After visiting Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and taking an evening ride on the London Eye, overlooking the glittering scene at Southbank Centre below (full stories to come), I’m definitely getting in the festive mood.
The London Kids Weekend Scoop for the first weekend in December is packed with things to do with kids, family theatre and Christmas attractions. And don’t forget our mega Christmas in London guide for more ideas. Have fun!
Thu-Sun: Battersea Arts Centre: Town Hall Cherubs and Mr Mountford’s Kaleidoscopic Christmas, Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, SW11 5TN (Clapham Junction rail/overground)
Town Hall Cherubs (Dec 2-Jan 3) is an enchanting adventure for younger viewers (ages 2-5) to go on a secret journey through the beautiful old rooms of the BAC. They will be on a quest to help a sleepy cherub find his way home to the sky again. Shows at 9:30am, 11am, 1:30pm and 3pm, £10-£14. For bigger kids (ages 6-9), Mr Mountford’s Kaleidoscopic Christmas (Dec 19-Jan 3) is a fully supervised interactive storytelling workshop, where children can explore the old Town Hall as an enormous kaleidoscope, and then make a kaleidoscopic creation to take home. Shows at 9:15am, 10:45am, 1:15pm, 2:45pm, £3-£7 (until Jan 3)
Thu-Sun: BUMP Rollerdisco at Southbank Centre, under Hungerford Bridge, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
When it’s just too cold for the ice rinks, head inside for this pop-up rollerdisco where skates are available from child size 9 to adult size Expect flashy lights, disco balls, pumping tunes and lots of spandex. 11am-11pm daily (closed from 6pm Thu Dec 24 and all day Dec 25 & Dec 31); adult £10/child £7/Fri & Sat club nights £12-£16 (until Jan 17)
Fri-Sat: Mr Popper’s Penguins at Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, SW1X 9DQ (Sloane Square tube)
The book that created a hit movie is now retold for the stage in Mr Popper’s Penguins at Cadogan Hall. Mr Popper is a painter and decorator who dreams of visiting the Antarctic. One day a packing crate lands on his doorstep, and out pops a penguin! This family show is brought to vivid colour with songs and puppets. For ages 3+. 1.30pm & 4.30pm (Fri), 10.30am and 1pm (Sat); £12-£14.50 (Dec 4-5)
Fri-Sun: Islington Festival of Culture, Festival of Culture, via 130 Upper Street, London, N1 1QP (Highbury & Islington/Angel tube)
Islington is such a happening hood and this weekend, you don’t want to miss out on the Festival of Culture. It’s a mish mash of family friendly things to do including finger puppet workshops, face painting, fairground rides, light projection shows and film screenings (About a Boy, Toy Story, Finding Nemo). There’s a children’s drama workshop with the Almeida Theatre, gardening activities, live comedy, music from Bjorn Again, street food market and loads more. 2pm-10pm (Fri), 10am-10pm (Sat), 10am-9pm (Sun); FREE (Dec 4-6)
Fri-Sun Dr Seuss’s The Lorax at the Old Vic, The Cut, SE1 8NB (Waterloo tube/rail)
Dr Seuss’s classic tale comes to the stage in an inventive new show, bursting with zany humour, original songs and puppetry. Follow the tale of giant moustached creature The Lorax, whose mission is to protect the earth from The Once-ler, a greedy tree-chopping businessman. A powerful message in a show created by David Greig and director Max Webster (James and the Giant Peach, To Kill a Mockingbird, Twelfth Night). For ages 6+. Kids ages 3 and under only admitted at special Relaxed Performances for younger ones (check web site for details). Show times 3pm & 7pm: £12-£60/child under 18 months FREE, but please let Box Office know if you intend to bring a baby (Dec 4-Jan 16)
Fri-Sun: Peter Pan Goes Wrong at Apollo Theatre, 31 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7EZ (Piccadilly Circus tube)
From the accident-prone team that brought you The Play that Goes Wrong comes this madcap remake of the Peter Pan fable brought to stage. See the cast of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society struggle through flying mishaps, casting disputes and other hitches, and wonder if they’ll ever make it to Neverland! For ages 8+. 2.30pm & 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 3pm & 7pm (Sun) (times vary, check website for confirmation); £20-£69.50 (Dec 4-Jan 31)
Sat-Sun: Meet Santa and his Huskies, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes, SW13 9WT (Hammersmith tube, then bus 283/Barnes rail)
A truly enchanting experience at the popular nature reserve, where not only can you say hi to Santa but you can take a sleigh ride with his huskies! There’s also donkey riding in the meadow, loads of space to explore and wild animals to meet, and Christmas crafting with the Elves in their workshop. All ages (husky and donkey rides for ages 8 and under). Daily from 10am; tickets to see Santa £6 per child + regular admission fees (Dec 5-6)
Sat-Sun: British Street Food Festival at the O2, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX (North Greenwich tube)
We’re proud to say Mr Big Apple Hot Dogs was winner of a British Street Food award for Best Snack back in 2013. Now you can get involved in selecting the UK’s top street food trader for 2015 (we’re rooting for The Bowler). Hop on the train, take the DLR or even travel via Emirates Cable Car to the O2 in North Greenwich, for the British Street Food Festival, also the site of the British Street Food Awards Finals. Expect food trucks, carts and trailers from around the UK dishing up tasty nosh. Plus live music from Naughty Boy and guests, crazy golf, special appearances by Michelin starred chefs and foodie celebs, and lots of family friendly fun. 11am, £7.50 (Dec 5-6)
Sat-Sun: Horniman Christmas Fair, 100 London Rd, SE23 3PQ (Forest Hill overground)
We loved our trip to the Horniman in summer, and it must be even more fabulous at Christmas with the glittering decorations and festive atmosphere. Come for their annual Horniman Christmas Fair with artisan stalls selling unique gifts and edible treats, plus there are workshops for families, and lots of garden space to explore. Special Christmas Trail all weekend and local choirs singing carols on Sunday will help get everyone in the mood. All ages. 10.30am-5.30pm daily, FREE(Dec 5 & 6)
Sat-Sun: A Quackmas Carol London Duck Tour, booking office 55 York Rd, SE1 7NJ/departure point Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
Quack quack! All aboard for an exciting ride from bus to river via the London Duck Tour. This Christmas themed journey passes London’s top landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, with the best views all lit up for the season. There’s a festive treasure hunt, inspired by Charles Dickens, and a free gift for kids ages 3 to 12. Various times, £27.50 (Dec 5-23)
We also like
It’s time for the Great Christmas Pudding Race in Covent Garden again, raising money for Cancer Research (Fri); snap up a bargain at the London Illustration Fair at Oxo Tower Wharf (Fri-Sun); there’s carols, live jazz, crafts and family fun at Gabriel’s Wharf Magical Christmas (Sat); visit the Belgravia Christmas Sunday for stalls, live music and Santa’s Grotto black cab photo booth (Sun); head to Fulham Palace to help adorn their foliage for National Tree Dressing Day (Sun); and LAST CHANCE to see magical scenes at The Enchanted Woodland at Syon Park (ends Sun)
Booking Ahead
Brick 2015 LEGO Show at ExCel London (Dec 11-13)
Framed Family Film Club Christmas Party at Barbican Centre (Dec 12)
Illustrator’s Christmas Fair by House of Illustration, Granary Square, N1C (Dec 12)
Winter Warmers
Christmas Fair: The Snowman + It’s a Wonderful Life Screening at Union Chapel (Dec 13)
Meet Santa on his Floating Grotto with Hidden Depths Canal Cruises, King’s Cross (Dec 20-21)
Disney on Ice: Worlds of Enchantment at O2 Arena (Dec 22-Jan 3)
Don’t forget to check out our guide to Christmas in London 2015: 30 COOLEST Things To Do with Kids. And our Christmas Theatre guide is coming soon too!
The Illusionists in London: Pure Magic!
