November in London is a playground waiting for you and your family to explore. At Polka Theatre, stories come to life, inviting your little ones into worlds filled with whimsy. Over at IKEA, crafty adventures await, with bonfires and celestial journeys promising a fun-filled escape. The South Bank Centre is ready to dazzle with its Winter Market, while Little Angel Theatre in Islington unfolds realms of imagination with every curtain rise.
Fireworks at Alexandra Palace Park and Battersea Park are ready to paint the night sky, offering a spectacle for all to enjoy. Get artsy at the Royal Academy of Arts or jazz up your day at the Royal Albert Hall with some musical fun designed for kids. The stories at Unicorn Theatre are bound to spark laughter and joy, just as Peppa Pig’s adventure at Theatre Royal Haymarket is set to enthral.
Ever After Garden in Mayfair offers a serene retreat, while Bubble Planet in Wembley invites you into a world where fantasy meets reality. From the historic halls of the Tower of London to the playful displays at Dulwich Picture Gallery, London, November is your family’s ticket to adventure, learning, and fun. So, prepare for a month filled with endless explorations and delightful discoveries!
1. POLKA THEATRE
01 Nov 2023 – 21 Jan 2024, Polka Theatre, Wimbledon, LONDON
Embark on interactive adventures at Polka Theatre, Wimbledon: join the Star Seekers (ages 3 – 8) on a cosmic mission; explore a sparkling tale with ‘The Lightbulb Princess’ (ages 4+); rescue a friend from the enigmatic Snow Queen (ages 6 – 12); and dive into a whimsical Christmas Eve (ages 2 – 6) narrative with six-year-old Amber, each narrative offering a unique, paid theatrical experience filled with enchantment, music, and imaginative storytelling.
PAID
2. IKEA
02 – 30 Nov 2023, Småland, IKEA UK
Join the IKEA Family for a range of delightful, FREE events to inspire, educate, and entertain. Enjoy a Bonfire (02 & 03 Nov) night celebration or craft your Advent Calendar (20 – 30 Nov) in the whimsical Småland crèche, offering 45-minute fun-filled sessions. For a galactic adventure, don’t miss the Intergalactic events in Småland (07 – 17 Nov), where young explorers can indulge in 45 minutes of celestial fun, all for FREE!
Suitable for ages 3 – 10.
FREE
3. SOUTH BANK CENTRE
02 Nov – 26 Dec 2023, South Bank Centre, Southbank LONDON
Explore Southbank’s Winter Market, dive into diverse jazz realms at EFG London Jazz Festival, and discover ‘Routes’ by Multi-Story Young Creatives (ages 7+).
FREE & PAID
4. LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE
02 Nov 2023 – 04 Feb 2024, Little Angel Theatre, Islington LONDON
Experience a realm of imagination at Little Angel Theatre, Islington: ‘The Bed’ transports the young to whimsical worlds through Sylvia Plath’s poem, tailored for babies (ages 6 – 18 months ) and toddlers (ages 18 months – 3 years); ‘Big Bad Me’ (ages 6+) reveals a tender take on the classic Red Riding Hood tale from the wolf’s viewpoint; explore the enchanting narratives of ‘Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book’ (ages 3 – 8) through puppetry and song; and uncover the magic of twilight in Night-time (ages 2 – 5.), each offering a paid, age-suitable, and captivating theatrical journey.
PAID
5. ALLY PALLY’S FIREWORKS FESTIVAL
03 – 04 Nov 2023, Alexandra Palace Park, Wood Green LONDON
Revel in the electrifying ambience of the “Glastonbury of Fireworks” this November, offering a fusion of foot-stomping live music, Bavarian vibes at the UK’s grandest German Bier Festival, iconic tribute acts, legendary DJ sets, dazzling lightning magic by Lords of Lightning, a disco-themed ice rink whirl, culminating in a legendary fireworks spectacle illuminating the London skyline, crafting an exhilarating blend of entertainment, flavours, and visual splendour over two unforgettable nights.
PAID
6. WALTHAM FOREST LIGHT SHOW SPECTACULAR
03 – 05 Nov 2023, Fellowship Square & Fountain, Walthamstow LONDON
Illuminate your Guy Fawkes weekend at Fellowship Square in Waltham Forest, transformed into a light show extravaganza against the majestic facade of Waltham Forest Town Hall, curated by Guildhall Live Events, accompanied by KERB+’s street food, Big Penny Social’s full-service bar, and lively performances from Fool’s Paradise and Drum Works, all enveloped in a more environmentally conscious celebration of bonfire night, replete with lights, projections, and fire effects, underscored by an original musical performance, inviting an enthralling communal festivity with family and friends.
PAID
7. FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR FAMILY RACEDAY
04 Nov 2023, Ascot Racecourse, Ascot BERKSHIRE
Experience the Jumps season at Ascot, highlighted by a Gold Cup race and a grand pyro-musical fireworks show, alongside family-friendly activities.
Suitable for all ages.
PAID, Kids Go FREE
8. LEGO CHRISTMAS DECORATION MAKE & TAKE AT SMYTHS TOYS SUPERSTORES
04 Nov 2023, Smyths Toys, All Stores UK
Unleash creativity at the LEGO Christmas Decoration Make & Take event at Smyths Toys Superstores across the UK and Ireland, crafting your unique LEGO-themed Christmas Baubles.
FREE
9. FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR 80’S THEME!
04 & 05 Nov 2023, Kent Life, Maidstone KENT
Cap off a fabulous season and ring in winter festivities with a spectacular 80’s-themed firework show post dazzling fire performances, where the night sky will burst with vibrant colours and iconic music hits, transporting you back in time amidst an electrifying atmosphere with an array of entertainment from children’s fairground rides, glow sticks, a licensed bar, and food concessions, to free afternoon delights at Kent Life featuring play areas, tractor rides, vintage buildings, and animal feeding sessions, crafting a memorable, fun-filled day for all ages.
PAID
10. DRIVE-IN TODDLER FIREWORKS
04 & 05 Nov 2023, Barleylands Farm Park, Billericay ESSEX
Kick off an enchanting evening ready to enjoy a lineup of lively entertainment either cosily from your car or in the designated standing area beside it, with the option to tune into the event’s exclusive radio station for an amplified experience.
PAID
11. HALF MOON YOUNG PEOPLE’S THEATRE
04 Nov 2023 – 02 Dec, Half Moon Young, Limehouse LONDON
Join explorers in “Stories in the Dust” (ages 4+), explore youthful emotions in “Hot Orange” (ages 13+), embark on a whimsical quest in “The Crockodogopig” (ages 4+) and a sparkling adventure in “The Lightbulb Princess (ages 4+) at Half Moon Young People’s Theatre.
PAID
12. STICK MAN
04 Nov 2023 – 02 Jan 2024, Leicester Square Theatre, Leicester Square LONDON
Embark on a whimsical journey with Freckle Productions’ charming adaptation of ‘Stick Man’ by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, as Stick Man’s morning jog spirals into a series of comedic misadventures, aiming to reunite with his family tree amidst lively puppetry, catchy tunes, live music, and vibrant performances, crafted by the award-winning creators of ‘Zog’ and ‘Zog and the Flying Doctors’, promising a heartwarming, laughter-filled escapade for all.
Suitable for ages 5+.
PAID
13. SKATE WEST END
04 Nov 2023 – 01 Jan 2024, Hanover Square, Mayfair LONDON
Discover the West End’s newest festive ice rink, supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.
PAID
14. TATE
04 Nov 2023 – 07 Feb 2024, TATE Modern and Britain, Bankside and Millbank LONDON
Delve into Tate Modern’s art while creating unique sounds at UNIQLO Tate Play Rhythm Make Studio (under 5s), and enjoy Ian Eagleton’s reading and sign language session at Tate Britain’s Story Space Read Aloud event.
FREE
15. BATTERSEA PARK FIREWORKS
05 Nov 2023, Battersea Park, Battersea LONDON
Ignite excitement at Battersea Park Fireworks this year, inviting kids to meet the cherished, lively blue-heeler pups amidst dazzling pyrotechnics.
Suitable for all ages.
PAID, Under 5s Go FREE
16. HORNIMAN MUSEUM & GARDENS
05 – 26 Nov 2023, Horniman Museum & Gardens, Forest Hil LONDON
Learn curl styling in Curl Power Workshop with Charlotte Mensah (ages 3+)and immerse in interactive cinema magic with “The Enchanted Cinema” at Horniman Museum & Gardens.
PAID, Kids Go FREE
17. BARBICAN CENTRE
08 Nov 2023 – 23 Mar 2024, Barbican Centre, LONDON
Unleash your imagination with the entrancing “My Neighbour Totoro” at Barbican Centre, showcasing a limited, highly-rated production poised to mesmerise audiences (ages 6+). Alternatively, venture into the whimsical Squish Space, a FREE creative play haven for under 5s and families, where artist-designed spaces invite explorations through interactive, collaborative play, shedding light on our planet’s ecology with recycled materials and fostering a deeper connection with nature.
FREE & PAID
18. CLUB CURLING
10 Nov 2023 – 25 Feb 2024, Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross LONDON
Relive the ’90s at King’s Cross with Club Curling’s Christmas return, featuring weekly live DJ sets and a pop-up cocktail bar.
PAID, Kids Go FREE
19. UNICORN THEATRE
11 Nov – 31 Dec 2023, Unicorn Theatre, Southwark LONDON
Experience whimsical adventures with The Bolds (ages 6+) and The Wolf, The Duck and The Mouse (ages 3 – 7) at Unicorn Theatre, blending humour, live music, and unexpected friendships in amusing yet heartfelt narratives.
PAID
20. ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS
15 – 26 Nov 2023, Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly LONDON
Delve into the art world at the Royal Academy of Arts with Early Years Studio: Messy (under 5s) for playful exploration of paint and Family Studio: Impressionists for a family-friendly drawing workshop inspired by an Impressionist exhibition.
FREE
21. SKATE AT SOMERSET HOUSE WITH SWITZERLAND TOURISM
15 Nov 2023 – 14 Jan 2024, Somerset House, Strand LONDON
Experience the epitome of London’s winter season at Somerset House’s Skate, offering an immersive Swiss winter ambience, exceptional skating, music, and culinary delights, alongside engaging sessions inspired by Swiss regions and a chance to relish the festive atmosphere with a variety of amenities including Skate School, DJ takeovers, Chalet Suisse restaurant, Skate Lounge, and a pop-up Shelter Boutique, all amidst the grandeur of a 40ft Christmas tree.
Suitable for ages 5 – 13.
22. EVER AFTER GARDEN
16 Nov – 19 Dec 2023, Grosvenor Square, Mayfair LONDON
Dedicate a rose in memory of a cherished one at the Ever After Garden, a serene retreat in Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, where over 25,000 white roses glow in tribute each festive season, with each dedication supporting The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, offering a heartfelt way to honour loved ones and contribute to a noble cause amidst a luminous garden of remembrance.
FREE
23. CROWN AND CORONATION
17 – 25 Nov 2023, Tower of London, Tower Hill LONDON
Immerse in the grandeur of coronations past at the Tower of London this November through Crown and Coronation, a captivating light and sound show by Historic Royal Palaces and Luxmuralis Artist Collaboration, portraying a visual journey from William the Conqueror to Queen Victoria, embellished with majestic imagery projected on the iconic White Tower, followed by an exclusive after-hours viewing of the Crown Jewels, offering a rare blend of historical awe, visual spectacle, and cherished regalia in a nine-night showcase before embarking on its UK tour in 2024.
PAID
24. “MR. SHADOW” HAND SHADOW SHOW
19 Nov 2023, Dulwich Picture Gallery, Dulwich LONDON
Step into a whimsical show with Drew Colby introducing you to his playful companion, Mr. Shadow, unveiling charming creatures and amusing tales through vintage hand shadow artistry, encapsulating a delightful exploration of child-like imagination for the whole family.
PAID
25. WALKING WITH THE SNOWMAN™
20 Nov 2023 – 03 Jan 2024, Fleet Street Quarter, LONDON
Embark on a whimsical journey through Fleet Street Quarter this festive season, discovering twelve artistically adorned recreations of the iconic The Snowman™, inspired by The Twelve Days of Christmas.
Suitable for all ages.
FREE
26. BUBBLE PLANET
22 Nov 2023 – 07 Feb 2024, Unit 20 Fulton Road, Wembley LONDON
Step into Bubble Planet, a realm where colossal, fantastical bubbles reign, inviting you on an imaginative, science-filled adventure that rekindles childlike wonder as you traverse through immersive spaces, engaging all senses in a spectacle of oversized bubbles, balloons, and soap, topped with a global hot air balloon flight simulator, offering a fresh, whimsical lens to perceive the world, ensuring an exhilarating, sensory-rich escapade.
Suitable for all ages.
PAID
27. AURORA ORCHESTRA: THE WOLF, THE DUCK AND THE MOUSE
23 Nov 2023, Kings Place, Kings Cross LONDON
Join a duck and a mouse on an adventure inside a wolf as Aurora and Scottish composer Martin Suckling bring Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen’s much-loved children’s story to musical life.
Suitable for ages 4 – 8.
PAID
28. ROYAL MUSEUMS GREENWICH
25 Nov 2023, National Maritime Museum and Queens House, Greenwich LONDON
Delve into polar research at the National Maritime Museum with UK Polar Network’s Polar Day, and enjoy a festive day of crafts, ice skating, and carols at Queen’s House Ice Rink Festive Fun Day, both offering a blend of educational and festive experiences in the heart of Greenwich.
FREE & PAID
29. JAZZ FOR KIDS – WHIMSICAL WINTER
25 Nov 2023, Royal Albert Hall, South Kensington LONDON
Delve into the lively realm of jazz with your young ones at the Jazz for Kids concerts, where professional musicians from Albert’s Band set a relaxed, engaging stage, inviting families to explore a curated jazz repertoire in an informal setting, encouraging children to freely express themselves through music, defying the norms of staying still or quiet, nurturing an early appreciation for the jazz genre in a fun, interactive ambience.
Suitable for ages 4 – 11.
PAID
30. PEPPA PIG’S FUN DAY OUT
30 Nov – 31 Dec 2023, Theatre Royal Haymarket, Haymarket LONDON
Join Peppa Pig and her family on an action-packed adventure as the live show Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out arrives at Theatre Royal Haymarket.
Suitable for all ages.
PAID
