Moon Festival in Chinatown, and Fun Palaces all over London, and Circus with a Wild Wild West twist. It’s all happening in the London Kid’s Weekend Scoop. Saddle up!
London Kids Weekend Scoop
Thu-Sun: Cirque Eloize: Saloon at Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street,Holborn, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
Yee haw! Hitch a ride to the old Saloon in the company of stunning Canadian circus troupe, Cirque Éloize. Back at Peacock Theatre in another dazzling show of circus artistry, we follow a stranger as he swings through saloon doors. He meets Belle among a series of action-packed encounters. There’s Cyr Wheel, juggling, acrobatics, Chinese Pole, puppetry and more in this lively show, filled with folk and country music. 2.30pm & 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 2pm & 6.30pm (Sun); £15-£42 (Oct 4-21)
Sat: Fun Palaces Weekend: Submerged at National Maritime Museum, King William Walk, London SE10 9HT (Cutty Sark DLR/Greenwich rail)
Every year, Fun Palaces brings a weekend of creativity to a variety of national venues, aiming to make arts, culture and science free and accessible for people of all ages and backgrounds. This Saturday, National Maritime Museum hosts Submerged, its first ever Fun Palace. The museum will be flooded with activity, from Captain Barnacles of CBeebies show Octonauts, to CBBC actor Olly Pike reading from his children’s book Prince Henry. South London Samba and the London International Choir will be bringing the musical flavour, and drop-in activities range from digital games to rainbow kite-making. All ages welcome. 10.30am-5pm, FREE (Oct 7)
Find more Fun Palaces events near you here: funpalaces.co.uk
Sat: Rave-A-Roo at Ministry of Sound, 103 Gaunt Street, SE1 6DP (Elephant & Castle/Borough tube)
They call it the “clubbing mash-up of festival fun for the whole family” and it’s back just ahead of the October half term. Legendary clubbing venue Ministry of Sound hosts this entertainment haven for young disco bunnies, groovy Mamas and Dad dancers. Go for DJ sounds, LIVE stage performances, confetti fun, neon crafting, Glow Chill Room, Funky Soft Play room, Old Skool Rave Room, UV tattoo station and Rave-A-Roo resident artists Go! Go! Go! (Dance Set) as seen on Nick Jr. 12.45pm-3pm & 4pm-6.15pm; £11 early bird, £13.50 adv (booking fees apply), £25 door/group discounts available/babies 0-18 months go FREE but require ticket (Oct 7)
Sat-Sun: Polka Theatre: Child of the Divide, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
2017 marks the 70th anniversary of the partition of India and Child of the Divide is a timely reminder of its lasting effects. Set in the summer of 1947, it tells the tale of young Pali whose hand slips from his father’s, as 16 million people move between India and the new Pakistan. He’s taken in by a Muslim family and when his real dad comes to claim him, Pali has to choose between his Hindu birthright and his Muslim upbringing. Rich and compelling drama for ages 7-14 (unsuitable for younger ones). 2.30pm & 5.30pm (Sat Oct 7), 4.30pm (Wed), 2pm & 5pm (Sat Oct 14), 2pm (Suns); £13.50 (until Oct 15)
Sat-Sun: Beowulf (ages 8+) at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
Monster slayer, hero, rock star…Beowulf is a legend in the true sense, and in this 21st century reimagining, he’s more than just a name in Olde English folklore. One actor plays Beowulf as he prepares for his final battle. He looks back over his life and examines what it means to be a leader — is it about victory at all costs, or is there another way? Chris Thorpe brings this tale to life with an immersive metal and electro-infused live soundtrack, flashing lights and dry ice! For ages 8+. 1.30pm (Sat-Sun), various other times and dates available; adult £10-£18, child under 18 £8-£10 (Oct 1-Nov 5)
Sun: Fulham Palace Apple Day, Fulham Palace, Bishop’s Avenue, London, SW6 6EA (Putney Bridge tube)
The hugely popular annual event takes over the gorgeous surroundings of Fulham Palace and gardens. Marking the arrival of autumn, and a special showcase of the Walled Garden apple orchard, there are loads of things to do with the kids. Check out bee keeping and wood turning demonstrations, live music, and the hotly anticipated baking contest. GBBO eat your heart out! 11am-3pm, FREE (Oct 8)
Sun: Illumidoo: Take Me to the Moon, Boston Room, George IV Pub and Restaurant, 185 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, W4 2DR (Turnham Green tube)
Over in west London, there’s a space age show filled with fun activities and disco dancing. Illumidoo blasts children off into incredible new dimensions, with a mix of 3D light effects, interactive theatre, and great tunes. Join this lunar mission as you go speeding past the stars to see the earth from outer space. Then it’s party time, with the music turned up and a disco ball spinning over the Illumidisco. Ages 4-9. 1.30pm & 3.15pm, child £12/adults + under 2s are FREE (Oct 8)
Sun: Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Camden Town/Chalk Farm tube)
Grab your partner, your bestie, or even your tiny human (in a baby carrier) for the return of this family friendly dance event. Step out to the folk tunes of a live band, with a live caller telling you when to figure 8 or do-si-do. The music blends traditional folk music, from country to Ceilidh and the dances show off the best of the British isles. All ages welcome. Book in advance to avoid disappointment. 3pm-5pm; adult £7, child £5, under 2s FREE (Oct 8)
Sun: Moon Fest in Chinatown, London Chinatown Chinese Association, Newport Place, London (Leicester Square/Piccadilly Circus/Covent Garden tube)
Head to Soho for a Chinese celebration to mark their traditional Mid-Autumn festival. Look out for lion dances, martial arts displays, lantern decorations, live music, family activities including storytelling, and writing wishes to the Moon Goddess. And of course delicious Chinese food at street stalls and surrounding restaurants. Moon Fest Main Stage at Gerrard St is where most of the action happens but there’s lots to see and do across the area. All ages. 12pm-5pm, FREE (Oct 8)
Why not enjoy a Sunday dim sum meal? Take your pick from my Where to Eat Dim Sum in London guide!
Sun: Mission Invertebrate: Giant Snail Tour of Hyde Park, at Royal Parks Half Marathon Festival Area, Hyde Park, W2 2UH (Hyde Park Corner tube)
Storytellers Vanessa Wolf, Oliver Wallace (House of Fairytales) and Rebecca Walker lead a splendidly slimy tour of Hyde Park, in these fun, interactive sessions. Your munchkins can get up close with the park’s mini beasts, including butterflies, grasshoppers, worms and dragonflies. Learn all about snails and other invertebrates, take part in crafting and other activities. 11am-3pm, FREE (Oct 8)
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: Box of Delights (shorts), 11am; Child £2.50/Adult £3.50 (Oct 7)
Electric Cinema Kids Club, 191 Portobello Rd, W11 2ED (Notting Hill tube)
James and the Giant Peach at 9.30am; adult/child £5 (Oct 7)
Phoenix Cinema Kids Club, 52 High Rd, East Finchley N2 9PJ (East Finchley tube)
Aladdin at 12pm; Adult/Child £3 (Oct 7)
Regent St Cinema Kids Kino Club, 309 Regent St, W1B 2UW (Oxford Circus tube)
Monster Island at 11.30am; £1.75 (Oct 7)
COMING SOON
BFI Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Whistle Down the Wind at 1pm; adult £11.75/child £4 (Oct 22)
Soho Hotel Children’s Film Club, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Captain Underpants at 10.30am (10am brunch); £10 (film only), or £20 (includes buffet brunch at 10am + popcorn and drinks for film) (Oct 29)
Booking Ahead
Dance Umbrella featuring Origami and Dot (Oct 11-28)
Big Fish Little Fish family rave with DJ Aphrodite & Lonely Planet giveaways at Fire & Lightbox, Vauxhall (Oct 14)
Gerry Cottle’s Magic Circus on Ealing Common (Oct 19-29)
Harry Potter: A History of Magic (Oct 20-Feb 28, 2018)
Kidtropolis at ExCel London (Oct 23-26)
DON’T MISS my 17 hottest picks for London in Autumn