There’s lots to look forward to this weekend in London: family friendly festivals, theatre shows, bookish events and cinema screenings. Explore a festival of colour and sound, dive into a chocolate factory, or practise your aarrrghs for Talk Like a Pirate Day. Happy weekend!
Be sure to check out my Autumn Hotlist: 21 Cool London Events for the Whole Family.
12 Family Friendly Things to Do this Weekend in London
Thu-Sat: Breakin’ Convention Presents: The Ruggeds at Peacock Theatre (Sadler’s Wells), Portugal Street, Holborn, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
Meet The Ruggeds, a ragtag crew of hip hop dancers who have worked with the likes of Rita Ora, Justin Bieber, Afrojack and Martin Garrix. Catch their unique blend of dance, physical theatre, acrobatics, humour and music as part of Breakin’ Convention Presents. All ages. 7.30pm (Wed-Sat); £18-£40 (Sep 15-18)
Thu-Sun: Matilda the Musical at Cambridge Theatre, 32-34 Earlham Street, WC2H 9HU (Covent Garden/Leicester Square tube)
She’s back! After pandemic closures, the award-winning West End hit is open to the public. Roald Dahl’s spiky heroine returns to the stage in a brilliantly entertaining musical. With original songs by Tim Minchin and book by Dennis Kelly, it’s a story filled with memorable characters, unforgettable tunes and a touch of magic. Winner of more than 90 international awards, it’s absolutely one of my favourite West End shows (seen it twice)! Recommended for ages 6+ (younger ones welcome). 10am-6pm (Mon), 10am-8pm (Tue-Sat), 10am-4pm (Sun); from £20-£67.50 (reopen from Sep 13-booking until May 29, 2022)
Thu-Sun: Backstage Cinema: Miami Beach, Capital Studios, Ram Quarter, 13 Wandsworth Plain, SW18 1ET (East Putney tube)
Visit Miami Beach by way of Wandsworth at Backstage Cinema’s latest transformation. Stroll into the tropical setting with sandy ‘shores’, beanbag seats and box office treats. This weekend (Sep 16-19): Cruella, In the Heights, Pretty Woman, Mean Girls, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Dirty Dancing, Suicide Squad and Grease. Refreshments on offer: pizzas, cocktails and Slush Puppies. Various showtimes including 12.30pm, 4.30pm & 8.30pm and prices from £19.99 (until Sep 25)
Thu-Sun: Summer Screens, Canada Square Park & Cabot Square, Canary Wharf, E14 (Canary Wharf DLR/tube)
It’s one of the last weekends to roll out your picnic blanket and watch some big screen action under the open skies. Fingers crossed for great weather this weekend. Why not also check out Yinka Ilori’s funky basketball court at nearby Bank Street Park or have a go at Mini Golf in Columbus Courtyard. Summer Screens runs 11am-7pm (times might vary, check ahead); FREE (until Sep 24)
Fri-Sun: The Chocolate Factory, Westfield London (1st Floor), Ariel Way, Shepherds Bush, W12 7GF (Shepherds Bush tube/overground)
A chocoholic dream awaits you at this 60 minute journey through rooms crammed with selfie opportunities and surprises. Wander around 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)
Sat: Bermondsey Street Festival, London SE1 3XF (London Bridge tube)
Who’s up for a street side knees-up? The annual Bermondsey Street Festival is back with a live performance stage, street food and pub grub, and a variety of artisan stalls and shops to explore. And don’t forget the Dog Show (registration from 11am in Leathermarket Gardens) with a parade of Bermondsey pooches and prizes for all contestants. From 11am, music ends by 7pm; FREE (Sep 18)
Sat-Sun: HowTheLightGetsIn Festival, Kenwood House, Hampstead Heath, NW3 7JR (Hampstead tube/overground)
Curious kids and grownups head to Hampstead this weekend for the world’s largest festival of music and ideas. Discover a vast programme (more than 100 events) of pop-up entertainment, live talks, comedy, music, philosophy and late night parties. This year, tickets allow you to livestream the event from home too. All ages welcome, free for under 12s! From 10am daily; 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)
Sat-Sun: Queen’s Park Book Festival, Queen’s Park, London NW6 6SG (Queen’s Park tube/Brondesbury Park overground)
Visit the only London book festival being held on a public park. Previous attendees include Zadie Smith, award winning authors Tessa Hadley, Jonathan Coe and Booker prize-winning novelist Bernardine Evaristo. Hear from local authors as well as acclaimed writers such as Dr Waheed Arian, Yvonne Bailey-Smith and DJ Annie Mac. There’s also a showcase and prizes for junior writers. 12.30pm-7.30pm; £18 day pass/£34 weekend pass (Sep 18-19)
Sat-Sun: Colourscape Music Festival, Clapham Common, Windmill Drive, off Rookery Rd (near Long Pond lake and Windmill Pub), SW4 9DE (Clapham Common/Clapham South tube)
Enter the labyrinth of colour and light at this multi-sensory pop-up festival. Put on a coloured cape and walk through the maze for an immersive adventure with special live performances. All ages welcome and fully wheelchair accessible. 10am-3pm (Thu Sep 16), 12pm-1pm (Mon-Wed & Fri) & 12pm-5pm (Sat-Sun); adult £5/child £2/family £13 (weekdays); adult £10/child £5/family £28 (weekends) (until Sep 19)
Sun: Talk Like a Pirate Day: Trash or Treasure, Queen Caroline draw dock, Hammersmith Bridge North Side, Queen Caroline Street, W6 9BX (Hammersmith tube/overground)
Aaaargh. Sunday is Talk Like a Pirate Day and you’re invited on a ‘Trash or Treasure’ hunt along the Thames foreshore. Sea dogs, old salts, rapscallions and even landlubbers will converge for the ‘smart phone safari’ and clean up. Learn how to take amazing pics with photographer Jeanette Lendon then help to clean up litter. Photos will be exhibited online and the public can vote for which ones captured the themes: people, pirates, place and plastic. Ages 9+ and families. 11am-1pm; FREE — register for tickets on Eventbrite. (Sep 19)
Sun: Groove into the Woods at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Get in the groove at Arts Depot with this toe-tapping adventure into a fairytale forest. Learn all about trolls, trust and true friendship while swinging out to pop, jungle beats and jazz with the Groove Baby organ trio. For ages 3-7 and their grownups. 11am & 2pm; from £9 (Sep 19)
Sun: We Love Sundays at Borough Market, 8 Southwark Street, SE1 1TL (London Bridge tube/rail)
Feeling like a foodie expedition with the kids? Why not pop down to London’s world-famous market, now with extended trading hours on Sundays. Hunt for fresh produce and store cupboard finds from more than 40 stallholders. If you’re peckish, stick around for lunch at a stall or local restaurant. 10am-2pm; FREE entry (Sep 19)
**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!**