Fireworks are still blazing, Christmas lights are going up and there is so much fun to be had in our London kids activities guide this weekend.
Regent St Christmas Lights Switch On, Lord Mayor’s Show and Fireworks, Hawker House by Street Feast, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Plusher Luxury Baby Show, Pudsey’s Family Fun Day, Project Wild Thing, Discover Dogs…
Have a blast!
Thu-Sun: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt (pic) at Jacksons Lane, 269a Arcway Rd, N6 (Highgate tube)
Michael Rosen’s fantastic family adventure story gets another reworking for the theatre, by Little Angel Theatre and their puppet masters. Go on a squelchy, splashy journey with songs, rhymes and laughs for ages 2+. 11am & 1.30pm (Thu-Fri); 11am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm (Sat-Sun); £10.95/family of 4 £40 (Nov 6-10)
Fri-Sat: Street Feast presents Hawker House, 38-50 Pritchard’s Rd, E2 (Bethnal Green tube/Cambridge Heath or Hoxton overground)
Our favourite outdoor night market takes it indoors with a brand new weekly street food market for the late season. Top traders Mama’s Jerk Station, Yum Bun, Rainbo, Rola Wala, Luardo’s, Bob’s Lobster, Spit & Roast and more on location. Craft beers, whisky bar, hot cocktails, DJs also on offer. 5pm-midnight, FREE before 8pm, £3 after (Nov 8-9, until Dec 14)
Sat: Lord Mayor’s Show and Fireworks , City of London, EC1 (St. Paul’s, Bank, Monument and Moorgate tube)
The first female Lord Mayor of London leads a grand procession of horses and carts, trucks, giant robots, fire engines, beds and bathtubs, and more from Mansion House to the Royal Courts and back. The celebrations round off with spectacular fireworks, best viewed from Victoria Embankment or the South Bank. 8.30am flotilla, 11am procession, 5pm fireworks, FREE (Nov 9)
Sat: Electric Cinema Kids Club: Project Wild Thing, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 (Notting Hill Gate tube)
Catch David Bond’s film that launches a major campaign to get more kids outdoors for longer. Motivated by social and personal reasons, Bond embarks on an often humorous journey to see children unplug and get reconnected to nature. 9.30am, from £8 adult + child (Nov 9)
Sat: Pudsey’s Family Fun Day at St Pancras, NW1 (King’s Cross/St Pancras Station)
A lovely day out aimed at kids age 3-9 (all ages welcome), where you can take part in Pudsey’s Picnic, decorate cookies, go on a treasure hunt, play Spin the Feather, design a Pudsey and more fun. Also a chance to view the brand new VIP Pudsey collection of the Children in Need bears on auction. 10am-4pm, FREE (donations welcome) (Nov 9)
Sat: Plusher Luxury Baby Show, Royal Horticultural Halls, 80 Vincent Square, SW1 (St James’s Park tube)
London’s first ever luxury mother, baby and family show will showcase brands like HoneyJam and Jax Coco, pop-up photo studio from Julia Bioggio, creative kids area from Anorak Magazine, talks and panels, catwalk fashion, raffle and more. 11.30am-5.30pm, adult £21/child FREE (tickets include donation to Starlight Foundation) (Nov 9)
Sat: King Alfred School Fireworks Night, 149 North End Rd, Hampstead, NW11 (Golders Green tube)
Another fabulous evening of fireworks, bonfire night, kids’ entertainment and street food including Vietnamese noodles, burritos, crepes, fried chicken and our own Big Apple Hot Dogs. 4.30-8.30pm, adult £10.50, child £7.50/under 3s FREE (Nov 9)
Sat: Regent Street Christmas Lights Switch On, W1 (Oxford Circus/Piccadilly Circus tube)
Enjoy an evening of seasonal entertainment as the famous West End lights are switched on by Hollywood director Tim Minkoff (The Lion King) and actor Ty Burrell (Mr Peabody & Sherman). Live entertainment also from Melanie C and Emma Bunton from the Spice Girls (they’re dueting to 2 Become 1!), Gabrielle, KMS (the original Sugababes), X Factor starlet Leona Lewis, band Passenger and songstress Eliza Doolittle. From 3pm until late, FREE (Nov 9)
Sat-Sun: Discover Dogs at Earl’s Court, SW5 (Earl’s Court tube)
Meet and greet more than 200 breeds of dogs, find out where to buy a pooch, watch dogs doing tricks, see the Dog Photographer of the Year Exhibition, browse more than 100 stalls of doggy goodies, and let your kids join in the Young Kennel Club competitions. 10am-5pm, adult £12/concs. £9/child under 12 FREE (Nov 9-10)
Sun: Family Circus Bites at The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford SE8 (New Cross overground/Deptford rail)
Take a trip to a very modern circus filled with magic and wonder, featuring experimental acts, dazzling tricks and hip tune spun by Disco Kids’ DJ Jean Genie. For ages 3+. 3pm, £9/family £32 (Nov 10)
We also like
Join in the fun at the Duke of York Square Christmas Lights Switch On and Grotto Opening (Sat); get stuck into The Big Food Fight at the Albany in Deptford (Sat); have a laugh at the Comedy Club for Kids (ages 6+) at Soho Theatre (Sat); go ice skating at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink, Cromwell Rd, SW7 (until Jan 5)
