The last weekend of September is upon us and already the Christmas countdown begins. I’ve actually spotted mince pies in the shops and advent calendar offers are popping up in my inbox. Today, let’s tune in to all the cool events in London for kids and families this weekend. Read on for 12+ ideas and more great stuff to come. Happy weekend!
SPECIAL EVENT (Thursday October 1)
Writing Workshop Series: The Power of Your Unique Voice
I’m so excited to be teaching a 3-part lunchtime online masterclass series for Writing Room on the power of using your voice. Join Uju Asika (yours truly) for session one next Thursday lunchtime. In this one-hour virtual masterclass, we’ll explore what defines ‘voice’ as a writer and try some fun writing prompts. This workshop is for writers at all levels and in all genres, no critique of your work and no obligation to read aloud (although you’re welcome to share). Come along! Learn more about the series HERE. 12.30pm-1.30pm via Zoom; £22pp. Email contact@writingroom.org.uk to book your place (Oct 1)
12 Cool Events in London for Kids and Families this Weekend
Thu: Storytelling and Music for Ages 0-5 at Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore SW7 2AP (South Kensington tube)
Join seasoned storytellers and musicians for these cheerful 30-minute baby and toddler sessions. Kids will learn self-confidence and coordination through songs, rhythms and rhymes with a chance to discover musical instruments. Ages 0-5 and grownups. 10am, 11am & 12pm (Tue-Thu); child £7 (1 accompanying adult per child attends FREE)/£1 subsidised tickets available (until Oct 29)
Thu-Sat: The Last Ship by Sting at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine Street, WC2B 5JF (Covent Garden tube)
This personal show is inspired by Sting’s childhood in the shipbuilding town of Wallsend. It’s an affecting tale of a community faced with the closure of their shipyard. Sting plays the foreman Jackie White in a story of love, loss, home and hope. Hear some of the legendary pop singer’s songs like All This Time, Island of Souls and When We Dance. Ages 12+. 7.30pm (Mon-Sat) & 2.30pm (Thu & Sat); from £29.50 (Sep 22-Oct 3)
Thu-Sat: The Story at National Theatre (Olivier Theatre), South Bank, SE1 9PX (Waterloo/Embankment tube)A white teacher is killed in a black neighbourhood and four reports race to get the headline. But as shocking new evidence comes to light, each one must confront how far they’re willing to go to tell their version of the story. Clint Dyer (Death of England) directs BAFTA award-winning Letitia Wright (Black Panther, Ashley Thomas (Hostage), Lorraine Toussaint (Orange is the New Black), and Wilf Scolding (Cabaret) in Tracey Scott Wilson’s gripping newsroom thriller. Ages 14+ (PG for mature themes and content). 7.30pm (Mon-Sat), 6.30pm (select Tues & Thus), 2.30pm (Wed & Sat matinees); £30-£110 (until Oct 24)
Thu-Sun: I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, 3 Fulton Road, Wembley Park, HA9 0SP (Wembley Park tube)
After it blazed onto the stage over summer, this weekend is your LAST CHANCE to see the electrifying tale of this legendary singer. Chaka Khan’s life story spans everything from the Black Power movement to drug abuse and domestic violence. X-Factor star Alexandra Burke leads a dazzling cast of singers through big numbers like Ain’t Nobody, Through The Fire and, of course, I’m Every Woman. Ages 14+ (PG for mature themes and content). 7.30pm (Wed-Sat), 2.30pm (Thu & Sat), 3.30pm (Sun); £15-£115 (Jul 22-Sep 27)
Read my full review of I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical
Thu-Sun: Little People, BIG DREAMS Story Worlds Trail and Dress Up at Discover Children’s Story Centre, 383-387 High Street, Stratford E15 4QZ (Stratford tube/rail/overground/DLR)
This weekend is your LAST CHANCE to explore the family trail, inspired by the Little People, BIG DREAMS book series. Celebrate historic figures, pick up a trail map and find hidden items, and dress up as your favourite character. Ages 0-8. 10am-5pm daily; included in admission: adult or child age 1+ £11 or from £19 annual/Newham residents £9.90 or from £17 annual/babies under 1 FREE (until Sep 28)
Thu-Sun: Buckingham Palace Summer Opening, Westminster, SW1A 1AA (Victoria/Hyde Park/Green Park/St James Park/Charing Cross tube; Victoria/Charing Cross rail)
Fancy gawping at the State Rooms (and using the opportunity to discuss monarchy, wealth and empire with your kids)? It’s the last few days of the Summer Opening at Buckingham Palace. All ages. Summer Opening tours 9.30am-6.30pm (Sep-Oct, last admission 4.15pm); adult from £32/youth 18-24 £20.50/child 5-17 £16/under 5s FREE. Family Garden tour 10am-1pm (Mons Jul 29-Aug 26); adult from £47-£50/child from £23.50-£25/under 5s FREE (until Sep 29)
Fri-Sun: Mid-Autumn Festival at Museum of the Home, 136 Kingsland Road, E2 8EA (Hoxton overground)
Bring your family together for a weekend of autumnal celebrations. This three-day programme, part of ESEA Heritage Month at the Museum of the Home, features children’s lantern-making, autumn harvests, film screening, creative journaling tea circle, a pop-up at nearby Centre 151, and a gathering under the full moon! Various times, ages and prices – check individual events (Sep 25-27)
Sat: Pocket Money at Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley St, SE1 2HZ (London Bridge tube/rail)
Kids get to make big decisions in this empowering and experimental show from Nigel Barrett and Louise Mari in consultation with the Unicorn’s Creative Associates. Expect a live DJ set, financial experts, a mischievous clown and tons of anarchic fun helping kids to think critically about money in the digital age. Ages 7-12. Various start times from 10.30am-4.30pm (Tue-Sun); from £15/discounts from £3 – select performances only (Sep 26-Nov 1)
Sat-Sun: Classic Car Boot Sale, Granary Square and area, King’s Cross, N1C 4DQ (King’s Cross St Pancras tube)
Slide on down to King’s Cross for the autumn edition of this popular weekend. You’ll find vintage clothing and classic cars on display, tons of people watching opportunities, street food, family activities, live entertainment, DJs and drinks on a Routemaster bus and 100+ stalls. All ages. 10am-6pm (last entry 5.30pm); adult and ages 12+ £7 adv, £8 door/child under 12 FREE (Sep 26-27)
Sat-Sun: Welcome Space at National Gallery (Roden Centre for Creative Learning), Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN (Charing Cross tube/rail)
Little ones and families can enjoy some free art and activities as part of the National Gallery’s weekend and school holiday programme. Discover paintings, try drawing prompts, dress up, build, and dip into play boxes and resources designed by artists. Baby changing, lockers and buggy park available. 10am-6pm; FREE (drop-in) (ongoing)
Sun: Big Fish Little Fish Fabric Pirate Rave, 77A Charterhouse Street, EC1M 6HJ (Farringdon tube/rail)
Get on the floor at iconic night spot Fabric and make some new legends with your raving rascals. Dance music giants Terry Farley and Aphrodite are on the decks, and aaarrrgh, it’s a pirate theme (fancy dress encouraged). Expect all the usual Big Fish Little Fish action e.g. craft tables, licensed bar & food offers, face painting (separate fee), baby chill out, buggy parking and baby changing, bubbles, balloons, foam and parachute dance finale. Ages 0-8 and grownups. 2-4.30pm; adult £15.02/child £11.86/pre-walking infant FREE (Sep 27)
Sun: How Does It Feel to be Loved Children’s Disco at The Phoenix, 37 Cavendish Square, W1G 0PP (Oxford Circus tube)
Party up a storm with your favourite youngsters at this swinging afternoon family party (famous from The End of the Road festival). DJs play indie, soul, rock and pop tunes from The Pixies, The Stones, The Supremes, The Kinks and more. All ages welcome, from babies upwards (no admission without at least 1 child in your party). 12pm-4pm; adult £6 (15 plus), child £2 (14 and under) (Sep 27, Oct 26, Nov 29)
We also like
There’s still time to play at Club Pétanque in Pancras Square, King’s Cross (Thu-Sun); watch Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall (Fri-Sun); the World’s Biggest Halal Food Festival takes over London Stadium (Sat-Sun); it’s the last days of Summer by the River at London Bridge City (until Sun); turn it all the way up for Baby Broadway at Chickenshed theatre in Southgate (Sun); there’s Morris Dancing, crafting and family fun at the Brixton Windmill Harvest Festival (Sun); and finally, the Totally Thames festival wraps up a month’s worth of festivities (ongoing until Sep 30)
Booking Ahead
- 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)
- Preschool Pics at Barbican Cinema, Barbican Centre, EC2 (Dec 9, Feb 10, Mar 17)
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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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