The weather’s calmed down but the summer’s heating up. I’ve found 13 fun things to do for London families this weekend. Whether you’re into STEM activities, nature or arts and culture, there’s something for all interests. Try a science festival, open-air cinema and Wimbledon screenings, children’s ballet, Shakespeare’s merry wives, a big Pride parade, the Cally Festival, TWO family raves, Joe Wicks at Kew Gardens, and a garden festival at Hampton Court Palace. Dig in.
13 Fun Things To Do for London Families this Weekend
Thu-Sun: RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, East Molesley KT8 9AU (Hampton Court rail)
Spend a bloomin’ gorgeous weekend at the historic home of Henry VIII at this much loved festival. Listen to experts, watch demos, learn some gardening tricks and explore the floral finery. Family activities include a Wombles-themed trail, Kingston Forest School, CBBC’s the Skinny Jean Gardener and the Mini Gardeners Club. Little ones can run free in The Magic Garden too. 10am-6.30pm (Thu-Sat) & 10am-5.30pm (Sun); adult from £33.85 (discounts for RHS members and later entries)/student £10.85/child under 16 FREE but kids aged 5+ require a ticket. Booking ahead essential. (Jul 1-6)
Thu-Sun: Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace SW1Y 5AG (Piccadilly Circus tube, Charing Cross tube/rail)
Walk in the footsteps of elephants, come face to face with spiders and investigate quantum technologies at this STEM showcase for budding scientists and their assistants. You’ll meet leading researchers and learn about the latest advancements in science and tech, plus take part in workshops, explore the kids’ zone and more. Buggy parking and child-friendly menu available. 10am-4pm (Thu), 10am-6pm (Fri-Sat), 10.30am-6pm (Sun, 9.30am-10.30am quiet hours – book ahead); FREE (Jul 1-6)
Thu-Sun: Everyman on the Canal at Granary Square, King’s Cross, N1C 4BH (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
We love the vibes at this open-air summertime screening series hosted by Everyman Cinema. It’s back at King’s Cross with the setup designed by ultra talented Yinka Ilori. Sit by the canal and watch blockbuster hits and classic films (e.g. Coco, Black Panther, The Wild Robot, Wicked, Singing in the Rain, The Lion King and more) along with the Wimbledon tennis tournament (Jun 30-Jul 13). Food and drink on offer too. All ages welcome (check films for age guidance). 12pm, 2.30pm, 5pm & 7.30pm; FREE but bookings/early arrivals advised (Jun 30-Aug 17)
Thu-Sun: Watch Wimbledon on a Big Screen in London (multiple locations)
Wimbledon is back. Grab a picnic blanket (or a deck chair, if available) and watch the tennis via a public screen:
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: The Merry Wives of Windsor at Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, SE1 9DT (Blackfriars tube)
Delight in Shakespeare’s tale of mischief, madness and metamorphoses in this exciting production, directed by Globe Associate Artistic Director Sean Holmes. Sir John Falstaff is plotting to restore his fortunes with the “help” of two wealthy housewives but the tables are soon turned when the wives decide to have the last laugh. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat) & 6.30pm (Sun), various matinees at 2pm (Wed-Fri) & 1pm (Sun); seated tickets £25-£80, standing £5-£10 (Jul 4-Sep 20)
Fri-Sun: London Children’s Ballet presents Ella’s Big Chance: a Jazz Age Cinderella at Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, Holborn, WC2A 2HT (Holborn tube)
Catch an exciting new production of Cinderella adapted from an original story by author illustrator Shirley Hughes, with vibrant score, set and costume design. It’s a Jazz Age take on the classic children’s tale, performed to a live orchestra by a talented company of 50 dancers aged 9 to 16. Ages 3+, younger ones not admitted. 6pm (Fri), 1.30pm & 5.30pm (Sat) & 12.30pm & 4.30pm (Sun); from £18 (Jul 4-6)
Fri-Sun: Walthamstow on Sea at Big Penny Social, 1 Priestley Way, E17 6AL (Blackhorse Rd overground)
The beach is back! Kick off your shoes and sink your toes in the sand at this pop-up British seaside resort. There are deck chairs, fish and chips, penny sweets, draft beer, soft serve ice cream and postcards to send to loved ones. Beach huts available to hire (extra charge). Two hour slots at 12.15pm, 1.15pm, 2.30pm & 3.30pm; £4 entry for everyone ages 6 months+ (Jul 4-Sep 7)
Sat: Big Fish Little Fish Midsummer Daydream Family Rave at Horniman Museum Gardens 100 London Rd, SE23 3PQ (Forest Hill overground)
Head to the Horniman Museum Gardens for a party in the (hopeful) sunshine with the award-winning, Glastonbury-playing Big Fish Little Fish. DJs Mark XTC, HiFi Sean and Bill Brewster are on the lineup along with Wheadon’s Wacky craft tables and all the usual BFLF fun. From raving in the garden to face painting, food stalls, licensed bar, balloons, glitter and the parachute dance finale, it’s going to be a Midsummer Daydream to remember. Come in your floatiest outfit – butterfly wings optional! Best for ages 0-8 but all ages welcome. 2pm-6pm; adult £20/child £15/pre-walkers FREE (Jul 5)
Sat: Pride in London, from Hyde Park Corner to Whitehall Place, WC2 (Hyde Park Corner tube, Charing Cross tube/rail)
Strut your stuff or come out and support the LGBTQ+ community at this annual festival of love, life and liberation. The UK’s biggest and most diverse Pride parade kicks off at Hyde Park Corner, then on towards Whitehall Place. There are also multiple stages with music, talks and stalls at Trafalgar Square, Soho Square, Leicester Square, Dean St and Golden Square. Don’t miss the youth and family area in Victoria Embankment Gardens with face painting, stilt walker, magician and LEGO. 12pm-6pm; FREE (Jul 5)
Sun: Joe Wicks Festival at Kew Gardens at Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE (Kew Gardens tube/Kew Bridge rail, overground)
Get up and move with popular lockdown fitness guru at this family friendly festival. Joe Wicks inspired millions with his virtual workouts and now you can experience him live, along with other workshops, talks, book signings, wellbeing activities and food. The kids’ zone is run by none other than Sharky & George! 9.30am-6pm; adult £42 (member £36); child 3-16 £15 (child member £12.75); under 3s FREE (Jul 6)
Sun: The Cally Festival, along Caledonian Rd, N1 (King’s Cross St Pancras/Caledonian Rd tube, Caledonian Rd & Barnsbury overground)
This popular local festival turns Caledonian Road into a giant street party with stalls, kids and adults craft zones, Bus Stop Dance Floor with movement workshops, urban gym and boxing, kids activities and storytelling, live music stage and some yummy street food. All ages. 12-6pm, FREE (Jul 6)
Sun: Big Fish Little Fish Outdoor Summer Family Rave at Museum of the Home, 136 Kingsland Road, E2 8EA (Hoxton overground)
Our favourite family ravers make their way to Museum of the Home on Sunday for another outdoor session in the beautiful gardens. DJ Toshiki Ohta spins the club classics to keep the whole family dancing with balloons, crafts, foam, bubbles and parachute dance finale adding to the fun. Best for ages 0-8 but all ages welcome. 2pm-4pm; adult £12/child £10/pre-walking infant FREE (Jul 6)
Sun: LEGO x F1 Family Watch Party at Battersea Power Station Park, Circus Road West, SW11 8BJ (Battersea Power Station tube)
Like Formula One? Love LEGO? Well you’re in luck this Sunday. Watch all the action from the F1 British Grand Prix on a big screen in Power Station Park and play with LEGO at the a Make & Take station. Guests of all ages can create their own LEGO wonders and pose for snaps with a life-sized brick-built McLaren Formula 1 car on display. 10am-6pm; FREE (Jul 6)
We also like
BST Hyde Park Open House features 8-days of mostly free activities in tandem with the Hyde Park summer series of concerts (Thu-Sun); join in a Family Dance and Movement session on Friday mornings at Arts Depot (Fri); it’s kick off for the Women’s Euros with the Lionesses playing France on Saturday, find a family friendly pub to watch this weekend (Sat); the Hampstead Big Fair brings circus acts, funfair, street food and live music stage to the Heath (Sun); and tune in to Errol’s Garden, an interactive audio musical for kids and grownups with a passion for plants, now playing on all audio platforms (out now)
Booking Ahead
- Centre 59 theatre workshops for ages 11-14 at Roundhouse Theatre, Chalk Farm (enter by Jul 9)
- I Want My Hat Back trilogy at Polka Theatre, South Wimbledon (Jul 9-Aug 10)
- Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs at Lightroom King’s Cross, N1C (Jul 9-Nov 2)
- Helios at Osterley Park and House, TW7 (Jul 11-14)
- AstroNights Sleepovers at Science Museum (Jul 11, Oct 17, Nov 15 & Dec 6)
- Kaleidoscope Festival at Alexandra Palace (Jul 12)
- Hetty Feather Day at Foundling Museum, WC2 (Jul 12)
- Fly-Kid Family Raves at Pop Brixton (Jul 13, Aug 10, Sep 14, Oct 11, Nov 2, Dec 31)
- Gianni Versace Retrospective at Arches London Bridge (opens Jul 16)
- Sculpture in the City, around London (Jul 16-Spring 2026)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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!**
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