We’re feeling quite festive with Babe Papa’s birthday in less than a week and no less than 2 raves in our guide to Family Fun in London this Weekend. Celebrate Pride on the streets of central London, hit the dance floor with or without your baby, watch empowering pop musicals, scope out African fashion and Afrofuturistic art, and see Wimbledon on a giant outdoor screen. Happy weekend!
13 Things to Do for Family Fun in London this Weekend
Thu-Sat: Africa Fashion at the V&A Museum (Gallery 40), Cromwell Rd, SW7 2RL (South Kensington tube)
Pretty excited about this one. A groundbreaking show of mid-20th century to contemporary creatives, displaying the style, swagger, dynamism and versatility of the African fashion scene. From photos and texts to visual arts and music, this bold new exhibition reflects the global impact of everything from Adire (Yoruba tie dye) to Afrobeats. 10am-5.45pm (Sat-Thu), 10am-10pm (Fri); £16/concs for under 25s (Jul 2-Apr 16, 2023)
Thu-Sat: Jitney at the Old Vic, 103 The Cut, Waterloo Rd, SE1 8NB (Waterloo tube/rail)
After an acclaimed run at Leeds Playhouse, director Tinuke Craig (The Color Purple) is lighting up London stages with her take on theatre great August Wilson’s classic. Jitney explores the trauma, tensions, and emotional bonds between 8 unlicensed taxi drivers in post-Vietnam America. For ages 12+. Content warnings: violence, gun violence, racist language, smoking and flashing lights. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (Wed & Sat); from £12 (until Jul 9)
Thu-Sun: Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World at Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, E15 1BN (Stratford tube/rail/overground/DLR)
Girl power bursts into vivid colour at this ‘kickass-pirational pop musical’ adapted from Kate Pankhurst’s award-winning book. Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World tells the stories of some of history’s legendary artists, explorers, scientists, secret agents, activists, mothers, sisters and daughters. Heroine Jade breaks away from her class to peek into the Gallery of Greatness at her local museum and encounters a cast of fabulous characters, such as Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks, Amelia Earhart, Marie Curie and Emmeline Pankhurst. Lively and inspirational for all all genders, best for ages 7+ (NB: flashing lights and stobe effects). 7pm (Tue-Wed, Fri), 2pm & 7pm (Thu & Sat), 3pm (Sun); £12-£43.50 (until Jul 17)
Thu-Sun: Backyard Cinema, Capital Studios, Ram Quarter, 13 Wandsworth Plain, Wandsworth SW18 1ET (Wandsworth Town rail/East Putney tube)
Take a trip to ‘LA’ or ‘Miami Beach’ an an immersive atmosphere. Watch recent movies, classic flicks and family films (check film ratings for age guidance). Also on offer: live shows and award-winning food and drink. Various showtimes around 12pm, 4pm & 8pm (LA Nights) and 12.30pm, 4.30pm & 8.30pm (Miami Beach); from £20 (kids/family concessions available) (ongoing)
Thu-Sun: Grease the Musical at Dominion Theatre, 268-269 Tottenham Court Road, W1T 7AQ (Tottenham Court Rd/Leicester Square/Oxford Circus tube)
See Danny Russo fall for the squeaky clean charms of Sandy against a backdrop of fast rides, leather jackets and memorable music e.g. Summer Nights, Greased Lightnin’ and You’re the One that I Want. Choreographed by the legendary Arlene Phillips. Recommended for ages 7+ (under 5s not admitted). 7pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (Thu & Sat), no matinee on May 5; from £15 (until Oct 29)
Thu-Sun: Everyman Presents: Screen on the Canal at Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4BH (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
It’s back for another summer of outdoor movies and Wimbledon on the big screen. Everyman Cinema presents free showings of all the main action from centre court, along with popular movies for all ages (check film ratings). Movies include: Dune, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Free Guy, West Side Story, Belfast, King Richard, Matilda, and Encanto Sing-a-Long. They’ll also be showing the Tour de France and occasional live music. It’s a great backdrop with food options and fountains for the kids to splash about. Screenings from 12pm, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm & 7.30pm. Daily, FREE – just turn up, arrive early to avoid disappointment! (Jun 27-Aug 7)
Thu-Sun: Watch Wimbledon on a Big Screen in London (multiple locations)
Grab a deck chair (or a picnic blanket), indulge in strawberries and cream, crack open the Pimms and catch live tennis in a bubbly atmosphere. Various screenings at:
- Wimbledon at St Katharine Docks (12pm-6pm, Jun 27-Jul 10)
- Wimbledon in the Gardens at Brown Hart Gardens, Mayfair (11am-8pm, Jun 27-Jul 10)
- Big Screen Tennis at the Piazza in Wimbledon (Jun 27-Jul 10)
- Summer in the Square at Portman Square Gardens, Baker St (Jul 5-10)
- Strawberries & Screen at Duke of York Square, Chelsea (bookings from 9am Jul 4, screenings Jul 8-10)
- Wimbledon Finals Weekend at Greenwich Peninsula (2pm, Jul 9-10)
- Everyman Presents: Screen on the Canal at Granary Square, King’s Cross (Jun 27-Jul 10; screens until Aug 7)
- Summer by the River at The Scoop, London Bridge City (12pm-10pm, Jun 27-Jul 10; screens until Sep 2)
- Summer Screens at Canary Wharf (11am-7pm; screens until Sep 22)
Fri-Sun: In the Black Fantastic, Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Embankment/Waterloo tube/rail)
For older teens and adults. Afrofuturism takes centre stage at this acclaimed exhibition curated by Ekow Eshun. It showcases 11 artists from the African Diaspora including Lina Iris Viktor, Chris Ofili, Kara Walker, Ellen Gallagher, Wangechi Mutu and Rashaad Newsome. These artists conjure, disrupt and reimagine past and future through photography, video, painting, sculpture and mixed-media installations that blend activism with science fiction, spirituality and myth. NB: This show is aimed at ages 16+ although the exhibition is accompanied by some family friendly events over summer, such as the Skin Deep party with DJs and live music on Jul 17 at 3pm. 11am-7pm (Wed-Sat), 10am-6pm (Sun); £13.50 (Jun 29-Sep 18)
Sat: Mighty-Mega Club at Discover Children’s Story Centre, 383-387 High Street, Stratford E15 4QZ (Stratford tube/rail/overground/DLR)
The Mighty Mega club is open again for in-person sessions. This club is aimed at disabled children and children with SEN along with family and carers. Play in Discover on all floors and in the garden (10am-10.30am), then take part in an artist workshop with Renata Minolta (10.45am-11.45am). For those not yet comfortable with in-person visits, the Mighty Mega Club will also run online through weekly emails. Sign up via the website. Ages 5-11 and carers. 10am-12pm (Sats); FREE (Jul 2-Sep 11)
Sat: Red Bull Soapbox Race at Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY (Alexandra Palace rail/Wood Green tube then W3 bus to the park, Gate 6 recommended entry)
Hang on to your helmets! It’s the riotous Red Bull Soapbox Race, an adrenaline-packed event that thrills families around the world (there are 100 events held globally). Get ready to cheer on your favourite wacky racers, as amateur teams drive (and crash) homemade Soapbox cars along the circuit. Frenzied fun for the whole family. 10.30am-5.30pm; adult £25.99/youth 3-24 £19.99/under 3s FREE (Jul 3)
Sat: Pride in London, from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square (Hyde Park Corner tube, Charing Cross tube/rail)
Come out for a joyful celebration of love, freedom and self-expression as the UK’s biggest and most diverse LGBT+ parade takes to London’s streets. It’s 50 years since the first UK Pride event and this week, it’s extra poignant given the deadly targeting of a gay nightclub in Norway. Allies and activists join the LGBT+ community to step out in style and make a bold statement for human rights and the ongoing campaign for justice and equality. The party starts at Hyde Park Corner going all the way to Whitehall Place, with tons of events including live stages, speakers, stalls and the family area in St Giles Church Yard. 12pm-6pm; FREE (Jul 2)
Sun: Mums That Rave Summer Party at The Hearth, 16 Lonsdale Road, NW6 6RD (Queen’s Park tube/overground, Brondesbury Park overground)
International DJ, producer and creative Nikki Beatnik’s the mum behind this popular online community and events series. Mums That Rave is aimed at getting mothers back on the dance floor for an afternoon of panel talks, stalls, cocktails, good vibes and excellent tunes. Leave your cares (and your kids) behind and get your groove on with some like-minded mamas. Grown ups only. 2pm-6pm; £21 (Jul 3)
Sun: Morning Gloryville: Here Comes the Sun Rave, Studio 9294, 92 Wallis Road, E9 5LN (Hackney Wick overground)
Ready to rave for six hours straight? Party as long as you and your little ones’ legs can take it at the Morning Gloryville sun salutation ceremony. These sober raving events attract hordes of happy, healthy ravers for DJ tunes, wellness workshops, arts and crafts for kids and adults, massages, yoga, plant-based food and drink and more. Come with yoga mats, ear plugs/ear defenders (for babies), water bottles and open minds and hearts. Dress code: sunny/sparkly! All ages welcome. 10am-4pm; adult £22.50-£25 + fees/child 6-12 £5/under 5s FREE (Jul 3)
We also like
There’s still time to catch the last of the Flamenco Festival at Sadler’s Wells (until Sat); snap up a piece for your home at The Other Art Fair in King’s Cross (Thu-Sun); take the kids to the London Transport Museum’s Acton Depot for their eco-themed ‘Act-on it!’ weekend (Sat-Sun); look out for retro games, board games and collectibles at the London Gaming Market in Bloomsbury (Sun); hear the weekly papers performed live along with food, drinks and family fun at Sunday Papers Live in Cecil Sharp House, NW1 (Sun)
BOOKING AHEAD
- Bring Your Baby Guided London Walk: Americans in the City for 4th of July, from Bank Station (Jul 4)
- Big Beat Playground: Summer Sizzler festival at Arts Depot, North Finchley (Jul 9)
- Aurora Orchestra: Far Far Away at Kings Place, N1 (Jul 9-10)
- 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)
- Festival 14 at Canary Wharf (Jul 21-24)
- Hyper Japan Festival at Evolution London (Jul 22-24)
- Big Fish Little Fish Flower Power Family Rave at Horniman Gardens (Jul 24)
- Kaleidoscope Festival at Alexandra Palace (Jul 23)
- Family Studio: Have Your Voice Heard at Royal Academy, Piccadilly (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)
- Backyard Cinema: Romeo and Juliet at Union Chapel, N1 (Aug 19-28)
- The Golden Hinde Night Voyage, SE1 (Aug 28)
- The Luna Cinema presents Kew the Movies at Kew Gardens (Aug 31-Sep 4)
- Pub in the Park, Chiswick (Sep 2-4)
- London Podcast Festival: Ask the Nincompoops at Kings Place, N1 (Sep 10)
- 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!**