Father’s Day Weekend Scoop (June 16-19, 2022)

It’s Father’s Day weekend! Shout out to all the babe papas, whether you’re an expectant dad or a veteran from the trenches. The Father’s Day Weekend Scoop features 15 coolest things for dads to do with their crew. I’ve got ideas for foodies, culture vultures, music lovers, sports fans, festival hoppers and movie buffs. Have a great one and Happy Father’s Day to all those celebrating.

15 Coolest Things to do with Dads this Father’s Day Weekend

Thu-Sun: Giffords Circus: ¡Carpa!  at Chiswick House and Gardens, Chiswick, W4 2QN (Turnham Green tube/Chiswick rail)
Described by Hugh Grant as ‘the most fun you can have in a tent’, the magical touring circus arrives at Chiswick House. Their new show ¡Carpa! originates from the Spanish word ‘tent’ and was a type of theatre that flourished in 1920s/30s Mexico. The troupe will bring the sights and sounds of rural Mexico to west London in a dazzling display of circus arts. Various shows and times from 11am, 2.30pm, 5pm & 7.30pm (confirm at booking); from adult £20/child 3-14 £10/under 3s FREE (Jun 16-27)

Thu-Sun: The Gunpowder Plot at The Tower Vaults (next to Tower of London), 8-12 Tower Hill Vaults, EC3N 4EE (Tower Hill tube)
Journey back to London, 1605 over Father’s Day weekend, to unmask the men behind Britain’s most notorious plot. You’ll be part of the action thanks to a 360 Layered Reality experience that uses live theatre and digital technology. For ages 10+, some intense scenes (kids ages 10-15 need to sign a parental consent waiver and must be accompanied by an adult at all times). NB: Dates sell out fast, so book ASAP if you fancy it! 10.30am-9.30pm (Wed-Thu), 10.30am-10pm (Fri), 9.30am-10pm (Sat), 10.30am-8pm (Sun);  (until Sep 4)

Thu-Sun: Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical at Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7ES (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Don’t miss the Olivier Award winning musical biography of Bob Marley. Go behind the tracks to discover the kid from the hills of rural Jamaica who became a global icon. Starring Arinze Kene as Bob Marley, 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 (until Jan 29, 2023)

Thu-Sun: Doctor Who: Time Fracture, UNIT HQ, Davies Mews, W1K 5AB (Bond St tube)
Back in 1940, a mysterious weapon causes a rift in the space-time continuum. Can you help a certain Dr save life as we know it? Immersive Everywhere (The Great Gatsby) create a fantastical, theatrical and hugely enjoyable romp through history and the world of Doctor Who. Fancy dress welcome. Ages 8+ (under 16s must be accompanied by adult). 12pm, 12.45pm, 1.30pm, 6pm, 6.45pm & 7pm (Tue, Thu & Fri), 6pm, 6.45pm & 7pm (Wed, Sat & Sun); tickets from £29.95 (extended to Sep 2022)

Thu-Sun: Grace Jones’ Meltdown at Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Embankment/Waterloo tube/rail)
Grace Jones’ Meltdown wraps up Father’s Day weekend with more incredible acts including MeShell Ndegeocello, Skunk Anansie, Shingai (the Noisettes), Baaba Meal and Grace Jones herself. Don’t miss A Night of a Thousand Graces with African Fashion Week London (Sat, 2pm) and free hula-hooping workshops for all ages with Marawa’s Majorettes (Sun, 1pm). Check age guidances for individual performances. Various times and prices, some activities are FREE (until Jun 19)

Thu-Sun: Football: Designing the Beautiful Game at Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High Street, W8 6AG (High Street Kensington tube)
Curated to attract seasoned fans and those just interested in design, this exhibition showcases the stories and innovation behind the beautiful game. 10am-5.45pm; adult from £16.80/child (6-15) from £8.25/family from £27/under 6s FREE (until Aug 29)

Thu-Sun: Mini Golf by Craig & Karl at Canary Wharf at Montgomery Square, Canary Wharf E14 (Canary Wharf tube/rail/DLR)
Why not take the mister for a round of mini golf in Canary Wharf? This funky course is designed by artists Craig Redman & Karl Maier. Ask the event stewards for a ball and club and enjoy a free game with the family. All ages and abilities welcome. 12pm-6pm daily; FREE (ongoing)

Thu-Sun: Dopamine Land, 79-85 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington SW7 3LD (South Kensington tube)
On Father’s Day weekend, enter a multi-sensory world of interlinked rooms where you can let your inner child loose. Attractions include bubble tea under a sky of bubbles, infinite mirror illusions, immersive digital forest and pillow fighting chamber. All ages welcome. 3pm-7.30pm (Wed-Fri), 11am-7.30pm (Sat), 11am-6pm (Sun); adult £17.50/child (2-12) £13.50/under 2s FREE (until Jul 3)

Thu-Sun: Fashioning Masculinities: The Art of Menswear at V&A Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL (South Kensington tube)
From punks to metrosexuals, men’s fashion continues to evolve. The Art of Menswear reflects on how masculinity has been suited, booted and reinvented by tailors, designers and stylists throughout the ages. 10am-5.45pm; from £20. 

Fri-Sun: Grime Stories at Museum of London, 150 London Wall, EC2Y 5HN (Barbican/St Paul’s tube)
From an underground sound of the early noughties to today’s big festivals, grime music is the pulse of inner city London. This landmark exhibition, co-curated by one of the scene’s first cameramen, Roony ‘RiskyRoadz’ Keefe, features photos, films, footage and personal artefacts of everyone from Jammer to Skepta. All ages welcome – PG for some explicit content. 10am-5pm daily; FREE (Jun 17-Dec)

Fri-Sun: Southbank Street Food Market, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Feed a father for (around) a fiver on Father’s Day weekend. This popular street food hub boasts everything from burgers and sausages to vegan grub, cakes, cocktails, crepes and other goodies. 12pm-9pm (Fri), 11am-9pm (Sat), 12pm-6pm (Sun & Bank Holiday Mon); FREE entry (ongoing)

Fri-Sun: Lightyear, cinemas nationwide
I got all the feels watching the trailer for this movie and it made my 22 Hot List. Lightyear tracks the origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Chris Evans) in a movie that promises to take us on an emotional journey to infinity and beyond. (out Jun 17)

Sat: Monster Jam at London Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Marshgate Lane, Stratford E15 2NQ (Stratford tube/rail/DLR/overground)
For the first time ever, the world’s larger-than-life motorsport event comes hurtling into London. Adrenaline junkies will thrill to the 12,000 pound monster trucks competing on dirt tracks, for high-flying, head-to-head action, plus freestyle motocross demos. It all kicks off as the Monster Jam Pit Party (11.30am-1pm) where kids and grownups can meet drivers, take photos and enjoy family friendly fun. Ages 2+ (no babes in arms allowed). 11.30am (pit party), 2.30pm (shows); from adult £22/child ages 2-12 £11 (Jun 18)

Sat-Sun: Marylebone Summer Festival at Marylebone Village, W1 (Baker St/Regent’s Park tube, Marylebone rail)
The annual summer shindig for Marylebone Village calls visitors from all around for a mix of family friendly entertainment. Shop, drink and eat from alfresco bars, stalls and restaurants. Enjoy live music, open-air cinema and film night, and a dog show. On Father’s Day (Jun 19), there’s a full-on street party along Marylebone High St (11am-5.30pm) that closes out at 8pm in Paddington Street Gardens. All ages welcome. (Jun 18-19)

Sun: FUN DMC Father’s Day Special at Colours, Hoxton Square, N1 6NU (Old St tube)
Party until you POP with DJ Matman and host MC Pranksta this Father’s Day weekend. Expect big tunes (hip hop, R&B, disco, garage, D&B), graffiti train, photo booth, hip hop colouring in, soft play room, dance contests, stalls and face painting. Ages 0-100. 12pm-3pm; adult £8.50/child 0-15 £6.50/family of 4 £27 (Jun 19)

We also like
Head to Regent’s Park for yummy masterclasses, food stalls and demos at Taste of London (Thu-Sun); explore the origin stories of superheroes at Foundling Museum’s comics exhibition (Thu-Sun); the tale of a puppet maker who wants to be a dad seems right for Father’s Day weekend — Pinocchio plays at Little Angel Theatre (Fri-Sun); join Guru Dudu on a Silent Disco Tour as part of Wandsworth Fringe (Sat); visit a midsummer fete on Kew Green (Sat); or a Queer Summer Fayre in Hackney Bridge (Sat); there are food tastings, panels, outdoor stage and kids’ STEM activities at the Great Exhibition Road Festival (Sat-Sun); last but not least, have you seen Top Gun Maverick yet? It’s epic and perfect for a Father’s Day outing (all weekend)

BOOKING AHEAD

Up at the O2 10th Birthday: Free Climbs for Cancerians, at The O2, Greenwich (Jun 21, 6pm, 6.15pm & 6.30pm)
Windrush Day at National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (Jun 22)
Sun and Sea at The Albany, Deptford SE8 (Jun 23-Jul 10)
West End Live in Trafalgar Square (Jun 25-26)
International Busking Day at Wembley Park (Jul 16)
To Kill A Mockingbird at The Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1 (best availability from Jul 18)
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at Gillian Lynne Theatre (Jul 18-Jan 8)
Hyper Japan Festival at Evolution London (Jul 22-24)
Big Fish Little Fish Flower Power Family Rave at Horniman Gardens (Jul 24)
Peppa Pig My First Concert: Mozart to Muddy Puddles at London Coliseum (from Jul 24)
Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift at Southwark Cathedral (Jul 30 & Aug 6) 
The Golden Hinde Night Voyage, SE1 (Aug 28)
The Luna Cinema presents Kew the Movies at Kew Gardens (Aug 31-Sep 4)
Dino Snores at Natural History Museum (Oct 1)

**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!**