Despite the random heatwave this week (where was all this extra sunshine when we had our seaside break? Huh?!), autumn is on its way, friends. As usual, I’ve rounded up 21 awesome things to do in autumn, from West End musicals to my book birthday. Bookmark this post, share with friends, get ready for a brilliant end to another cray-cray year. And as always, stay safe out there!
21 things to look forward to in Autumn 2021
Back to the Future: The Musical at Adelphi Theatre, 409-412 Strand, WC2R 0NS (Charing Cross tube/rail)
Great Scott! When Marty McFly zooms back to 1955 in a time machine built by his madcap friend Doc Brown, he nearly alters the course of history. Now he’s in a race against time to go back to the future and fix things for good. The classic ‘80s movie gets a musical reworking for the 21st century. Ages 6+ (under 4s not permitted). 7.30pm (select Mons, Tue-Sat), 2.30pm (Wed & Sat), 3pm (Sun); tickets from £19.55 (geddit?) (Aug 20-Feb 13, 2022)
London Podcast Festival at Kings Place, 90 York Way, N1 9AG (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
For the 6th year running, the London Podcast Festival is at Kings Place bringing creators and listeners together for live recordings, chat and entertainment. Highlights include Highlife Romance, a musical rom-com by Jacob Roberts-Mensah (DEM TIMES), as part of a day curated by Content Is Queen, the UK’s first diverse podcast network. Various times, dates and prices; if you can’t make it live, stream sessions via KPlayer (Sep 2-12)
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (12A)
Marvel’s first Asian-led storyline stars our fave Simu Liu from Kim’s Convenience with legend Tony Leung and Awkwafina (Crazy Rich Asians). Sounds badass. More movies to look forward to in Sep-Dec 2021: No Time to Die (Daniel Craig’s 007 finale), Respect: The Aretha Franklin Story, The Harder They Fall – a western starring Idris Elba, Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story reboot, Spiderman: No Way Home, Sing 2 and Downton Abbey: A New Era. Shang-Chi is out in cinemas now. (from Sep 3)
Frozen the Musical at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5JF (Covent Garden tube)
Are you ready to Let It Go, at last? After being ‘frozen’ by the pandemic, the Broadway spectacular whooshes into London’s West End. Rediscover the magic of Disney’s story about two sisters and a struggle for power. Dazzling costumes, lighting and stage design with original songs from the movies. Ages 6+ (under 3s not admitted). 7pm (Wed-Sat), 2pm & 7pm (Thu & Sat), 1pm & 5.30pm (Sun); from £39-£162 (previews from Aug 27, opens Sep 8-Jun 26, 2022)
Big Fish Little Fish Family Raves, multiple London locations
Their Fabric gig is once again SOLD OUT, but never fear, me hearties. You and your pirate crew can join a swashbuckling soiree this autumn at New Cross (Sep 12), South Ealing (Sep 26), Balham (Oct 10), Wood Green (Oct 24) and more London dates added soon. Rave to big tunes spun by top DJs, with Villa Pia baby chill out rooms, bubbles, confetti, balloons, foam, parachute dance, licensed bar and food on sale. Ages 0-8 and families. 12pm-2pm (3pm-5pm SOLD OUT); adult £10/child £7/pre-walkers FREE (multiple dates from Sep 12)
FUN DMC: Back to School Special at Colours, Hoxton Square, N1 6NU (Old St tube)
The daytime block party is back! Hit the floor with your junior mafia for live DJ set (hip hop, disco, R&B and party anthems), food served throughout the day, plus bar, graffiti train, photo booth, hip hop colouring in, soft play, dance competitions and more shenanigans. Birthday packages available. Ages 0-100. 1pm-3.30pm; adult £8/child £6/family £24 + booking fees (Sep 12)
Breakin’ Convention Presents: The Ruggeds at Peacock Theatre (Sadler’s Wells), Portugal Street, Holborn, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
Enter the world of The Ruggeds, a family born through trust and shared experiences, showcasing their unique style of dance, physical theatre, acrobatics, humour and music. The Ruggeds have collaborated with Rita Ora, Justin Bieber, Afrojack and Martin Garrix and earned recognition at hip hop championships worldwide. Breakin’ Convention Presents is a celebration of the most innovative and inspirational artists in hip hop today. Suitable for all ages. 7.30pm (Wed-Sat); £18-£40 (Sep 15-18)
The Chocolate Factory, Westfield London (1st Floor), Ariel Way, Shepherds Bush, W12 7GF (Shepherds Bush tube/overground)
A wonderland for chocoholics, taking you on a 60 minute pleasure ride through multiple rooms filled with sweet treats and selfie opportunities. Explore a chocolate town, a cupcake room, the ball pit and the chocolate factory. All ages welcome. 6pm-8pm entry slots (Thu-Fri), 10.30am-8pm (Sat), 10.30am-5pm (Sun); various prices adult from £19/(child (2-12) from £13.50/babies under 2 do not require a ticket (Sep 17-Oct 30)
HowTheLightGetsIn Festival, Kenwood House, Hampstead Heath, NW3 7JR (Hampstead tube/overground)
Did you know children ask around 73 questions a day? Perfect for curious kids, the world’s largest festival of music and ideas returns to Hampstead. More than 100 events including comedy, live music, philosophy, chat and late night parties. Hear from world-leading thinkers, experimental artists and musicians. There’s pop-up entertainment for kids and for under 12s it’s totally free! All ages welcome. This year, tickets allow you to livestream the event from home too. From 10am; limited day tickets from £59/full festival ticket £122/under 12s FREE; fast passes (no queues, festival ticket holders only) for specific events from £12 (Sep 18-19)
Groove into the Woods at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Groove Baby come swinging into Arts Depot with another funk-fuelled extravaganza. The animated, live-action musical follows three friends into a fairytale forest where they learn about trolls, trust and friendship. Expect toe-tapping rhythms from the Groove Baby Organ Trio blending jungle beats, pop themes and Blue Note jazz soul. For ages 3-7 and their grownups. 11am & 2pm; from £9 (Sep 19)
Bringing Up Race Turns One!
Can you believe a whole year has passed since Bringing Up Race entered bookstores? It’s been a wild ride in more ways than one! I’ll be celebrating my bookiversary with some fun activities. So stay tuned to my blog and social media (@Babesabouttown everywhere) and make sure you’re signed up to my newsletter to keep up with the latest. (Sep 24)
Wingjam: London’s Chicken Wing Festival at Museum of the Home (Kingsland Lawns), 136 Kingsland Road E2 8EA (Hoxton overground)
Did somebody say chicken wings? Enter a three-day wing-fest where you can sample chicken wings until your arms start flapping. Try flavours from Sriracha to Buffalo, BBQ to Pot Noodle (!) and catch cooking demonstrations, live music and more. Plus have a nosey around the freshly renovated (and renamed) Museum of the Home. NB: Tickets for all three days are currently SOLD OUT but keep an eye on their Facebook page for resells. (Oct 1-3)
Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical at Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7ES (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Lively up yourself at this electrifying world premiere, delayed through the pandemic and finally opening in the West End. Learn the true story of the boy from the hills of rural Jamaica who grew up to be a musical legend. Hear songs from his incredible back catalogue, performed by Arinzé Kene starring as Bob himself. Written by Lee Hall and directed by Clint Dyer. Recommended for ages 12+. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 2.30pm (Sat & Sun), 7pm (Sun); from £15 (Oct 1-Apr 3, 2022)
The Rocky Horror Show at Peacock Theatre (Sadler’s Wells), Portugal Street, Holborn, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
Two square kids from college break down outside a haunted mansion. They meet Dr Frank’n’Furter and their world turns upside down. The cult musical is back in a new set of suspenders at Peacock Theatre. Come dressed (or undressed) to the nines and belt out classics like Sweet Transvestite, Damn it Janet and Time Warp. Best for grownups and kids ages 12+. 8pm (Tue-Fri), 5pm & 8.30pm (Wed & Sat), 2.30pm & 6.30pm (Sun); £18-£65 (Oct 10-Oct 20)
Mum at Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, Soho, W1D 3NE (Tottenham Court Rd/Leicester Square/Piccadilly Circus tube)
One for teens or parents only, this acclaimed play from the producers of Fleabag is billed as a raw and honest exploration of motherhood. Described as ‘a feverish journey through every parent’s worst nightmare’, it tackles difficult themes from mental health to terminal illness. Ages 14+. 3pm & 7.30pm; £12 (Oct 10-Nov 20)
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel in London, at a secret London location
You’ve immersed yourself in Van Gogh and strutted around the King Tut exhibition. Now the organisers of themed shows like Titanic and Frida Kahlo invite you to step into Michelangelo’s masterpieces. Experience the Sistine Chapel in a floor to ceiling projection using state-of-the-art technology to let you touch the ‘hand of God’. Suitable for all ages. Time slots 10am-6pm (Wed-Sun); adult £11/child (4-12) £8 (from Oct 15)
The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Duke of York’s Theatre, 104 St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4BG (Covent Garden tube)
Neil Gaman’s bestselling novel is transformed for the stage, opening at Duke of York’s Theatre after a sold out run at National Theatre. Katy Rudd directs this edge-of-your-seat adventure about a man who flashes back to his 12 birthday, when his friend Lettie told him the pond at the end of his farmhouse was actually an ocean. Best for ages 12+ (content warning: some scenes might be distressing). 7.30pm (Mon-Sat), 2.30pm (Thu, Sat & Sun); from £18 (Oct 23-Feb 13, 2022)
The Smeds and the Smoos at Rose Theatre Kingston, 24-26 High Street, Kingston, KT1 1HL (Kingston rail)
This half term holiday, head to Rose Theatre for an interstellar new musical based on the beloved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The Smeds and Smoos live in disharmony on a faraway planet. When a young Smed and Smoo fall in love and rocket off to space together, what will their families do? Music and fun for everyone ages 3 and up, from Tall Stories (The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom). 10.30am (Wed-Sun), 1pm (Wed-Sun) & 4pm (Sat); £15-£18.50 (Oct 27-31)
#Merky Superheroes: Stories of Secret Strength at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8EX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
What do you dream of becoming when you grow up? Get inspired at the launch event for Superheroes: Inspiring Stories of Secret Strength by performance poet Sophia Thakur, Stormzy and the #Merky Books team. Meet the author and a host of superheroes including dancer Princess K, illustrator Denzell Dankwah, the Chineke! Orchestra and playwright Theresa Ikoko. Enjoy a day of music, performances, poetry and workshops for families and kids. All ages welcome. 2pm; adult £12/child £9 (Oct 28)
Life of Pi, Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0DA (Leicester Square tube, Charing Cross tube/rail)
The spellbinding adaptation of the beloved book that became a movie, Life of Pi comes roaring into the heart of London in November. The story revolves around five survivors of a ship wreck: a hyena, a zebra, an orang-utan, a Royal Bengal tiger, and a sixteen-year-old boy named Pi. Who will make it through? An epic tale of endurance and hope featuring stunning puppetry and visuals. Ages 8+. 7.30pm (Mon, Wed-Sat), 2.30pm (Thu & Sat), 3pm (Sun); from £27.50 (from Nov 14)
Bring It On: The Musical at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8EX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Gonna bring it? Oh, it’s already been brought! The smash hit musical (adapted from the popular movie) leaps, twirls and backflips into the Southbank, having conquered Broadway. Follow cheerleading Squad Captain, Campbell, at her new school in a brilliantly choreographed tale of friendship and rivalry starring Amber Davies and Olympic gymnast Louis Smith. Ages 10+. From 2.30pm; £22.50-£99.50 (limited concessions 25%) (Dec 8-Jan 22, 2022)
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**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!**
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Summer Holidays in London 2021
