Happy season of light! Along with celebrating Diwali (disco style) and more fireworks across London, there are some breathtaking Remembrance Sunday displays at Tower of London and Imperial War Museum.
We’re also feeling quite festive with Enchanted Woodlands at Syon Park and Winter festival at Southbank Centre both open. Over at BFI Southbank, David Walliams introduces one of his heroes, Peter Sellers in The Pink Panther Strikes Again. Here’s to a brilliant weekend. Love and light x
Tower of London Remembers + 13 Spectacular Family Events
Thu-Sun: Tower of London Remembrance Sunday Installation: Beyond the Deepening Shadow, at Tower of London, EC3N 4AB (Tower Hill tube)
Following on from their staggering poppies installation a few years ago, the Tower of London strikes another moving and sombre note for Remembrance Sunday. Each evening, over the course of 4 hours, the Tower’s moat will be illuminated by around 10,000 individual flames. Set to music, the evocative piece will create a circle of light radiating from the Tower as a powerful symbol of remembrance. Tickets to the moat are sold out, but you can see the installation for free until Sunday, from Tower Hill or the Tower Concourse. All ages. 5pm-9pm, FREE (Nov 4-11)
Thu-Sun: Poppies: Weeping Window, at IWM London, Lambeth Road, SE1 6HZ (Lambeth North/Elephant & Castle tube)
Another stunning Remembrance Sunday installation, Weeping Window features a cascade of handmade ceramic poppies from the heights of the Imperial War Museum, all the way to the ground. Artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper are also the team behind the groundbreaking Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red poppies installation at Tower of London in 2014. They’ve used 11,000 poppies from this show for their latest artworks, Weeping Window, and Wave (showing at IWM North). All ages. 10am-6pm daily, FREE (until Nov 18)
Thu-Sun: Giant LEGO Brick Animal Trail + LEGO Workshops at WWT London Wetland Centre Queen Elizabeth’s Walk SW13 9WT (Barnes rail, Hammersmith tube)
Stroll amongst LEGO brick animals, such as an owl, kingfisher, frog and otter, all inspired by species across WWT centres. On weekends and half-term, kids can make and take home their own brick animals in WWT’s LEGO workshops. All ages (workshops for ages 5+). WWT trail open daily 9.30am-4.30pm, last admission 3.30pm (Nov 1 until Feb 28/29); adult from £12.72/child from £7.72/family of 4 from £34.77/under 4s FREE. LEGO workshops at 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm (Sat-Sun); £10.50 per person (until Nov 18)
Thu-Sun: Good Grief, Charlie Brown! at Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross Rd/Temple/Covent Garden tube)
This huge retrospection of the animation genius of Charles M Schulz is getting rave reviews. Check out cartoon strips, vintage memorabilia, designer sweatshirts and more. Lounge on beanbags in the Snoopy Cinema and watch Peanuts TV special; bash away at Snoopy typewriters in Lucy’s Psychiatric Help Booth; and have a go at drawing Peanuts characters. Don’t miss out on a range of events and activities programmed throughout the exhibition’s run. All ages welcome. 10am-6pm (Mon-Tue, Sat-Sun), 11am-8pm (Wed-Fri) – last entry 1 hour prior to closing time; adult £14/concs £11/under 12s FREE (until Mar 3)
Thu-Sun: A Pirate’s Life for Me at V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Rd, E2 9PA (Bethnal Green Tube)
There’s a pirate ship to explore at the centre of this sprawling exhibition about fictional pirates. Take a look at the original costume creations for Captain Hook and look around at other museum treasures. All ages welcome. 10am-5.45pm, FREE (until Apr 22, 2019)
Fri-Sun: Winter at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
Ooh, I’ve got that fuzzy feeling inside as the Southbank Centre Winter Festival returns, for another cracking season of pop-up shows, family theatre, riverside fun and of course the Winter Market. Pick up a treat or 20, see rocking fairytale Rumpelstiltskin, gawp at mind-blowing animal puppetry in Circus 1903, or dance your socks off at the Snow Ball for all ages. Multiple dates, times and prices for events; many activities and Winter Market are FREE entry (from Nov 9-Jan 6)
Fri-Sun: The Enchanted Woodland at Syon Park, Syon House, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 8JF (Waterloo to Kew Bridge/Brentford or Syon Lane rail)
It’s the 13th year of sparkly joy at the Enchanted Woodland trail, a hugely popular Christmas event that sells out annually. Prepare for some seriously brilliant photo opportunities, as you wander through the 600-year-old gardens and see the Great Conservatory lit up to stunning effect. 5-9pm, adult £10-£12/child £5/under 2s FREE (Nov 9-25)
Fri-Sun: The Wind in the Willows at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
Poop poop! Playwright Toby Hulse adapts Kenneth Grahame’s beloved children’s book for a new generation. Laugh and marvel as Ratty, Mole and Badger help loveable rogue, Toad, out of a variety of scrapes. A magical mix of storytelling theatre, songs and seasonal sparkle. For ages 5+. 11am, 2pm/2.30pm, 5pm; from £19.50/previews £15 (Nov 9-Feb 17)
Sat 10: Lord Mayor’s Show and Fireworks, multiple locations (nearest tubes Bank/St. Paul’s to arrive, Blackfriars or Mansion House to leave, check TFL for best routes)
Celebrate the new Lord Mayor with the riverside pageant of floats, bands and carriages, and enjoy all the action at the new Festival Zones at St Paul’s and Paternoster Square. In the evening, catch London’s most spectacular fireworks (before New Year’s Eve)! Best viewing points from Parliament Hill, Primrose Hill, Shooter’s Hill or by the riverside between Waterloo and Blackfriars Bridges, either on Victoria Embankment or on the South Bank. All ages welcome. Lord Mayor’s Show from 11am; fireworks show from 5.15pm; all FREE (Nov 10)
Sat 10: King Alfred School Fireworks at The King Alfred School, Manor Wood, 149 North End Road, NW11 7HY (Golders Green tube)
Tasty street food, LED light displays, live shows, toddler fun, pumping DJ and North London’s fieriest fireworks. It’s become one of our favourite annual traditions for the Big Apple Hot Dogs/Babes about Town crew (and yes, you can buy the famous BAHD hot dogs on site)! All ages. Gates 5pm, street food 5pm-8.30pm, fireworks 7.45pm; adult £15/child £10 (Nov 10)
Sun: Disco Loco: Festival of Lights at Hackney Showroom, Hackney Downs Studios, Amhurst Terrace, E8 2BT (Dalston Kingsland/Dalston Junction overground/Rectory Rd rail)
Happy Divali, disco bunnies! Celebrate the season of light with some tunes to get your toes twinkling and your little stars lighting up the dance floor. The East London rave brigade is serving up bhajis, samosas and henna for this session, along with DJs and MC Chu-I. Don’t miss the indoor laser light show! All ages welcome, from babies ages 6 months and up. 2pm-5pm, £4 per person adv/door, pre-walkers and grandmothers FREE (Oct 14)
Sun: Royal Academy Family Studio: Metropolis Makers, The Clore Learning Centre, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Come to another friendly family studio, to create your own skyline inspired by the Renzo Piano architecture exhibition. Try screen-printing and collaborative building, then work with filmmakers to capture the transparent towers of tomorrow. All ages welcome. 11.05am-3pm, FREE (Nov 11)
Sun: Film Africa: Family Day, Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA (Shoreditch High St overground)
The Film Africa 2018 festival showcasing some of the latest and greatest flicks from the mother continent, wraps up this Sunday. There’s a big party and screening in the evening, but you can bring your brood to the popular Family Day, which offers storytelling, diverse kids’ books, multicultural gifts, arts and crafts. There’s a free showing of Thomas & Friends: Big World, Big Adventures, in which the faithful engine joins Kenyan steam engine Nia on a magnificent journey across Africa. Best for ages 8 and under. From 11am, FREE (Nov 11)
Sun: Royal Opera House: Month of Sundays Festival, Bow St, WC2E 9DD (Covent Garden tube)
Be immersed in the rich history of the stunning Royal Opera House at this festival of low-cost Sundays in Novemberl. Meet characters from opera and ballet, see behind-the-scenes demos, pick up some dance moves or learn tunes, and watch pop-up performances. All ages, best for ages 3+ and families. 11am & 2.30pm (Sun); £5 (Nov 4-Nov 25)
We also like
There’s a Winter Forest popping up at Broadgate Circle (until Dec 24); work those Instagram squares harder at the Selfie Factory, the UK’s first fun house for selfie-taking, in Shoreditch (Fri Nov 9-20); make a poppy, hear stories and meet a WW1 soldier at National Portrait Gallery’s Remembrance Family Day, 11.05am-4pm (Sun Nov 11); or follow a free trail of Remembrance Sunday artworks around Canary Wharf, including helmets of fallen soldiers (until Sun Nov 11)
London Kids Cinema
Sun: David Walliams Presents: The Pink Panther Strikes Again at Southbank: BFI Families, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XT (Waterloo/Embankment tube)
One of the most enjoyable family series to watch with your kids, the Pink Panther movies feature the genius of Peter Sellers as bumbling Inspector Clouseau. Author and actor David Walliams introduces this special screening of the film. 2.30pm; adult £8/child £4 – hurry, very limited tickets available! (Nov 11)
Find out what else is showing this weekend at a Cinema near you in London — fun family films for £5 or less. Head to our FAMILY CINEMA page for the full scoop!
Booking Ahead
Philip Pullman’s Grimm Tales at Unicorn Theatre, SE1 (Nov 13-Jan 6)
Guardian Cartoon & Art Family Day at Kings Place, N1 (Nov 17)
Framed Family Film Festival at Barbican Centre (Nov 17-18)
Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave at Winterville, Clapham Common (Nov 18)
London Zoo Christmas Festival (Nov 22-Jan 1)
Backyard Cinema Presents: The Snowman Experience at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland (Nov 22-Jan 6)
How Does It Feel to Be Loved at The Phoenix, W1 (Nov 25)
London Jazz Festival: Evelyn and the Yellow Birds at Kings Place, N1 (Nov 25)
The Ginge that Stole Christmas at Pleasance Theatre, N1 (Dec 8-9)
Framed Film Club: Christmas Party (annual sellout event!) at Barbican Centre (Dec 15)
Wake Up Gigs: Xylaroo + Support parent & baby concert at the Ace Hotel, Shoreditch (Dec 16)
Circus 1903 at Southbank Centre (Dec 19-Jan 5)
NB: Please note that event timings and prices are subject to change/cancellation at short notice, so always check ahead with the venue before making a trip!
Eat London with Kids: Kanada-Ya (Japanese Ramen Bar)
