Welcome to another scoop of awesome weekend activities for London families. From colour-splatter fun for the Holi festival to intriguing family theatre, baby knees-up and family raving, science shows, dance and bubble festivals and more, I guarantee there’s something for everyone. Take a look.
Today (Thursday March 6) is also World Book Day where kids around the country will be dressed as their favourite book characters. While you’re taking those proud pics, do remember to celebrate the joy of reading with your little ones all year round. Literacy skills are dropping at an alarming rate (across all ages) and if there’s any antidote to some of the horrors and divisiveness facing us in the world at large, it’s the magic of stepping into a story and losing ourselves and finding ourselves there too.
In my book Bringing Up Race, I wrote a chapter titled Books Will Save the World and I really believe they can. Fight book bans, support your library, diversify your bookshelf, champion authors, share your favourite books with the ones you love, and commit to being readers for life. Reading is the ultimate lifelong learning activity and it can do wonders for your wellbeing. Happy World Book Day!
You can support this author by buying my books here: Uju Asika Bookshop. Thank you for spreading the word.
12 Awesome Weekend Activities for London Families
Thu-Sat: The Alternative Book Fair at Islington Central Library, 2 Fieldway Cres, N5 1PF (Highbury & Islington tube/overground, Holloway tube)
London’s most inclusive book fair takes over Islington Central Library on World Book Day and this weekend. The main talks are sold out online (check with the library for availability), however you can drop in to the Indie Press Fair and Children’s Press Fair (Sat 10am-5pm. There’s also a kids’ craft activity A Card for Mum run by Lantana Publishing and poet Bashabi Fraser (Sat 10.30am) & a story time and dragons workshop with kids’ author Davina Tijani (Sat 1pm). Visitors can hear tips for debut authors, learn about literary prizes and get insider advice on the publishing industry. 6.30pm (Thu) & 10am-5pm (Sat); FREE(Mar 5-8)
Thu-Sat: Animal Farm at Theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles Square, Stratford E15 1BN (Stratford tube/rail/DLR/overground)
LAST CHANCE: In times such as these, many of our storytellers seem awfully prescient. Watch a stirring dramatisation of George Orwell’s beastly tale of prejudice, power and resistance. Directed by Amy Leach with designer Hayley Grindle and stage adaptation by Tatty Hennessy. Best for ages 11+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & select matinees 2.30pm (Thu & Sat); from £10-£39.50 (until Mar 8)
Thu-Sun: Festival of Colours: House of Holi at Cinnamon Kitchen, 9 Devonshire Square, EC2M 4YL (Liverpool St tube/rail)
It’s another big Holi party at Cinnamon Kitchen where the name of the game is getting dowsed with powdered paint as part of the Hindi spring festival. Wear your protective white suit and join the fun! Drinks and special menu on offer for guests (extra charges apply). Various time slots between 12.30pm-9.45pm; House of Holi + feast £50/House of Holi + cocktail or mocktail adult £25/general admission £15/child 14 and under £10 (Mar 6-16)
Thu-Sun: Helen Oxenbury: Illustrating the Land of Childhood at Burgh House, New End Square, NW3 1LT (Hampstead tube/Hampstead Heath overground)
Part of a spotlight on women artists and illustrators for 2025, Burgh House puts beloved children’s illustrator Helen Oxenbury front and centre for Women’s History Month and beyond. Parents and kids alive will delight at these familiar images that are a subtle celebration of diversity. 10am-4pm (Wed-Fri & Sun + Bank Hols); FREE entry (Mar 6-Dec 14)
Fri: Baby Knees Up at Big Penny Social, Priestley Way, E17 6AL (Blackhorse Rd overground)
O’ight Guvnor! Tom Carradine is hosting a proper East End knees up, playing Cockney tunes to get you and your chickies doing the ‘Lambeth Walk’, marching blow-up bananas ‘Down the Strand’, having fun with bubbles, puppets and more. Ages 0-100. 11am; adult £13.50/child FREE (Mar 7)
(photo credit Alice Boagey)
Sat: Angela Davis at WOW at Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP (South Kensington tube)
The woman with the famous Afro and the incredible activist legacy is one of the main features of WOW at 15. Marking 15 years of the festival for women and girls’ empowerment, WOW sees Angela Davis in conversation with WOW founder Jude Kelly. Also enjoy live music, talks and special guests. Best for ages 14+ (parental discretion advised). Doors 6.15pm, event 7pm; from £20 (Mar 8)
Sat: Super Science at Tower Bridge, Tower Bridge Road, SE1 2UP (Tower Hill/London Bridge tube/rail, Tower Gateway DLR)
Bring the kids for British Science Week at Tower Bridge, a hands-on day of activities and demonstrations. Explore the Engine Rooms, see how water was used to make the bridge move, and try generating your own electric power using hand crank generators. All ages, best for ages 6-10. 10am-4pm, drop-in; FREE with entrance ticket: adult from £8/child from £4/family from £14.50/under 5s FREE (Mar 8)
Sat: My Neighbour Totoro in the West End at Gillian Lynne Theatre, 166 Drury Lane, Holborn, WC2B 5PW (Covent Garden/Holborn tube)
The smash hit RSC adaptation of Hayao Miyazaki’s much loved animated classic arrives in London’s West End. A feast for all ages and all senses, it features original score from composer Joe Hisaishi with live orchestra and puppets by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. For ages 6+ (under 4s not admitted). 7pm (Mon-Sat) & 2pm (Thu & Sat); from £25 (opens Mar 8)
Sat: Retrograde at Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7EZ (Piccadilly Circus tube)
We absolutely loved For Black Boys by creator Ryan Calais Cameron and I’ve heard nothing but great things about his next play Retrograde. Opening at Apollo Theatre after a sold out run at Kiln Theatre, this thrilling drama meets a young Sidney Poitier on the cusp of stardom. But will he sign a contract that could make him famous but shatter his integrity? Amit Sharma directs Ivanno Jeremiah in the lead role. Best for ages 14+. 7.30pm (Thu-Sat) & 2.30pm (Sat); £25-£90 (Mar 8-Jun 14)
Sun: Move It Dance at ExCel London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, E16 1XL (Custom House DLR)
The world’s biggest dance festival celebrates 20 years with another high-kicking, partner-flinging series of live shows, dancing contests, and pop-up classes. Do you like to move it, move it? Better get moving then, Fri & Sat are already sold out! All ages welcome. 10am-5pm (Sun); adult day from £35/child 14 and under from £30/under 5s FREE (Mar 7-9)
Sun: Fly-Kid Rave at Pop Brixton, 49 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8PQ (Brixton tube)
Every second Sunday of the month, the Fly-Kid squad descends on Pop Brixton for another family friendly rave. BBC1xtra’s Emily Rawson (Supa Dupa Fly) and her mates spin hip hop, R&B, pop and soul tunes to get parents and kids on the dance floor. Come for street dance lessons, dance battles, games, confetti, face painting (optional), props and of course a whole bunch of dancing. 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 (Mar 9)
Sun: Creation: The Bubble Show at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Be immersed in a world of light, puppets, animals, stars, water and the essence of life itself. This stunning show features breathtaking bubble effects complete with fire, light and musical displays to enchanted all ages. Ages 3-12 and families. 2pm; from £14 (Mar 9)
**Next Week’s Spotlight**
Mon-Tues: Pride and Prejudice at Wilton’s Music Hall at Wilton’s Music Hall, Graces Alley, E1 8JB (Tower Hill/Aldgate East tube, Shadwell overground, Fenchurch St rail)
Celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday this year with a fun take on her classic novel, featuring 3 actors performing 17 characters. The Bennett family are doing their best to secure the most eligible bachelors in Meryton. But has Lizzie Bennett met her match in Mr Darcy? Best for ages 8+. 7pm; £10-£27 (Mar 10-11)
We also like
pick up some affordable art and browse major talent at The Other Art Fair at Truman Brewery (Thu-Sun); you might also enjoy Art After Dark (Thu-Sat); catch up with children’s authors KN Chimbiri and Juliet Coley at Woolwich Works (Sat); make an Egyptian mummy mask at UCL’s Petrie Museum (Sat); there’s a special Holi astronomy show for ages 7+ at Royal Observatory Greenwich (Sat); T21 Alchemy at Rich Mix is a one-woman piece about parenting a child with Down Syndrome (Sat); and there’s still time to see Rajiv’s Starry Feelings at Discover (ends Sun Mar 16)
Booking Ahead
- The Little Prince at London Coliseum, Covent Garden (Mar 12-16)
- AstroNights Sleepovers at Science Museum (Mar 14, May 16, Jun 20 & Jul 11)
- London Festival of Railway Modelling at Alexandra Palace, N22 (Mar 15-16)
- Big Fish Little Fish Peckham Rave at Peckham Levels (Mar 16)
- Magic of India: Holi Colour Dance Festival at Waterlow Park, Highgate (Mar 16)
- Ideal Home Show at Olympia London (Mar 21-Apr 6)
- Beegu at Unicorn Theatre, SE1 (Mar 22-May 4)
- Deptford Literature Festival at The Library at Deptford Lounge, SE8 (Mar 27-30)
- Big Fish Little Fish Flower Power Mother’s Day Rave at Hackney Wick (Mar 29)
- Little Night (for ages 18 months-4 years) at Unicorn Theatre, SE1 (Mar 29-Apr 19)
- Pirates at National Maritime Museum, Greenwich (Mar 29-Jan 4)
- Big Fish Little Fish Flower Power Mother’s Day Rave at Vauxhall (Mar 30)
- Make and Race Your Own Toy Car at Alexandra Palace, N22 (Apr 9-May 26)
- The Boat Race, banks of the River Thames (Apr 13)
- Open Air Theatre Season at Regent’s Park, NW1 (May 10-Sep 20)
- The Boy With Wings at Polka Theatre, SW19 (Jun 21-Aug 16)
**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!**
The Benefits Of Reading Stories To Kids
