WHAT A DAY. What a day. Buh-bye BoJo! If you’re in a street party mood, why not head to Whitecross Street this weekend for their annual event? More in our list of Weekend of Family Fun in London: immersive exhibitions, pop-up shops, family friendly concerts and festivals, Wimbledon finals and Women’s Euros on the big screen.
Today also marks the anniversary of the 7/7 attacks that claimed 52 victims in London. May their souls continue to rest in peace.
Your Weekend of Family Fun in London
Thu-Sun: The Secret Garden at the Garden Museum, Lambeth Palace Road, SE1 7LB (Vauxhall/Lambeth North/Westminster tube)
Celebrate the classic tale by Frances Hodgson Burnett at the Garden Museum’s immersive summer exhibition. You can learn about the real garden that inspired Burnett’s story, discover the healing power of plants, and see artist illustrations from the past 100 years that have helped bring the book to life. There are interactive games and family trails, plus a chance for young visitors to try their hands at gardening. 10am-5pm daily; adult £14/child under 18 FREE (Jul 6-Sep 4)
Thu-Sun: TSAU at 12 Piccadilly Arcade, SW1Y 6NH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
TSAU is an acronym for The Space Around Us. Creative director Bevan Agyemang takes inspiration from nature and cultural anthropology and their latest capsule collection is told through images dedicated to family and hope for marginalised communities. Visit their one month pop-up (part of Westminster City Council’s takeover at 12 Piccadilly Arcade) to view the collection along with rotating events and workshops. 10am-6.30pm; FREE entry (until Jul 31)
Thu-Sun: Women’s EURO Screenings at Boxpark, multiple locations (Shoreditch, Wembley, Croydon)
The England Lionesses have roared into the Women’s Euros with their first victory against Austria. If you haven’t managed to snag tickets for a live game (there are still seats available), you can head to a Boxpark venue (Shoreditch, Wembley, Croydon) to watch with a crowd on a big screen. Pick your moments wisely if you have little ones though, as it could get pretty rowdy. Various times; FREE entry (Jul 6-31)
Thu-Sun: Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace SW1Y 5AG (Piccadilly Circus tube, Charing Cross tube/rail)
The annual family-friendly event investigates some of the most intriguing questions that science has to answer. Visit the Royal Society to get hands-on with berry-powered solar cells, hunt for unknown species in your back garden, learn what gives chocolate its distinctive taste, or find out how llamas are helping in the fight against viruses. It’s a whole weekend of workshops with a dedicated kid’s area, child-friendly menu and buggy parking. If you can’t make it live, there’s a curated digital programme available on demand including livestream demos and interviews too. 10am-4.30pm (Thu), 10am-6pm (Fri-Sun); FREE (Jul 6-10)
Sat: Big Beat Playground: Summer Sizzler festival at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Big Beat Playground is back with a tropical-themed festival that includes Hawaiian shirts, flower garlands, confetti filled dance floor and spaces to make and move. There are 3 DJs playing club classics, face painting, inflatable balls, lights, projections, gaming stations, bamboo forest, soft play, buggy park and baby changing. Put on your fancy dress (if you fancy it) and bring your whole crew for a day of family fun. All ages welcome (there must be at least 1 child with each party). 2.30pm; adult £10.25/child £8.25 (Jul 9)
Sat: Explorers Family Festival: Natural History in Islam at Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd, SW7 5BD (South Kensington tube)
Get ready for Eid at this family friendly day where you can explore the links between natural history and Islam. Activities include: the art and science of henna and a DIY henna workshop; the Islamic Calendar and its connection to the cosmos; pollination station; wildflower garden explorer; story time for ages 3-8; and for older visitors, a Bollywood silent disco (6pm-9pm, FREE but pre-booking required). All ages. 11am-6pm; FREE, booking advised (Jul 9)
Sat-Sun: The Dragon Guardians at Pitch & Putt, South Norwood Country Park, Albert Road, SE25 4QL (Norwood Junction rail/overground)
Under South Norwood Country Park, there’s been a dragon sleeping for hundreds of years and a forest has sprung up on its back. Can you help the Dragon Guardians take care of it? This activity-based adventure show invites families to learn about the natural world and conservation, try outdoor skills and teamwork and hunt for the elusive dragon. Storytelling, puppets and song for ages 4-8 and families. 10am-11.30am & 1pm-2.30pm (Sat & Sun); £11 – booking ahead advised (until Jul 24)
Thu-Sun: Watch Wimbledon Finals on a Big Screen in London (multiple locations)
It’s the tennis dfinals weekend so catch the Women’s (Sat) and Men’s (Sun) court action from a deck chair (or a picnic blanket). Various screenings at:
- Wimbledon at St Katharine Docks (12pm-6pm, until Jul 10)
- Wimbledon in the Gardens at Brown Hart Gardens, Mayfair (11am-8pm, until Jul 10)
- Big Screen Tennis at the Piazza in Wimbledon (until Jul 10)
- Summer in the Square at Portman Square Gardens, Baker St (until Jul 10)
- Strawberries & Screen at Duke of York Square, Chelsea (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 (until ul 10; screens until Aug 7)
- Summer by the River at The Scoop, London Bridge City (until Jul 10; screens until Sep 2)
- Summer Screens at Canary Wharf (until Jul 10; screens until Sep 22)
Sat-Sun: Camden Market Hawley Wharf Summer Series, Camden Market Hawley Wharf, 1 Dockray Place, NW1 8QH (Camden Rd overground/Camden Town tube)
All through summer, families can visit this cultural hub for deck chairs by the canal, pop-up performances, bubbleologists, balloon artists, face painting, puppet shows, circus performers, princess meet-and-greets, live music, tasty street food and of course, shopping. This weekend, it’s Sports Day themed with family yoga (Sat), Sharkey & George Family Sports Day with games and prizes (Sun), and Wimbledon finals on the big screen. 11am-5pm; FREE (Jun 30-Aug 22)
Sat-Sun: Aurora Orchestra: Far Far Away at Kings Place, 90 York Way, London, N1 9AG (Kings Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Crawl into a Green Leaf Forest, walk a tightrope across a winding river, play with a lion cub and some frisky frogs. Follow Pepper the monkey to join the Rainbow Circus. At these playful, immersive concerts using classical music and original storytelling from Kate Wakeling, audiences can sing, dance, clap and listen to a live orchestra (this event feature’s chamber arrangements of Schumann’s music). For ages 0-5, babies 6 months and under don’t require a ticket. 10am, 11am, 12.30pm & 1.30pm (Sat), 10am, 11am & 1.30pm (Sun); £9.50-£11.50 (Jul 9-10)
Sat-Sun: Whitecross Street Party, London EC1Y (Barbican/Old St/Moorgate tube)
The Whitecross Street Party is one of the area’s most colourful and creative events, taking place annually. Subtitled ‘Rise of the Non-Conformists’ it’s a family-friendly weekend of street food, arts and crafts stalls, live music stage and graffiti displays. Watch some local and international street artists working live! 12pm-6pm; FREE (Jul 9-10)
Sat-Mon: Our Time On Earth Weekender at Level G, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican/Moorgate tube)
It’s a whole weekend dedicated to the Barbican’s landmark exhibition that investigates how humans live on earth and how we can do better. Our Time on Earth Weekender includes panels, workshops, performances, honeybee colony sound installation, concert in the Barbican Conservatory, rewilding workshop and more. Various times from 10am-7pm; £12-£15, some activities are FREE (Jul 9-11)
We also like
Visit the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival for fresh florals, workshops and of course, the Magic Garden adventure playground for kids (until Sat); scared of clowns? Avoid Soho House, where the London Clown Festival concludes (until Sat); Somerset House Summer Series of concerts launches with Tems, Ghetts, Arlo Parks and John Legend playing live (Thu-Sun); Kew the Music winds down at Kew Gardens feat. DJ Spoony, Will Young, Bananarama and Gypsy Kings (Thu-Sun); see films alfresco at the Outdoor Film Festival (until Sats until Aug 27); Wireless Festival wraps up at its massive lineup at the weekend; there’s stalls, dog show and traditional games at Soho Village Fete (Sun)
BOOKING AHEAD
- For Crying Out Loud Parent & Baby Concert at Wigmore Hall, W1 (Jul 14)
- The House of Many Ways: Families | Launch Party at The Mosaic Rooms, Chelsea Theatre, SW10 (Jul 16)
- 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)
- Kaleidoscope Festival at Alexandra Palace (Jul 23)
- Family Dayz Festival at Potters Field Park (Jul 23-24)
- Big Fish Little Fish Flower Power Family Rave at Horniman Gardens (Jul 24)
- FUN DMC with Jazzie B at Colours, Hoxton (Jul 24)
- 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!**
London Kids Weekend Scoop (June 30-July 3, 2022)
