We’re speeding towards July and at least the weather might be perking up in the week ahead. Lots going on behind the scenes at Babes HQ, can’t wait to update you. In the meantime, here’s what’s fun for families in London over the next few days. Have a fantastic weekend!
What’s Fun for Families in London this Weekend
Fri-Sat: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, box office Queen Mary’s Garden, Regent’s Park Inner Circle, NW1 4NU (Baker St tube)
Head to the Inner Circle for a vibrant programme of drama and musical theatre (dress for all weather). LAST CHANCE: Hansel and Gretel (Jun 14-22, 8pm daily + Sat Jun 22 also 2.15pm), an operatic adaptation of the Grimm fairytale about two lost kids, suitable for ages 9+. Up next: Shakespeare’s playful A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Jun 28-Jul 27, 7.45pm daily/Thu & Sat matinees 2.15pm) and Andrew Lloyd Weber’s musical hit Evita (Aug 2-Sep 21, 7.45pm daily/Thu & Sat matinees 2.15pm), for secondary school kids and adults. Ticket range £25-£62.50, confirm show times with box office ahead of visit (until Sep 21)
Fri-Sun: Greenwich + Docklands International Festival: Greenwich Fair, various sites around Greenwich (Cutty Sark DLR/Greenwich rail/Canary Wharf tube)
The annual extravaganza of outdoor art and performance kicks off this weekend, with the Greenwich Fair, especially for families. Highlights include Fly by Night (Fri-Sat), Windrush 492 (Sat), Belly of the Whale City (Sat-Sun) and Boudicca (Sat-Sun). Most of the festival is free, with vary few ticketed events from £7-£15. All ages welcome! (Jun 21-Jul 7)
Fri-Sun: Choose Love X A Mile in My Shoes, Empathy Museum, 3 Newburgh Street, W1F 7RE (Oxford Circus tube)
LAST CHANCE: Step into the shoes of a real life refugee and walk around, listening to their first hand stories. This poignant experience is part of a collaboration between the Empathy Museum and Help Refugees for Refugee Week. 10am-7pm (Mon-Wed), 10am-8pm (Thu), 11am-7pm (Fri-Sat), 12pm-6pm (Sun), FREE (Jun 14-23)
Fri-Sun: Zip Now London, Archbishop’s Park, Carlisle Lane, SE1 7LE (Lambeth North tube/Waterloo tube/rail)
Zoom along the biggest and fastest city zip wire in the world. See London landmarks whip by at breakneck speed. Daring riders are launched from 35 m above ground (higher than 9 double decker buses) and travel at up to 50km an hour. Suitable for ages 8+ (minimum height 1.2m). All kids must be accompanied by adult. 11.30am-7.30pm (Mon-Fri), 9.30am-7.30pm (Sat), 9.30am-5.30pm (Sun); £30 single ride, £27 limited early bird, £25 groups of 5 or more, £70 Zip & Zoom (includes Thames Rockets adventure) (Jun 12-Sep 15)
Fri-Sun: Get Up, Stand Up: Generations of Black Creative Pioneers, Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube)
This is a fantastic exhibition, marking 50 years of Black British creative culture, from the pioneering films of Horace Ové to the present day. Zak Ove (Horace’s son) curates this diverse showcase of Black history and talent, exploring the interplay between race, nationality and personal identity. It’s educational and, at times, deeply affecting. Keep an eye on the website for related live events and pop-ups. 10am-6pm (Mon-Tue, Sat-Sun) & 11am-8pm (Wed-Fri), except Jun 15, 22 & 23 (10am-8pm), Jul 11-21 & Aug 8-21 (10am-6pm); £12.50/concs £9.50/under 12s FREE (Jun 12-Sep 15)
Sat-Sun: Open House Families (architecture festival), multiple London locations
Inspire the next generation of city-shapers at this architecture festival, exclusively for children and families. Spend a weekend exploring some of London’s most exciting buildings, in the company of engineers, architects, artists and storytellers. There are family-friendly tours hosted by local kids, as well as hands-on workshops where your mini makers can get building. These include special sessions for families with special education needs and/or disabilities. Multiple venues including St. Paul’s Cathedral, Royal Academy and National Gallery, with festival hubs at: 30 St Mary Axe (the Gherkin), Gasholder Park King’s X, Here East and Canary Wharf. For ages 0-13 and families. 11am-4pm, FREE (Jun 22-23)
Sat-Sun: Underbelly Festival: Arr We There Yet?, Southbank, Belvedere Road Coach Park, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube, rail)
Arr We There Yet? These acrobatic pirates are set to turn your world upside down and leave you feeling ship-shape. Head First Acrobats present an entertaining show for all ages (Jun 22-23 at 1pm, tickets from £10.25). Also at Underbelly Family Fest this summer: Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance hall & brand-new Baby Cabaret, Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids, Morgan & West’s Utterly Spiffing Spectacular Family Magic Show for Kids (and Childish Grownups), Trash Test Dummies, The Noise Next Door, Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, Shark in the Park and Basil Brush! All ages welcome (some age restrictions apply for certain acts). Varying times, dates and prices from £8.50; book ahead (Apr 5-Sep 29)
Sun: The Cally Festival, along Caledonian Rd (King’s Cross St Pancras/Caledonian Rd tube, Caledonian Rd & Barnsbury overground)
It’s one of our favourite local street parties and the fun continues this Sunday at Cally Festival. Experience vibrant stalls, tasty street food, urban gym and boxing, the ever popular pop-up poetry performances, adult and kids craft areas, live music stage, and great people-watching. All ages. 12pm-6pm, FREE (Jun 23)
Sun: The Big Architecture Family Day at Royal Academy (multiple locations around RA), meet in front hall of Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Drop in with your kids for a day of building and designing, as part of the London Architecture Festival. Sessions include the ever-popular RA LEGO architecture challenge, and a ‘Sky Creatures’ drawing workshop. For all ages. 11am-4pm, FREE (Jun 23)
Sun:Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Rd, NW1 (Camden Town/Chalk Farm tube)
Fling your partner around to the tunes of a live band jamming out English folk, Ceilidh and more. A professional caller will give you instructions if you don’t know the moves. This fun and festive event is a brilliant afternoon for all ages, whether you’re a babe in arms (or baby carrier) or a grandma. Book in advance to avoid disappointment. 3pm-5pm; adult £7, child £5, under 2s FREE (Jun 23)
London Kids Cinema
The big cinema release this weekend is Toy Story 4, which is gaining rave reviews and we can’t wait. Find other local Kids Club movie screenings for under £5 on our LONDON FAMILY CINEMA page.
Booking Ahead
The Great Exhibition Road Festival, Imperial College London (Jun 28-30)
Fun DMC Daytime Family Block Party: Hip Hop Sepcial, Pitch Stratford (Jun 29)
Gelato Festival at Canopy Market, King’s Cross (Jun 29-30)
Aurora Orchestra Far Far Away, Kings Place, N1 (Jun 29-30 & Jul 6-7)
London Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival (Jun 30)
The Golden Hinde Night Voyage (Family Sleepover), at The Golden Hinde, SE1 (Jul 6 & Aug 3)
**NB: Please note that all event timings and prices are subject to change/cancellation at short notice, so always check ahead with the venue before making a trip!**
Father’s Day London Weekend Scoop (June 13-16, 2019)
