London Kids Weekend Scoop (November 13-16, 2025)

Christmas lights are sparkling and there are light trails and winter wonderlands popping up across the capital. My London weekend picks for families include chalets and fairground fun in Hyde Park, the Harry Potter studios all done up for Christmas, an African film festival, a Movember-themed family rave, and a steam train with LED lighting. Don’t miss out!

Weekend Pick: Meet Me at Folkestone Book Festival!

Rethinking Masculinity: Sam Parker & Uju Asika at Folkestone Book Festival, Quarterhouse Mill Bay, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 1BN (Folkestone rail)
In this powerful, eye-opening event, journalist and author Sam Parker (Good Anger: How Rethinking Rage Can Change Our Lives) and writer and speaker Uju Asika (Bringing Up Race, Raising Boys Who Do Better) invite us to rethink everything we’ve been taught about rage and masculinity. The session will be chaired by Helen Coffey (senior features writer at The Independent newspaper) and it’s sure to be a lively discussion. Folkestone Book Festival is an annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Our session is on Sunday at 2pm and there’s lots on the festival lineup (Nov 13-23) + some tickets available from just £5! Get tickets and info HERE (Nov 16)

Top 12 London Weekend Picks for Families

Thu-Sun: Ever After Garden, Duke of York Square, Chelsea, SW3 4LY (Sloane Square tube)
Lighting up for another year, the Ever After Garden is a specially commissioned space for people to remember beloved friends and family who have passed on. Created in 2019 by designer Anya Hindmarch CBE and fashion writer Camilla Morton after the death of their friend, the late production designer Michael Howells, the garden features 25,000+ illuminated white roses. You can dedicate your own rose which will be reused every year (suggested minimum donation £10) with funds going in support of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. 3-9pm daily; FREE (until Dec 19)(Nov 13-Dec 16)

Thu-Sun: Hogwarts in the Snow at WB Studio Tour, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
Head to the home of Hogwarts and other scenes from the Harry Potter movies to see the Forbidden Forest, the Great Hall and the Hogwarts castle model decorated for the season. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the films’ sets, props and special effects. All ages welcome. Open daily: first bus 9.20am, first tour 9.30am/last tour begins 4pm, last bus/studio closes 8pm; adult from £56/child from £45/family £180/under 4s or carers FREE but require tickets. Pre-booking essential.(Nov 15-Jan 18)

Thu-Sun: Anansi the Spider at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley Street, Southwark, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube)
LAST CHANCE to see Unicorn Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Anansi the Spider. It’s a lively show of West African and Caribbean folklore, spun again for a modern audience. Ages 4-8. 11am & 2pm (Thu & Sun), 11am (Fri), 10.30am & 2pm (Sat); adult £18.50-£26.50/child £16.50-£20.50 (until Nov 16)

Fri-Sun: Christmas at Kew, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE (Kew Gardens tube/Kew Bridge rail, overground)
The wildly popular illuminations event takes over Kew Gardens for another year. It’s a botanical world of music and lights with a dazzling finale along with food stalls and a visit from Father Christmas! All ages. 4.20pm-10pm (last entry times 7.20pm or 8pm depending on entrance gate); adult from £27.50 off peak/£34 peak; family tickets available (Nov 14-Jan 4)

Fri-Sun: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, W2 (Hyde Park Corner tube)
Central London’s largest festive attraction returns for another season. The wonderland offers 200 chalets with stalls and fairground attractions, Magical Ice Kingdom, Giant Wheel, Father Christmas grotto + live shows e.g. Cirque Beserk and Zippos Christmas Circus. All ages welcome. NB: ALL ENTRY TICKETS MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE. 10am-10pm daily; pre-booking essential for general park entry from £0 (off peak), £5 (standard) or £7.50 (peak)/under 2s FREE; special attractions/Grotto and live shows priced separately — see price list HERE. Ride tokens cost £1 and rides start at £2 for kids rides, £3 for adults (Nov 14-Jan 1) 

Fri-Sun: Film Africa at multiple London locations
The Royal Africa Society presents another electric showcase of feature films, shorts, documentaries, emerging filmmakers and experimental storytelling. Go online for the full programme of screenings, panels, workshops and events. Poignantly, this year’s roster spotlights the Democratic Republic of Congo and honours the late giant Souleymane Cissé. There’s also a BAFTA masterclass with Nigerian director Kunle Afolayan, and a landmark conversation between artist-filmmaker Sir John Akomfrah and pioneering American filmmaker Billy Woodberry. Family films include The Fisherman, Samia and Nawi — PG for some content, check age guidance ahead of booking. Various times, dates and prices (Nov 14-23)

Sat: WOW Presents An Evening with Jordan Stephens and Friends at Shoreditch Town Hall, 380 Old Street, EC1V 9LT (Old St tube)
If you can’t make it to Folkestone, don’t miss this essential conversation around boys, men and masculinity today. Bestselling author and recording artist Jordan Stephens (Rizzle Kicks) is joined by inequality economist Gary Stevenson, actor/comedian Asim Chaudhry,  actor and activist Jameela Jamil, performer Big Zuu and more. You’ll also hear from Beyond Equality’s Ben Hurst, Equimundo founder and CEO Gary Barker and WOW: Women of the World founder and director Jude Kelly. Listen up also for performances by poet Sam Browne and Maureen Onwunalimo and London-based Palestinian composer and oud player Saied Silbak. The evening is open to all genders and recommended for ages 14+. 7.30pm; £16/£12 concs + £2 booking fee (Nov 15)

Sat: Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave at The Bedford Pub, 77 Bedford Hill, SW12 9HD (Balham tube) 
Don your hats and moustaches for ‘Movember’ at this family friendly rave. BFLF resident DJs Baker & Beale will be keeping the dance floor happy with festival and club favourites. As always, ravers can also enjoy the baby chill out , arts and crafts, face painting (separate charge), buggy parking, baby changing, confetti cannons, bubbles, foam, giant balloons, and parachute dance finale. 2pm-4pm; adult £15.02/child £11.86/pre-walkers FREE(Nov 15)

Sat-Sun: Epping-Ongar Light Express, Ongar Station, Station Approach, Ongar, Essex, CM5 9BN (Ongar rail)
Ride to and from Ongar on the magical steam train all done up with thousands of coloured LED lights and LED wristbands. There’s a party atmosphere on board with a DJ mix, LED wristbands for passengers, and the legendary Voiceover Man (Britain’s Got Talent, The X Factor) hosting the journey. All ages. 4.45pm, 6.15pm & 7.45pm (Fri-Sat) – also 6.30pm & 8pm on select dates; adult £25/child £20 (Nov 15-Jan 4)

Sun: Sisters of Soul: Celebrating Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald at Kings Place (Hall 2), 90 York Way, N1 9AG (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Come for a warm and inclusive session with Michael Mwenso where families can learn and listen through stories and music, with inspiration from Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. brilliant tenor saxophonist and Musical Director Ruben Fox with a dynamic band of today’s rising stars playing music by the legendary three songstresses. Perfect for families with children aged 5+. 3pm (doors 2.30pm); adult £15/child £8 (Nov 16)

Sun: Chiswick Cheese Market at The Old Market Place, Chiswick High Road (opposite M&S), W4 2DR (Turnham Green tube/Chiswick Park rail/Gunnersbury overground)
You know you want to. The UK’s only market dedicated entirely to cheese is open this weekend (and every third Sunday). Start planning those Christmas spreads, pick up an early gift for your cheesiest friends, or just treat yourself. All ages welcome. 9.30am-3pm; FREE entry (Nov 16 & every 3rd Sunday)

Sun: Nick Cope: I’ve Lost My Bobble Hat at Arts Depot, 5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley N12 0GA (Finchley Central tube)
Writer and recording artist Nick Cope has been delighting kids and families for 10+ years with his fun and unique songs. With his fanbase exploding thanks to the CBeebies show Nick Pope’s Podcast, now is your time to catch him live. Bring your whole family along to enjoy his catchy tunes performed with guitar and stunning animations. Best for ages 3+. 11am & 2pm; from £15 (Nov 16)

We also like
Glide ice rink at Battersea Park Station is ready for skating (Thu-Sun); the EFG London Jazz Festival kicks off with events around town (Fri-Sun); history comes to life in The Last Days of Pompeii at Immerse LDN, Excel London Waterfront (Nov 14-Mar 15) one for the mamas: Dirty Dancing Bottomless Brunch at Between the Bridges (Sat, ages 18+ only); see joyful animation The Songbird’s Secret at Institut Francais in South Kensington (Sun); or race to the Barbican Cinema for a screening of Kenji Iwaisawa’s thrilling sports anime 100 Meters (Sun)

Booking Ahead

• Neverland at Kenwood, Kenwood House, Hampstead NW3 (Nov 21-Jan 3)
• Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink at Hampton Court, East Molesey KT8 (Nov 21-Jan 4)
• Family Film Club: The Iron Giant (Nov 22)
• The Snowman at Peacock Theatre (Sadler’s Wells) in Holborn (Nov 22-Jan 4)
• Family Barn Dance at Cecil Sharp House, NW1 (Nov 23)
• Big Fish Little Fish Family Raves in Wood Green (Nov 23) & New Cross (Dec 31)
• 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)
• AstroNights Sleepovers at Science Museum (Dec 6) 
• Fireside Tales Punchdrunk Enrichment in Brent, HA9 (Dec 6-Jan 4)
• Winter Funland at The Grand Hall, Olympia (Dec 12-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!**