I hope you’re making the most of the sunshine. Wondering what’s hot this weekend in London for families? Look no further, I’ve got you covered. From outdoor theatre and baby-friendly concerts to colourful art, a street food garden in Battersea, a Windrush family party in Brixton and a great big celebration of LOVE in central London. Happy Pride to all making it out there!
Spotlight Event
New Writing South presents From Blog to Book with Uju Asika (Zoom/Online)
Can you blog your way to a published book? Join me online for a fun and friendly workshop where I’ll be sharing my story and offering tips on how to use a blog to kickstart your author journey. Get insights on how blogging can cultivate your voice, shape your book, and grow your author platform. Join us at #FromBlogToBook workshop in partnership with New Writing South, next Tuesday Jul 2 at 7.30pm via Zoom (Jul 2)
What’s Hot This Weekend in London for Families
Thu-Sat: 101 Dalmatians at New Wimbledon Theatre, 93 The Broadway, SW19 1QG, UK (Wimbledon/South Wimbledon tube)
Uh oh, Cruella de Vil is roaming about and she’s threatening to steal some beloved canines and turn them into a fur coat. Who will stop her? Catch this acclaimed musical with Kym Marsh (Coronation Street, Hear’say) in the lead role as villainess. The show is crammed with spectacular puppetry, show-stopping choreography, lots and lots of puppies! Best for ages 5+. 7pm (Mon-Sat) & 2pm (Sat); from £13 (until Jun 29)
Thu-Sun: Up in Smoke at NOW Gallery, The Gateway Pavilions, Peninsula Square, Greenwich Peninsula, SE10 0SQ (North Greenwich tube/DLR)
Visit Greenwich to check out this playful and colourful commission by designer-architect duo John Booth and Mat Barnes from CAN. The focus is on chimneys, how they define the city’s silhouette and form a staple in any child’s drawing of a house. Their 5 hand-painted chimneys create re-imagined spaces for visitors to climb, walk through and look up. Fun for all ages. 10am-7pm (Tue-Fri), 10am-5pm (Sat), 11am-4pm (Sun); FREE but advance booking recommended (Jun 21-Sep 22)
Thu-Sun: Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition, 81-85 Old Brompton Road, SW7 3LD (South Kensington tube)
EXTENDED: Get your cameras out for this immersive exhibition, set to close this weekend but extended by popular demand. Explore 200+ places on Earth through 7 themed rooms all inspired by Wes Anderson’s unique aesthetic. NB: All ages welcome. 10am-7pm (Wed-Fri), 10am-8pm (Sat), 10am-6pm (Sun); adults and age 12+ £13.99/child 5-11 £9.99/under 5s FREE (until Jul 28)
Fri-Sun: FUSE International Festival, multiple venues around Kingston upon Thames
It’s another outing for this festival showcasing creative talent from around the UK and across the globe. Experience 80 events over 10 days, or pick and choose (if you don’t have quite that much energy!). Don’t miss festival opener Jagunlabi (We Birthed a Warrior) From Nigeria, which explores courage, selflessness and eradication of social ills such as violence against women and children. Upcoming highlights for families include Little Dragons aerial circus act (Jun 29), street dance showcase This Is Ten – The Review (Jun 30), Trail of Tears which tells the story of the Cherokee tribe (Jul 4), and musical comedy The Roman Invasion of Ramsbottom (Jul 4-5). Various times and prices, check age guidance for events at booking. (Jun 28-Jul 7)
Fri-Sun: Pub in the Park, Chiswick House and Gardens, Chiswick, W4 2QN (Turnham Green tube/Chiswick rail)
Pub in the Park festival brings top chefs and artists together in lavish locations. Head to the palatial grounds of Chiswick House and Gardens to catch chefs like Tom Kerridge, Andi Oliver and Max LaManna cooking up a storm. Live music from De La Soul, Jools Holland, Imelda May, Ruby Turner and more round out the fun. For families there’s lots on, from Super Pirates immersive storytelling to our fave family ravers, Big Fish Little Fish. All ages welcome. adult £45-£58 (day tickets) to £190 (weekend all access)/child 6-15 £30-£38 to £110 (weekend all access)/family £120-£130 (day ticket)/ages 0-5 FREE (Jun 28-30)
Fri-Sun: Thai Cultural Showcase at West Handyside Canopy, King’s Cross, N1C 4BH (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Taste a little bit of Bangkok at King’s Cross this weekend for this festival showcasing Thai ‘soft power’: food, hospitality, travel and cultural heritage. You can watch Thai classical and modern dance and a popular Thai puppet show. The food offerings range from Michelin Bib Gourmand winners Farang London, Slurp Noodles and Siam Niyom to Chang Beer’s Espresso Cafe selling Chang Espresso Lager for the first time outside Asia. Travel and holiday packages on offer too. All ages welcome. 1pm-8pm (Fri), 11am-6pm (Sat-Sun); FREE (Jun 28-30)
Sat: Pride in London, from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square (Hyde Park Corner tube, Charing Cross tube/rail)
Love is love and joy is everything at this bold and fabulous celebration of self-expression and liberation. It’s the UK’s biggest and most diverse LGBTQ+ parade. Start at Hyde Park Corner and follow the action to Whitehall Place. Enjoy live acts, music, talks, stalls and more at multiple stages at Trafalgar Square, Soho Square, Leicester Square, Dean St, Golden Square and a family area in Victoria Embankment Gardens. 12pm-6pm; FREE (Jun 29)
Sat-Sun: Southbank Centre Summer Festival: You Belong Here, Belvedere Rd, SE1 X88 (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
It’s officially summer when the Southbank Centre’s summer season launches. This year, the festival is titled You Belong Here and explores why everyone needs to feel included and welcome. See the centre come to life with neon sculptures alongside free public art installations. Of course there’s Jeppe Hein’s Appearing Rooms fountains to cool off and Southbank Street Market for munchies. On the free Riverside Stage there will be a mix of theatre, live music, DJs, fashion and dance. Indoors look out for shows like Afrique en Cirque, Strong Like Us: Kelechi Okafor & Friends, a celebration of James Baldwin’s 100th birthday, and Mimewave’s Home, a fairy tale world for younger audiences. All ages (check age guidance for activities). Various times and prices, many activities are FREE (Jun 29-Sep 8)
Sat-Sun: Aurora Orchestra: Far, Far Away: Mendelssohn and the Moving Machines at Kings Place (Hall 2), 90 York Way, N1 9AG (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Come to Kings Place for another immersive event in the company of Aurora Orchestra. Writer-in-ResidenceKate Wakeling leads this magical, musical adventure set to new chamber arrangements of Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel’s score. Beep your car horn, build a train and soar in a hot air balloon. For kids aged 0-5 and their families. Hurry, last few tickets remaining! 10am, 11am, 12.45pm & 1.45pm; £11.50/child £9.50/family £38 (max 2 adults)/babies under 18 months FREE (Jun 29-30)
Sat-Sun: Kerb Street Food Garden at Battersea Park, SW11 4NJ (Queenstown rail/Battersea Park tube)
As one of the original KERB families (my OH was part of their launch markets), we’ll always have a soft spot for the KERB Street Food collective. This summer, you can check out the KERB Street Food Garden at Battersea Park Bowling Green, open for three weekends. Head to the park this weekend, or in upcoming weekends to catch Wimbledon Finals (free) and the Euros Finals (ticketed) on their big outdoor screens, while tucking into KERB food favourites. On the menu are Chick ’N’ Sours, Harissa & Lemon, and Curry on NaanStop among other traders. 11am-7pm (Sat) & 11am-6pm (Sun) – open later for Euros Final on Jul 14; FREE entry (Jun 29-Jul 14)
Sun: Just Vibez Windrush Celebration, Brixton Village, Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8PS (Brixton tube)
Every year, the Just Vibez crew host a throw down for Windrush with all-day fun int he heart Brixton. Wear your flag or something to represent your islands and show up for a serious turn up. There’s live Calypso, soca, reggae and dancehall DJs, delicious street food, face painting and Carnival style crafts. All ages. Kids are welcome to stay until 7pm but dedicated kid/family activity time is from 2pm-4pm. From 7pm there’s a special live band concert! 2pm-4pm (Family Time) and 7pm-late (concert and block party); FREE until 7pm, then tickets required (Jun 30)
Sun: Outdoor Theatre: Much Ado About Nothing at Osterley Park, Jersey Road, Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 4RB (Hounslow rail)
Families with older kids can enjoy Shakespeare in the park with a vibrant production of the bard’s sparky and romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing by Moving Parts Theatre. Bring a picnic and blanket to watch the play set in a sun-drenched island, against the backdrop of Osterley Park’s grounds. Expect much drama, laughs and toe-tapping live music. Ages 12+. 6.30pm-8.30pm; adult £25/concs £20/family of 2 adults + 2 kids £78 (Jun 30)
Euros 2024: Family Friendly Zones to Watch the Football
- Enjoy street food, drinks and 4 screens at Pop Brixton
- You can catch the action at all three Boxpark venues, book ahead – from £8 (Shoreditch, Wembley and Croydon)
- Or try out one of the Bounce ping pong, pizza and football bars – from £10 (Farringdon, Shoreditch and Battersea)
- Head to TOCA Social at the O2 for 360 football immersion with screenings and shootout games – from £5 (North Greenwich)
- There’s foosball, food and drinks and Euros matches at Bar Kick on Shoreditch High St and Cafe Kick in Exmouth Market (Shoreditch/Islington)
- Explore the food hall and watch England games at Market Halls locations (Victoria, Canary Wharf, Oxford St)
- Metropolis is a snazzy new food destination that promises live entertainment and sports screenings (Vauxhall)
- Big Penny Social holds family friendly events and will host Euros 2024 showings too (Walthamstow)
- Kids are welcome all day (Sun-Wed) or until 6pm (Thu-Sat) at Between the Bridges – England games on 3 large screens (South Bank)
Booking Ahead
- Everyman Screen on the Canal, King’s Cross (Jul 1-Aug 18)
- RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival (Jul 2-7)
- London Children’s Ballet: The Secret Garden at Peacock Theatre (Jul 5-7)
- River Stage at National Theatre, SE1 (Jul 5-28)
- Hetty Feather Day: Talk & Book Signing at Foundling Museum (Jul 6)
- Wandsworth Family Pride at Battersea Park (Jul 6)
- Big Fish Little Fish Outdoor Family Rave at Museum of the Home, Hoxton (Jul 7)
- Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta, City of London (Jul 7, 21 or 28)
- Blippi: the Wonderful World Tour at Harold Pinter Theatre (Jul 8-Sep 7)
- Astro Nights Sleepovers at Science Museum, SW7 (Jul 12)
- Kaleidoscope Festival at Alexandra Palace, N22 (Jul 13)
- Family Day: Beyond the Bassline at British Library (Jul 13)
- Monster Jam at London Stadium (Jul 13)
- The Gruffalo at Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue (Jul 13-Sep 8)
- Theatre on Kew at Kew Gardens (Jul 19-Sep 1)
- Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World at The Other Palace (Jul 20-Sep 8)
- Summer Postcard Trail at WWT London Wetland Centre, Barnes (Jul 25-Sep 1)
- Official Team GB Fanzone at King’s Cross (Jul 26-Aug 11)
- Fiddler on the Roof at Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park (Jul 27-Sep 21)
- Family Celebration Day: A Museum Takeover at Museum of the Home, Hoxton (Jul 28)
- Little Angel Theatre’s Puppet Festival, Angel N1 (Aug 2-Sep 1)
- Hip Hop Games at Stratford Waterfront (Aug 3)
- The Wizard of Oz at Gillian Lynne Theatre (Aug 15-Sep 8)
- Family Festival: Generations of Play at Dulwich Picture Gallery (Aug 10)
**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!**
Stranger Things: The First Shadow (Theatre Review)
