WHAT’S ON
What’s on Compiled by Robina Cowan
All details are as provided when going to press. However, in case of changed plans, do double-check before setting out.
SPECIAL EVENTS Curling Club at Southbank Centre www.thecurlingclub.com/southbank Fri 13 Oct - Sun 18 Feb Exciting new alpine themed curling pop-up, a great winter sport for families to play together with delicious food, festive music and an après ski vibe. Lord Mayor’s Show From St Paul’s Cathedral www.lordmayorsshow.london 11 November The Lord Mayor’s Show dates back to the early 13th century, when King John rashly allowed the City of London to appoint its own Mayor. Each year the City of London’s streets are filled with joyous processions, musicians and dancers. The Independent Schools Show Battersea Evolution SW11 4NJ www.schoolsshow.co.uk 11 & 12 November The world’s largest school open day brings together representatives from across the independent school sector, along with education and parenting experts to help you make informed education decisions for your child. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland Hyde Park W2 2UH www.hydeparkwinterwonderland. com 17 November - 1 January The jewel in the crown of London’s festive calendar is filled with thrilling rides, attractions, games, food and drink offerings. Highlights include the giant observation wheel, UK’s largest outdoor ice rink, SantaLand, Cirque Berserk and Zippos Christmas Circus. Mum2mum Market Various venues www.mum2mummarket.co.uk 18 November in Welling 2 December in Bromley Nearly new baby and children’s clothes, toys, books and baby equipment. Wishmas The Old Bauble Factory Waterloo SE1 7AD www.wishmas.co.uk 14 November - 7 January In an enchanted realm, wishes come true. Take a walk through magical rooms where you will meet robins, wishkeepers and Father Christmas, playing your part to ensure that no wish is ever forgotten. Christmas at Kent Life Kent Life Heritage Farm Park www.kentlife.org.uk 25 & 26 November, 2, 3, 9, 10 & 15-24 December Get set for some Christmas magic with Father Christmas’s magical grotto and a sleighful of activities including Elf school, gingerbread decorating, Jingle Express farm rides and Christmas movies. 14 Families South East London
Greenwich Market Grotto Greenwich Market SE10 9HZ https://tinyurl.com/ynnznb2j 15 November - 23 December Santa and his Hospice helpers can’t wait to welcome children for a magical experience this Christmas. Run in support of Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice. Christmas Markets www.mypopupevents.co.uk 3 December, Upper Norwood Library Hub SE19 9 December, St Barnabas Church Hall SE21 Shop for handmade gifts, art and craft, clothing and tasty treats. Plus a ticketed Christmas puppet show: Pinocchio, by the Magical Paper Theatre. Whippersnappers’ Winter Wonderland College Lodge, Dulwich Park SE21 7BQ www.whippersnappers.org December dates An enchanting, immersive experience that will leave your children spellbound, featuring elves, workshops and Father Christmas. Kingdom of Winter Excel London E16 1XL www.kingdomofwinter.com 8 December - 7 January A brand-new destination of fun awaits visitors with a host of attractions including a winter themed circus, ice skating, fairground rides, an immersive ice expedition trail, an alpine-style Christmas market and a range of festive food and drink.
THEATRE & SHOWS Blackheath Halls Lee Road SE3 9RQ www.blackheathhalls.com 18 November Midsummer Night’s Dream A dreamy adventure full of love, fairies, puppets, original music and ridiculousness. Ages 6+. 9 December Teach Rex Live Velociraptor Show An interactive journey filled with life-size dinosaurs, music and effects. 22-23 December The Nutcracker Let’s All Dance delivers its family festive favourite, alive with gorgeous costumes, sumptuous music and fabulous dancing. National Theatre Upper Ground SE1 9PX www.nationaltheatre.org.uk 7 November - 27 January Roald Dahl’s The Witches Everything you know about witches is wrong. Forget the pointy hats and broomsticks: they’re the most dangerous creatures on earth. This rip-roaring musical version of Roald Dahl’s timeless tale is filled with wit, daring and heart. Ages 8+.
The Snowman™ at Peacock Theatre Shakespeare’s Globe New Globe Walk SE1 9DT www.shakespearesglobe.com
Theatre Peckham Havil Street SE5 7SB www.theatrepeckham.co.uk
8 December - 7 January Hansel and Gretel This beautifully epic new version of The Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage will transform the Globe into a winter woodland. Ages 5+. Greenwich Theatre Crooms Hill SE10 8ES www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk 23 November - 7 January Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Mirror, mirror, on the wall, don’t miss the fairest pantomime of all! South London Theatre Norwood High Street SE27 9NS www.southlondontheatre.co.uk 12-21 December Beauty and the Beast The theft of a single rose has monstrous consequences for Beauty and her father, because this is no ordinary rose. This timeless story is sure to surprise, delight and enchant. The Broadway Theatre Catford Road SE6 4RU www.broadwaytheatre.org.uk 13-31 December Jack and the Beanstalk Jack, his mum and their cow Caroline live in the Kingdom of Lewishfarm and life is tough; the people are poorer and the rich are getting richer. Packed with magic beans, slapstick routines, songs, laughs and silliness galore. The Old Vic The Cut SE1 8NB www.oldvictheatre.com 11 November - 6 January A Christmas Carol Mince pies, music and merriment! Starring Christopher Eccleston as Scrooge, Matthew Warchus’ big-hearted staging immerses the audience in this beloved festive favourite. Ages 8+. The Albany Douglas Way SE8 4AG www.thealbany.org.uk 2-24 December The Light Princess A joyful re-imagining of a classic fairytale featuring an upbeat electronic score, innovative technical wizardry, gorgeous puppetry, bears and... turnips! Ages 3-7.
5-24 December RAPUNZEL Theatre Peckham is back with another Christmas show from 5 to 24 December. Theatre Peckham presents RAPUNZEL, a fun-filled musical-inspired, pantoesque remix of a classic tale. RAPUNZEL is a magical hair story, set in a hairdresser’s in Peckham, which weaves a tale about individuality and empowerment. Tickets start at £7.50. For more information and to book, call 020 7708 5401, or visit www.theatrepeckham.co.uk 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. Unicorn Theatre Tooley Street SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com 11 November - 31 December The Bolds Julian Clary’s adaptation of his bestselling book returns this Christmas after its successful 2021 debut. The Bolds may seem like an ordinary family living on a typical British street but there’s a unique twist—they’re hyenas in disguise! Join Mr. and Mrs. Bold and their twins, Betty and Bobby, as they balance work, school and friendships while keeping their beastly secret hidden. With live music and songs by Julian Clary and Simon Wallace, The Bolds promises hearty laughter and celebrates the joy of embracing the extraordinary within the ordinary. Don’t miss this extraordinary treat for the whole family this festive season. Ages 6+.
Familiesonline.co.uk
WHAT’S ON Royal Observatory Greenwich Blackheath Avenue SE10 8XJ www.rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory 11 November Diwali Special A brand-new show which explores how the Hindu calendar links to the Sun and Moon and how the skies are used to work out the date for Diwali.
The Light Princess Deptford Albany
17 November - 31 December The Wolf, The Duck and The Mouse Sometimes friendship can be found in the darkest and most unusual of places and being eaten up by a wolf isn’t actually that bad. Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen’s bestselling picture book returns to the Unicorn stage. Ages 3-7. Southbank Centre Southbank SE1 8XX www.southbankcentre.co.uk 3 & 17 November, 1 & 15 December 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. 10 November EFG London Jazz Festival Concert The Tots Tunes Family Band presents an exciting repertoire of world, folk and new music, featuring two cellos, two violins, percussion and vocals. Ages 0-10. Bromley Churchill Theatre High Street Bromley BR1 1HA www.churchilltheatre.co.uk 2-31 December Cinderella Packed with traditional pantomime ingredients, this Cinderella features laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses. 9-23 December Puss in Boots Filled with original music, interactive fun and larger than life characters - the perfect Christmas treat for the whole family. Ages 2+. Royal Albert Hall Kensington Gore SW7 2AP www.royalalberthall.com 10 December My Christmas Orchestral Adventure Conductor Tim has lost his Christmas spirit before the wold’s biggest concert. Help Tim’s brother bring back Christmas cheer in time to meet Father Christmas. St Martin’s Theatre West Street WC2H 9NZ www.stmartinstheatre.co.uk 2 December - 7 January The Smartest Giant in Town George wishes he wasn’t the scruffiest giant in town. So when he sees a new shop selling giantsized clothes, he decides it’s time for a new look. A heart-warming Familiesonline.co.uk
tale about friendship and helping those in need is brought to life in a musical, puppet-filled adventure. Little Angel Theatre Dagmar Passage N1 2DN www.littleangeltheatre.com Until 19 November Big Bad Me Think you know the story of Red Riding Hood? Think again! Hear the real story, never heard before, of the kind and hungry wolf who strayed from the path and lost his friends. Ages 6+. 18 November - 4 February Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book A musical adaptation of the bestselling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, featuring the bookloving Charlie, a pirate, puppets and enchanting songs. Ages 3-8.
Cutty Sark King William Walk SE10 9HT www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark 4 & 5 November, 2 & 3 December 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 16 December Family Festival: Winter Light Visit the gallery for a festival inspired by the current Rubens exhibition, which explores his use of colour, light and movement. Eltham Palace Court Yard SE9 5QE www.english-heritage.org.uk 1 December - 1 January Christmas at Eltham With a host of light installations designed to fit in with the natural surroundings, feel the Christmas spirit by immersing yourself in a world of seasonal sparkle and
festive cheer. National Maritime Museum Greenwich SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/nationalmaritime-museum 11 November Finding Diwali Celebrate the Festival of Light with a day of arts, performance, workshops and light shows. 25 November Polar Family Day Meet polar scientists and discover more about the polar regions. The day will include workshops and expert Q&A sessions. All ages. Hever Castle Kent TN8 7NG www.hevercastle.co.uk 18 November - 1 January Christmas at Hever Witness the enchantment of the Castle, gardens and lake festooned with fabulous colours and twinkling lights, capturing the spirit of Christmas. Entertainment includes fairground rides, festive shopping and workshops. London Transport Museum Covent Garden Piazza WC2E 7BB www.ltmuseum.co.uk 24 November - 4 January Christmas at the Museum Jump aboard Santa’s Routemasterinspired sleigh for some Christmas cheer. Festive activities will include holiday crafts, a selfie wall and fun family trail.
Barbican Silk Street EC2Y 8DS www.barbican.org.uk
WINTER ICE RINKS
29 December Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas From Victorian villains to Medieval monks, Puritan parties to Tudor treats, find out what happens when Christmas comes under threat from a jolly man dressed in red. Ages 4+.
Until 24 Feb Canary Wharf E14 www.icerinkcanarywharf. co.uk
17 Nov - 8 Jan Queen’s House, Greenwich SE10 www.rmg.co.uk
10 Nov - 7 Jan Battersea Power Station SW11 www.batterseapower station.co.uk
17 Nov - 7 Jan Hampton Court Palace www.hamptoncourtpapace icerink.co.uk
10 Nov - 7 Jan Westfield Shepherd’s Bush W12 7GF www.westfield.com
17 Nov - 1 Jan Hyde Park Winter Wonderland W2 www.hydeparkwinter wonderland.com
Bach to Baby Various dates and venues www.bachtobaby.com 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! Check the website for upcoming dates. Bring Your Own Baby Comedy Various venues www.byobcomedy.com 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. Check the website for upcoming dates.
Get your skates and put some colour in everyone’s cheeks in beautiful fresh air surroundings
15 Nov - 14 Jan Somerset House WC2 www.somersethouse.org.uk
8 Dec - 7 Jan Kingdom of Winter, Excel E16 1XL www.kingdomofwinter.com
www.globalcamps.co.uk
MUSEUMS & MONUMENTS 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.
Ofsted registered Holiday Camp for ages 4-12 Families South East London 15