Things to Do with Dads in London: Father’s Day Weekend Scoop

The Babes About Town guide to Father’s Day weekend in London is crammed with dad-friendly activities. Scan my popular picks and top listings below for exhibitions, movies, literary events, musical inspiration, dance theatre, World Cup screenings, outdoor fun and foodie delights. Happy Father’s Day to the Babe Papa and to all you beautiful men who help hold it down for your families. We appreciate you!

30+ Cool Things to do with Dads in London on Father’s Day Weekend 

Thu-Sat: Capital Crime Festival at Leonardo Royal St Paul’s, 10 Godliman St, EC4V 5AJ (St Paul’s tube/Blackfriars tube and rail)
The UK’s best crime writers converge at this 3-day literary festival in the heart of London. Meet 100+ authors and specialists including filmmakers of your favourite thriller and murder mystery stories. Perfect for a crime fiction fan on Father’s Day weekend. 9.30am-9pm (Thu & Sat), 9.30am-11pm (Fri); £15-£18 panel tickets/£75-£195 multi-event tickets (Jun 18-20)

Thu-Sun: David Bowie: You’re Not Alone at  Lightroom King’s Cross, 12 Lewis Cubitt Square, N1C 4DY (King’s Cross St Pancras tube/rail)
Enter the multiverse of the maverick musician in this intimate and revealing portrait. Lightroom’s 360 screens project visions of the artist through unseen footage and iconic performances. Ideal for any Bowie-loving dad on Father’s Day weekend in London. Various entry slots between 10am-5.30pm (Wed, Sun-Mon) or 10am-7.30pm (Thu-Sat), closed Tue; from £25-£27.50/family ticket 15% discount (until Oct 10) 

Thu-Sun: The Music Is Black: A British Story at V&A East Museum, 107 Carpenters Rd, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford,  E20 2AR (Stratford tube/rail/overground/DLR)
Audiences and critics are raving about this sweeping exhibition that spans 12 decades, 4 continents and 125 years of Black British music. Learn more about the artists who drove more than 80% of the UK’s music economy between 1994-2023. Explore the new V&A East Museum and dip into the David Bowie archive too. 10am-4.15pm daily (8.15pm Thu & Sat); £22.50 (Mon-Fri), £24.50 (Sat-Sun)/concs available – advance booking recommended (until Jan 3, 2027) 

Thu-Sun: Summer Exhibition at Royal Academy, Burlington House, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, W1J 0BD (Piccadilly Circus tube)
London’s cultural calendar welcomes this glorious annual showcase for established and emerging artists. All ages welcome, PG for some content and themes. 10am-6pm (Tue-Sun) & 10am-9pm (Fri & Sat); from £23.50-£25.50/free for Friends of RA (Jun 16-Aug 23)

Thu-Sun: Anish Kapoor at Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX (Waterloo/Embankment tube/rail)
Book ahead for this blockbuster exhibition filling the entire gallery with Kapoor’s awe-inspiring works. A vibrant and immersive experience of one of the most influential artists of our time. All ages, PG for some content and themes. 10am-5.30pm entry (7.30pm Sat); from £22 (Jun 16-Oct 18)

Thu-Sun: Kew the Movies at Kew Gardens, next to the Pavilion Bar and Grill (Lion’s Gate entrance), Richmond, TW9
Adventure Cinema presents classic films, musicals, and family favourites under the open sky. The programme includes Wicked for Good (Thu), Dirty Dancing (Fri), Encanto Sing-Along, Mamma Mia ExtrABBAganza (Sat), The Gruffalo, Pride & Prejudice and Jurassic Park (Sun). Gates open 6pm (Thu & Fri),  12pm & 6pm (Sat), 10am, 1.30pm & 6pm (Sun); adult from £18.48/child discounts available (Jun 18-21)

Thu-Sun: Flamenco Festival 2026 at Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN (Angel tube)
Snap, clap, strum and stamp. Experience some of the best dancers, singers and musicians of the art form over 10 days at Sadler’s Wells. This year’s lineup includes: Rafaela Carrasco, Gala Flamenca 2026, Night of the Guitar, and Ballet Flamenco de Andalucia. Ages 5+ (PG for some shows). 7.30pm; from £20 – times and dates vary by performance, check ahead (Jun 16-29)

Thu-Sun: Holy Pop at Somerset House, the Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube)
If you’ve ever worshipped the talents of an artist or cultural icon, you’ll be delighted and amazed at this ode to fan obsession. See shrines, tokens and other objects in this tour of pop cultism. 10am-6pm (Sun-Wed), 12pm-8pm (Thu & Fr), 10am-8pm (Sat); Pay What You Can (until Aug 9)

Sat: Windrush Day 2026 at Queen’s House and National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, Greenwich SE10 9NF (Cutty Sark DLR, Greenwich rail)
Celebrate the legacy of the Windrush generation at another day of family friendly events. Enjoy Games without Wires with the Caribbean Social Forum, photography displays, ancestry workshops, Caribbean cloth printing, film screenings, music, and talks. All ages. 11am-4pm; FREE (Jun 20)

Sat-Sun: Arthur at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
Polka Theatre presents a new musical play based on the Arthurian legend. From Winter Solstice 2026 to Summer Solstice 526AD, this time-travelling adventure brings young Grace into Arthur’s world where they must overcome challenges together. Ages 6-12. 2pm (Sat & Sun Jun 20-21), 11am & 2.30pm other dates (Wed-Sun); £12.50 (Jun 20-Aug 9)

Sat-Sun: Summer in Battersea Park, at Bowling Green Pavilion, Battersea Park, SW11 4NJ Queenstown rail/Battersea Park tube)
Come for another bumper weekend of free family fun with live music (Old Dirty Brasstards, DJ Ritu), bouncy castle, funfair rides, inflatable obstacle course, Wandsworth Family Pride celebrations, Battersea Park Dog Show, street food, workshops and more. All ages. 12pm-5pm (Sat) & 11am-5pm (Sun); FREE (Jun 20-21)

Sun: Summer Family Festival at Dulwich Picture Gallery, Gallery Road, SE21 7AD (West Dulwich tube/rail)
The whole family’s invited for this all-day festival for playful and curious minds. From ArtPlay Pavilion and Mini Architects (£9 each) to free nature and craft  workshops, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss the Farmer’s Market in the Sculpture Garden. All ages. 10am-4pm; FREE with some paid sessions (Jun 21)

Sun: Fulham Pier’s 1st Birthday, at Riverside Market, Fulham Pier, Stevenage Rd, Fulham, SW6 6HH (Putney Bridge tube, Putney rail)
Celebrate Fulham Pier’s 1st birthday this Father’s Day weekend in London with a curated Family Sunday special featuring a jazz band, magician, bubbleologist and Sophie Tea’s large-scale installation, Under the Pier. All ages. 12pm-5pm; FREE (Jun 21)

We also like

• Make a splash at the Southbank Centre as Jesse Hein: Appearing Rooms fountains return for the summer (Jun 17-Aug 31)
• Taste of London returns with 150+ restaurant serving up delicious dishes in Regent’s Park (Jun 17-21)
• Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the gang are back for a toys vs tech romp in Toy Story 5 (out Jun 19)
• Sea Lanes Canary Wharf is a new destination for open water swimming, wellness and waterside fun (opens Jun 19)
• Join in with the Wall-E Science Party screening and activities at Rooftop Cinema Club in Stratford (Jun 20)
• West End Live offers free performances from some of the best musicals on stage, in Trafalgar Square (Jun 20-21)
• There’s still time to catch The Rapping Princess at Polka Theatre in South Wimbledon (until Jun 21)
• It’s your LAST CHANCE to catch the brilliant Arthur Miller’s The Price at Marylebone Theatre. Read my full review of The Price (until Jun 21)
• Also wrapping up, Harry Styles’ Meltdown festival + the Skate 50 exhibition, both at Southbank Centre (until Jun 21)
• Beam him up to experience Star Trek at 60 at Science Museum, SW7 (until Sep 8)
• Go down low under the sea at Horniman Museum’s exhibition Voyage to the Deep (until Nov 1)
• Paddington the Musical puts our favourite bear from Peru centre stage at Savoy Theatre (ongoing)
• Tim Burton’s musical genius will haunt you in Beetlejuice the Musical at the Prince Edward Theatre (ongoing)
• Take dad on a tour of the brand new Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration (ongoing)
• Start spreading the news, Sinatra the Musical is now playing at Aldwych Theatre (ongoing)
• Love Wallace & Gromit? Discover how the magic happens Inside Aardman at Young V&A (ongoing)
• Summer Screens is back in Canada Square Park showing outdoor movies, sports, family gaming and more (ongoing)
• View 42 masterpieces at the immersive Frameless galleries in central London (ongoing) – full review coming soon!

World Cup 2026: Where to Watch the Football

NB: Most World Cup matches are on late for the 2026 US/Mexico/Canada tournament so majority of venues are 18+ only! Kids might be welcome up to a certain time for pre-game buzz, do check ahead. 

• Tuck into street food, drinks and 4 screens at Pop Brixton
• You can see all England fixtures at Boxpark venues, book ahead (Shoreditch, Wembley, Camden and Croydon)
• It’s game on at Bounce for ping pong, pizza and football screenings (Battersea Power Station)
• Watch all the England games with pre-match build-up at Clapham Grand
• Kick back at Rae’s Summer Sports Lounge in SE1
• Head to TOCA Social at the O2 for shootout games and full match screenings (North Greenwich, Westfield London)
• Enjoy foosball, food and drinks and screenings at Bar Kick on Shoreditch High St. Also check Cafe Kick in Exmouth Market (Shoreditch/Islington)
• Browse the food hall and view England matches at Market Halls (Victoria, Canary Wharf, Oxford St, Paddington)
• Big Penny Social hosts World Cup screenings for the England group stages and more (Walthamstow)
• Visit Between the Bridges for a mix of fun but best to pre-book for World Cup games (South Bank)
• Football paired with drinks and tasty jerk wings sounds like a plan at KERB Sports Bar (Old Spitalfields Market)
• Get in the zone at one of 3 Kick Off Club destinations for World Cup screenings (Soho, Brixton, Hackney Wick)

Booking Ahead

• The Windrush Suite & Echo in the Bones concerts at Kings Place, N1 (Jun 25)
• Just Vibez Windrush Family Fete: Big Caribbean Lunch at Windrush Square, Brixton SW9 (Jun 28)
• Family Bake Club at Brixton Windmill, SW2 (Jun 28-Jul 5)
• BST Hyde Park Open House in Hyde Park, W2 (Jun 29-Jul 8)
• Everyman on the Canal at Granary Square, King’s Cross (Jun 29-Aug 16) 
• London Children’s Ballet: Anne of Green Gables at Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre, Holborn (Jul 3-5)
• Romeo and Juliet at Greenwich Theatre, SE10 (Jul 3-25)
• Pride in London parade, central London (Jul 4)
• The Gruffalo Live on Stage at Lyric Theatre, W1 (Jul 17-Sep 6)
• Prehistoric Planet: Discovering Dinosaurs at Lightroom, King’s Cross (Jul 18-Sep 1)
• I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical at Troubadour Wembley Park (Jul 22-Sep 27)
• Little Angel Theatre Children’s Puppet Festival, N1 (Jul 28-Aug 30)
• Dog Man the Musical UK tour hits London at Southbank Centre, SE1 (Jul 29-Aug 16)
• Death Note: The Musical at Barbican Theatre, EC2 (Jul 30-Sep 12)
• The Little Mermaid at Greenwich Theatre, SE10 (Jul 31-Aug 23)
• Legendary Joust at Eltham Palace and Gardens, Greenwich SE9 (Aug 1-2)
• Baby Broadway’s Family Sing & Play Day at St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden (Aug 14)

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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!**