We love looking through our back window on Bonfire Night and seeing the sky burst into colour, as the smoky scents waft in. Did you go to a show on November 5th? If not, fear not, there’s still loads of fireworks in London to gawp at this weekend.
And if you’re avoiding all the whizzes and bangs, you can simply scroll down to find some more brilliant things to do in our London Kids Weekend Scoop. Wrap up and stay safe!
BONFIRE NIGHT EVENTS IN LONDON
Fri: Corams Fields Fireworks 93 Guilford St, WC1N 1DN (Russell Square tube)
Come along to this shorter, less explosive show aimed to enthrall babies and toddlers with sparks and pops, without scaring the life out of them! 5pm, FREE (donations welcome) (Nov 7)
Fri: Bishop’s Park Fireworks, Fulham, SW6 6HH (Putney Bridge tube)
There’s a special children’s fireworks display before the big bangs for grown-ups, along with funfair, food and entertainment. Gates 6pm, kids show 7.15pm, main show 8pm; adult £6 adv (from Lyric Theatre) or £8 gate/under 5s FREE. NB: No more tickets sold after 6pm on the day (Nov 7)
Sat: Lord Mayor’s Show and Fireworks Display, (nearest tubes Bank/St. Paul’s to arrive, Blackfriars or Mansion House to leave, check TFL for best routes)
One of London’s most spectacular fireworks shows comes bang on Bonfire Night weekend action around the capital, celebrating the start of the new mayoral year. The day’s activities kick off with the river pageant setting out near Westminster Bridge at 8.30am, then the Lord Mayor’s procession with 3 miles of floats leaving from Mansion House at 11am, and finally the fireworks in the early evening. Best viewing points are riverside between Waterloo and Blackfriars Bridges, either on Victoria Embankment or on the South Bank. Show from 8.30am, parade 11am, fireworks 5.15pm; all FREE (Nov 8)
Sat: Ravenscourt Park Fireworks, W6 0TY (Hammersmith tube)
Another popular night out with kid-friendly fireworks first and a louder version later, plus food, music and funfair. Gates 6pm, kids show 7.15pm, main show 8pm; adult £6 adv (from Lyric Theatre) or £8 gate/under 5s free (Nov 8)
Sat: King Alfred School Fireworks 149 North End Rd, Hampstead, NW11 7HY (Golders Green tube)
Book early for this popular event that offers a brilliant bonfire, choreographed fireworks, light shows, stalls and delicious street food from our very own Big Apple Hot Dogs, Luardos and more. 4.30-8.30pm; adult £11/child £7/under 3s FREE (Nov 8)
Sat: Battersea Park Fireworks, Albert Bridge, SW11 (Sloane Square tube/Battersea Park rail)
An exciting display by Jubilee Fireworks choreographed to music, along with glow concessions, food and drink. From 6pm gates, 8pm display; £6.50 (before Oct 31), £8 (before Fri), £10 (Sat before 6pm), under 10s FREE but tickets needed. No admittance after 8pm. (Nov 8)
Sat-Sun: Guy Fawkes Festival at Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1JY (Waltham rail)
Go back in history to the time of the Guy Fawkes gunpowder plot, with live reenactments, the popular ‘Ghost of Guy Fawkes’ performance, crafts and games, and a child friendly fireworks display. Gates 2pm, last entry 6.15pm, fireworks 7pm; adult £8.55/child 3-15 £6.75/family £30.60 (2 adults, 2 kids)-£37.35 (2 adults-3 kids) (Nov 8-9)
MORE FAMILY FUN IN LONDON THIS WEEKEND
Fri-Sun: We reviewed two fabulous shows for kids – Jump at Peacock Theatre for ages 5+ and Romeo & Juliet at National Theatre for ages 8+. Both shows are still playing through Nov 14/15!
Sat: Duke of York Square Christmas Lights Switch-On
Christmas is well and truly here (weeks in advance as always) with ice rinks opening and Christmas lights being switched on around town. Come to this special event where you can pet live reindeer, munch on roasted chestnuts, candy floss and mulled wine, hear choirs singing and meet Father Christmas in the popular grotto. Starts 3pm, lights on at 5.30pm; click here to book ahead for the Duke of York Square grotto (Nov 8)
Sat: Stream Children’s Literary Festival, Streatham & Clapham High School at 42 Abbotswood Road, SW16 1AW (Balham tube/Streatham Hill rail)
Children’s laureate Malorie Blackman headlines this new literary event for nursery school kids up to young adults, also featuring Charlie and Lola’s Lauren Child, The Wimpy Kid Show and a whole host of authors and illustrators. Come for readings, workshops, book signings, book parties and more family fun. 10am-5pm, individual events times vary; most events are free, some require advanced booking. (Nov 8)
Sat-Sun: RAF Museum Remembrance Weekend: Lest We Forget, Grahame Park Way, London, NW9 5LL (Colindale tube)
A weekend of remembrance in the lead up to Armistice Day on November 11. Kids can collect a free museum trail to discover the memorial displays around the museum. And all visitors are encouraged to write a special message of remembrance on a paper poppy and stick it on the remembrance wall. 10am-6pm, FREE (Nov 8-9)
Sun: Arts Depot Family Theatre: Dare to Sea, 5 Nether Street Tally Ho Corner North Finchley London N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
It’s man against the elements in this enchanting show, featuring waves crashing, mermaids juggling and fish dancing as the lead character confronts his fear of the sea. This Franco-British collaboration presents circus, visual artists and acrobatic dance in a lyrical performance for ages 4+. 12pm & 3pm, £8 (Nov 9)
Sun: Big Fish Little Fish in Balham, at The Bedford, 77 Bedford Hill, Balham, SW12 9HD (Balham tube)
Rock out with your mini party posse at the family friendly rave where DJs Will Nicol and Dave Fosci are spinning the big tunes this week. The dress-up theme for November is Superheroes and as always there’s Happy Monkey crafts, licensed bar, buggy parking, bubble machine, glow sticks, costume themes and a big floaty parachute dance finale. Recommended for ages 8 and under and their parents/carers. 2-4.30pm; adult £8 adv/£10 door, child £4.50 adv/£5 door, non-walkers FREE (Nov 9)
We also like
Tune in with your tot for Bach to Baby classical concert at St Andrew’s Church in Barnsbury, N1 (Fri); your pups will go barking mad for all the furry action at Discover Dogs, London’s biggest dog event, at Earl’s Court (Sat-Sun); catch the lovely Winnie the Pooh (U) at Barbican Framed Family Film Club (Sat); you can make your own carte-de-visit mounted photographs at Rich Mix family workshop, Shoreditch (Sun); and it’s the last few days to catch the Tower of London Poppies before they’re taken down, go super early or extra late to avoid massive queues (until Nov 11)
Looking for something super fun to do with bigger kids? How about climbing the roof of the former Millennium Dome?! Read my review of Climbing Up at the O2
Image source: S Pakhrin from DC, USA (Lord Mayor show 2007) via Wikimedia Commons
