London Kids Weekend Scoop (September 17-20, 2026)

We’re rollicking towards October (half term, Halloween) and I’m already putting my holiday guides together. But today, it’s all about cultural activities for London families this weekend. There’s dazzling dance theatre, an early years festival, riverside shenanigans, royal exhibitions, and a celebration of Brick Lane’s iconic curry shops. Come and feast!

Top 12 Cultural Activities for London Families this Weekend

Thu-Sat: Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre: New Works and Legacy at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN (Angel tube)
The legendary African American dance company presents 2 exciting programmes: New Works, featuring today’s leading choreographers; and Legacy, an Alvin Ailey throwback blending jazz, modern and West African moves. Both programmes wrap with Revelations, an anthem to joy and resilience. Ages 5+ (younger ones not admitted). New Works at 7.30pm Tue, Thu & Sat (Sep 15, 17 & 19); from £45. Legacy at 7.30pm Wed & Fri, 2.30pm Thu & Sat (Sep 16, 17, 18, 19); from £15 (Sep 15-19)

Thu-Sun: Dark Arts at The Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour, Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, Aerodrome Way, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, WD25 7GS (Watford Junction rail)
Halloween arrives early at the Harry Potter studio tour. Duel against Death Eaters, train in wand combat, see floating pumpkins in the Great Hall, gawp at spooky costumes and props, and try to avoid the Dementors floating in the Forbidden Forest! All ages welcome. Open daily: first bus 9.20am, first tour 9.30am/last tour begins 4pm, last bus/studio closes 8pm; adult from £58.50-£61 (2027)/child from £47-£48 (2027)/family £188-£192 (2027)/under 4s or carers FREE but require tickets. Pre-booking essential. (Sep 16-Nov 8)

Thu-Sun: Totally Thames Festival, multiple locations along the River Thames and surrounding areas
We’re halfway through this annual, month-long celebration of the Thames and its surrounding areas. The programme is as wide as it’s diverse, with live performances, talks, workshops, river clean-ups, boating and more. Find the full programme HERE. Various ages, times, dates and prices; many activities are FREE (until Sep 30)

Thu-Sun: Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, Westminster, SW1A 1AA (Victoria/Hyde Park/Green Park/St James Park/Charing Cross tube; Victoria/Charing Cross rail)
Visit the biggest ever exhibition of Queen Elizabeth’s style with 300+ items on display, spanning every decade. This show was sold out for weeks on launch, hurry if you want to catch it before it closes. All ages. 10am-5.30pm (last entry 4.15pm), select Tues openings at 2pm (Oct); adult £22/child 5-17 £11/£1 Universal Credit and other benefits/under 5s FREE – convert your ticket to a 1 year pass for unlimited readmission to The King’s Gallery (until Oct 18) 

Thu-Sun: Fleurs de Villes DIANA at Somerset House, The Strand, WC2R 1LA (Charing Cross tube)
Maybe you’re more of a Princess Di fan? Then pop along to this unique exhibition in support of The Diana Award charity. Leading UK floral designers create 15 floral mannequins inspired by Diana, Princess of Wales. Each tells a story of her life, from her HIV/AIDS advocacy to her walk through an Angolan minefield. There’s a fan favourite comp to vote for your favourite design too. All ages. 9.30am-7pm (Sun-Wed), 9.30am-8pm (Thu-Sat), Sat Sep 19 closes at 6pm  – last entry for all dates is 45 minutes before closing; adult £34.25/child £20.25 (Sep 16-Oct 6)

Sat: Crossing Borders at Horniman Museum and Gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23 3PQ (Forest Hill overground)
Don’t miss this free programme led by refugees and people seeking sanctuary. You’ll find refugee artwork, traditional Ukrainian bandora performance, Afghan kite-making, cupcake decorating and treats from Plateful Cafe, drama workshops for ages 8-16, Honduras costume and dance showcase and much more. Come, discover and connect. All ages. 11am-4pm; FREE (Sep 19)

Sat: LGBTQ+ Family Network at National Maritime Museum, Royal Museums Greenwich, Romney Road, Greenwich SE10 9NF (Cutty Sark DLR, Greenwich rail)
Ahoy maties! Gather your crew for another LGBTQ+ family get-together at the museum. Drop in for artist-led activities inspired by the local area, the maritime world, and LGBTQ+ history. This is a safe space and a fun spot to connect with other families in your neighbourhood. All ages. 11am-1pm; FREE (Sep 19, Nov 21)

Sat-Sun: Big Dreams: Early Years festival at Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB (South Wimbledon tube)
Polka Theatre hosts another weekend festival of Early Years Theatre and creative play. Highlights include: rapping and reading with MC Grammar, storytelling with the Tale of the Loneliest Whale, a Nick Sharratt draw along, raving with the Tiny Dancers, and an After-Party for ages 0-2. Ages 0-8 and grownups. From 10am; from £13 – save up to 15% when booking 2 or more events (Sep 19-20)

Sat-Sun: Open House Festival, multiple locations around London It’s the final weekend for this London-wide festival that lets you peek behind the scenes at iconic and private buildings. More than 100 venues across 33 boroughs are open to the public, along with workshops and kid-friendly tours. All ages. From around 10am daily, FREE but booking recommended (Sep 12-20)

Sun: Hay at Jacksons Lane, 269a Archway Road, N6 5AA (Highgate tube)
Say “hay-low” to Geenie and a scarecrow who suddenly comes to life. Just one word “Hay!” opens up a world of visual storytelling, mud, weather, movement, humour, birds and theatrical magic. Lyngo Theatre’s show is about growing up, learning new things and gaining the courage to spread your wings. Ages 3+. 11am & 2pm; general £12.50/always affordable £10/supporter tickets £20 (Sep 20)

Sun: Don’t Squish a Slug with Yussef Rafik at Discover Children’s Story Centre, 383-387 High Street, Stratford E15 4QZ (Stratford tube/rail/overground/DLR)
Bring your little ones along for a reading of Don’t Squish A Slug, as author Yussef brings the story and its fascinating creatures to life. Learn what noises bugs make, how strong creepy crawly can become, and why some bugs even light up their bottoms! Yussef will test you with a mini bug quiz before everyone goes on a mini-bug hunt! Ages 2+. 11.30am-12.20pm; adult or child age 1+ £11/Newham residents £9.90/babies under 1 FREE (Sep 20)

Sun: Brick Lane Curry Festival, Brick Lane, E1 (Shoreditch High St overground)
Tuck in to the iconic East End food festival which also celebrates culture, community and music. Try out a range of dishes around Brick Lane and Banglatown, and there’s also family fun, giant puppets, live music and dance and more free entertainment. All ages. 12pm-7pm; FREE entry – register for 20% discount at participating restaurants (Sep 20)

We also like
Stationery geeks of all ages can check out Mark + Fold Back to School Stationery Pop Up, part of London Design Festival which closes this weekend (Thu-Sun); there’s still time for Moon Celebration Week at Royal Observatory and National Maritime Museum (Thu-Sun); the immersive Colourscape Music Festival rounds up at Clapham Common (Thu-Sun); also on Clapham Common, watch the Water Lantern Festival (Sat-Sun); the world’s largest philosophy and music festival, How the Light Gets In, is almost sold out at Kenwood House (Sat-Sun); the Bermondsey Street Festival is a family friendly village fete (Sat); or bring your pups along to Chiswick House Dog Show (Sun)

Booking Ahead

• Preschool Pics at Barbican Cinema, Barbican Centre, EC2 (Sep 23, Dec 9, Feb 10, Mar 17)
• Mid-Autumn Festival at Museum of the Home (Sep 25-27)
• Classic Car Boot Sale at King’s Cross, NC1 (Sep 26-27)
• How Does It Feel to Be Loved Children’s Disco at The Phoenix, W1 (Sep 27, Oct 26, Nov 29)
• Bloomsbury Festival, WC2 (Oct 1-31)
• Korea at British Museum (Oct 1-Jan 31)
• Black Eats Festival at Hackney Bridge, E15 (Oct 3-4)
• Black Panther in Concert with Chineke! Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall, SW7 (Oct 9)
• Black Culture Market at Assembly Hall, Lambeth (Oct 10-11)
• High School Musical at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre (Oct 12-Jan 3)
• 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair at Somerset House, WC2 (Oct 15-18)
• Aurora Orchestra: Meet the Instruments at Kings Place, N1 (Oct 17)
• Black British Folk Takeover at Cecil Sharp House, Chalk Farm (Oct 17)
• The World As We See It at Hackney Empire, E8 (Oct 20)
• Bayeaux Tapestry at British Museum (next ticket release from Oct 21)
• Black Book Festival and Education Expo at Goldsmiths, SE14 (Oct 24)
• October Half-Term and Halloween at Eltham Palace, SE9 (Oct 24-31)
• Family Film Club: Kiki’s Delivery Service (Dubbed) at Barbican Centre, EC2 (Oct 27)
• Half-Term Pumpkin Carving at Morden Hall Park, SM4 (Oct 29-30)
• Agatha Christie: A World of Mystery at British Library, NW1 (Oct 30-Jun 20)
• Halloween Piano Party at Kings Place, N1 (Oct 31)
• British Museum Sleepover: Explore Korea at British Museum (Oct 31-Nov 1)
• Hamlet Hail to the Thief (ages 14+) at Barbican Theatre, Barbican Centre, EC2 (Oct 31-Jan 23)
• Lost Worlds by Luxmuralis at Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, SE10 (Nov 6-8 & 11-15)
• Diwali at Osterley Park and House, TW7 (Nov 7-29)
• Skate at Somerset House, WC2 (Nov 11-Jan 10)
• Univers (ages 0-2) at The Pit, Barbican Centre, EC2 (Dec 2-12)

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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!**