There’s lots on for culture loving kids in London this weekend as we amble towards October. Big exhibition openings, family friendly festivals, theatre shows and a big curry extravaganza on Brick Lane. It’s nippy out although as I type I can hear the strains of an ice cream van driving to our local park. I guess we’re still clinging onto the last of summer even as autumn welcomes us with leafy arms. Take it easy, wherever you go. Happy weekend.
What’s On for Culture Loving Kids in London this Weekend
Thu-Sat: The Producers at Garrick Theatre, Charing Cross Rd, WC2H 0HH (Leicester Square tube, Charing Cross tube/rail)
This revival of the classic Mel Brooks musical comedy played to sold-out crowds at Menier Chocolate Factory. Follow characters Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom as they produce a hit show against all odds. Ages 10+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (Thu & Sat); from £25 (Sep 15-Feb 21)
Thu-Sun: Marie Antoinette Style at V&A Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL (South Kensington tube)
Maybe best known for the phrase ‘let them eat cake’ (turns out she didn’t actually say this), Marie Antoinette was a controversial style icon who met a grisly end during the French Revolution. Explore her influence across fashion, design, film and art at this blockbuster show. All ages. NB: Tickets selling out fast, advanced booking recommended. 10am-4pm (8.15pm Fri); adult £20-£23/child 12-17 £13-£15/under 12s FREE (from Sep 20)
Thu-Sun: Theatre Picasso at Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG (Blackfriars rail, London Bridge tube/rail)
Contemporary artists bring Picasso’s work vividly to life in this exhibition event, marking the centenary of his painting The Three Dancers. Artist Wu Tsang and author/curator Enrique Fuenteblanca transform the exhibition space into a theatre to display 45+ works by Picasso including textile, paintings, sculpture and works on paper. All ages. Advanced booking recommended. 10am-5.30pm daily (8.30pm Fri); from £15/child 12-18 £5/under 12s and members FREE (Sep 17-Apr 12)
Thu-Sun: Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs at Lightroom King’s Cross, 12 Lewis Cubitt Square, N1C 4DY (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Extended to January! This extraordinary, immersive, multi-sensory film experience brings dinosaurs into the present day through gorgeous narration by Damian Lewis and thrilling footage. See video projections of CGI dinosaurs on giant 360 screens, showing scenes from Apple TV+’s Emmy Award-nominated series Prehistoric Planet. Great for dino fans of 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 (until Jan 25)
Thu-Sun: Emma at Rose Theatre Kingston, 24-26 High Street, Kingston KT1 1HL (Kingston/Surbiton rail)
Jane Austen’s 250th birthday rolls on with this modern adaptation of one of her best-loved rom-coms. Meddlesome but well-intentioned Oxford grad Emma comes home for the summer and wants to help her nearest and dearest. But can she fix other people’s lives without figuring out her own? Ages 12+. Various times from 7.30pm (Mon-Sat), select matinees 2.30pm; from £16.50 (Sep 17-Oct 11)
Fri-Sun: Wow! Said the Owl at Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage, W1 2DN (Highbury & Islington tube/overground, Angel tube)
Discover daylight with a curious owlet experiencing the sunshine hours for the first time, from the dawn glow to a sparkling rainbow. This charming puppet show is based on Tim Hopgood’s popular picture book. Ages 2 to 5. 10.30am, 1pm & 4.45pm (Fri), 10am, 11.45am & 2.30pm (Sun), 10am, 11.45am & 2.15pm (Wed; adult £13/child £11/All Wed 2.15pm tickets £8.50/all Fri 4.45pm tickets £10 (Sep 17-Nov 8)
Fri-Sun: Brick Lane Curry Festival, Brick Lane, E1 (Shoreditch High St overground)
Don’t call it a comeback — although it’s been 10 years since this tasty festival last took over Brick Lane. Come for curry tastings, cooking demos, street food stalls, along with magicians, floats, dancers, stilt walkers, DJs, Bangla-style and Henna painting workshops. All ages. 12pm-9pm; FREE (Sep 19-21)
Sat-Sun: The Sound of Music (4K Restoration) at Barbican Cinema, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS (Barbican tube)
The hills are alive with the sounds of my childhood. It’s hard to imagine the grip this 5-time Oscar winning musical had on many of us growing up in Nigeria. Now you can enjoy the tale of governess Maria (Julie Andrews) and her love affair with Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) and his 7 kids in glorious 4K. All ages (rated PG). 2pm (Sat), 4pm (Sun) & 8pm (Tue); £13 (Sep 20-23)
Sat-Sun: Material World at Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE (Kew Gardens tube/Kew Bridge rail, overground)
Nnenna Okore’s captivating art from organic matter is just one of the attractions at this festival of fashion, art and horticulture and how they interconnect. Stick around for After Hours evenings on select dates. All ages. 10am-5pm (Sep 20-Oct 25), 10am-3pm (Oct 26-Nov 2); included with Kew admission: adult £22-£24.50 (£11-£12.50 after 4pm)/child £5-£6/youth 16-29 £10-£11/family from £29-£48/under 4s FREE (Sep 20-Nov 2)
Sat-Sun: Kerry James Marshall: The Histories at Royal Academy, Burlington House, W1J 0BD (Piccadilly Circus tube)
Kerry James Marshall is internationally acclaimed for his large-scale paintings that centre the Black experience. At the largest show of his works outside the US, you can marvel at his works exploring civil rights, history, sci-fi and other themes. All ages (PG for some content). 10am-6pm (Tue-Sun), 10am-9pm (Fri); adult £23.50-£25.50/under 16s FREE (Sep 20-Jan 18)
Sat-Sun: How The Light Gets In Festival at Kenwood House, Hampstead Heath, NW3 7JR (Hampstead tube/overground)
Kenwood House plays host once again to the largest festival of philosophy and live music on the planet. Visit to expand your horizons and meet like-minded folk at a mix of talks by thought leaders and creative specialists, along with workshops and 7 stages of music. Kid-friendly activities range from poetry to pottery. All ages welcome. From 10am; limited day tickets from £138 (Sat) and £88 (Sun)/full festival ticket £198/under 12s FREE but require a ticket (Sep 20-21)
Sun: We’re Gonna Change the World at Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP (South Kensington tube)
When the world feels out of sorts, who’s going to make things right? The kids, that’s who! Theatretrain, the UK’s leading performing arts company for young people, returns to Royal Albert Hall for the 14th time with this invigorating performance. Hear 29 songs (e.g. Uptown Funk and The Climb) performed with a choir and 16-piece orchestra guaranteed to move, provoke and inspire audiences. All ages (under 14s must be accompanied by an adult). Restaurants/bars 4.30pm, doors 4.45pm, event 5.30pm-8pm approx; £24-£46 (Sep 21)
We also like
Don’t miss the Open House London festival which wraps this weekend (ends Sun); it’s also your LAST CHANCE to catch participatory, family-friendly exhibition Popcorn at Whitechapel Gallery (ends Sun); Falstaff is causing havoc in The Merry Wives of Windsor at Shakespeare’s Globe (Thu-Sun); London Design Festival hosts a day of design at Young V&A (Sat); catch a screening of Transformers One (PG) at Discover Children’s Story Centre in Stratford (Sat); line up to watch London’s river marathon, The Great River Race, taking place as part of Totally Thames festival (Sat); gawp at classic cars in Bloomsbury Square (Sun); or sing and dance along with David Gibbs’ Family Jukebox for ages 3+ at Arts Depot, N12 (Sun)
Booking Ahead
- Railway 200 opening, nationwide (Sep 27)
- Family Threads exhibition at Horniman Museum (Sep 27-Nov 30)
- 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)
- Free Family Fun Day at Half Moon Theatre (Oct 4)
- Apple Day at Fulham Palace (Oct 5)
- Fly-Kid Family Rave with MC Grammar at Outernet, WC2 (Oct 11)
- Diwali on the Square, Trafalgar Square (Oct 12)
- Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House, NW1 (Oct 12)
- AstroNights Sleepovers at Science Museum (Oct 17, Nov 15 & Dec 6)
- Bloomsbury Festival, WC2 (Oct 17-19)
- Black Lives in Music 5th Anniversary with DJ Spoony at Kings Place (Oct 18)
- Little M: A Reimagining of The Little Mermaid at The Place, WC1 (Oct 24-25)
- Judith Kerr’s Mog The Forgetful Cat at Southbank Centre (Oct 29-Nov 2)
- Paddington the Musical at Savoy Theatre, WC2 (official previews from Nov 1)
- Fly-Kid Family Raves at Pop Brixton (Nov 2, Dec 31)
- Sisters of Soul: Celebrating Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald at Kings Place (Nov 16)
- Zootropolis 2 (out Nov 28)
- Fireside Tales Punchdrunk Enrichment in Brent, HA9 (Dec 6-Jan 4)
Enjoyed this guide? Subscribe to Babes About Town and get the London Kids Weekend Scoop straight to your inbox weekly!
**NB: Please note that all event timings and prices are subject to change/cancellation at short notice, so always check ahead with the venue before making a trip!**
Creating Safe Spaces at Home
