London Kids Weekend Scoop (January 19-22, 2023)

It’s time to celebrate Lunar New Year in London and around the world this weekend and I’ve listed some fun family activities to mark the Year of the Rabbit. In our first London Kids Weekend Scoop of the year, you can also find enchanting theatre, exhibitions, circus, light shows and wintry fun.

if you’re in or around Chinatown this weekend, or fancy some Chinese food, check out my guide to dim sum restaurants in London. Stay warm and have a good one.

Celebrate Lunar New Year in London + More Family Fun this Weekend

Thu-Sat: My Neighbour Totoro Live at Barbican Centre, Silk St, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
LAST CHANCE: The acclaimed stage adaptation of the much loved Studio Ghibli animated movie boasts live orchestra and puppets by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. Produced by Royal Shakespeare Company with score by composer Joe Hisaishi. For ages 6+. 7pm (Mon-Sat) & 2pm (Thu & Sat); £15-£125 (until Jan 21)

Thu-Sat: Mandela the Musical at Young Vic, 66 The Cut, Waterloo, SE1 8LZ (Waterloo tube/rail)
The acclaimed musical tells the story of one of the greatest civil rights icons of our era. Young Nelson Mandela becomes a voice for Black South Africans under the racist system of apartheid. In 1962, he’s imprisoned and spends 27 years in jail, while the fight for freedom continues across the nation. A powerful tale that’s infused with South African rhythms and produced in collaboration with the Mandela family. Best for secondary age kids and grownups (see website for content warnings). 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2pm (Wed & Sat); £58/wheelchair space £38.40-£48. NB: Limited availability for tickets! You can also watch the show on live broadcast at home on Jan 19-23; £15-£20 (until Feb 4)

Thu-Sun: Back In Time Exhibition: A Tribute to Back to the Future, Camden Market Hawley Wharf, 1 Dockray Place, NW1 8QH (Camden Rd overground/Camden Town tube)
Grab your hoverboards and float along to Camden to check out this one of a kind exhibition. Go behind the scenes of the popular ‘80s time travelling film. See more than 70 items used by the cast and crew including the DeLorean Time Machine and Marty McFly’s red jacket and Nike shoes. All ages welcome. 10am-6pm (weekdays), 10am-7pm (Sat-Sun); adult and ages 13+ £20/child age 4-12 £16 /under 4s FREE (until Feb 26)

Thu-Sun: Battersea Power Station Light Festival, SW8 5BN (Battersea Power Station tube, Battersea Park rail/overground)
Get your glow on for this popular Light Festival, taking over Battersea Power Station for the third year. See 8 pieces of artwork on display both indoors and out, illuminating the area every evening until March. Fun and free for all ages. 8am-11pm daily; FREE (Jan 19-Mar 5)

Thu-Sun: The London Art Fair at Business Design Centre Islington, 52 Upper Street N1 0QH (Angel tube, Highbury & Islington tube/overground)
Calling all art lovers. The London Art Fair kicks off the 2023 art calendar in London this week, attracting discerning viewers from around the capital and overseas. You’ll find pieces by exciting new names as well as celebrated artists such as Paula Rego, Tracey Emin, Marc Chagall, Roy Lichtenstein, Bridget Riley, Pablo Picasso, Grayson Perry, Salvador Dali, Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Julien Opie. 11am-9pm (Thu), 11am-7pm (Fri-Sat), 11am-5pm (Sun); adult £19.50 day-£38.50 multi days/2 FREE child under 14 tickets per paying adult (Jan 18-22)

Thu-Sun: Cirque Du Soleil: Kurios, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore SW7 2AP (South Kensington tube)
Explore the Cabinet of Curiosities with the international circus and their latest production featuring jaw-dropping acts, contortionists, spectacle and soaring soundtracks. All ages welcome (NB: some dark/intense scenes). 7.30pm (Tue-Fri), 3.30pm & 8pm (Sat), 3pm & 7.30pm (Fri & Sun); select early matinees 11.30am (Sat); from £46-£68 (Jan 13-Mar 5)

Thu-Sun: Disability and the Home: Toys and Games at Museum of the Home, 136 Kingsland Road E2 8EA (Hoxton overground)
What’s it like for a child who’s the only one in their class to use a wheelchair or wear a hearing aid? This display of toys that represent disability are curated from the collection of Dr Paul Darke, an acclaimed artist, creative thinker and wheelchair user. They reflect changing attitudes towards disability over the decades and provide an important opportunity for more kids to see themselves represented in an arts space. All ages welcome. 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm); FREE (Jan 17-Mar 26)

Thu-Sun: The New Black Vanguard: Photography Between Art and Fashion at Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, SW3 4RY (Sloane Square tube)
LAST CHANCE: Discover some of the best in Black creativity in front of and behind the camera at this dynamic exhibition of 15 global Black photographers. Curated by US writer and critic Antwaun Sargent, this show examines race, beauty, gender and power. All ages – PG for some content. 10am-6pm (last entry 5.30pm); from £10/£5 concs/under 10s FREE (until Jan 22)

Thu-Sun: Museum of the Moon at Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich SE10 9NN (Cutty Sark DLR, Greenwich rail)
Lie on a daybed and marvel at one of nature’s wonders. This stunning touring artwork by Luke Jerram brings the moon up close. The internally lit structure features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. As it travels, the installation gathers new musical compositions, audience responses and stories and continues to highlight the latest in moon science. Take your babes to see it before it leaves Greenwich. Also an excellent opportunity to scope out the famous Painted Hall. All ages welcome. 10am-5pm daily (and some late openings); adult from £12.50 adv/£13.50 door, child FREE (until Feb 5)

Thu-Sun: Magical Mischief at Hogwarts, WB Studio Tour, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
Back for a second year, the Magical Mischief feature reveals the wizarding mishaps and filmmaking tricks that helped bring some of your favourite mischievous moments to life. Learn to make an origami howler (like the one Mrs Weasley delivered to her son in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets). Explore the fantastic world of Harry Potter, with a brand new exhibit this year allowing you to look inside Harry’s bedroom at Number 4 Privet Drive. All ages welcome. 9am-10am first tours, last tour 4-6.30pm (closing time 3 hours after last tour); adult from ££51.50/child from £40/family £160/under 4s FREE but require tickets. Pre-booking essential. (Jan 21-Apr 18)

Thu-Sun: Ice Rink at Canary Wharf, Canary Wharf Tower, E14 5EW (Canary Wharf tube/DLR & Elizabeth Line)
There’s still time to glide the day or evening away under a roof with 1,000 sparkling fairy lights. The popular ice rink attracts skaters from all over and you can pop into nearby shops and restaurants before or after to make a day of it. 9.30am-10.15pm daily; adult from £17.95/childfrom £13.50/family from £53.95 (until Feb 25)

Thu-Sun: Club Curling at Coal Drops Yard N1C 4DQ (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
There’s still an apres ski atmosphere at Coal Drops Yard with the return of Club Curling. Open through the festive season, you can roll up with your crew through February to try your hands at ‘bowling’s cooler cousin’. Up to 6 people per team. 12pm-8pm; £7 per person/under 12s FREE (when accompanied by an adult) (until Feb 26)

Sat-Sun: Lunar New Year at Museum of London Docklands, No.1 Warehouse, Hertsmere Rd, West India Quay, E14 4AL (Canary Wharf tube/rail, West India Quay DLR)
Welcome the Year of the Rabbit at this annual event in the London Docklands. Bring the whole family along for arts and crafts sessions, a ribbon dance workshop, lion dance, mahjong, interactive storytelling, live music and more. Drop in between 11am-4.30pm; FREE (Jan 21-22)

More Ways to Celebrate Lunar New Year in London

You can also celebrate a Green Lunar New Year at Museum of the Home (next weekend, Jan 28); see lion dances and take part in family workshops at Lunar New Year at National Maritime Museum (Jan 21); play games and activities, enjoy Asian street food and spectacular light show for Lunar New Year at Old Royal Naval Museum, Greenwich (Jan 21, various timings from 10am-9pm); and of course there’s the big Lunar New Year celebration in Trafalgar Square on Sunday (Jan 22, 11am-6pm, FREE)

Booking Ahead

• Imagine Children’s Festival at Southbank Centre (Feb 8-18)
• The Instrumentals at Little Angel Theatre (Feb 10-Apr 16)
• Jack V Giant at Polka Theatre (Feb 11-Mar 26)
• Family Concert: Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes at Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre (Feb 12)
• Big Fish Little Fish Circus Family Rave at West Five Bar, Ealing (Feb 26)
• The Rossettis at Tate Britain (Apr 6-Sep 24)
• Mog the Forgetful Cat at The Old Vic (Jul 11-29)
• Zog at Rose Theatre, Kingston (Jul 12-16)

**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!**