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- 👵 14 things to do in London this weekend with the kids (23–24 November)
👵 14 things to do in London this weekend with the kids (23–24 November)
Jeff – Dads in London
November 20, 2024
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Hello DiLFs!
I’d love to pick your brains for a moment, if I could. I’m trying to figure out the best “key info” to put at the top of each event – name of event, address, dates, times, etc.
You’ll see the current format in the events listings below, but I’ve had recommendations from a few readers about other things that could be included. Could you please let me know your top (up to 5) bits of key information? It’s a very quick survey: you can find it here.
I know lots of readers would like me to include it all, but a) that would make the newsletter very long indeed, and b) I don’t think I have the time to do it all! So please choose up to 5.
Thank you!
Jeff xx
1: Judge the Battle of the Scandi Christmas fairs!
It’s Sweden vs Denmark this weekend! I suggest you visit both Christmas fairs, see which you like most, then use that to determine which country is superior in general.
If you don’t have time for all that, here’s a like-for-like comparison to help you choose which to visit this weekend:
Saturday 11:30–18:00 and Sunday 11:30–17:00
The Swedish Church, 6 Harcourt Street, W1H 4AG
Adults ÂŁ3, under-12s free
Venue: a church that was built in 1911 and is based on the design for London’s original Swedish Church in Wapping, which opened in 1728. It can get a bit hot and clammy during the fair, as it attracts over 6,000 visitors over the weekend.
What to buy:
Glögg – which isn’t mulled wine, so don’t you dare make the mistake of calling it that (there are almonds and raisins at the bottom of your glass, for a start)
Reindeer (the dead, frozen kind – to eat), elk and cured salmon
Lots of sweets and bready things
Textiles, candles and Christmas decorations
Food to eat while you’re there: there’s a cafe on the premises, where you can eat traditional open sandwiches, lots of cake, and – of course – meatballs.
Fun fact: all the sellers get dressed up in traditional Swedish Christmas costumes, which makes it all extra-festive.
Note: the official website doesn’t contain much information, so you could also check out this one: https://swedishfood.com/christmas-market
Saturday 11:00–17:00 and Sunday 11:00–16:00
Danish YWCA in London, 43 Maresfield Gardens, NW3 5TF
Adults ÂŁ2, under-6s free
Venue: the Danish YWCA is a hostel for Danish workers, students and visitors.
What to buy:
Danish food and sweets
Christmas decorations
Glögg (it’s not the same as mulled wine in Denmark either)
Food to eat while you’re there: Danish open sandwiches, traditional Danish pastries, and hot dogs.
Fun fact: you’re encouraged to “bring a suitcase” if you’re planning a big Christmas shop, which makes me think there’s a lot more going on at this fair than they’re letting on…
Find out more: https://www.kfuk.co.uk/julebasar--christmas-market
Pollock’s Live Toy Theatre: Dick Whittington and Cinderella, a Christmas double bill
Sunday 24 November, 12:00 and 15:00
Museum of the Home, 136 Kingsland Road, E2 8EA
ÂŁ12 per person for the show; entry to the museum itself is free
The Museum of the Home is a fantastic place to visit anyway: its permanent Rooms Through Time exhibition shows how people lived in the past and are expected to live in the future, with many full-size examples of living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms from various years between 1630 and 2049.
But this weekend, it gets even better – because once you’ve shown your children the rotary-dial telephones, paper doilies and Littlewoods catalogues of their ancestors, you can all watch TWO classic Christmas shows together.
Dick Whittington and Cinderella have been produced by the famous Pollock’s Toy Museum and will be performed in the form of a Live Toy Theatre – which involves “pushing cardboard cut-out figures across the stage while speaking the lines, changing the scenery and adding sound effects”. It’s classic theatre, and unlike anything else you’ll see on stage this season.
Each play lasts about 15 minutes, and there’s a short interval between them – meaning the whole thing will last around 45 minutes.
While you’re there…
👍️ The museum’s Rooms Through Time exhibition has been given a festive glow-up: the rooms on display are dressed to represent how seasonal celebrations have evolved across different time periods and communities.
It’s not just the decorations that are different: it’s also the food, the way people kept themselves warm, and how they entertained themselves. The “room of the future”, set in 2049, predicts what the festive season will be like in a couple of decades’ time.
A real Christmas tree without the faff
I’m finally ditching the plastic tree this year. For ages, I’ve stuck with the fake fir because there’s NO WAY I’m lugging a real one home on a freezing November night, let alone trimming the base and wrestling it into a stand. I may be built like a brick shed (ish) with biceps like bowling balls (hmmm)... it’s just I have better things to do.
But let’s face it: a real tree is just better. It looks stunning, smells incredible, and actually feels like Christmas – unlike the sad, dusty vibe of the old plastic one.
That’s why I’m getting a real Christmas tree from Bernard’s Trees. It’s zero hassle, no lugging and no faffing – just a proper holiday upgrade. All I have to do is choose the size online and book a delivery slot. On the day, the team from Bernard’s will deliver and install my beautiful Nordmann fir (the best kind of tree), then sweep up and leave the place spotless.
Most other Christmas trees are imported with questionable growing practices, but Bernard’s trees are locally sourced from a single farm in Yorkshire, ensuring top quality and sustainability. You’ll notice the difference in the look and smell right away.
And after Christmas? While other trees tossed on the street will end up in landfill, Bernard’s will collect mine, shred it into wood chips and return those chips to the earth – a waste-free wrap-up for the season.
So this year, I’m letting someone else do the heavy lifting. I’ll be on the sofa with a mince pie, soaking up the glory of a real Christmas tree without lifting a finger. Dads in London readers get 10% off all trees and services with the code BERNARDS10. Visit www.bernardstrees.co.uk to order.
Mars in the Painted Hall
Saturday and Sunday, 10:00–17:00 (and every day until 20 January)
Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, SE10 9NN
Adults ÂŁ16.50, under-16s free
If you saw Gaia (“big installation of Earth”) at Southwark Cathedral the other month, your desire to see Mars (“same thing, but Mars”) will depend on how much you’re into planetary stuff and how much you’re into doing similarish experiences with your weekends. I mean, Earth and Mars are undoubtedly different, but they’re not exactly “try axe-throwing” one weekend and then “tour an exhibition on the evolution of filing cabinets” the next.
Both installations are seven metres in diameter, meaning Mars is approximately one million times smaller than the real thing. (Jerram’s Earth/Gaia was 1.8 million times smaller than Earth.) But whereas Gaia was mostly about provoking a sense of awe for our planet and a desire to give it some TLC, Mars is about providing an opportunity to explore and imagine the Martian landscape. It’s ever so slightly more for the space nerds.
Sea Shanty Festival 2024
Saturday 23 November, 10:00–16:30
Cutty Sark, King William Walk, SE10 9HT
Free with admission ticket (adults £20, children 4–15 £10, under-4s free)
Proving that London never runs out of event ideas, this weekend you can explore a 155-year-old tea clipper while watching traditional folk music performed by the best sea shanty groups around. (Note: there’s a chance these are the only sea shanty groups around.) You can also participate in shanty workshops throughout the day, and there’s a big singalong at the end of the event.
You have to buy tickets for the Cutty Sark to enter, but the festival itself is free – so you can think of all the shanty stuff as a lovely bonus. There’s tons to do on the ship – including walking the decks, visiting the captains cabin and crew’s quarters, checking out the interactive displays, and getting a bit weirded out when an actor dressed as a historical figure starts to share stories and experiences with you. Check out lots more activities on this helpful page.
While you’re there…
👍️ Don’t get the tube or a bus to the Cutty Sark: arrive by boat instead! Uber Boat by Thames Clippers runs regular bus services all year round from tons of piers in London – such as London Bridge, Blackfriars, Westminster, Waterloo and Vauxhall (but loads more too!). You can use your contactless card or Oyster card to pay as you board.
I updated the list AGAIN and added tons of new shows, free carol concerts, and lots and lots of fantastically random Christmas experiences.
I’ve also had to “cross out” many events that are now fully booked.
Here’s a sneak preview of The Big London Christmas List:
5: Discover a Czech animated gem full of light and friendship (and featuring a glow-in-the-dark kid)
Tony, Shelly and the Magic Light & Kids Art Workshop
Sunday 24 November, 14:00–16:00
Embassy of the Czech Republic, 26-30 Kensington Palace Gardens, W8 4QY
ÂŁ8.30 per person
If your kid thinks “dobry den” must be the latest TikTok dance craze, fear not: this delightful-sounding Czech animation has English subtitles. (If your kid can’t read yet, fair enough: this event might not be for you.)
Tony, Shelly and the Magic Light follows the story of Tony, an 11-year-old boy who literally glows and is kept indoors by his anxious parents. His world brightens up when Shelly, a neglected neighbour, shares a magical torch that creates dream-like worlds. Together they set off on an adventure to uncover a dark force that drains sunlight and feeds on fear.
The film has picked up a shelf of awards, and there’s a post-screening art workshop to let everyone unleash their inner animators. Perfect for ages 6+ (and a great excuse for you to enjoy a subtitled masterpiece without complaints).
While you’re there…
👍️ I can’t not mention the Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens, which has a wooden pirate ship (with a beach), sensory trail, teepees, and various play sculptures.
👍️ In addition to the ice skating, bowling and Meatliquor burgers on offer at Queens Skate Dine Bowl, there’s also augmented reality darts (?!), curling and an arcade den.
👍️ After something more wholesome? You could always grab a Lime bike and cycle around London’s ninth-most popular route of 2023: the Hyde Park bike path.
Family Studio: My Favourite People
Sunday 24 November, 11:00–13:00 and 14:00–16:00
Clore Learning Centre at the Royal Academy, 6 Burlington Gardens, W1S 3ET
FREE
If there are any grandparents in your family who say they don’t care for extravagant Christmas presents, now’s your chance to put that to the test! The Royal Academy’s latest Family Studio involves creating mini-sculptures of loved ones out of card, foam and tissue paper – which can then be taken home, wrapped up and given as both meaningful and inexpensive (well, free) presents.
The workshop takes inspiration from the RA’s Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael exhibition – which is more expensive than free, but which looks fantastic.
Get The Big London Christmas List 2024!
I’ve put together a list of over 140 Christmas events and activities that are available to book now – across categories including shows, pantomimes, carol concerts, grottos, markets, ice skating and more.
If you’d like to make use of it, I’m asking for a donation in return – but I’ve set the minimum to £3 so it’s within everyone’s reach. (This works out at about $3.93, which is the currency the payment platform works in. You won’t get charged any conversion fees.)
You’ll get access to the full list immediately, and I’ll keep adding to it all the way through until the big day. When something amazing is released that seems like it’ll sell out quickly, I’ll send you a special “Quick: book now!” alert.
Bonus: Oh my goodness… so many events this weekend!
Here’s a very quick summary of the others:
👍️ Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair looks magical – scroll down the page for the full list of exhibitors.
👍️ There’s also a festive market at Syon House's Great Conservatory.
👍️ Dulwich College also has a Christmas fair this Sunday.
👍️ Aurora Orchestra is performing a musical version of The Wolf, the Duck and the Mouse at King’s Place.
👍️ Cockpit’s Winter Open Studios gives you the chance to meet and shop directly from over 175 artist-makers – this time in Deptford.
👍️ The gardens at gardens at Hampton Court Palace are free to enter this weekend.
👍️ Tate Britain has a brand new exhibition called The 80s: Photographing Britain.
👍️ I can’t believe I nearly didn’t know about this!!! Sotheby’s is arranging the auction of Real Madrid’s first team locker room (from the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium), and there’s a FREE exhibition of all the items up for auction this weekend (New Bond Street). This website has more information on the Real Madrid locker room auction and exhibition.