Jousting, urban festivals, street parties, summer concerts, outdoor screenings, walking with dinosaurs and raving with mamas. It’s all happening in this weekend’s guide to London family fun. The big Summer Holiday Guide will be out next week!
Weekend Guide to London Family Fun: 12 Top Picks
Pick of the Week
Thu-Sun: Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs at Lightroom King’s Cross, 12 Lewis Cubitt Square, N1C 4DY (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Step inside Lightroom’s immersive world of video projections to experience incredibly lifelike CGI dinosaurs on giant 360 screens. I was lucky enough to attend the press viewing and it’s fantastic! You’ll see spectacular scenes from Apple TV+’s Emmy Award-nominated series Prehistoric Planet, following these legendary creatures through dangerous terrains and across multiple timelines. This thrillingly multi-sensory and educational experience is beautifully written and produced, with narration by Damian Lewis and never-seen-before footage. Perfectly pitched for even the youngest dino lovers, it’s awesome for all ages. 10am-4.30pm (50 minute timed shows, you’re welcome to stay longer); adult from £25/child 3-18 from £15/under 3s FREE before 6pm (Jul 9-Nov 2)
Thu-Sun: Kew the Music at Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE (Kew Gardens tube/Kew Bridge rail, overground)
Kew the Music is now on for 2025 with another lively mix of artists and entertainers. See upcoming artists UB40, DJ Spoony presents Garage Classical, Alison Moyet and Gipsy Kings. All ages welcome, under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Doors 5pm; adult from £75/child (1-15yrs) from £45 (Jul 8-13)
Thu-Sun: Inter Alia at Lyttelton Theatre, National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
From the team behind Prima Facie comes a searing new play about juggling parenting, work and the patriarchal system. Jessica Parks is an eminent London Crown Court Judge, a karaoke fiend, a loving wife and a supportive parent. Until one event throws everything off course. Can she hold her family together? Rosamund Pike (Saltburn) stars in this drama exploring modern masculinity and motherhood. Ages 14+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (Wed & Sat); £49-£110 – NB: most performances are SOLD OUT, however keep an eye out for £10 FRIDAY RUSH tickets released every Friday 12.30pm-1pm (Jul 10-Sep 13)
Thu-Sun: Somerset House Summer Series at the Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube)
The weather’s looking fine and the popular summer series of concerts is looking excellent. This year’s lineup features Rizzle Kicks, Freya Ridings, Jacob Banks, Parov Stelar, Joy Oladokun, St Vincent, The Snuts, The Paper Kites, FLO and Giggs & Family. There’s also a chance to see a premiere of BAFTA nominee Akinola Davies Jr’s latest film rituals: union (Jul 14). Doors 7.30pm (& 7pm Fri Jul 18, 5pm Sat Jul 19); from £18.75 (Jul 10-20)
Thu-Sun: Watch Wimbledon on a Big Screen in London (multiple locations)
Wimbledon Finals are this weekend. Head to one of these public screenings:
Wimbledon in Covent Garden Piazza (Jun 30-Jul 13)
Big Screen Tennis at the Piazza in Wimbledon (Jun 30-Jul 13)
Wimbledon at Lyric Square, Hammersmith (Jun 30-Jul 13)
Wimbledon at One New Change, St Paul’s EC4 (Jun 30-Jul 13)
Summer in the Square at Portman Square Gardens, Baker St (Jul 8-13)
Wimbledon at Hawley Wharf, Camden Market (Jul 1-13)
Strawberries & Screen at Duke of York Square, Chelsea (Jul 11-13)
Summer of Sport at Vinegar Yard, SE1 (until Jul 26)
Everyman Presents: Screen on the Canal at Granary Square, King’s Cross (until Aug 17)
Wimbledon in the Yards at Eccleston Yards, Belgravia (Jun 30-Jul 13)
Summer of Sport at Hackney Bridge (Jun 5-Sep 27)
Summer Screens at Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf (until Sep 27)
Summer by the River at The Scoop, London Bridge City (until Aug 31)
Fri-Sun: More Than Human at Design Museum, 224–238 Kensington High Street, W8 6AG (High St Kensington tube)
This major exhibition on a growing movement that focuses on design beyond the needs of humans, explores how we can use human skills and ingenuity to help other species and the planet thrive. See 40 works across design, fine art, product design, architecture and interactive installations on how we can design with and for the natural world in the face of climate emergency. All ages. Entry slots 10am-4.45pm; adult £14.38-£16/child £7.19-£8/concs £10.77-£12/family from £30.56/under 6s FREE (Jul 11-Oct 5)
Fri-Sun: Helios at Osterley Park and House, Jersey Road, Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 4RB (Hounslow rail)
See Luke Jerram’s stellar installation for free at Osterley Park. It’s a staggering 7-metre vision of the Sun (aka Helios) scored by an evocative soundscape. Take a picnic and make a whole day of it. All ages welcome. 10am-9pm; FREE (Jul 11-14)
Sat: Kaleidoscope Festival at Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY (Wood Green tube)
The all-day festival is back at Ally Pally with another banging lineup of family friendly entertainment. Headline acts include: Faithless, Goldie, Eats Everything, Sara Cox, Sleeper, DJ Spoony and more. Around the park you can enjoy street food and drink, fringe stage and family activities e.g. Spare Room arts, African Acrobatics Circus, bubbleology, Circus Sensible. All ages (under 16s must be accompanied by adults). 1pm-10.30pm (last entry 8pm); adult £70.40/child 5-15 £35.20/child under 5 £13.20 (Jul 12)
Sat: Hetty Feather Day: Art Workshop at Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ (Russell Square tube)
The Dame Jacqueline Wilson talk and book signing is SOLD OUT. But if you’re on the waiting list or simply want to celebrate Hetty Feather Day, come and join this creative workshop. Led by artist Tascha von Uexkull, you’ll learn how to make and decorate a colourful tent with circus animals and Hetty Feather characters. Drop in any time 12pm-3pm; free with museum admission: adult £14.50/child FREE (Jul 12)
Sat: Mums That Rave Summer Party at Trailer Happiness, 177 Portobello Road London W11 2DY (Ladbroke Grove/Notting Hill Gate tube)
Boogie down with the Mums That Rave crew at another summer soiree. Global DJ/producer Nikki Beatnik (Glastonbury, Kelis Tour DJ, Beatnik Records, British Fashion Awards) hosts another lively session with panel talks and then proper dancing to hip hop, R&B and old school floor fillers. NB: This one is child free! Ages 18+. 2pm-6pm; £24.54 (Jul 12)
Sat-Sun: Henry VIII’s Joust at Hampton Court Palace, East Molesley KT8 9AU (Hampton Court rail)
Head to Henry VIII’s former residence and watch knights on horseback battling each other (you might even spot King Henry himself jousting). The event includes falconry displays, stalls, and an opportunity to explore the Maze and the Magic Garden. Jousts 11am, 1.30pm & 4pm; falconry 12.30pm & 3pm (Sat-Sun); free with palace admission: adult ages 16+ from £28-£30.90/child 5-15 £14-£15.50/under 5s & members FREE. (Jul 12-13 & 19-20)
Sat-Sun: Whitecross Street Party, Whitecross St and Fortune St, EC1Y 8QJ (Barbican/Old St Tube)
This is a joyous, non-conformist annual event full of live music, food stalls, street art, pop-up performances, crafts and puppetry, dance showcases, film screenings and more. Come along! All ages welcome. 12pm-6pm; FREE (Jul 12-13)
We also like
The Smeds and the Smoos are live on stage at Rose Theatre, Kingston (Thu-Sun); the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are now open to the public for the summer (Thu, until Sep 28); the theme for the Create! Family Studio at V&A this weekend is ‘Float’ (Sat); the annual Neighbours Day at Garden Museum is a free, family friendly fete for Lambeth locals (Sun); and cool off with the kids through a splash fountain like South Bank’s Jeppe Hein Appearing Rooms (all summer long)
Find more refreshing spots in my guide to London in a Heatwave!
Booking Ahead
- Gianni Versace Retrospective at Arches London Bridge (opens Jul 16)
- Sculpture in the City, around London (Jul 16-Spring 2026)
- National Youth Dance Company x Boy Blue: Gravity at Sadler’s Wells, N1 (Jul 19)
- Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta, City of London (standby dates Jul 20 & 27)
- Kids Week: free child tickets for West End shows! (Jul 21-Aug 31)
- The Lost Kingdom: Where Dinosaurs Come to Life, Beddington Park, SM6 (Jul 25-Aug 10)
- The Peter Rabbit Adventure at Hampton Court Palace (Jul 25-Sep 7)
- Kids Do Soho: Mario the Maker Magician at Underbelly Boulevard (Jul 26-27)
- Children’s Puppet Festival at Little Angel Theatre, N1 (Jul 28-Aug 31)
- Hip Hop – Living a Dream at Saatchi Gallery, SW3 (Jul 31-Sep 11)
- Fly-Kid Family Raves at Pop Brixton (Aug 10, Sep 14, Oct 11, Nov 2, Dec 31)
- Radiate Festival: Soca Republic at Clapham Grand (Aug 20)
- The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe at Sadler’s Wells, Angel (Aug 20-Sep 7)
- Public Night Voyage family sleepover on The Golden Hinde, SE1 (Aug 23)
- History of Hip Hop at Riverside Terrace, Southbank Centre SE1 (Aug 25)
- Classic Boat Festival at St Katharine Docks, E1 (Sep 6-7)
- Big Fish Little Fish Ultimate Family Rave at Fabric (Sep 28)
- How Does It Feel To Be Loved Children’s Disco at The Phoenix, W1 (Sep 28)
- AstroNights Sleepovers at Science Museum (Oct 17, Nov 15 & Dec 6)
- Little M: A Reimagining of The Little Mermaid at The Place, WC1 (Oct 24-25)
- Paddington the Musical at Savoy Theatre, WC2 (official previews from Nov 1)
- Punchdrunk Enrichment World Premiere: Fireside Tales, Wembley Park (Dec 6-Jan 4)
**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 Weekend Scoop (July 3-6, 2025)
