Happy weekend and a Happy Birthday to me. Yes, today is my big day and I’m celebrating all the wonderful London cultural family events this weekend. Visit a children’s literary festival in Herne Hill, see Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and others in Ealing’s Pride of England exhibition, join in more Lunar New Year festivities in Hackney, mark 100 years of the Charles Dickens Museum, watch engrossing family theatre, or party with your babes in Brixton or Walthamstow. Have a good one.
12 Terrific London Cultural Family Events This Weekend
Thu-Sun: Stepping into Stories: Herne Hill Kids’ Lit Fest at Station Hall, Herne Hill SE24 0JW (Herne Hill rail)
Bring your bookworms along to the Herne Hill children’s literature festival. The line-up for 2025 features former Children’s Laureate Joseph Coehlo, Marcela Ferreira, Robin Stevens, Adeola Sokunbi and more. There are readings and talks, author signings, workshops on creative writing, comic book making and other activities. All ages welcome. Various times; tickets from £4-£12, some activities are FREE (Feb 4-9)
Thu-Sun: Dickens in Doughty St: 100 Years of the Charles Dickens Museum, 48 Doughty Street, WC1N 2LX (Russell Square tube)
A fellow Aquarian and one of Britain’s greatest writers is the centre of this groundbreaking exhibition, showcasing original manuscripts, rare first editions, letters to friends and family, portraits, photographs and even Dickens’ hairbrush and walking stick! It’s a special tribute to mark the 100 year anniversary of the opening of the Charles Dickens Museum. Bring the kids and be inspired. All ages. 10am-5pm (Wed-Sun); adult from £12.50/child 6-16 £7.50/under 6s and members FREE (Feb 5-Jun 29)
Thu-Sun: Pride of England at Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery, Ealing Green, W5 5EQ (Ealing Broadway tube/rail, South Ealing tube)
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is one of the subjects of this exhibition marking the legacy of England football with a focus on diversity and unity. Portraits of football icons including Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho who stood up for the teams at the Euro 2020 tournament and withstood the racism that followed. You can also see sculptures of England’s Three Lions, created from recycled footballs and co-created by artist Matt Small and local Ealing children. 10am-5pm (Wed-Sun) & 1st Thus (10am-8pm); adult from £8/student from £4/child 0-15 FREE. Pay-what-you-can: Sundays 10am–noon and First Thursdays 5–8pm for Ealing Borough residents. Pre-booking required, subject to availability. (until Feb 23)
Thu-Sun: Hew Locke: What Have We Here? at British Museum, Great Russell St, WC1B 3DG (Tottenham Court Rd tube, Euston tube/rail)
LAST CHANCE: Take a new look at some of the British Museum’s collection in this thought-provoking show by celebrated Guyanese-British artist Hew Locke. He tackles British imperial power through objects, ancient Indigenous art and sculptural figures. All ages. 10am-5pm daily (8.30pm Fris); adult from £16/child under 16 and members FREE (until Feb 9)
Fri-Sat: Animal Farm at Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, Stratford E15 1BN (Stratford tube/rail/DLR/overground)
The chilling quote: “All animals are equal. But some animals are more equal than others” sets the tone of this hairy tale of power and prejudice, exploitation and resistance. Director Amy Leach and designer Hayley Grindle bring fresh eyes to George Orwell’s classic (and highly topical) novel in a stage adaptation by Tatty Hennessy. Best for ages 11+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & select matinees 2.30pm (Thu & Sat); from £10-£39.50 (Feb 7-Mar 8)
Fri-Sun: Home Song at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley St, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube/rail)
Little ones will be enchanted by this adventurous show that takes you from the streets of Kumasi to the heart of London with young Adwoa and her mama. Theatre-maker and composer Cassiopeia Berkeley-Agyepong, in partnership with Talawa, has pulled together an interactive, baby-focused experience with a cappella singing and soundscapes. Ages 6-18 months and their grownups. Showtimes from 10am, 11.30am & 12.45pm (times may vary); 1 adult + baby £15-£19.50/2 adults + 1 baby £21-£25.50/extra adult or baby £6 (Feb 7-Mar 9)
Sat: Exploring Mesopotamia: Relaxed Early Morning Event at British Museum (Great Court and Galleries)
Meet up at the galleries for an exclusive session, designed for families with children and adults who are autistic, learning disabled, or have mental health conditions. You’ll be joined by artist Stuart Milburn (Outside In) who will guide you in creating cuneiform tablets using clay. Ages 5-15 and parents/carers. 8am-10am; FREE but booking essential (Feb 8)
Sat: Chinese & Lunar New Year Celebration at Hackney Bridge, Echo Building, E15 2SJ (Hackney Wick overground)
All are welcome at this vibrant event, in partnership with Hackney Bridge and Jun Mo Generation. Come and celebrate the Year of the Snake alongside Hackney’s East Asian communities. There will be Chinese Dragons, Southern Lions, dance and music performances, family workshops, and Hackney Bridge street food stalls. 1pm-4pm; FREE
Sat-Sun: The Flight of Babushka Baboon at Puppet Theatre Barge, Little Venice, W9 2PF (Warwick Avenue tube)
Get on board the puppet theatre boat for a captivating story, written by Henry Marshall and beautifully narrated by Thalissa Teixeira. It’s the tale of a baboon who wants to fly to the moon in a hot-air balloon and it’s told through string marionettes, shadow puppets and moving poetry. Recommended for ages 4-10 younger ones welcome but PG for some content (e.g. darkness/peril). 11am & 2pm; adult £14/child 2-11 £10/under 2s FREE on grownup’s lap (Feb 8-Mar 30)
Sun: A Menagerie of Elephants Collage at Garden Museum, Lambeth Palace Road, SE1 7LB (Westminster tube, Vauxhall/Waterloo tube/rail)
Come to the Garden Museum for another popular family learning Sunday Session drop-in event. Get busy making a colourful elephant collage, inspired by the zoological gardens and pleasure gardens in the Lost Gardens of London exhibition. Ages 3-12 and families. 11am-12.30pm; FREE but first come first served, so arrive early! (Feb 9)
Sun: Hotsy Totsy Family Rave, Big Penny Social, Priestley Way, E17 6AL (Blackhorse Rd overground)
Hit the dance floor again with your groovy gang for another family friendly session with resident DJ Joy Alarm. Work up an appetite before you enjoy a delicious Sunday lunch (book ahead). There’s face painting by Maryam Luong and a licensed bar. Best for families with kids ages 8 and under. 10am-12.30pm; adult £7/child £7/family £28/under 1s FREE (Feb 9)
Sun: Fly-Kid Family Rave at Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PQ (Brixton tube)
It’s the second Sunday of the month, time for another family rave with the creators of Supa Dupa Fly. BBC1xtra’s Emily Rawson and her mates spin old school hip hop, R&B, pop and soul tunes that the whole family can enjoy. The event features street dance lessons, dance battles, games, confetti, themed face painting (optional), props and more. Food and drink on offer. Tables available for groups of 10+ (book ahead: email flykid@supadupaflylove.com). Open to families with kids and babies of all ages. 11am-3pm; adult from £11/child from £6/family from £29/babies under 1 FREE (Feb 9)
We also like
Fans of the anime will thrill to Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon: The Super Live experience at KoKo in Camden, for ages 10+ (Thu & Sun, playing until Mar 19); settle down with the youngsters for Rug Rhymes at National Poetry Library, Southbank Centre (from Fri); if you’re obsessed with the TV show, don’t miss Strictly Come Dancing Live at The O2 (Fri-Sun); hurry and you just might nab a ticket for the Avatar: The Last Airbender screening with live orchestra at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall (Sat); Concrete Garden is a whole programme of workshops and activities celebrating Spring at Barbican Centre (opens Sun); grab your friends, kids, family and neighbours for the Hackney Proms Family Rave fundraiser at Rich Mix (Sun)
Booking Ahead
- Whipped Up for ages 2 months to 2 years at Polka Theatre, SW19 (Feb 12-16)
- Flowers at Saatchi Gallery, Chelsea SW3 (Feb 12-May 5)
- The Robot Zoo at Horniman Museum and Gardens, SE23 (Feb 14-Nov 2)
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show at Arts Depot, N12 (Feb 15-20)
- Mudfest 2025 at London Wetland Centre, Barnes (Feb 15-23)
- The Wonderland Garden at Jacksons Lane (Feb 16)
- The Lion King exhibition at Battersea Power Station (Feb 17-23)
- Lunar New Year Family Day at Museum of the Home, E2 (Feb 18)
- Imagine Children’s Festival at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Feb 18-23)
- Storytelling & Recycling Fun with Laura Henry Allain at Horniman Museum, SE23 (Feb 19)
- Trash at Peacock Theatre, Holborn (Feb 19-Mar 1)
- AstroNights Sleepovers at Science Museum (Mar 14, May 16, Jun 20 & Jul 11)
- The Boy With Wings at Polka Theatre, SW19 (Jun 21-Aug 16)
The February Half Term Guide will be out next week!
**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!**
Rembrandt van Wine: Sip and Paint in the Dark
