London Kids Weekend Scoop (January 19-22, 2017)

 

 
London is lit this weekend as Magical Lanterns, Winter Lights and other spectacles illuminate our London Kids Weekend Scoop. Whether you’re into family theatre, creative workshops or kids cinema, we’ve got you covered. Wrap up warm and get out there!

 

 
Thu-Sun: Magical Lantern Festival, Chiswick House and Gardens, Chiswick, W4 2QN (Gunnersbury overground/Turnham Green tube/Chiswick rail)
Following on from a hugely successful run in 2017, Magical Lantern Festival returns to illuminate Chiswick House and Gardens. Stroll through the magical setting, enchanted by light sculptures of birds, animals, and striking scenes. For Chinese New Year of the Rooster 2017 there’s a special theme – ‘Explore the Silk Road’ – featuring oversized lantern scenes highlighting this significant trade and culture route from Europe to Ancient China.. Throughout the festival you can tuck into yummy food and enjoy live music, virtual reality gaming, Chinese bamboo lantern riddles, ice rink, mini funfair and more. All ages. 5pm-10pm (Thu-Sun) & daily during Feb half-term; adult £16.50-£20/child £10.50-£14/family £50-£64 (Jan 19-Feb 26)

Thu-Sun: London Art Fair at Business Design Centre, Upper St, Islington N1 0QH (Angel/Highbury & Islington tube)
The UK’s leading contemporary British artists converge in our hood this weekend as the London Art Fair takes place on Upper Street. If you fancy investing in art this year, or picking up something new for your home or office, head down to explore the up and coming and established names and works and engage with a buzzy crowd. It’s family friendly too, with activities for kids include creating a collaborative collage at a drop-in workshop for all, inspired by artist Tschabalala Self’s exhibition at nearby Parasol Unit. All ages. 11am-9pm (Thu), 11am-7pm (Fri), 11am-7.30pm (Sat), 11am-5pm (Sun); adult £15 adv, £22 door, 6 day ticket £40/concs £14/child under 12 FREE (Jan 18-22)

Planning to stick around in Islington with your family for the day? Discover the best places to eat, shop and play with my guide to Islington with Kids

Thu-Sun: Roundhouse & the Royal Ballet present Zoo Nation: The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8EH (Chalk Farm tube)
LAST CHANCE: After a sell-out run at Royal Opera House in 2014, the fantastic Zoo Nation reimagines this hip hop ‘ballet’ for the Roundhouse space. Patients at the Institution for Extremely Normal Behaviour, all claim to come from a place called Wonderland. They throw a never-ending tea party, only interrupted by doctor Ernest who’s trying to bring some therapy into the mix. Prepare for mind-blowing moves, eye-popping scenes and nostalgic good times. Another cracking show! 7.30pm (Tue-Sat and some Mons), 2.30pm matinees (Sats and some Weds), 5pm (Sun); from £15-£35/child under 16 25% discount/family of 4 £30 off full price tickets (Jan 22)

Thu-Sun: BUMP Roller Disco at Southbank Centre under Hungerford Bridge, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Embankment/Waterloo tube)
LAST CHANCE: This ultra fab roller disco pop-up is back on the South Bank for its Winter Festival outing. Get into your glittery tops and sparkly leggings and glide around the dance floor, with disco balls and tinkly tunes from the live DJ. Skates are available from child size 9 to adult size. 3pm-11pm (Mon-Fri) & 11am-11pm (Sat-Sun); 11am-11pm daily (from Dec 19-Jan 8); closed from 6pm Thu Dec 24 and closed all day Dec 25 & Dec 31; adult £12/child £9 (under 14s tickets only available until 7pm)/Fri & Sat club nights adult £15-child £12 (12+ only 7pm-9pm/then 16+ only) (until Jan 22)

 

 
Thu-Sun: Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival, Canada Square Park and around Canary Wharf, E14 5AB (Canary Wharf tube/DLR/rail)
Back for another bedazzling year, the Winter Lights Festival takes over Canary Wharf with 30 spectacular light installations by some of the most innovative artists and designers working in the craft. With enchanting titles such as Cathedral of Mirrors, Garden of Floating Words and Digital Skin Live Interactive Station, the installations range from interactive pieces to performance art. Download the map via the web site. All ages. 4pm-9pm, FREE (until Jan 27)

Fri-Sun: London Model Engineering Exhibition, Great Hall, Alexandra Palace, London, N22 7AY (Alexandra Palace rail/Wood Green tube then W3 bus to the park, Gate 6 recommended entry)
Trainspotters and choo choo fans, take note. The London Model Engineering Exhibition is back, showcasing both traditional and modern gadgets and toys from steam locomotives and traction engines, through to speed boats, planes and helicopters. Nearly 2,000 models will be on display and it’s a perfect day out for families, especially as there’s so much else to do afterwards — from boating to ice skating — in gorgeous Ally Pally. 10am-5pm (Fri-Sat); 10am-4.30pm (Sun); adult £10.50-£12/child 5-14 £3-£4/under 5s FREE (Jan 20-22)

Sat: Horniman Museum Family Workshops: Chinese Lanterns, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3PQ (Forest Hill overground)
Cock a doodle doo! 2017 is the Chinese Year of the Rooster and to celebrate, Horniman Museum are hosting another Art Makers session for families with an Oriental theme. Come and make and decorate a Chinese New Year Rooster Lantern using materials made available, and you can take it home as a keepsake. There’s more Chinese New Year fun in the Hands On Base (11am-11.30am, 11.45am-12.15pm, 12.30pm-1pm; FREE). All workshops are suitable for ages 3+. The Lantern making workshops run from 1.30pm-2.15pm & 2.45pm-3.30pm; adult FREE/child £3 (Jan 21)

Sat: Tower Bridge Exhibition: A View of London, Tower Bridge Road, SE1 2UP (Tower Hill/London Bridge tube/rail, Tower Gateway DLR)
Come with your whole brood for this month’s Family Activity session at Tower Bridge, discovering the amazing View of London from the bridge. Kids and adults can build their own ‘view finder’ as you tour the historic Walkways. Using a variety of materials, you can help create a bespoke collage of the London skyline too. Recommended for ages 6-10, but all ages welcome. Activities included in price of admission. 10.30am-4pm; adult £9/child 5-15 £3.90/under 5s FREE/family £14.10-£22.50 (Jan 21)

 

 
Sun: Mwalimu Express at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
One of our absolute favourite events on the London calendar holds its first family affair for 2017. All aboard the vibrant Mwalimu Express that’s open to people of all ages and backgrounds. It’s a fun and fresh encounter with African culture from food and film, to fashion and arts and crafts. Hunt for cool African fabric and accessories, catch DJs Rita Ray and Max Einhardt spinning tunes to get you moving, tuck into delicious African flavours, watch live performances from rotating musicians, play board games with the Oware Society, join in Parent and Toddler dance sessions, and finish it all off with an African film. This weekend hear Palm Wine music virtuoso Abdul Tee-Jay with support from Asabi Hawah of Sierra Leone and on screen there’s Mama Africa, a documentary portrait of the wonderful Miriam Makeba. All ages welcome. 2pm-6pm, FREE (Jan 22 & 3rd Sundays monthly)

Sun: Arts Depot: Cake Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central/West Finchley/Woodside Park tube)
Award-winning theatre company Whalley Range All Stars take to the kitchen in this inventive production featuring a forest of forks, a mountain of washing up and snapping teeth threatening the residents inside a very large cake. Clever puppetry and lots of surprises fill this show for ages 4+. 11am & 2pm; £7 (Jan 22)

 

 

London Kids Cinema Listings

A selection of movies from some of our favourite family friendly cinemas in London.

Barbican Cinema Framed Family Film Club, Cinema 1, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
Framed Film Club: Lady & the Tramp (U), 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Jan 21)

Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
Molly Moon & the Incredible Book of Hypnotism at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Jan 21)

Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Storks (U) at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Jan 21)

Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
The Iron Giant at 11.30am; £1.75 (Jan 21)

Prince Charles Cinema: Studio Ghibli Forever Season, 7 Leicester Pl, WC2H 7BY (Leicester Square tube)
My Neighbour Totoro at 4.15pm; £7.50 non-member/£5 member (Jan 21)
Spirited Away at 12.15pm; £7.50 non-member/£5 member (Jan 22)

BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Sing (Funday Preview), workshops from 10.30am & screening at 12pm; adult £11.75/child £4 (Jan 22)

COMING SOON

Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
The BFG at 10.30am (10am brunch); £10 (film only), or £20 (includes buffet brunch at 10am + popcorn and drinks for film) (Jan 29)

Check out our Parent & Baby cinema guide;
Our London Kids Cinema page launches next month, and don’t miss our picks for Top 150 Family Films!

DON’T MISS: Our guide to 17 Things to Look Forward to in 2017