Shiver me timbers, it’s getting frosty out there. But that won’t stop me dragging the babes out to check out Lumiere Festival, top of our 16 Things to look forward to in 2016 and also number one in the London Kids Weekend Scoop.
It’s also your last chance for the Winter Festival at Southbank including roller disco, and there’s a special tribute to David Bowie in Brixton where you can watch his classic turn in Labyrinth all year long. With sad news of Alan Rickman passing today, we’ve also got our own Harry Potter mini movie marathon in remembrance. RIP to great artists.
Thu-Sat: Dr Seuss’s The Lorax at the Old Vic, The Cut, SE1 8NB (Waterloo tube/rail)
LAST CHANCE: 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 (until Jan 16)
Thu-Sun: Lumiere London, multiple locations in King’s Cross and West End
Lights, camera, London! The world’s greatest light artists illuminate the city, spanning areas like King’s Cross, Mayfair and Trafalgar Square, in the biggest light festival ever to hit the capital. Look out for light graffiti, dazzling projections, interactive light installations and more to spark the imagination of young and old. Various locations, 6.30pm-10.30pm daily, FREE (Jan 14-17)
Thu-Sun: BUMP Rollerdisco at Southbank Centre, under Hungerford Bridge, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
LAST CHANCE: 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; adult £10/child £7/Fri & Sat club nights £12-£16 (until Jan 17)
Fri-Sun: London Model Engineering Exhibition at Alexandra Palace, The Great Hall via The Palm Court Entrance, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY (Wood Green)
It’s a festival of choo choo lovers gathering at Ally Pally for the ever popular exhibition of everything from model tanks and trains, to steam locomotives, boats, aeroplanes and even robots. More than 14,000 hobbyists and fans are expected, great day out for dads and little lads especially. Recommended for ages 5+, open to all ages. 10am-5pm; adult £9 adv/£11 door; child age 5-14 £3 adv/£4 door; under 5s FREE (Jan 15-17)
Thu-Sun: Tintin: Herge’s Masterpiece at Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube)
Tintin was one of those heroes who captured my fantasies when I was little (I even had an imaginary dog called Snowy!). So I’m excited to take the boys to this brand new exhibition. Enter the colourful, eccentric world of artist-author Hergé and Tintin, his daring young reporter, in a retrospective showing the evolution the artwork from early newspaper strips to the globally renowned graphic novels. All ages. 10am-6pm daily (late closing 9p on Thu & Fri); FREE (until Jan 31)
Thu-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 (until Jan 31)
Sat: Chotto Desh at Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, Stratford, London E15
It means “small homeland” and it’s a child-friendly adaptation of Akram Khan’s 2011 spectacular Desh that wowed critics and audiences alike. This compelling blend of dance, music, text and visuals traces a young man’s journey from Britain to Bangladesh through dreams and memories. For ages 7+. 3pm. £8-£10 (Jan 16 & 23)
Sat: Brixton Bloc’s Final Celebration: In Remembrance of Bowie, Stockwell Road, SW9 9TP (Brixton tube)
It’s the final Brixton Bloc and a fitting farewell to the legend that was David Bowie, who was born just one minute away from the venue on Stansfield Road. One of Bowie’s best loved appearances was in Labyrinth, the cult family fantasy and there will be all-day screenings of the film, along with a soundtrack honouring the man himself. 12pm-11pm, drop-in, £3 after 6pm/FREE before 6pm (Jan 16)
Sat-Sun: Cirque du Soleil: Amaluna at Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP (South Kensington/High St Kensington tube)
Marking 20 years of glorious performances at Royal Albert Hall, Cirque du Soleil return to this stunning venue with a never before seen performance, Amaluna. Written and directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus, it’s a celebration of love and femininity with women making up the majority of the cast. Recommended for ages 3+, younger ones will be admitted but use parental discretion as the show is long and can be pretty intense. Doors from 2.15pm, shows at 3pm, 3.30pm, 7.30pm & 8pm; adult from £44.32 to £113.68/child ages 3+ £34.12 to £103.48/under 3s FREE on parent/carer lap (Jan 16-Mar 6)
Sun: Family Day: Heroes and Heroines at Keats House, 10 Keats Grove, NW3 2RR (Hampstead Heath overground)
Bring your superheroes in training along to this special celebration of Greek gods and legends. Hear epic tales of achievement, daring deeds and crazy feats, and invent your own superhero. Dress up encouraged! All ages. 1pm-4pm, drop-in, FREE (Jan 17)
We also like
Snow is falling… at Lyric Hammersmith in Snow Child, a charming production for ages 3-8 (Sat); catch Gina Lollobrigida, Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis in the breathtaking movie Trapeze (U) at Barbican Cinema, part of London International Mime Festival (Sat): flashback to the ‘80s with family classic The Goonies (PG) at BFI Southbank (Sun); live out your yachting fantasies at London International Boat Show (until Sun); show don’t tell at London International Mime Festival, various locations (until Feb 6); marvel at the miniature wonders of Lauren Child’s Dolls House at House of Illustration (until Feb 7)
Booking Ahead
Buster Keaton: Go West + The Paleface with Live Accompaniment by John Sweeney at Barbican Cinema 1 (Jan 24)
Magical Lantern Festival at Chiswick House (Feb 3-Mar 6)
Mini Vault Festival featuring Big Fish Little Fish Out of this World Rave (Feb 6)
Cirque Beserk at Peacock Theatre (Feb 8-24)
Imagine Children’s Festival at Southbank Centre (Feb 10-21)
Chinese New Year (Feb 14)
February Half Term (guide out in February) (Feb 15-21)
Rave-a-Roo at Ministry of Sound (Feb 19)
The Baby Show at ExCel London (Feb 19-21)
Little Folk with Albo folk concerts for kids and families at The Colour House Theatre, Merton SW19 (Feb 27 & Apr 23)
The First National Trust Children’s Book Festival (Mar 4-6)
Upcoming Family Festivals
Deer Shed Festival (Jul 22-24)
Camp Bestival (Jul 28-31)
Just So Festival (Aug 19-21)
On Blackheath (Sep 10-11)
Family Festivals Guide out in Spring. Also Don’t Miss our Guide to 16 Things to Look Forward to in 2016!
Mirka Moore @Kahanka @Fitness4Mamas
An amazing round-up as always Uju. I have heard so much about the Lumiere London! Shame we were busy due to hubby’s bday, hopefully next year. It was so sad starting last week with the sad news of David Bowie passing away, such a great artist. x
Uju
So sad about Bowie and then Alan Rickman, rough week but we were blessed by these artists sharing their talents with the world. A necessary reminder to use your gifts as best you can while you can. We enjoyed Lumiere London (well half of us did, the other half of the Babes crew was a bit cold and grumpy ha), although found it a bit crowded, only did the King’s Cross area though. Hopefully it will be even better organised next year. Hope your hubby had a good birthday x