Happy World Book Day! It’s a strange one with the teacher’s strike happening simultaneously (full solidarity with the educators fighting for better pay and standards). Many schools will be marking World Book Day tomorrow. I remember the stress of coming up with World Book Day costumes but now I’m feeling nostalgic since my teens no longer dress up as their favourite characters. Remember how cute they were? Sigh. No matter what age your kids are, there are lots of ideas in the London Kids Weekend Scoop.
World Book Day Giveaway: Win a SIGNED COPY of A World for Me and You
If you’re signed up to my mailing list, you have a chance to WIN a signed copy of my picture book A World for Me and You (UK readers only, I’m afraid). Competition winner will be posted in next week’s newsletter and the book can be sent just in time for Mother’s Day. and Best of luck!
London Weekend Scoop: 12 Cool Things to Do with Kids
Thu-Sun: The Great British Bake Off Musical at Noel Coward Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4AU (Leicester Sq tube, Charing Cross tube/rail)
The nation’s favourite TV show comes to the stage in this ‘utterly joyous’ musical feast. Enter the hallowed tent with the diverse cast of wannabe bakers and follow their ups and downs. Who will rise to the occasion and who will flop like a soggy soufflé? Big laughs, memorable songs and some delicious humour for all the family. Ages 3+ (under 3s not admitted). 7.30pm (Mon, Wed & Sat), 2.30pm (Thu & Sat), 3pm (Sun); from £17.75 (until May 13)
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: Cirque Du Soleil: Kurios, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore SW7 2AP (South Kensington tube)
LAST CHANCE: Discover the Cabinet of Curiosities with the world famous circus. This dazzling production showcases a range of acrobats, high-wire artists, 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 (until Mar 5)
Thu-Sun: Orchids at Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE (Kew Gardens tube/Kew Bridge rail, overground)
LAST CHANCE: Wander through Kew filled with orchids inspired by the wildlife of Cameroon. See horticultural sculptures of hippos, giraffes, gorillas and lions. Try a West-African dish or catch the Bikoka Art Project exhibition of rural photographs. All ages welcome. Kew is open 10am-5pm (last entry 4pm), add on your time slot to Orchids when you visit; adult tickets from £16.50/child 4-15yrs £5.50/family tickets from £25.30 (until Mar 5)
Fri: Knit & Natter at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Love to knit, crochet or cross stitch? Get handy with a group of fellow knitters and natterers at these friendly Friday hour-long sessions. Open to experts and total beginners, come and meet new friends, share hints and tips and get creative. 11am-12pm (Fris); FREE (Mar 3-31)
Sat-Sun: Black Culture Market, The Department Store (Downstairs), 248 Ferndale Road, Brixton SW9 8FR (Brixton tube)
It’s Black Pound Day (first Saturday of the month) this weekend and the Black Culture Market is back. This two-day event helps to showcase emerging Black businesses with a chance to buy natural skincare, music, books, gifts, cards, unique prints, jewellery, food, clothes and accessories. All ages welcome. Register for a FREE ticket! 11am-5pm; FREE (Mar 4-5)
Fri-Sun: Guys and Dolls at Bridge Theatre, 3 Potters Fields Park, SE1 2SG (Tower Hill/London Bridge tube/rail, Tower Gateway DLR)
Luck be a lady and bag us some tickets for this brand new revival of Frank Loesser’s musical delight. Guys and Dolls sets its tale of romance, gamblers and gangsters against the Prohibition era, sweeping us from the streets of Manhattan to the bars of Havana. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (Thu & Sat); from £19.50-£150 (Mar 3-Sep 2)
Sat-Sun: Cutty Sark Family Fun Weekend, King William Walk, West Greenwich, SE10 9HT (Cutty Sark DLR, Greenwich rail)
Climb onto the famous tea clipper for another weekend of family fun. These happen on the first weekend every month, offering visitors a chance to try activities like meeting characters from history, ship-shape crafts, games and singing along to sea shanties. 11am-4pm; included in Cutty Sark admission: adult from £16-£18/child 4-15 £8-£9/under 4s FREE (Mar 4-5)
Sat-Sun: London Comic Con Spring, Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, W14 8UX (Kensington Olympia tube)
Still fancy dressing up after World Book Day? Get the whole family suited and booted for the world’s biggest convention for sci fi fans, comic book lovers and superhero wannabes. Meet fellow geeks and perhaps a few famous faces from Dr Who, Game of Thrones and more. 9am-6pm; adult from £25 (Sat) and £23 (Sun)/ child from £22 (Sat) and £20 (Sun)/weekend £44/family £65-£70/under 4s FREE (Mar 4-5)
Sun: House of Holi at Cinnamon Kitchen and Anise, 9 Devonshire Square, EC2M 4YL (Liverpool St tube/rail)
Get ready for the colourful Indian spring festival which is marked once again at this popular annual event. Step into a protective white suit and prepare to pelt everyone in sight with coloured paints and powders to celebrate Holi, before you enjoy a delicious Indian meal (extra cost for food). 12.30pm-9pm (Sun Mar 5 & Wed-Sun Mar 8-12); from adult £15/child 14 and under £10 (Mar 5-12)
Sun: The Music of the Lord of the Rings and Beyond at Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Immerse yourself in a fantasy world through live music brought to you by a full symphony orchestra and choir. Hear big, sweeping soundtracks from some epic tales such as The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Avatar, The Witcher, Dragonheart, The Chronicles of Narnia, How to Train Your Dragon and Pirates of the Caribbean. Ages 7+. 3pm; £19.50-£54.50 (Mar 5)
Sun: Basil Brush’s Family Fun Show, Fortuna Spiegeltent at The O2, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX (North Greenwich tube)
Boom boom. Come and meet Britain’s most loveable fox at the Just for Laughs comedy festival. Basil will transport the whole family on a fun-filled journey packed with laughs, songs and storytelling. 2pm; from £10 + fee (Mar 5)
Booking Ahead
- WOW Women of the World Festival at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Mar 6-13)
- Ballet Black: Pioneers at Barbican Centre (Mar 8-12)
- Drawn Together: Season of Drawings at Royal Museums Greenwich (Mar 10-Jun 10)
- Magic of India: Holi Colour Dance Party in Swiss Cottage (Mar 12)
- The Three Billy Goats Gruff at Unicorn Theatre, SE1 (Mar 12-Apr 23)
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Beyonce at Glazier Hall, SE1 (Mar 18 & Apr 14)
- FUN DMC: Mother’s Day Special at JuJu’s Bar & Stage (Mar 19)
- Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at Fulham Palace (Mar 19)
- For Crying Out Loud! Parent and Baby Concert at Wigmore Hall, W1 (Mar 30)
- Bring Your Own Baby Comedy at Arts Depot, Finchley (Mar 30 & May 25)
- Mother Art Prize at Zabludowicz Collection, NW5 (Mar 30-Jun 25)
- Dreamland Margate amusement park reopens (Apr 1)
- Let’s Build at Polka’s Adventure Theatre, South Wimbledon (Apr 1-May 21)
- The Rossettis at Tate Britain (Apr 6-Sep 24)
- Candlelight: 100 Years of Warner Bros at Southwark Cathedral (Apr 15)
- Harvey Parker Trust: Love In Mind Concert at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Apr 30)
- Bleak Expectations at Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly Circus W1 (May 3-Sep 3)
- The Secret Life of Reptiles at London Zoo (Jun 1-Dec 31)
- Wandsworth Arts Fringe, Wandsworth (Jun 9-25)
- Mog the Forgetful Cat at The Old Vic (Jul 11-29)
- Zog at Rose Theatre, Kingston (Jul 12-16)
- Kaleidoscope Festival at Alexandra Palace (Jul 15)
- Disney 100: The Exhibition at ExCel Centre (Autumn 2023)
- Stranger Things: The First Shadow at Phoenix Theatre (late 2023)
**NB: Please note that all event timings and prices are subject to change/cancellation at short notice, so always check ahead with the venue (or the latest government guidelines) before making a trip!**