Bonfire Night is barely over and we’re already in the countdown to Christmas. Ice rinks are starting to open and eager kids can already meet with Santa in a new immersive experience. I’ve got all this and more (including where to see fireworks this weekend) in my guide to top 10 family things to do in London this weekend. Enjoy!
Top 10 Family Things To Do in London This Weekend
Thu: Queen of the Night: A Tribute to Whitney Houston at Rose Theatre, Kingston, 24-26 High Street, Kingston KT1 1HL (Kingston/Surbiton rail)
Are you a Whitney fan? Don’t miss this West End smash hit now playing for one night only at Rose Theatre, part of its 10th anniversary tour. Relive the joy of classic hits like I Will Always Love You, I Wanna Dance with Somebody and I’m Every Woman with roof-raising vocals and a live band. Best for ages 14+. 7.30pm; £25-£35 (Nov 6)
Thu-Sat: The Hunger Games: On Stage at Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre, Canary Wharf E14 5GX (Canary Wharf tube/DLR & Elizabeth Line)
Fans of Suzanne Collins’ globally acclaimed books and the blockbuster movie trilogy can whoop for joy as The Hunger Games hits the London stage. Featuring a strong cast (including John Malkovich on video projections) with lavish set and stunts, this thrilling fantasy tale will bring Katniss Everdeen’s world to life like never before. Best for ages 12+, parental discretion, under 3s not admitted, under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. 7.30pm (Tue-Sat) & 2.30pm (Fri-Sun); from £30/standard tickets £60/premium £125 (booking until Oct 2026)
Thu-Sun: The Tower Remembers at Tower of London, EC3N 4AB (Tower Hill tube)
See the installation of nearly 30,000 poppies that honours the sacrifices of WW2 soldiers. The original 2014 display ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ is back, this time designed to create a ‘wound’ at the heart of the tower to symbolise its bombing in the Blitz. Expect queues. 9am-5.30pm daily (last time slot 3.30pm); included in regular ticket – adult from £35.80/child from £17.90/under 4s FREE (until Nov 11)
Thu-Sun: Slava’s Snow Show at Richmond Theatre, The Green, TW9 1QJ (Richmond tube/overground)
Audiences around the world have raved about this clowning masterpiece and we absolutely loved it. Now you can catch it on stage in your only chance to see it in London for the 2025 season. Clever, funny, and transcendent in parts. Ages 8+ (under 3s not admitted). 7.30pm (Wed-Sat), 2.30pm (Thu-Sat), 2pm & 6pm (Sun); from £15 (Nov 5-9)
Thu-Sun: Ice Rink at Canary Wharf, Canary Wharf Tower, E14 5EW (Canary Wharf tube/DLR & Elizabeth Line)
One of London’s most popular skating rinks is open! Join your family and friends on the ring for ice skating beneath a canopy of fairy lights. Enjoy refreshments at the rink-side bar or nearby shops and restaurants. Ages 4+. Skate sessions from around 10am daily-late (timings vary, skate sessions 45 mins, closed Christmas day); adult, teen or child from £13.95/family from £53.95 (until Feb 23)
Fri-Sun: Club Curling at Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross N1C 4DQ (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
The sport described as ‘bowling’s cooler cousin’ is back at King’s Cross. Club Curling invites curlers young and old to come and have a game with up to 6 family or friends. All ages welcome. 12pm-9pm daily (last slot 8pm); £9 per person/under 12s FREE (when accompanied by an adult) (Nov 7-Mar 1)
Sat: Lady Mayor’s Show, from Mansion House to the Royal Courts via St Paul’s (nearest tubes Bank/St. Paul’s to arrive, Blackfriars or Mansion House to leave, check TFL for best routes)
You might not be a fan of crowds but perhaps this is worth stepping out to see the first ever woman titled ‘Lady Mayor of London’ and only the 3rd woman to hold the post in 800 years! Dame Susan Langley DBE will be the 697th Lord (Lady) Mayor and you can celebrate with the colourful three-mile procession of floats and pageantry. You can also enjoy free entry to St Paul’s Cathedral’s crypt and cathedral floor on the day. All ages. 11am-2.30pm; FREE (Nov 8)
Sat: Bonfire Night Fireworks, Wembley + various London locations
The 5th of November has passed but you can still enjoy stunning fireworks displays at venues across London. Take the kids out to see Beckenham fireworks at Croydon Rd Recreation Ground, BR3 3PR (Nov 8); Wembley and Harrow Fireworks event in Byron Park, HA3 7QX (Nov 8); The Walker Ground fireworks display in Southgate, N14 7JZ (Nov 8); Wimbledon Park hosts Fireworks in the Park (Nov 8); and there’s a bonfire and fireworks in Barnes Sports Club (Nov 8)
Sat: Ballroom Boogie x Toasty Tots XL, The Clore Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Born N Bread presents Toasty Tots XL, a dance party co-founded by the three mums behind Toasty Tots!- a toddler friendly hangout for parents, carers and their little ones. Toasty Tots XL is the big kid edition for 5–11 year-olds (and their grown-ups) to come and unwind, dance and vibe. 2.45pm; FREE (Nov 8)
Sat-Sun: Wundrful World of Christmas at Wundr, Units 219–221, Borough Yards, Clink Street, SE1 (London Bridge tube/rail)
Meet an elf pilot in the Wundr Lift and start your magical journey through this immersive Christmas world, led by animated and real-life characters. You’ll wander through an enchanted forest, see elves in Santa’s workshop, sample delicious goodies, and cosy up for a Christmas story. Don’t leave without a photo op with Father Christmas! This mixed reality walk through experience is open to all ages but perfect for ages 3-8. Off peak 9.40am-2pm (Mon-Fri); peak 9.40am-6pm (Sat) & 9.40am-4pm (Sun); adult off peak £22.50, peak £27.50/child off peak £17.50, peak £22.50/family (max 2 adults) off peak £17.50 each, peak £22.50 each/under 2s FREE – might require proof of age (Nov 8-Dec 24)
We also like
The Friday multi-sensory tots classes are back at Frameless galleries (Fri); bring the whole family along for a 50th Birthday Party at London’s Museum of Water & Steam (Sat); see an adaptation of The Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson at The Albany in Deptford (Sat-Sun); roar along with The Three Bears at Arts Depot in North Finchley (Sun); or drop in with kids ages 3+ for Sunday Sessions Family Charcoal Drawing at the Garden Museum (Sun)
Booking Ahead
- The Ever After Garden, Duke of York Square, SW3 (Nov 13-Dec 16)
- Christmas at Kew at Kew Gardens, Richmond TW9 (Nov 14-Jan 4)
- WOW Presents An Evening with Jordan Stephens and Friends at Shoreditch Town Hall (Nov 15)
- Family Film Club: My Neighbour Totoro at Barbican Centre, EC2 (Nov 15)
- AstroNights Sleepovers at Science Museum (Nov 15 & Dec 6)
- Big Fish Little Fish Family Raves in Balham (Nov 15), Wood Green (Nov 23) & New Cross (Dec 31)
- Epping-Ongar Light Express, Ongar station (Nov 15-Jan 4)
- Hogwarts in the Snow at WB Studio Tour, Watford, WD25 (Nov 15-Jan 18)
- Sisters of Soul: Celebrating Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald at Kings Place (Nov 16)
- Chiswick Cheese Market (Nov 16 & every 3rd Sunday)
- Neverland at Kenwood, Kenwood House, Hampstead NW3 (Nov 21-Jan 3)
- Family Film Club: The Iron Giant (Nov 22)
- Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House, NW1 (Nov 23)
- The Angels Are Coming! at Southwark Cathedral, SE1 (Nov 24-26)
- Chelsea Winter Village & Illuminations, SW3 (Nov 26-Dec 28)
- Zootropolis 2 (out Nov 28)
- Family Film Club: Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse (Nov 29)
- Young V&A Winter Market, Bethnal Green E2 (Nov 29-30)
- Winter Light Trail at Vauxhall City Farm, SE11 (Nov 29-Dec 21)
- Fireside Tales Punchdrunk Enrichment in Brent, HA9 (Dec 6-Jan 4)
- Fly-Kid Family Raves at Pop Brixton (Dec 31)
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**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!**
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