It’s my North American Bookiversary today! I’m so grateful for the many readers, booksellers, supporters and media types who have taken Bringing Up Race to their hearts. If you’re in the US or Canada, here’s where you can get your copy of my critically acclaimed book. For us Londoners, in case it’s skipped your notice, there’s a bit of a do happening for Coronation Weekend Bank Holiday. Whether you’re an ardent royalist or feeling bah humbug about the whole shizzle, I’ve got you covered with fun things to do with the family in London. Oh yeah and May the 4th Be With You, friends.
14 Family Friendly Things to do in London for Coronation Weekend Bank Holiday
Thu-Sun: The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, Holborn, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
Damn it Janet – this one’s just for older kids and grownups. Enjoy the frisky, feel good musical in a 50th anniversary revival. Squeaky clean college kids Brad (Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba) and Janet lose their way on a dark night. Cue an adventure with characters like Dr Frank’n’Furter and classic hits like Sweet Transvestite and the Time Warp. Sing and dance along. For ages 12+, PG for adult themes and partial nudity, also NB: strobe lighting, haze and smoke effects. 8pm (Tue-Fri), 4pm & 8.30pm (Sat), 2pm & 6.30pm (Sun); from £18 (May 4-Jun 10)
Thu-Mon: Steve McQueen: Grenfell at Serpentine South Gallery, Kensington Gardens, W2 3XA (Lancaster Gate/Marble Arch tube)
LAST CHANCE: Don’t miss this challenging but important new art piece artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen that was made in response to the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower on June 14, 2017. McQueen went to capture the wreckage on film, before it was covered with hoarding, to create a memorial to the 72 people who died. It stands as a painful reminder that there is still no justice for the victims. Worth seeing with or without kids (you can pop into nearby Diana Princess of Wales playground if you bring the smallies along). 10am-6pm; FREE (until May 10)
Thu-Mon: Beyond the Streets London, Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, SW3 4RY (Sloane Square tube)
LAST CHANCE: Escape the tourist-filled streets at this huge exhibition that brings the streets into 3 floors of Saatchi’s Gallery space. Hot on the success of its shows in LA and New York, Beyond the Streets London features large-scale art inspired by punk, hip hop, fashion and film. All ages welcome. 10am-6pm daily (last entry 5.30pm); from adult £25/concs £15/child ages 6-16 £10/under 6s FREE (until May 9)
Thu-Mon: Science Fiction at the Science Museum, Exhibition Rd, SW7 2DD (South Kensington tube)
EXTENDED: By popular demand, the Science Museum has added more dates to this cracking exhibition that shows what’s barmy and what’s within the realms of reality when it comes to our favourite sci-fi stories, gadgets and characters. A perfect way to celebrate May the 4th or any day for fans of the fantastic. Best for ages 8+. 10am-6pm (daily), 10am-10pm (Fris); from £15 (until Aug 20, 2023)
Thu-Mon: Star Wars: The Fans Strike Back on 81 Old Brompton Rd, SW7 2ND (South Kensington tube)
Celebrate May 4th with a 15% discount to this exhibition (use code LDNMAYFOURTH15)! Check out hundreds of fan-owned collectables and figurines, life size figures, costumes, sculptures, lightsabers, helmets, blasters and more. Take photos against a green screen and experience a VR journey through time and space. All ages welcome, VR experience for ages 14+. 10am-5pm (Thu-Sun and Weds until May 3), extended opening hours until end of April and some Bank Holidays; adult £18.50/child 4-12 £12/family of 4 £14 pp/under 4s FREE (ongoing)
Thu-Mon: Luxury and Power: Persia to Greece at British Museum, Great Russell Street, WC1B 3DG (Russell Square tube).
The Coronation Weekend Bank Holiday feels like an apt time to launch this new exhibition. See exquisitely crafted objects from ancient Persia, Afghanistan, Greece and across the Middle East and southeast Europe. Discover how the Achaemenid court of Persia used precious objects as markers of authority, resonating across the empire from Egypt to India. Explore the tensions between luxury and politics from the past to the present day. This Sunday, there’s a Coronation celebration at the museum (11am-4pm). All ages. 10am-5pm; adult £12/child under 16 FREE/concs £10 (May 4-Aug 13)
Fri: Dunkirks at the Docks, St Katharine Docks, 50 St Katharine’s Way, E1W 1LA (Tower Hill tube)
To mark the Coronation Weekend Bank Holiday, St Katharine Docks is setting the stage for the ‘largest UK gathering of Dunkirk Little Ships in years. You can see 33 examples from a collection of 850 or so private boats and 20 warships that took part in the Dunkirk evacuation (aka Operation Dynamo) in World War II. Come for the spectacle along with a May Tea Dance on Marble Quay. All ages welcome. All day from around 11am-6pm; FREE (May 5)
Sat-Sun: King’s Coronation Party, Power Station Park, Battersea Power Station, SW11 (Battersea Power Station tube, Battersea Park rail)
Battersea Power Station is pulling out all the stops for the royal celebrations. Watch the Coronation live on big screens in Power Station Park, while tucking into a picnic or food from pop-up food trucks and huts. There will also be live music, a puppet show on a double decker bus, ping pong tables, face painting, balloon artists and a Bubble man on the Riverwalk. 11am-8pm; FREE entry (May 7-8)
Sat-Sun: Alexandra Palace Coronation Celebration, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY (Wood Green tube/Alexandra Palace rail)
I’m delighted to be joining Big Fish Little Fish at the big 150th birthday bash coming up at the end of the month. Get your fun in early over Coronation Weekend Bank Holiday with Alexandra Palace’s open-air party on the Terrace. Enjoy tasty street food, local craft beers, yummy ice creams, acoustic music and DJs and panoramic city views. And look out for the Red Arrow Coronation flypast on Saturday! All ages welcome. 12pm-10pm (Sat) & 12pm-9pm (Sun); FREE (May 6-7)
Sat-Sun: Mayfair Coronation Garden Party, Grosvenor Square, W1K 6AN (Bond St tube)
Put on your glad rags for a garden party in Mayfair to celebrate Charles and Camilla’s big event. They’re promising live screenings, immersive floral installations, a wide range of food and drink, and family-friendly activities e.g. face painting, jewellery making, arts & crafts, dressing-up box, giant garden games and more. 10am-8pm (Sat), 12pm-7pm (Sun); FREE
Sat-Mon: The Coronation, multiple locations
It all kicks off with a procession from Buckingham Palace (Sat 10.20am) to a service at Westminster Abbey (Sat 11am) followed by procession back to Buckingham Palace and a Coronation flypast at 2.30pm. On Sunday, there’s a big Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle, featuring acts including Nigerian Afrobeats star Tiwa Savage (represent). There will be Coronation Big Lunch events across the country, gathering communities for neighbourly celebrations. On Monday, the focus is The Big Help Out, encouraging people to volunteer and support their local areas. Public screenings will be held across the nation including sites at Hyde Park, Green Park and St James’s Park. Find out how to watch in public HERE (May 6-8)
Sat-Mon: Tower Bridge Coronation Family Activity, Tower Bridge Road, SE1 2UP (Tower Hill/London Bridge tube/rail, Tower Gateway DLR)
Climb up Tower Bridge, walk the glass-bottomed tunnel and see all the excitement from above. For the Coronation Weekend Bank Holiday, younger ones can make their own royal sashes and crowns inspired by the tower’s golden crests. Best for ages 6-10. 9.30am-6pm (last entry 5pm, pre-booking advised); adult £12.30/child 5-15 £6.20/under 5s FREE (May 6-8)
Sat-Mon: Royal Bank Holiday Weekend at Museum of Brands, 11-117 Lancaster Road, Notting Hill, W11 1QT (Ladbroke Grove tube)
Make the most of the weekend with special activities to mark the first Coronation in 70 years. The ‘Please Touch’ object handling opportunities include objects from Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 Coronation and her 1977 Silver Jubilee. You’re also invited to create your own Royal Scrapbook using images from the collection. 10am-6pm (Sat), 11am-5pm (Sun-Mon); adult £9/child 7-15 £5/under 7s FREE (May 6-8)
Mon: Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (Parent & Baby Film Club) at Big Penny Social, 1 Priestley Way, Walthamstow E17 6AL (Blackhorse Rd tube)
Bring your baby along for a pushchair and nursing-friendly screening at Big Penny Social. These events are designed for new parents to socialise or get a break from the grind in a relaxed setting. Watch on a projector screen, enjoy a glass of wine, a snack or even a nap! This Monday, it’s a comedy about aspiring musicians who get an opportunity to represent their country at Europe’s biggest music contest. 12.30pm; enquire to reserve a table (May 8)
We also like
Start your party early at Merchant Square in Paddington Basin with live acts, deckchairs, stalls and more, 5.30pm-7.30pm (Thu); there are more than 3000 community street parties happening this weekend, find your nearest Coronation Big Lunch event (Sat-Mon); check out this list of local Coronation events on Islington Life (Sat-Mon); in King’s Cross, join artist Samme Snow for Coronation Colouring Workshops (Sat-Mon) and explore Canopy Market King’s X for kids crafts and themed desserts (Fri-Mon); drop-in at the Museum of the Order of St John for a free crown-making activity for kids using garden resources, 11am-3.30pm (Mon); Bach to Baby is throwing a Palace Party in Clapham and Battersea (Mon); and don’t forget to join in with the Big Help Out (Mon)
Booking Ahead
- Bleak Expectations at Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly Circus W1 (May 3-Sep 3)
- Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre 2023, NW1 (May 10-Sep 16)
- Mrs Doubtfire the Musical at Shaftesbury Theatre, WC2 (May 12-Jan 13)
- Barnes Children’s Literature Festival (tickets on sale from May 13, festival dates Jun 24-25)
- Candlelight: 100 Years of Warner Bros at Southwark Cathedral (May 25)
- Bring Your Own Baby Comedy at Arts Depot, Finchley (May 25)
- The Invisible Man at Unicorn Theatre, SE1 (May 28-Jun 18)
- The Secret Life of Reptiles at London Zoo (Jun 1-Dec 31)
- Candlelight: A Tribute to Beyonce at Glazier Hall, SE1 (Jun 2)
- Wandsworth Arts Fringe, Wandsworth (Jun 9-25)
- Dalloway Day, Royal Society of Literature at Somerset House, WC2 (Jun 15)
- 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!**
London Kids May Bank Holiday Weekend Scoop (April 27-May 1, 2023)
