Families North London What's On November/December 23 Digital

WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON!

To have your event listed on these pages email the details to editor@ familiesnorthlondon.co.uk

Disclaimer: We aim to be as accurate as possible, but these listings are compiled several weeks beforehand and may be subject to change. Please check before setting out.

Family Theatre Ongoing

Tues, Fri Interactive Storytelling From Little Supernovas. Various times.

Tue The Woodman N6 5UA, Fri The Prince of Wales N6 5JX. 0-5. £7 parent & child. www.littlesupernovas.com Wed, Fri & Sat Les Aventures de Martin Avril Join Martin and his suitcase full of magic for a live music puppet show with musicians from around the world. French and English shows.

Weds pm and Fri am at Poppets Stores, N1 1LX. Friday pm at Dreami Play Café, E2 7SY. 0-5. From £13 adult and child. www.lesaventuresdemartinavril.com Until Nov 4 The Bed Get comfy for a bedtime story like no other, a journey sprinkled with fantasy.

Various days/times. Separate shows for 6m-18m, and 18m-3. Little Angel Studios, Sebbon St, N1 2EH. Adult £14, baby/child £12. www.littleangeltheatre.com Until Nov 19 Big Bad Me Think you know the story of Red RidFamiliesonline.co.uk

ing Hood? Think again. Let’s hear it from the wolf. 6+. Various times. Little Angel Theatre, Dagmar Passage N1 2DN. Previews Sep23, 24 £8. Adult £14, child £12. Fri 4.45pm £8. www.littleangeltheatre.com Until Nov 23 Storytelling and Music for 0-4s Various times. £5. Royal Albert Hall, SW7 2AP www.royalalberthall.com

Fireworks 🎇 🎇 🎇 Nov 3, Old Grammarians RFC, N21 1EP. £12, child £8. www.tickettailor.com/events/ oldgrammariansrfc/1018497#

Nov 3, Totteridge Millhillians, N20 8PB. Adult £11, child £7. www.cricket.totteridgemillhillians. com Nov 3 & Nov 4, Alexandra Palace.

From £4.50. www.alexandrapalace.com Nov 4, Enfield Town Fireworks, Enfield Town Park, EN2 6TJ, £12.50, u16 £8.25, u5 £3.25. Tickets from Dugdale Arts Centre, Forty Hall, Millfield Theatre. www.dugdaleartscentre.co.uk Nov 4, StoneX, NW4 1RL. £12, u16 £6. www.saracens.com Nov 4, Walker Cricket Ground, N14 7JZ. From £8. www.thewalkerground.co.uk Nov 5, Hadley Wood Association, plus rides. EN4 0EL. £11. www.hadleywood.org.uk November/December 2023 1

WHAT’S ON

Where's Santa?

Nov 10-Dec 24 Christmas Wonderland Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 10am4.30pm. Springtime Nurseries, EN2 9EE. From £14.95, adults £3.95. www.springtimenurseries.co.uk Nov 24-Dec 23 Meet Santa Festive family activities. No details as we printed. Check online. London Transport Museum. WC2E 7BB www.ltmuseum.co.uk

All ages. Pickled Pepper Books, Crouch End, N8 8PL www.pickledpepperbooks.co.uk Dec 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 & 17 Santa Storytelling With gift, take a photo, explore the garden and do a craft. Chelsea Physic Garden, SW3 4HS. Child £12,50. Adult £10.50. www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk

Dec 2 & 3 Victorian Santa’s Grotto Visit Santa. 1-7 1-7.. Museum of London Docklands, E14 4AL. £13.50. www.museumoflondon.org.uk

Dec 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 22 & 23 Father Christmas at Kenwood Father Christmas tells seasonal stories. With gift. Kenwood House, NW3 7JR. Child £12.50. www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/ places/kenwood

Dec 2, 3, 9, 10, 15-17 Christmas Grotto With short theatrical show in groups of 10, then gift-giving. Various times.

Dec 2-24 Dear Santa Show and meet Santa after, with gift. See Family Theatre Dec 2 for

2 November/December 2023

Families North London

WHAT’S ON

details. 2-7 2-7.. artsdepot, N12 0GA. From £12. www.artsdepot.co.uk Dec 3 Winter Festival Annual Bowes Park Road Christmas party. Rides, Santa’s Grotto, live music and more. 12-5pm. Myddleton Road Market, N22 8NE. www.myddletonroadmarket.co.uk Dec 5 Santa’s Tea Party Storytime with snacks, cocoa and a gift. 10.30am, 12pm & 1.30pm. John Lewis, Brent Cross, NW4 3FL. Child £15, Adult £5. www.johnlewis.com/our-services/ santas-grotto Dec 9-10 Santa’s Grotto Various times. Gets booked quickly.

Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park, N6 5HG. £11, parents free. www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk Dec 17 Breakfast With Santa Write a wish-list and do fun activities. With gift. 10am. Forty Hall, EN2 9HA. £35. www.fortyhallestate.co.uk Dec 17 & 22 Dine with Santa Choose from two-course lunch or dinner.

Knebworth, SG1 2AX. Child £28. Adult £38. www.knebworthhouse.com Familiesonline.co.uk

Day by Day Nov 4 Little Angel’s Travelling Miniature Circus Be delighted by beautiful puppets, nostalgic magic tricks and acts so tiny you may wonder how you can possibly see them. 11.30am & 1.30pm.

3-6. Chickenshed, N14 4PE. £7 seated, £5 floor, u12m free. www.chickenshed.org.uk The Apple Intimate and interactive performance about an apple and a mouse, followed by a craft workshop to create characters in an improvised story. 10am & 11.30pm. 2-6. Pickled Pepper Books, Crouch End, N8 8PL. £20 adult & child. www.pickledpepperbooks.co.uk Nov 4&5 Splash Test Dummies The Splash Test Dummies are off on an exciting adventure! With stunt work, dazzling acrobatics, juggling and slapstick comedy, the Dummies are ready to spring into an exciting hour of circus-filled hilarity for the whole family. Various times. All ages. Jacksons Lane, N6 5AA www.jacksonslane.org.uk Nov 5 Morgan & West’s Massive Magic Show For Kids With their trademark wit, whimsy and wall-to-wall silliness. 2pm. 6+. artsdepot, N12 0GA. From £12. www.artsdepot.co.uk Pop Forever Sing along to your favourite pop hits, sung live. Dance competitions, prize opportunities. 6+. Millfield Theatre, November/December 2023 3

WHAT’S ON

N18 1PJ. £16, concs £13. www.millfieldtheatre.co.uk Nov 6 Bring Your Own Baby Comedy Club Grown up comedy. Babies u15m welcome. 12pm. Chickenshed, N14 4PE. £12. www.chickenshed.org.uk Nov 10 The Tots Tunes Family Band Part of EFG Jazz Festival. 11am. 0-7.

Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX. £10, child free. www.southbankcentre.co.uk Nov 10-19 Hansel and Gretel Hamstead Garden Opera give voice to this enchanting fairytale. Sung in the original German with English subtitles.

150 mins. Various times. All ages.

Jacksons Lane, N6 5AA. Child £12.

Adult from £25. Check for concs. www.jacksonslane.org.uk Nov 11 Pinocchio Wizard Theatre bring the story of redemption, and satire on growing up, to life. 12pm & 2pm. 5-500 years. £9, fam £30. www.thecockpit.org.uk Nov 12 The Star Seekers Alph, Betty and Gammo need your help to save their space station in this theatrical experience. 11am, 2pm. 3-8. artsdepot, N12 0GA. www.artsdepot.co.uk Dame Dolly Does Jack & The Beanstalk Dame Dolly is ready for her show, but none of her cast have shown up. Will the boys and girls, and grown ups, 4 November/December 2023

help out? 10am, 11.30am. 3-10. Pickled Pepper Books, Crouch End, N8 8PL. £20.50 adult & child. www.pickledpepperbooks.co.uk Matilda Sing-Along With warm-up. Film is a PG. 10.30am.

The Bull Theatre, EN5 5SJ. £5.50. www.thebulltheatre.com Nov 18 Peter Pan Fly with Peter & Wendy to Neverland with original songs and puppets, magic and beautiful bubbles.

Interactive, quirky and fun show. 11am & 3pm. For young children. Dugdale Arts Centre, EN2 6DS. Adult £12, child £10, fam £40. www.dugdaleartscentre.co.uk Nov 18-Dec 30 The Snowman Take flight to the North Pole in this magical adaptation. Various dates/ times. All ages. 1hr 50m inc interval.

Peacock Theatre, WC2A 2HT. From £18. Fam ticket deals. www.sadlerswells.com Nov 18-Dec 31 Aladdin Various dates/times. All ages. Hackney Empire, E8 1EL. £10-£45. Children u3 on laps free. www.hackneyempire.co.uk Nov 19 The Princess and the Pea Prince Baxter von Caramel Slice wants a girlfriend – but she must be a real princess. Fun adaptation. 11am & 2.30pm. 3+. Jacksons Lane, N6 5AA. £8. www.jacksonslane.org.uk The Museum of Marvellous Things Make stars in jars. Catch moons like balloons and dance with Doo-Dahs.

Families North London

WHAT’S ON

This museum Is made from your imagination, with a chance to make your own puppet during the show. 11am & 2pm (relaxed). 3+. artsdepot, N12 0GA. www.artsdepot.co.uk

exist… does he? Follow her adventure.

With songs, laughs and scary fun for everyone aged 3 to 103. The Garrick, WC2H 0HH. From £10. www.thegarricktheatre.co.uk

Nov 22-Dec 13, Jan 2-6 & 10-13 The Toymaker’s Child Previews Nov 22-23. The Toymaker worries that his only child is lonely, so he magically 3D prints an AI child, serial number PIN:0Cch10, who proves to be a bit too mischievous to handle.

2hrs, inc interval. 5+. Chickenshed, N14 4PE. From £10. www.chickenshed.org.uk

Dec 2 & 3 Home Alone in Concert Film (PG) with live orchestra. Various times. Royal Albert Hall, SW7 2AP. Various prices. www.royalalberthall.com

Nov 26 Riding a Donkey Backwards A collection of wise and foolish tales from Muslim literature for families.

2.30pm. 5+. artsdepot, N12 0GA. From £12. www.artsdepot.co.uk Nov 26, 29 & Dec 2, 3, 6, 7, 12 & 13 Winter Tales Chickenshed brings a sprinkling of its colourful, vibrant and energetic magic.

Various times. Dugdale Arts Centre, EN2 6DS. Adult £8, u16/concs £6. www.dugdaleartscentre.co.uk Nov 31-Dec 31 Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Various times. Theatre Royal, SW1Y 4HT. £10. www.trh.co.uk Dec 1-Jan 7 The Gruffalo’s Child One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warnings about the Big Bad Mouse and tiptoes out into the deep dark wood, following snowy tracks and encountering mysterious creatures – but the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really Familiesonline.co.uk

Dec 2, 3, 9, 10 Barbieville’s Christmas Advenutre A heartwarming and magical story for children and their adults. Various times. The Bull Theatre, EN5 5SJ. £9. www.thebulltheatre.com Dec 2-24 Dear Santa Rod Campbell’s tale of how Santa tries to deliver the most fantastic Christmas present. Meet Santa in his grotto after.

Various dates/times. 2-7. artsdepot, N12 0GA. From £12. www.artsdepot.co.uk Dec 2-30 Sleeping Beauty and The Guardians of Dreamland Journey with Sleeping Beauty through Dreamland to meet the Guardians in a plan to defeat Maleficent once and for all. With up, downs, true love, spectacular costumes, dance routines and music that will have you dancing in your seat. Various dates/ times. Millfield Theatre, N18 1PJ. Adults £22, children £18, fam £72. Dec 2&3 previews £12.50. www.millfieldtheatre.co.uk Dec 2-30 Christmas Tales presents Cinderella In Boots Panto with all your favourite November/December 2023 5

WHAT’S ON

Tales characters. Previews Dec 2&3. Various days/times. 0-7.

Chickenshed, N14 4PE. £10.50, family £35, u1 free. www.chickenshed.org.uk Dec 3 Comedy Club 4 Kids Christmas Cracker Like a comedy club – but without the rude bits. 12pm & 2.30pm. 6+. artsdepot, N12 0GA. From £10. www.artsdepot.co.uk Dec 3-10 Refilwe Join 12-year-old Refilwe, her aunt and new friend as they use dance moves, riddles and magic hair to escape the British Museum after closing time, in a show about home, hair and connecting with your roots. Inspired

by Zukiswa Wanner’s southern African retelling of Rapunzel. 7+. All shows relaxed. Various times. Bernie Grant Arts Centre, N15 4RX. Pay what you can. www.berniegrantcentre.co.uk Dec 6-Jan 31 The Nutcracker 2hrs 20 with interval. Various dates/ times. All ages. Royal Opera House, WC2E 9DD. £8-£160. www.roh.org.uk Dec 7 Bring Your Own Baby Comedy Club Grown up comedy. Babies u15m welcome. 12pm. artsdepot, N12 0GA. From £12. www.artsdepot.co.uk Dec 7-24 Finding Santa A comical, magical choose-yourown adventure, presented by Little Angel Theatre. 3+. 55m, no interval.

6 November/December 2023

Bloomsbury Theatre and Studio, WC1H 0AH. From £15. Family of 4 from £70. www.ucl.ac.uk/culture/whats-on/ little-angel-theatre-presents-finding-santa Dec 8-30 Fairytale On Church Street Fun family fairytale mash-up Christmas show. Various days/times. The Cockpit, NW8 8EH. £12, fam £40, locals £7. www.thecockpit.org.uk Dec 8-Jan 7 Hansel & Gretel Beautifully epic version adapted from the Brothers Grimm tale by poet laureate Simon Armitage. Various dates/ times. 5+. Shakespeare’s Globe, SE1 9DT. £5-£55 www.shakespearesglobe.com Dec 8-11 Peter Pan on Ice With impressive skating, aerial stunts and lots of pixie dust. 3+. Alexandra Palace, N22 7AY. From £10.50. www.alexandrapalace.com Dec 9 Elf in Concert Film (PG) with live orchestra. Various times. Royal Albert Hall, SW7 2AP. 2.30pm, 7.30pm. Various prices. www.royalalberthall.com Dec 10 My Christmas Orchestral Adventure: Calling Santa’s Little Helpers Father Christmas is due to appear at the biggest concert in the whole world but conductor Tim has lost his Christmas spirit. Can his brother Tom, Albert’s Orchestra, and special guests, bring his Christmas cheer back in time to meet Father Families North London

WHAT’S ON

Christmas? 12.30pm, 4.30pm. Royal Albert Hall, SW7 2AP. £22.50-£65.50. www.royalalberthall.com A Christmas Carol One-woman interactive puppet show. Can selfish Ebenezer Scrooge change his ways? 11am & 2.30pm. 3+.

Jacksons Lane, N6 5AA. £8. www.jacksonslane.org.uk Baby Broadway Christmas Sing along to seasonal show tunes performed by West End singers. Fancy dress encouraged as well as singing, dancing and clapping along. 0-8. 11am & 2pm. artsdepot, N12 0GA. From £10. www.artsdepot.co.uk Dec 10-Jan 7 Red Riding Hood and The Big Bad Pig London’s first ever Jewish pantomime.

It’s Chanukah, and Little Red Riding Hood’s village needs a new electrical source – and at an affordable price.

Various dates/times. All ages. JW3 community centre, NW3 6ET. From adult £24, child £15 u2 free. www.jw3.org.uk Dec 11-Jan 6 Wolf Witch Giant Fairy Family folk opera. 1hr 5. All ages. All performances are relaxed. Various dates/times. General booking opens Oct 4. Royal Opera House, WC2E 9DD www.roh.org.uk Dec 13-30 The House With Chicken Legs The story of a house that won't stand still and a trying to find her feet in the world, with puppets, projection and music. Based on the book. Good for tweens and teens. Various times.

Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Familiesonline.co.uk

Centre, SE1 8XX. From £20. www.southbankcentre.co.uk Dec 13-31 I Want My Hat Back A bear has lost his hat. A fish has stolen a hat. And two turtles have found a hat. Based on Jon Klassen’s classic books. Various dates and times. 3-8. artsdepot, N12 0GA. From £10. www.artsdepot.co.uk Dec 14-Jan 6 The Three Billy Goats Gruff Three very hungry goats must cross the bridge to reach the lush grass on the other side. Only problem is, there’s a troll lurking underneath. Kaveh Rahnama returns with his brand-new adaptation, following last year’s brilliant Jack and the Beanstalk. Hold on to your horns! 3+. Jacksons Lane, N6 5AA. £12-£19. www.jacksonslane.org.uk Dec 14-Jan 7 The Nutcracker Over 100 dancers and musicians create a magical Christmas, with exquisite dancing from the English National Ballet and beautiful sets to tell the tale of Clara who, on a frost-dusted Edwardian Christmas Eve, receives a magical nutcracker doll. Together, they discover a magical world where she battles the mouse king and rides a hot air balloon across London. Various dates/times. 2hrs inc interval. Strictly 5+, except family matinee Jan 6, 2.30pm. London Coliseum, WC2N 4ES. Various prices, u16 half price. www.londoncoliseum.org Dec 14-Jan 14 You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown Musical based on the Peanuts comic strip. Various times. All ages.Upstairs November/December 2023 7

WHAT’S ON

At The Gatehouse, N6 4BD. Concs £23, told using light, paper and oil. 4pm.

5-105. Dugdale Arts Centre, EN2 6DS. adult £25.

Adult £12.50, child £9. www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com www.dugdaleartscentre.co.uk Dec 15-31 Dec 20-Jan 7 Snow White Bluey’s Big Play Meet Dame Dotty, Herbie the Huntsman and the magnificent seven, Theatrical adaptation of the hit TV with live music special effects, fun and show. 11am, 1pm, 2pm & 4.30pm. Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 laughter. 2hrs 30mins with interval.

8XX. From £20.

Various days and times. Wyllyotts www.southbankcentre.co.uk Centre, Potters Bar, EN6 2HZ. From £16.50 Dec 21-31 www.wyllyottstheatre.co.uk Disney On Ice presents 100 Years of Wonder Dec 16-Jan 7 Various times. Various prices on Hansel and Gretel various days. From £42. The O2, SE10 Magical and mischievous staging of the tuneful opera. Suitable for all. 2hrs 0DX www.theo2.co.uk 15m. Royal Opera House, WC2E 9DD. From £6.

Dec 21-Jan 7 www.roh.org.uk The Revel Puck Circus: The Wing Scuffle Spectacular Dec 17 High-skill tented circus show. Various Baby Broadway Christmas Sing along to your favourite seasonal times. At Cherry Tree Wood. N2. Various dates, times. All ages. Various show tunes performed by West End prices. singers. Fancy dress is encouraged www.artsdepot.co.uk as well as singing, dancing and clapping along. 10am & 11.15pm. All Dec 27-30 ages. Chickenshed, N14 4PE. From The King of Nothing £7.

Anarchic retelling of the Emperor’s www.chickenshed.org.uk New Clothes with songs, puppetry and slapstick. 11am & 2pm. 5-11. Dugdale Dec 19-23 Arts Centre, EN2 6DS. Adult £12.50, Christmas Claytime child £9.

An interactive play where children come up with ideas and see a unique www.dugdaleartscentre.co.uk play created before them. u7. 11am.

Dugdale Arts Centre, EN2 6DS. Adult Dec 27-Jan 3 The Nutcracker £12.50, child £9.

Let’s All Dance with crystal clear www.dugdaleartscentre.co.uk storytelling. Various dates/times.

55mins. Lilian Bayliss Studio, in Dec 19-23 Sadler’s Wells Theatre, EC1R 4TN. Magic Lamp From £19.50 An Iraqi telling of Aladdin, played out www.sadlerswells.com in a Bedouin tent with silken drapes, 8 November/December 2023

Families North London

WHAT’S ON

Dec 27-Jan 7 There’s a Monster In Your Christmas Show Playful fun as Little Monster and his friends join in when a group of performers prepare to start their show.

Various dates/times. 2+. artsdepot, N12 0GA. From £12. www.artsdepot.co.uk Jan 11-14 The Little Mermaid Fantasy, music, dancing and laughter for the whole family, as SMP Theatre am-dram tell the magical story of a mermaid obsessed with life on land above. Various times. Millfield Theatre, N18 1PJ. £18, concs £15. www.millfieldtheatre.co.uk

Whats On Events SEN sessions Some venues run sessions for children with special needs. See our page at www.bit.ly/FNLsend

Ongoing Bow Street Police Museum Family trail 5-7 & 7-11. Bow Street Police Museum WC2E 7AW. Open FriSun. Adult £6, u12 free. bowstreetpolicemuseum.org.uk Kenwood House Mac’s indoor and outdoor discovery trails. NW3 7JR. Free. www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/ places/kenwood Whitewebbs Museum of Transport Open Tuesdays and the last Sunday in the month. Check website for events and closures. Whitewebbs Museum of Transport, EN2 9HP www.whitewebbsmuseum.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk

The Box Rocket Play exhibit running alongside permanent play spaces designed to fire up children’s imaginations.

Must book. Discover Children’s Story Centre, Stratford, E5 4QZ. 0-8. www.discover.org.uk Ted’s Space Adventures Planetarium show, u7s. 11.30am, weekends and school hols. Check website for The Sky Tonight, 7+, We Are Guardians 7+, and other shows.

Booking advised. Adult £12, child £6.

Royal Observatory, SE10 8XJ. www.rmg.co.uk Bring Your Baby Pub Quiz & Walks Various dates. Venues throughout North London. www.bringyourbaby.org Bruce Castle Museum Explorer gallery with interactives and dress-up, 3-8. Free. Plus there is a Mystery Manor Trail with sticker booklet for £1, and a Tree Trail. Weds-Sun 1pm-5pm. N17 8NU www.brucecastle.org/families Secret Garden Pop-Up Café Check website for dates and events.

Activity sessions and cafe, at Salisbury House, Bush Hill Park, N9 9LA or The Friends Meeting House, Winchmore Hill, N21 1LE. www.thesecretgardenpopup.com Third Saturday of the month Make, Do and Maintain Facilitated session. Various themes.

10.30am-12pm. Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre, SE3 9QS. All ages/ abilities. Free, £1 booking fee. www.rmg.co.uk November/December 2023 9

WHAT’S ON

Saturdays until Jun 24 Transformative Futures Weekly collective for young people to think, discuss and create together.

For 15-25s. 2.30-4.30pm. Camden Art Centre, NW3 6DG. Free. Book www.camdenartcentre.org Saturdays Lego Club Sat term-time, 3-4pm. Colindale Library, NW9. 5+. Free.

Mon 3.30-4.30pm, term-time. Burnt Oak Library, 4-8s, first-served. 3. Free.

Wed 3.30-4.30pm. Childs Hill Library, NW2 2QE. 3+. Free. www.barnet.gov.uk/events Sundays Junior Park Run 2km Fun family runs. Enfield Town Park, EN2 6TJ, Lordship Rec Ground, N17 6BQ, Priory Park N8 8LN, Caledonian Park N7, Highbury Fields N5, Friary Park N12 9PQ, London Fields, E8 3EU, 9am. 4-14. Free, register. www.parkrun.org.uk Sundays Crafternoons 2pm-4pm. JW3, Finchley Road, NW3.

3-8s and their families. Check dates online. Free, drop-in www.jw3.org.uk Second & Fourth Sunday Chess Club All levels, all ages welcome. Children must be accompanied. 1-3pm. Wood Green Library, N22 6XD. Free Email dalmar.gibson@haringey.gov.uk | husseyin.ali-diakides@haringey.gov.uk

ages. See colourful characters aboard every weekend and school holiday, including the fearless Captain Woodget, and hear stories about life on board the fastest ship of its time. See Nov 18 Sea Shanty Festival. Cutty Sark, SE10 9HT. www.rmg.co.uk/cutty-sark Sats & Suns Character Encounters – Sats. Join an exciting performance and see maritime history brought to life. Various times.

Discover Sundays – term-time. Creative activities. Drop-in. Plus hands-on galleries and trails. National Maritime Museum, SE10 9NF. All ages, Free. www.rmg.co.uk Tuesdays term-time Play Tuesdays Facilitated play, songs and stories.

National Maritime Museum, SE10 9NF. u5,. £4. www.rmg.co.uk Weekdays term-time Little Tots Fun sessions, sensory play, music, animals, and more. Check website. Lewis of London Ice Cream Farm, Galley Lane, EN5 www.lewisoflondon.co.uk Fridays term-time Singing and Story Sessions u5. Various times. London Transport Museum, WC2 www.ltmuseum.co.uk

Tuesdays in term time Library Club First weekend of the month and school With reading corner and diverse book-pairing service. 0-11. 3.30holidays 5.30pm. Hackney Showroom, N4 2BN. Cutty Sark Family Fun Free, drop-in.

Workshops, songs, activities, interwww.hackneyshowroom.com active games and experiences for all 10 November/December 2023

Families North London

WHAT’S ON

Wednesdays Easy Rollerz Hang-out for babies, toddlers and their adults, with soft play and music. 1010.45am for pre-walkers. 11am-noon 1-2s on the move. £3 donation. Hackney Showroom, N4 2BN www.hackneyshowroom.com/ easy-rollerz Weekends, Fridays and holidays Play Studio A place for families to play, make and create together. Plus Tate Draw, every day. Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1P 4RG. All ages, Free. www.tate.org.uk

Until...

Until Dec 1 Tutankhamun the Boy: Growing Up in Ancient Egypt Find out what life was like as a young boy at the palaces of Amarna and Gurob. Tues-Fri 1pm-5pm. Sat 11am5pm. Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, UCL, Malet Place WC1 6BT. For schools and families. Free ucl.ac.uk/culture/petrie-museum Until Dec 17 Lancelot Ribeiro: Finding Joy in a Landscape Imaginative and innovative paintings.

Also Tell Me A Story – part exhibition, part competition. Weds-Fri & Sun. 10am-4pm. Burgh House, NW3 1LT. Free. www.burghhouse.museumssites.com Until Dec 22 Hunt the Mice!

Some mischievous mice are after the sailor’s jobs. Family trail. 7+. HMS Belfast, The Queen’s Walk, SE1 2JH. www.iwm.org.uk Familiesonline.co.uk

Until Jan 7 2024

Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur

Exhibition: Step into the colossal world of Patagotitan mayorum. Advance booking advised. (See website for holiday events.) Natural History Museum, SW7 5HD. Aimed at 5+. All ages. From adult £16, child £9. Various concs. Book free museum entry. www.nhm.ac.uk Currently booking until Jan 21 Disney 100: The Exhibition Celebrates the iconic characters and stories from Disney’s history and present day. Promises unique interactive installations. Excel Centre, E16 1XL. Adult £28, child £20, fam discounts. www.excel.london Until Jan 28 A Journey Through Painting and Photography How the arrival of photography changed painting forever, with works

by Picasso and Warhol. Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG. Adult £20, child £5, U12 free. www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern Until Feb Slavery & The Bank How wealth created through transatlantic slavery shaped the development of Britain. Bank of England, museum entrance on Bartholomew Lane, EC2R 8AH. Free. www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum Booking until Feb 11 Power Up Consoles and games from the past five decades. 5+. Must book. Science Museum, SW7 2DD. £10, Annual pass £15. www.sciencemuseum.org.uk November/December 2023 11

WHAT’S ON

Until Apr 14 Spies, Lies and Deception Exhibition: Discover 100 years of intrigue, deceit and real-life secret agents. Plus Story Seekers trail every weekend. Imperial War Museum, SE1 6HZ. Free www.iwm.org.uk

Until June 30 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Various prices. Natural History Museum, SW7 5HD www.nhm.ac.uk

Day by Day Nov 1-Jan 2 Christmas at the Postal Museum See a magical collection of letters to Santa, the first ever Christmas card, storytelling and a festive Mail Rail ride.

See online for latest details. The Postal Museum, WC1X 0DA. www.postalmuseum.org

Until Apr 16 Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers turns 30!

Showcasing behind-the-scenes shots, set pieces and models seen for the first time in London, and original artwork. See website for half-term children’s workshops. Closed Mondays.

The Cartoon Museum, W1A 3AE. Adult Nov 8-Dec 4 £9.50, u18 free.

Photovision www.cartoonmuseum.org Intriguing and beautiful photos that children will enjoy. Gallery open Thurs to Tues 12-4pm. Weds 11am-3pm.

Booking until April 28 Except private events. Check website.

Infinity Mirror Rooms Lauderdale House, Waterlow Park, N6 Experience two of Yayoi Kusama’s 5HG. Free.

Infinity Mirror Rooms. Be immersed www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk in endless reflections. Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG. £10.

Nov 11 www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern Nearly New Sale Top-quality baby and children’s clothes Until May 6 sold by mums to mums at a fraction of Turn It Up: The Power of Music the high street price. Parents with outExplore the hold that music has over grown goods can sell and keep 100 per us in this fun, family-friendly expericent of the proceeds. 10am-12noon. St ence. Try out the musical playground Stephens Church Hall, Park Avenue, and dance with interactive screens.

EN1 2BA. Science Museum, SW7 2DD. Adult £10, www.mum2mummarket.co.uk child £8, u4 free. www.sciencemuseum.org.uk Lord Mayor’s Show Procession from 11am from Mansion Until June 2 House to the Royal Courts by way of Skateboard St Paul’s, Cheapside and Fleet Street.

Chronicling the history of the skateIt returns up the Embankment and board from the 1950s to today. Design Victoria Street. Check for activities Museum, W8 6AG. Adult from £16, 11-15 including Bank of England Museum: 7-11, from £8, u11 free. storytelling, make a gold bar money www.designmuseum.org 12 November/December 2023

Families North London

WHAT’S ON

box, complete activity sheets, and get your face painted. 11am-4pm, free. www.bankofengland.co.uk St Pauls: 10-3pm, family craft activities. 1.30-2pm, free interactive show for families with the Cathedral organists. Hear a full-peal attempt at 4pm. Free entry to activity area. www.stpauls.co.uk www.lordmayorsshow.london

Nov 18 LGBTQ+ Family Network A place for LGBTQ+ families to meet and enjoy creative activities for all ages. 10am. National Maritime Museum, SE10 9NF. Free. www.rmg.co.uk

Sea Shanty Festival Bands from across the UK and beyond unite in singing traditional maritime songs on board the iconic tea clipper.

Nov 12, 26, Dec 10 & 24 Cutty Sark, SE10 9HT. Wonderful Wildlife Weekend 1pm-3pm. Walthamstow Wetlands, N17 www.rmg.co.uk/cutty-sark 9NH. Family nature activities. All ages.

Nearly New Sale Free, drop-in.

Mum2Mum Market Haringey. www.wildlondon.org.uk Top-quality baby and children’s clothes sold by mums to mums at a Nov 15 & Dec 13 fraction of the high street price. ParEarly Years Studio ents with outgrown goods can sell Nov 15: Messy – creative workshop, Dec 13: Shadows – play with light and and keep 100 per cent of the proceeds.

10am-12noon. Earlham Primary School. dark.

N22 5HJ. 10-11.30am 12.30-2pm, u5. Royal Academy of Arts, W1J 0BD. Free, drop- www.mum2mummarket.co.uk in.

The Maths and Magic of Rubik’s www.royalacademy.org.uk Cube Mathematician and professional Nov 15-Jan 7 magician Andrew Jeffrey takes you Christmas at Kew on a journey through the construction Light trail. Book early. Various dates. of not just the cube, but numbers Kew Gardens, TW9 3AE. Adult from themselves. 6pm. 10+. The Royal £22.50. Child and fam available. www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/ Institution, W1S 4BS. Child £10, adult £16. christmas www.rigb.org Nov 15-Jan 14 Skate at Somerset House Nov 18 & 25 Child from £9. WC2R 1LA. Great Fire of London Family Walk www.somersethouse.org.uk 5+. Run by the Museum of London. £8. www.museumoflondon.org.uk Nov 17-Jan 1 Winter Wonderland Nov 19 See Santa, plus rides, shows and Family Disco Boogie more. Free entry. Book attractions.

Old school party hits, craft, soft play Hyde Park. and games. 11am. u7 and their adults. hydeparkwinterwonderland.com £15 per family.

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WHAT’S ON

Haringey Feast Performance, crafts, and much more as the borough celebrates its creativity. Alexandra Palace, N22 7AY. Free. Book. www.alexandrapalace.com Nov 19, Dec 3, 17, Jan 14, 28 Wonderful Wildlife Weekends Family nature activities. 1pm-3pm.

Camley Street Natural Park, N1C 4PW. All ages. Free, drop-in. www.wildlondon.org.uk Nov 25 Polar Day Events and activities exploring polar habitats. Ask the Potar Society scientists your questions. 11am-4pm.

National Maritime Museum, SE10 9NF. Free, drop in. www.rmg.co.uk Craft Club Wild Animals: East Finchley Library, N2 9BB, 10am. 6+. First-come, firstserved. Free.

Harry Potter: Osidge Library, N11 1EY, 4pm, free. www.barnet.gov.uk/events WITCHES! A draw-along workshop, for families with children and young people under 25. The Cartoon Museum, W1A 3AE. Free. Must book. www.cartoonmuseum.org Nov 26 & Dec 10 Family Studio: Nov 26: Impressionists - drawing workshop inspired by the Impressionists On Paper: Degas to Toulouse-Lautrec exhibition.

Dec 10: Sir Frank Bowles RA – create your own abstract art.

11-1pm & 2-4pm. Families with chil14 November/December 2023

dren of all ages. Royal Academy of Arts, W1J 0BD. Free, drop in. www.royalacademy.org.uk Nov 27 Nature Storytime Interactive nature-themed story session and craft or exploration for u6 but all welcome. 10.30-11.30am.

Camley Street Natural Park, N1C 4PW. Free, donation welcome. No book. www.wildlondon.org.uk Nov 30-Dec 31 Christmas at Forty Hall Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun. Beautiful period rooms dressed for Christmas. £2, u15 free.

Dec 16-31: Find the Elf Children’s Trail, 4-11, 11am-3pm, Child & adult £6.50.

See “Where’s Santa” for Breakfast With Santa, Dec 17.

Plus interactive children’s exhibition about the lives of children who may have lived and worked there. Free.

Plus book Rip the dog trail, £2.50, or Rip’s nature trail, £3. Trails 11am-4pm.

House 11am-4pm Thurs to Sun. EN2 9HA. www.fortyhallestate.co.uk Dec 1-Jan 11 Christmas Light Trail Various prices/times. Kenwood House, NW3 7JR. www.christmasatkenwood.com Dec 2 Festive Market Ethical and sustainable traders, makers and creators. Craft for children and adults, live music. 10am-4pm. Camley Street Natural Park, N1C 4PW. Free entry. www.wildlondon.org.uk Families North London

WHAT’S ON

Brimstone, Volcanoes and Fire Explore the amazing and sometimes explosive chemistry of sulfur with Andrew Szydlo. 2pm. 7+. The Royal Institution, W1S 4BS. Child £10, Adult £16. www.rigb.org Dec 2-3 Gothicly Grand Magic Lantern Christmas Magic Lantern shows. Delve into the world of goblins and ghosts with Vitctorian-style entertainment.

Entry to house, included in ticket.

11.30am, 1pm & 3pm. Charles Dickens Museum, WC1N 2LX. Museum open Weds-Sun. £15. www.dickensmuseum.com

Market, N22 8NE. www.myddletonroadmarket.co.uk Bah! Humbug!

Mrs Cratchit’s Christmas Family Tour around the Charles Dickens Museum.

1.30am, 11.30am, 1pm & 2pm. 5+.

Charles Dickens Museum. WC1N 2LX. Museum open Weds-Sun. £10. www.dickensmuseum.com Dec 3, 10, 17, 28 & 29 Mince Pie Cruises Various times. Adult £20, child £15. Includes museum visit. Book in advance.

London Canal Museum, N1 9RT. www.canalmuseum.org.uk Dec 4 Gaming@artsdepot Bring a board game or use theirs. 16+.

6.30pm. Free. Artsdepot, N12 0GA www.artsdepot.co.uk

Dec 2-3 Christmas Elf Cadet Training Learn how to load the sleigh, pick the right aircraft, map a route for Santa and more. Book a time slot. Experience lasts about 1hr. Addionsl parking Dec 8-Jan 7 charge. RAF Museum. NW9 5LL £5.

Kingdom of Winter www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london Ice skating, circus. Immersive ice expedition trail, fairground rides, Dec 3 shopping and more – for families.

Chanukah Funukah 10am-8pm. Excel Centre, E16 1XL. Fun-filled family celebration for the Entry from £5.50. first night of Chanukah. 0-6. 2pm. www.excel.london Adult £5, child £9. Under-2 free. JW3 community centre, NW3 6ET. Dec 9, Jan 19 & more www.jw3.org.uk Astronights Sleepover at the Science Museum, Winter Wildlife Walk 7-11. Science Museum, SW7 2DD. £70.

Collect material to make natural art, www.sciencemuseum.org.uk explore for winter bugs and hear a story. For families. 11am-12. Woodberry Dec 10 Wetlands, New River Path, Woodberry Special Steaming Days Grove, N16 5HQ. Free, book.

Engine running 12.30-1.15pm & 2.30www.wildlondon.org.uk 3.15pm. General open days, second and fourth Sundays. Free kids acWinter Festival tivities and guided tours. 11am-5pm.

Annual Bowes Park Road Christmas Markfield Beam Engine and Museum, party. Rides, Santa’s Grotto, live music N15 5UL. and more. 12-5pm. Myddleton Road www.mbeam.org Familiesonline.co.uk

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WHAT’S ON

Dec 16 Highgate Wood in Winter Guided Walk, 11.30am-1.30pm. Gets booked up. Highgate Wood, Muswell Hill Rd, N10 3JN. Free, must book. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/events/highgate-wood-walks Marching Orders: Animals How did a pony become a corporal, and an Alsation join the Parachute Regiment? Find out in these familyfriendly 30-min tours. Various times.

National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Rd, SW3 4HT. Free, drop in. www.nam.ac.uk

Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX. Free. www.southbankcentre.co.uk

Looking ahead...

Jan 11-Feb 11 Cirque du Soleil – Alegria: In a New Light Various times. Royal Albert Hall, SW7 2AP. Various prices. www.royalalberthall.com

Jan 18-21 Frankenstein The Pantomime It’s a hard life for poor Heidi in Pumpernickel’s Tavern. The greedy Dec 16 Innkeeper and his bossy wife treat Festive Fun Day her like a slave. And up in his castle, Non-stop entertainment and activities. gormless Count Dracula and his Festive workshops, caroling, films and gummy grandmother are planning a more. Dugdale Arts Centre, EN2 6DS. dinner party, with Heidi as the main Check prices/time online. course! A hilarious family pantomime www.dugdaleartscentre.co.uk full of huge laughs and jolly pranks – and not a bite in sight. By Am Dram Dec 16-17 group The Warren. Wyllyotts Centre, Winter Lights Potters Bar, EN6 2HZ. From £13.

Take a Christmassy walk around the www.wyllyottstheatre.co.uk lit gardens, Café open. 5.30-7.30pm.

Stephens House and Gardens, N3 January 29-27 3QE. £5, u2 free.

Tortoise and the Hare www.stephenshouseandgardens.com The Race is on. With a playful cast of characters from Northern Ballet. Royal Dec 18-24 and 27-30 Opera House, WC2E 9DD. £15.

Festive Family Tour www.roh.org.uk Learn how Christmas was observed in Shakespeare’s time plus winter folk traditions. 7-11s but suitable for all.

3pm. Shakespeare’s Globe, SE1 9DT. Adult £20, u16 £15.

Weekends until March 2024 www.shakespearesglobe.com Tudor Cookery And Roasting Join the historic cooks to discover Dec 31 kitchen life and dishes in Henry VIII’s Kids Countdown with Len Blanco 16th C kitchen. Hampton Court Palace, Daytime kids New Year’s Eve Party.

KT8 9AU. Included in admission. Adult 10.30am. 2hrs. All ages. Relaxed. Clore £26.50, 5-15 £13.10.

Ballroom, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, www.hrp.org.uk

and Further Afield

16 November/December 2023

Families North London

WHAT’S ON

Dec 8-31 The All New Adventures of Peter Pan With Corrie legend Chris Gascoyne and CBeebies’ Maddie Moate. Various dates/times. The Alban Arena, St Albans, AL1 3LD. Adults £17.50-£34.50. alban-arena.co.uk

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These venues often have holiday family events No details as we went to press Lewis of London Ice Cream www.lewisoflondon.co.uk Little Angel Theatre www.littleangeltheatre.com The Cartoon Museum www.cartoonmuseum.org The Design Museum, holiday courses for 10-14s www.designmuseum.org Bank of England Museum www.bankofengland.co.uk Museum of London (check out family walks). EC2Y 5HN. www.museumoflondon.org.uk National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Rd, SW3 4HT. Character meets www.nam.ac.uk RSPB Rye Meads, SG12 8JS events.rspb.org.uk/ryemeads Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey KT8 9AU. Character meets and talks www.hrp.org.uk

Nov 11 Pinocchio, The Cockpit Familiesonline.co.uk

November/December 2023 17