What’s on
Compiled by Robina CowanAll details are as provided when going to press. However, in case of changed plans, do double-check before setting out.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Totally Thames Festival www.thamesfestivaltrust.org
1 September - 1 October
Browse and book events taking place across all London boroughs. Spanning all age groups and interests, the programme includes photography exhibitions, art installations, workshops, dance, concerts, talks, community events and more - all about the river.
Lewisham Food Market
Cornmill Gardens, Elmira Street SE13 7BN www.lewishamfoodmarket.com
First Sunday, monthly
Support local small businesses and stock up on tasty goodies at Lewisham’s new street food and produce market, set in an awardwinning park. 10am-4pm.
Paws in the Park Cator Park, Beckenham BR3 1NA www.pengese20.co.uk
10 September
The family-friendly dog show returns, with prizes galore, playtime, training tips, pet health and animal charity stalls. Food, craft beer and Pimm’s available for humans.
Greenwich & Docklands
International Festival
Greenwich, East London and City of London www.festival.org/gdif-2023
Until 10 September
GDIF is an award-winning festival of FREE outdoor theatre and arts. Events include theatre on a London bus, a swan ballet on water, circus, music and dance and an immersive dance show on a trampoline stage. The Acts of Hope theme will bring uplifting moments of reflection, creativity and celebration.
Friends of Mayow Park Dog Show
Mayow Park SE26 4JA
Friends of Mayow Park (FOMP) on Facebook
24 September
Calling pooch owners - enter your dog to showcase their looks, tricks or fancy dress! £2 per category, 11am-2pm.
Dyslexia Fair
Bell House, College Road, SE21 7BG
www.bellhouse.co.uk
30 September
Learn more about dyslexia, meet experts and discover useful resources. The event will include talks, advice clinics, workshops and exhibitors.
Sydenham Fun Palace
Sydenham Centre SE26 5XQ
www.funpalaces.co.uk
7 October
A day out for all where members of the public share their skills, talent and knowledge for free, such as the arts, diy, gardening and more.
New Scientist Live ExCel London E16 1XL www.live.newscientist.com
7-8 October
From live science experiments to talks by world-class scientists, up-and-coming researchers and the UK’s top academic minds, the educational and enlightening festival showcases the very latest in technology and science.
London Literature Festival Southbank Centre SE1 8XX www.southbankcentre.co.uk
18-29 October
A festival for readers and book lovers of all ages, celebrating the written and spoken word. Free and family-friendly events during October half term include new books from Jacqueline Wilson and Jeffrey Boakye and a London premiere from Zeb Soanes with the Orpheus Sinfonia.
The Baby Show London Olympia W14 8UX www.thebabyshow.co.uk
20-22 October
Complete with hundreds of exhibitors, exclusive show offers, an abundance of celebrity appearances, expert advice and the opportunity to try before you buy, The Baby Show is a must-go for all new and expectant parents.
West Norwood Picture House
Norwood High Street SE27 9JU www.picturehouses.com
Sit back and enjoy a big-screen film in a cinema that welcomes families. Sessions include Watch with Baby, Toddler Time, Autism-friendly and a Kids Club.
Shakespeare’s Globe
New Globe Walk SE1 9DT www.shakespearesglobe.com
Family Workshops
The Globe’s family workshops feature a range of activities and games based on Shakespeare’s best-loved plays.
21-24 October
Macbeth, ages 5-8 and 9-12.
22-25 October
The Winter’s Tale, ages 5-8 and 9-12.
Unicorn Theatre
Tooley Street SE1 2HZ
www.unicorntheatre.com
19 September - 15 October
The Tempest ‘We are such stuff as dreams are made on’... When the sorcerer Prospero conjures up a storm to shipwreck his enemies, he sets the scene for an enchanting tale of spells, monsters, revenge and romance. In this 75-minute show, The Tempest re-imagined for everyone aged six and over brings Shakespeare’s text thrillingly to life for younger audiences. This show is full of music and songs with brilliant comedy, breathtaking costumes and set design that will leave you overflowing with glee. Ages 6-11.
21 October
Skydiver
Prepare to soar through fluffy clouds where flocks of birds and butterflies flutter, in this multisensory dance experience for families. Ages 3-5.
11 November - 31 December
The Bolds
The Bolds live in an ordinary house on an ordinary street and they love to laugh. But they’re not ordinary people; they are hyenas! With live music and songs by Julian Clary and Simon Wallace, come and revel in the joy of being anything but ordinary. Ages 6+.
Various venues
www.byobcomedy.com
Bring Your Own Baby Comedy
A funny, friendly afternoon of top comedy, where baby can come too and join in with the rumpus. Shows feature a new line up of comedians each month with two acts plus a compere. Ages: grownups plus under 12 months.
Bromley: 11 September and
2 October
Greenwich: 14 September
Crystal Palace: 26 September and 31 October
East Dulwich: 12 October
Blackheath Halls
Lee Road SE3 9RQ www.blackheathhalls.com
7 October
Ben Garrod Ultimate Dinosaurs
Get ready to go on an exciting pre-historic adventure as Dr Ben presents an interactive, educational and highly entertaining dinosaur show. Ages 5+.
14 October
Edward Lear’s Dream
Step inside Edward Lear’s brilliantly anarchic world of nonsense rhymes and limericks. Embrace the silliness, dive into a sea of words, an absurd alphabet soup of poppycock and gobbledygook. Ages 3+.
21 October
Olaf Falafel’s Super Stupid Show Comedian and children’s author Olaf Falafel offers a family-friendly frivolity of truth-telling cheese, fishing, ducks, bumbags, sausages and maybe some drawing.
Southbank Centre
Southbank SE1 8XX www.southbankcentre.co.uk
15 & 29 September, 13 October
Rug Rhymes
What rhymes with rug? National Poetry Library puppets Federico and Firebird can’t wait to tell you at a session of nursery rhymes, poems and rhyming stories. Ages 0-5.
1 September - 1 October
24 September
The Multi-Story Orchestra: In Too Deep
Feel the power of sound in a familyfriendly performance that invites you to get close to the orchestra before lifting you up with a joyous performance. Ages 7+
22 October
Fred and the Fantastic Tub-Tub Zeb Spoanes narrates his magical story for children, with live music by the Orpheus Sinfonia.
Bromley Churchill Theatre
High Street Bromley BR1 1HA
www.churchilltheatre.co.uk
17 September
Fireman Sam Saves the Circus
When all of his friends go away, Norman Price decides to become the star of a visiting circus. But his adventure soon turns to danger. Can Fireman Sam come to the rescue? Age 3+.
Sadler’s Wells Theatre
Rosebery Avenue EC1R 4TN www.sadlerswells.com
Last Friday of each month
Family Fridays
Dance workshops for accompanied children, facilitated by a freelance lead and supporting artist and managed by the Learning & Engagement Department. Ages 2-4, all abilities.
25-26 October
Sleeping Beauty
Let’s All Dance bring the glittering classical ballet to life in a shortened production to engage young audiences. Ages 2-14.
Peacock Theatre
Portugal Street WC2A 2HT www.sadlerswells.com
18 November - 30 December
The Snowman
Based on Raymond Briggs’ beloved children’s book and the subsequent animated film, The Snowman is a timeless story transformed for the stage with dazzling and whimsical sets, dancing and music performed by a live orchestra.
Various dates and venues
www.bachtobaby.com
Bach to Baby
Critically-acclaimed classical concerts for babies and their grownups. Outstanding musicians put on exhilarating performances where babies can ‘join in’ with as much noise as they like!
London Bridge: 10 September and 15 October
Greenwich: 17 September and 8 October
East Dulwich: 19 September and 17 October
Bromley: 16 October
Dulwich Village: 23 October
Horniman Museum and Gardens
London Road SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk
From 10 September
Family Craft Saturdays
Free drop-in sessions inspired by the museum’s extensive collections.
17 September
Second Hand Sunday
Repurpose, recycle and reuse: alongside the regular Sunday market, local stallholders will be selling second hand clothes, books, toys and more.
Until 29 October
Brick Dinos
Some of the largest beasts to ever walk the earth have been recreated with Lego bricks by artist Warren Elsmore and his team. Hands-on children’s activities include build your own dinosaur and digging for fossils.
Brunel Museum
Railway Avenue SE16 4LF www.thebrunelmuseum.com
Housed in the Grade II listed Thames Tunnel Engine House, the museum celebrates the extraordinary tunnel, viaduct and bridge building engineering of Sir Marc Isambard Brunel and his son Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Brixton Windmill
Blenheim Gardens SW2 5DA www.brixtonwindmill.org
24 September
Harvest Festival
A free family event celebrating the wheat harvest, with live music, hot food and bakery stalls, craft and baking workshops for children.
29 October
Halloween Day
A free event with lantern carving, spooky children’s stories and Halloween arts and crafts.
National Maritime Museum, Greenwich SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/nationalmaritime-museum
Until 24 September
The Tempest and The Thames Discover the connections between Shakespeare, the sea and Britain’s maritime history. This special exhibition includes an edition of the first printed edition of Shakespeare’s First Folio, on loan from Dulwich College.
Queen’s House, Greenwich SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/queens-house
21-29 October
Half Term
Explore how artists, performers and other creatives have expressed their identity through the arts. Inspired by works in the collection, visitors can create masterpieces to express their identity.
Royal Observatory Greenwich Blackheath Avenue SE10 8XJ www.rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory
Various dates
The Sky Tonight
A live show taking visitors on a tour of what can be seen in the night sky, complete with a fly-out to the edge of the visible universe.
Ages 7+.
Cutty Sark, SE10 9HT www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark
16-18 September
World Knot Tying Day
Have a knotty time with
Climb aboard for a Cutty Sark adventure
Bring the family to Cutty Sark in Greenwich for an actionpacked day out on this world-famous historic ship.
Meet the cast of colourful characters from the ship’s past, including the fearless Captain Woodget and hear stories about life on board the fastest ship of its time.
Find your sea legs and explore the main deck. Play interactive games and visit the Cutty Sark figureheads, part of the world’s largest collection of ship figureheads.
Follow a free family trail and discover how the ship’s crew lived and worked at sea in the age of sail. Treat the family to an unforgettable experience by climbing Cutty Sark’s iconic masts to see breathtaking views of London and get a taste of life as a 19th century sailor.
Book your tickets at www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark
demonstrations, activities and talks on board ship. All ages.
7 & 8 October
Family Fun Weekend
Step aboard and set sail on a fantastic family adventure. Take part in creative workshops, meet characters from the ship’s past and sing along with the resident sea shanty singers.
Dulwich Picture Gallery
Gallery Road SE21 7AD
www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk
Art Sundays
Be inspired to make art together as a family in these free creative workshops at the Gallery.
Family Fridays
Free, expressive art-inspired activities for families.
Young V&A
Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA www.vam.ac.uk/young
The former Museum of Childhood is a joyful, buzzing and optimistic ‘doing museum’. Enjoy sensory playscapes, the Imagination Playground construction zone, performance and story-telling stage, plus an open design studio for children and young people.
National Portrait Gallery
St Martin’s Place WC2H 0HE www.npg.org.uk
13 September, 4 October & 1 November
Little Explorers
Free monthly sessions where families explore the gallery and the collection through stories, songs and making activities in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Under 5s.
26 October
The Big Draw
This October half term, join in with a big, free drawing extravaganza! Explore drawing with the senses through fun, playful activities for all the family.
Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road SW7 5BD
www.nhm.ac.uk
Until 7 January 2024
Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur
Step into the world of one of the largest creatures to have ever walked the earth. You’ll learn how Patagotitan mayorum stayed safe, found food and kept cool as you follow its journey from tiny egg to towering head and shoulders above other Cretaceous critters.
Science Museum
Exhibition Road SW7 2DD www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
Daily Power Up
Enjoy playtime at the museum’s hugely popular hands-on video gaming zone, featuring over 160 consoles and hundreds of video games dating back through five decades of gaming.
Museum of London Docklands
West India Quay E14 4AL
www.museumoflondon.org.uk/ docklands
30 September & 1 October
Mudlarking Showcase
You won’t believe what mudlarks have discovered in the Thames! Come and see thousands of historic artefacts recovered from the muddy riverbed and meet the friendly mudlarks who found them.