Mother’s Day London Weekend Scoop (March 8-10, 2024)  

Today is International Women’s Day when we celebrate the many wonders of womanhood while calling out the gender inequities that women still face across the globe. This weekend, we’re also hailing mothers and motherhood in all its forms and inviting you to explore our Mother’s Day London Weekend Scoop which is packed with cool things to do for mums in London this weekend. I’m so delighted to be named on Vuelio’s esteemed Top 10 Mum Bloggers list once again, congrats to my fellow honourees. For all those who struggle with complicated feelings including loss on this day, my heart is with you too. 

15 Cool Things to Do for Mums in London this Weekend

Fri: WOW: One Night Live in London, Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old Street, EC1V 9LT (Old St tube)
Come together with some of the most formidable voices in the struggle for gender equity at this evening led by WOW Women of the World founder Jude Kelly. Authors Elif Shafak and Liv Little will join Jude on stage along with performer and ally Jordan Stephens in conversation. Also hear Martha Wainwright, Salena Golden and Anita Rani reading from Annabelle Hirsch’s A History of Women in 101 Objects. Ages 14+. 7.30pm; £22/concs £16.50 (Mar 8)

Fri-Sun: The Big Life at Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, E15 1BN (Stratford tube/overground/DLR/rail)
Travel back to 1950s London where a group of new arrivals from the West Indies are trying to find their way in the cold climate (and cold shoulders) of England. Three men, Ferdy, Bernie, Dennis and Lennie, have sworn off wine and women but Sybil, Mary, Zulieka and Kathy know that man cannot live by bread alone! This joyful Windrush spin on Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost is full of warmth, humour and ska tunes to have you grooving in your seats. Ages 10+. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat), 2.30pm (Thu & Sat); £19-£51.50 (until Mar 30)

Fri-Sun: Yoko Ono: Music Of The Mind at Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG (Blackfriars rail, London Bridge tube/rail)
Get deep into the mind of artist and activist at Yoko Ono at this groundbreaking exhibition of her scores, installations, films, music and photography. It reveals over 200 works by the often maligned and misunderstood woman who was not just muse to John Lennon but a force in her own right. Visitors are invited to interact with Yoko’s art through works such as Wish Trees for London, where you can contribute your own wishes for peace. Look out for Yoko Ono inspired UNIQLO Tate Play workshops over the Easter holidays too. 10am-4.30pm daily; adult £22/child FREE (until Sep 1)

Fri-Sun: Affordable Art Fair, Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park (Chelsea Bridge entrance), Battersea Park, SW11 4NJ (Battersea Park/Queenstown Rd rail; Sloane Square tube then bus 137/452)
Spruce up your gallery wall with something from one of these affordable art pieces, showcased from around the world at this popular fair. There are thousands of artworks to browse, along with kids’ workshops and a free creche. Beat the crowds at a Weekend Family Hour on 11am-12pm (Sat-Sun). All ages welcome, late events for 18+ only. 11am-9pm (Fri), 11am-12pm (Weekend Family Hour), 11am-6pm (Sat-Sun); adult £14/weekend family hour £22 (2 adults + up to 3 children)/child under 16 FREE (until Mar 10)

Fri-Sun: Disney 100, ExCel London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, E16 1XL (Custom House DLR)
Reopening this weekend by popular demand, this is a treasure trove for any fans of Disney. Wander through 10 themed galleries and discover 250+ artefacts, costumes, props and artworks. All ages. 9am-4.30pm, last entry 2.30p (Mon-Thu), 9am-6pm, last entry 4pm (Fri-Sat), 9am-4pm, last entry 2pm (Sun); adult from £24/child 5-16 from £21/group of 5 or more from £22.50pp/under 5s FREE (reopens Mar 6, 2024)

Fri-Sun: DIVA at Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Rd, SW7 2RL (South Kensington tube)
I’m every woman, it’s all in me! That was ringing through my ears along with the various empowering songs by the stunning range of divas featured across the V&A’s blockbuster exhibition. It’s a fantastic journey through opera, theatre, film and pop culture starring some of our most iconic performers including Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Cher, Rihanna, Beyonce, Elton John, Maria Callas, Prince, Amy Winehouse and more. Provocative and powerful, a perfect outing for Mother’s Day or any day. 10am-5.45pm daily, last entry for exhibition 4.15pm (Fri lates until 10pm, last entry 8.15pm); adult £20/under 26 £13/under 12s and members FREE (until Apr 10, 2024)

Fri-Sun: Stranger Things: The First Shadow at Phoenix Theatre, Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0JP (Tottenham Court Rd/Covent Garden tube)
What the hell really happened in Hawkins to create so much chaos for Eleven and her friends? Go back to the very start in this sci-fi play from Jack Thorne and Kate Trefry that’s inspired by the mega-hit Duffer brothers TV series. 7pm (Tue-Sat), 2pm (Fri & Sat) & 3pm (Sun); from £20 (until Aug 25, 2024)

Fri-Sun: Women In Revolt at Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1P 4RG (Pimlico tube, Victoria rail/tube)
We have a long way to go to achieve gender equality. On this weekend with both International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day on our minds, why not spark your activism at this first of its kind exhibition featuring 100+ female UK artists. Be inspired to shake things up through this compilation of paintings, photos, films, installations and performances. All ages. 10am-5pm; from adult £17/child £5/under 12s FREE (until Apr 7)

Fri-Sun: Plaza Suite at Savoy Theatre, Strand, London, WC2R 0ET (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Don’t miss your chance to catch husband and wife team Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker together on stage for the first time. Neil Simon’s sparkling comedy about a married couple is still lighting up the West End. Best for ages 13+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat), 2.30pm (Thu & Sat), 5pm (Sun); from £55 (until Apr 13)

Sat: National March for a Ceasefire, Hyde Park to the US Embassy (Marble Arch/Hyde Park Corner tube)
If you can’t stop thinking about the many thousands of mothers and women and children who are suffering under the genocidal actions of the Israeli regime, along with the mothers still waiting for their kids to be released from captivity by Hamas and the Israeli government, you can take deliberate action. Join the London march for a ceasefire and walk in solidarity with Gaza where more than 30,000 people have been killed since October 7. Keep writing to your MPs, signing petitions, raising your voice until. 12.30pm-4.30pm; FREE (Mar 9)

Sat: Big Fish Little Fish Mother’s Day Flower Power Rave at Colour Factory, 8a White Post Lane, E9 5EN (Hackney Wick overground)
Join DJ Luli and our favourite family ravers for a Mother’s Day weekend to remember. This double height venue in Hackney is the perfect size to throw your hands up in the air while your little ones run riot on the dancefloor. It’s a great way to have fun with the whole family with good tunes, plus all the usual offers e.g. licensed bar, Nifty Natty crafting, face painting (extra charge), balloons, bubbles, glitter cannons and parachute dance finale. 2pm-4pm; adult from £12/child from £9/non-walking human FREE (Mar 9)

Sat: Skate Dreams screening at Design Museum, 224–238 Kensington High Street, W8 6AG (High St Kensington tube)
Watch women rip it at a screening of the breathtaking documentary Skate Dreams all about women’s skateboarding and the pioneers of the scene. See trailblazers from the 1980s to the next generation of Olympic hopefuls then stick around for a live conversation with Skate GB’s rising star Lilly Strachan and skate legend Helena Long. This is a great time to check out the Skateboard exhibition too. Suitable for ages 12+. 3pm-5pm; adult £10 (Screening only) or £25 (Screening + Exhibition ticket)/child £8 (Screening only) or £15 (Screening + Exhibition ticket), member discounts and concs available too (Mar 9)

Sat-Sun: The Little Ritual, The Spacement @ The Glitch, 34 Lower Marsh, Waterloo, SE1 7AE (Waterloo tube/rail, Lambeth North tube)
What should a former ‘spookiest vampire of all time’ do to regain their powers? Meet not-so-spooky vamps The Master and Gregor who are on a mission to recover their dark arts. This interactive family show is all about friendship, play, laughter and embracing your silliest self. Part of A Pinch of Vault festival at Waterloo. Best for ages 12 and under and their grownups. 10.30am (Sat) & 11am (Sun); standard £8.50-pay more if you can £10.50/concs £6.50/carer £0 (Mar 9 & 10)

Sat-Sun: Dogs Don’t Do Ballet at Watermans Arts Centre, 40 High Street Brentford, London TW8 0DS (Kew Bridge overground)
The wildly popular picture book by Anna Kemp and illustrator Sara Ogilvie is brought to the stage by the crafty geniuses at Little Angel Theatre. This touring production features gorgeous puppetry, popular ballet music and a lot of laughs. Find out why Biff the dog thinks he’s a ballerina… For ages 2-7. 1.30pm & 3.30pm; adult or child full £12/concs £10/family £38 (Mar 9-10)

Sun: Soho Hotel Film Club: The Color Purple at Soho Hotel, 4 Richmond Mews, W1D 3DH (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Let this story of sisterhood take you on an emotional rollercoaster with vocal superstars Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson and Danielle Brooks. Based on Alice Walker’s global bestseller, The Color Purple is a musical about overcoming struggles and reclaiming selfhood through the beauty and solidarity of Black womanhood. Treat mama for Mother’s Day at this screening with the Soho Film Club’s special offers: 3-course menu or afternoon tea £55, add champagne for £65! Suitable for ages 12+. 3.30pm; £25-£65 (all tickets include popcorn) (Mar 10)

More ideas
Spend a morning on Mother’s Day weekend enjoying a film with your baby; or treat yourself and your mama to a yummy Sunday dinner in London; browse my afternoon tea guide and book in for a quirky cuppa and cakes; or spend Sunday munching on dumplings and small plates in and around Chinatown

Booking Ahead

• Red Pitch at @SohoPlace, W1 (Mar 15-May 4)
• Astro Nights Sleepovers at Science Museum, SW7 (Mar 15, Apr 19, May 17, Jun 21 & Jul 12)
• Boxed In at The Albany, Deptford (Mar 16)
• Ideal Home Show at Olympia London (Mar 22-Apr 7)
• Open Air Theatre season at Regent’s Park (Mar 23-Sep 21)
• UNIQLO Tate Play: Yoko Ono, Do It Yourself at Tate Modern (Mar 30-Apr 14)
• Easter Family Day at Brixton Windmill (Mar 31)
• The Roc King Club at Porchester Hall, Paddington (coming May 2024)
• The Paddington Bear Experience at County Hall, Southbank (opens May 2024)
• Assassin’s Creed Symphonic Adventure at Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre (May 29-30)
• Mean Girls the Musical at Savoy Theatre, WC2 (Jun 6-Oct 27)
• Aurora Orchestra: Far, Far Away: Mendelssohn and the Moving Machines at Kings Place, N1 (Jun 29-30)

**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!**