Chilly innit? To be honest, I feel a lot warmer when I consider my poor sister over in Toronto, where it’s -16 degrees C (wind chill factor -35). The Niagara Falls looks stunning all snowed over, like a scene from Narnia. Get out and enjoy a family weekend in London, no matter the weather, as there’s tons of action in the Weekend Scoop. Have fun!
11 Excellent Ideas for a Family Weekend in London
Thu-Sat: Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival, around Canary Wharf Estate and Canada Square, E14 5AB (Canary Wharf tube/DLR)
LAST CHANCE: See Canary Wharf come alight with 21 installations sparking up the neighbourhood. Follow a vibrant trail of illuminated artworks on an enchanting family weekend in London. You can download a Winter Lights map to help you find your way through exhibits like neon trees and light maze. All ages. 5pm-10pm, FREE (until Jan 26)
Thu-Sun: The Favourite: Costume Display, Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, W8 4PX (High St Kensington/Queensway tube)
So you can’t take the kids to see the movie (it’s rated 15), but you can take the whole family along to gawp at the costumes. The Favourite is a hot favourite (ahem) at the Oscars, earning 9 nominations, including Best Costume. Stroll through Kensington Palace and explore this display of garments worn by cast members including Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz, created by three-time Oscar winner Sandy Powell. You’ll learn more about Queen Anne and her legacy, as well as the palace where many of the historical events that inspired the film took place. For more, head down to Hampton Court Palace where you can view more costumes and locations that feature in the movie. 10am-4pm daily (last admission 3pm); included in palace admission adult from £19.50, child under 16 from £9.70, family from £36.20 (1 adult)-£48.80 (2 adults) (until Mar 8, closed Feb 8-14)
Thu-Sun: Cirque du Soleil: Totem at Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP (South Kensington/High St Kensington tube)
Cirque du Soleil tops the bill for circus acts you need to see before you leave planet Earth. Follow mankind’s evolution from sea creature to our burning desire to fly, in this fascinating and dazzling show that tells our human story, through tricks, acrobatics and spectacle. All ages welcome – babes in arms free on parent’s lap, kids aged 3+ must have own seats. From £33-£98 (child discounts available); 11am, 3pm, 3.30pm, 7.30pm, 8pm (Jan 12-Feb 26)
Thu-Sun: Life in the Dark at Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD (South Kensington tube)
Hang out with creatures that howl at night, prowl in the dark, or simply come out to play after hours, at this exciting exhibition. Discover the world of bats, Mexican blind cave fish and other nocturnal animals, and learn what happens after the sun goes down. All ages. NB: Exhibition contains flashing lights and flickering shadows. 10am-5.50pm daily; adult £11.50 online, £12.50 door/up to 3 accompanying children 16 and under FREE – £7.50 per additional child (until Feb 24)
Fri-Sat: Rise and Fall at Half Moon Young People’s Theatre, 43 White Horse Road, E1 0ND (Limehouse DLR/Stepney Green tube)
Susannah dreams of a beautiful flower garden. But nothing grows until she meets a wizard who gives her magic seeds. Following in the footsteps of Jack and the Beanstalk, she enters a fantastical world snails talk and giants roam. Playful shadow puppetry and storytelling for ages 3 to 8. 10.30am & 1.30pm (Fri), 11am & 2pm (Sat); adult/child £7 (babies 12 months and under go FREE on carer’s lap) (Jan 25-26)
Fri-Sat: FREE Minecraft Design Workshops (ages 8-14) at Grahame Park Community Centre, The Concourse, Colindale, NW9 4XB (Colindale tube) and at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 0GA (Finchley Central/West Finchley/Woodside Park tube)
Ahead of Theatre Replacement’s interactive show MINE (Mar 21-23), Arts Depot welcomes older kids for a free gaming workshop. Help design a gaming zone that will pop up in the building over February Half Term. You’ll learn to craft, build and code together and it’s ideal for Minecraft mad kids and gamers, plus willing parents. Ages 8 to 14 and adult. 5pm (Fri workshop at Grahame Park Community Centre) and 2pm (Sat workshop at Arts Depot); FREE (Jan 21-26)
Sat: Free Workshop: Create, Make and Explore the Magical Winter Wood at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
Here’s something fun for younger ones. In celebration of Small Size Day (performing arts for ages 0-6), kids are invited to pop into Polka and help decorate the magical winter wood. The woodland guide will take you through all the scenery, sounds and smells, then you can settle around for camp fire stories, make a wolf hand puppet or a wish leaf to hang for all to see. This free event is in line with the current production In the Winter Wood (running until Feb 17), but you don’t need to have seen the show to take part. Ages 3 to 6 and families/siblings welcome. 12pm-1pm, 1.30pm-2.30pm, 3.30pm-4.30pm; FREE (Jan 26)
Sat-Sun: Icarus (main image) at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
Epic storytelling and stagecraft are the hallmarks of this vivid production, putting a fresh spin on the Icarus myth. One young boy is struggling with a family falling apart, with his dad overseas, forced to work for King Minos. Icarus decides to take fate into his own hands, but can he soar to greater heights? Or will he just crash and burn? Fun adventure for ages 8 to 12. Previews 2pm (Sat-Sun) – varied dates and times available, check ahead; preview prices (until Feb 5) adult £10-£20/child under 18 £8-£14 (Jan 26-Mar 10)
Sat-Sun: VAULT Festival, The Vaults, Leake Street, Waterloo, London, SE1 7NN (Waterloo tube/rail)
The largest arts festival in London returns to its unique space under Waterloo station, with tons of fun for kids as well as grown-ups. This opening weekend, you can catch Alf the Highwayman getting up to hi-jinks (Jan 26-Feb 3); or laugh yourself silly with stand ups at Comedy Club 4 Kids ages 6+ (Jan 26-Mar 9). More family shows coming up: alien adventure Boh Boh Finds Home (Mar 3-17); true life adaptation One Duck Down (Feb 17-Mar 10) and a secret world of insects in the Lovely Bug Ball (Feb 23-26). Don’t miss it. Multiple times and prices. (Jan 26-Mar 17)
Sun: Family Sundays at Royal Opera House: Mad Hatters and Masked Balls, Bow Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 9DD (Covent Garden tube)
Learn more about ballet, opera and theatre at these monthly family workshops. This weekend, raise a glass with Violetta and Alfredo in a reimagined La traviata; follow the White Rabbit to a Mad Hatter’s tea party from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland; and be part of Stahlbaum’s Christmas activities before The Nutcracker comes to life. You can meet the ROH creative teams, make a masquerade mark with professional prop-makers, or speed-write an aria and perform it with a real opera singer. 11am-3.30pm; £8-£10 – HURRY, last few tickets! (Jan 27)
Sun: How Does It Feel to Be Loved at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, W1G 0PP (Oxford Circus tube)
Back for another season of vintage soul, indie and classic pop tunes, the fun-loving family disco (fresh off the fields of End of the Road Festival), gets parents and kids shimmying, twisting and sliding on the dance floor. Expect smooth sounds (from The Smiths to the Supremes) and a chilled-out atmosphere. All ages welcome. 12pm-4pm. £6 adults (15 plus), £2 children (14 and under) (Jan 27)
London Kids Cinema
House of Vans: Feelgood Films (Free!), at Arches 228-232 Station Approach Rd, SE1 7AE (Southwark/Lambeth North tube)
Head to House of Vans, the uber-cool skate park/events space, and watch a free film to lift your mood. This weekend, you can see Big Fish (Jan 27, PG), La La Land (Jan 26, 12A), and Up (Jan 27, U). Upcoming screenings include School of Rock (Feb 3, PG), Forrest Gump (Feb 16, PG) and Labyrinth (Feb 17, PG). Screenings at 5pm & 7.15pm (Fri), 3pm & 5.30pm (Sat), 2pm & 4pm (Sun); FREE (Jan 25-Feb 17)
Visit our LONDON FAMILY CINEMA page to see this weekend’s Kids Club screening (£5 or less) at a cinema near you.
Booking Ahead
Big Fish Little Fish Vikings and Dragons Family Rave at New Cross (Feb 2)
Disco Loco’s Rainbow Ball at Hackney Showroom (Feb 3)
A Winter’s Tale for ages 8+ at National Theatre (Feb 8-21)
Aurora Orchestra: Far Far Away at Kings Place, N1C (Feb 10, 16 & 17, 24)
Barbican Open Fest: Art 50 at Barbican Centre (Feb 23)
The Show in Which Hopefully Nothing Happens at Unicorn Theatre, SE1 (Mar 21-Apr 28)
Beasts of London at Museum of London (Apr 5-Jan 5, 2020)
Have you seen our LONDON HOT LIST? Don’t miss out!
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!