hear the carol singers whispering? Christmas is coming closer, Halloween goodies are in the shops, but we’re still clinging onto a little summer sunshine.
Outdoor fun activities for families this weekend in London includes a free screening of Grease at More London, King’s Cross Journeys festival, Street Food Europe in Dalston, NFL Block Party on Regent’s Street and Chilli Festival in Spitalfields. Indoors there’s Baby Loves Disco, Pyjama Party at Stratford Picturehouse, Pocahontas at BFI and Family Lego Workshop at Royal Academy.
Take your pick!
Fri: More London Free Festival: Grease at The Scoop at More London, off Tooley St, SE1 (London Bridge tube)
Pink ladies and T-birds of all ages can get down to the Scoop for an open-air evening screening of the original High School musical. Bring your blankets and cushions and your dancing shoes and prepare for a swinging evening (although keep an eye on the web site in case of weather-related cancellations!). 7.30pm, FREE (Sep 27)
Fri-Sun: Afro Supa Hero at V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, E2 (Bethnal Green tube)
A retrospective of the artist Jon Daniel’s personal collection of action figures and comic books, representing his own experience of growing up as an African Caribbean in ‘60s and ‘70s Britain. Meteor Man, Mr T and Lieutenant Uhura are on display along with iconic photos of Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King and comics like The Falcon and Black Lighting. Exhibition running through Black History Month in October and beyond. 10am-5.45pm daily, FREE (Sep 14-Feb 9)
Sat: Baby Loves Disco at Sway, 6 Great Queen St, Covent Garden, WC2 (Covent Garden tube)
Boogie on down to the hot London nightclub for an afternoon party to keep your mini ravers moving. Back after its summer break, Baby Loves Disco is the original family groove with DJ, light-up floor and chill-out zone for ages 6 months and up. NB: Tickets are now SOLD OUT, returns only. £9 all walking humans, non-walking babes FREE (Sep 28)
Sat: BFI Film Funday: Pocahontas, BFI Southbank, Belvedere Rd, SE1 (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
The tale of a brave Native American princess and her love for Captain John Smith during the arrival of British settlers in the ‘New World’ is brought vividly to life in Disney’s popular animated flick. Q&A with screenwriter Susannah Grant after the screening. 12.30pm, £8.50-£12.10 (Sep 28)
Sat: Pyjama Party at Stratford Picturehouse, Salway Rd, E15 (Stratford overground/tube)
Pop your PJs or nightie on and head to this fun-filled event where Horrid Henry creator Francesca Simon and Aliens Love Underpants star Ben Cort launch their brand new book, Do You Speak English, Moon? Prizes for best bedtime outfit, and don’t forget the teddies! 4.30pm, £3.50 (Sep 28)
Sat: NFL Block Party on Regent Street, W1 (Oxford Circus/Piccadilly Circus tube)
The shopping district is closed to traffic for the day to celebrate the following day’s International Series game at Wembley Stadium between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings. There will be live music, activity zones, American food and more. 12-6pm, FREE (Sep 28)
Sat-Sun: StreetFood Europe at Dalston Yard, Hartwell St, E8 (Dalston Junction overground)
This is a fine time to use the word smorgasbord as the ultimate in street food from across Europe arrives at Dalston Yard for one weekend only. Organised by Tweat Up, the Twitter foodie meet-up. Traders cherry-picked by British Street Food founder Richard Johnson include our very own Big Apple Hot Dogs, along with hot favourites Bao, The Rib Man, Ginger’s Comfort Emporium, Manjit’s Kitchen and traders from Brussels, Stockholm, Berlin, Paris and more. Three sessions available, tickets include a pint and an Aperol Spritz. 12-6pm & 6pm-midnight (Sat); 12-6pm (Sun); adult £8/child under 16 FREE (Sep 28-29)
Sat-Sun: Sensacional (for Toddlers) at Unicorn Theatre, Tooley St, SE1 (London Bridge tube)
The hugely popular immersive show for babies and toddlers returns with its blend of moving shapes and projected images, colour, light and sound for a totally tactile experience. 10.30am, 11am, 11.30am & 12pm; £10 (early booking advised to avoid disappointment) (Sep 21-Nov 14)
Sun: Festival of Heat at Spitalfields City Farm, Buxton St, E1 (Shoreditch High St overground)
It’s feeling hot hot hot at the farm where there’s a chilli-thon planned for Sunday with fiery foods from around the world, chilli sauces, oils and seasonings, live music, kids entertainment and the Eco-Chic Market season finale. 12-6pm, FREE (Sep 29)
Sun: Family Lego Fun at Royal Academy of Art, 6 Burlington Gardens, WC2 (Piccadilly Circus)
Following the smashing success of their Lego workshop earlier in the year, here’s another chance to spend the afternoon building your own vision of Lego along the River Thames. 11am-2pm, FREE with an exhibition ticket (all kids under 12 now go free to all exhibitions) (Sep 29)
LOCAL PICK
Sat-Sun: King’s Cross Journeys King’s Cross Square and Granary Square, NC1 (King’s Cross tube)
A two-day festival celebrating the area’s gritty history (no, not that sort of smut), when King’s Cross hummed with freight and dirt and dust were the order of the day. An immersive weekend including everyone from chimney sweeps to clairvoyants is on the cards. Lots of fun planned including carnival rides on newly opened King’s Cross Square, street theatre and of course, yummy street food from the Kerb massive. 11am-6pm, FREE entry (Sep 28-29)
We also like
ArchWay with Words, in and around N19 (until Sat); Danger Mouse is in the mix at Barbican Framed Family Film Club (Sat, from 11am); Wimbledon Bookfest kicks off (Sat); The Hare & the Tortoise is at Puppet Theatre Barge, in Richmond for September (Sat-Sun); the Pearly Kings and Queens Harvest Festival at Guildhall Yard sees the famous East Londoners dressed to thrill to welcome in the new season (Sun)
Nicole
I just wanted to say I really love your website! It would be lovely if you could do a post about things to do in autumn and Halloween in London. xxx
Uju
Hi Nicole, thanks so much for your lovely words. I’ll have my October guide out this week and my annual Halloween in London guide is jam-packed with activities so do stay tuned. And please do let me know of any other features you’d love to see on Babes about Town!