Christmastime in Covent Garden and Southbank
Nothing is iconic as Christmastime in Covent Garden. The decorations are sumptuous; acres of ribbon and fairy lights, mulled wine, carol singers, an enormous privet reindeer! Take the kids to check out Covent Garden, and surrounding areas, everyone can enjoy some seasonal and classical treats. When the hustle and bustle get too much, pop into Two Temple Place or the Piazza Cafe at the Royal Opera House and enjoy a very civilised time for all.
In addition to buskers, food and decorations, there is reindeer petting in Covent Garden Market every Saturday and Carol Singers in the Market: Sunday 12th 1-2pm, more info
London Transport Museum Any day is a good day to take small children to the Transport Museum, they can move around, climb, run around a little bit. Its also the perfect place to warm up after walking around Covent Garden Market. Starting the 19th of December, there will be lots of interesting activities for children of all ages (mosaic making, storytelling, rhyming) £13.50 for one adult’s year long pass and children are free. More info on family events at London Transport Museum
Piazza Cafe at the Royal Opera House: If there is not an event on, you can go into the Royal Opera House and up to their cafe and have the most amazing coffee in this secret, spacious, affordable place to have a great coffee and a cake.
SOMERSET HOUSE Pop over to Somerset House after Covent Garden and enjoy watching the ice skating (or book tickets), the Christmas tree and some great, free activities.
Christmas Storytelling, and take the kids to the Tiffany Christmas tree in the courtyard (it is outside) to hear an author tell a story from their own books. After you can buy a copy and have it signed! The coming line up:
- Saturday 10th December, 3:14 – 3:34, ages 8+, Kay Woodward:SkateSchool. Join Kay Woodward as she talks about and reads from her poplarSkateSchool series.
- Sunday 11th December, 3:15 – 3:34 ages 5+ Sue Mondgredien: Oliver Moon. Tuesday 13th December 3:15-3:45 ages 5-7, Chris Wormell: Molly and the Night Monster. Multi award-winning author and artist, Chris Wormell, reads from some of his best-loved stories.
- Wednesday 14th December, ages 1-5 Louise Yates: Frank and Teddy Make Friends
- Friday 16th December 3:15-3:45 The Winter Carousel
Holiday Drop in Family Workshop: This Saturday and next have fun making festive lanterns from 11-1 and then 2-4pm Saturday 10th and 17th. Click here for more details
Two Temple Place: just beyond Somerset House, near Temple underground station and next to the Victoria Gardens is the restored late-Victorian, Portland Stone fronted “house” of William Waldorf Astor. The estate now displays British art, with an exhibition based on William Morris currently on display. Entry is free, there are trails for families and children are welcome to wear costumes and find their character’s in paintings on display. Also on the 17th December, there will be a £3.00 ornament making Click here for more details
workshop from 10am – 4pm. Free, drop in.
SOUTHBANK If you are weary of traffic and street crossings with your little ones, or just fancy a slightly less frantic scene, head over to Southbank this weekend for some really good Christmas fun!!
Southbank Winter Festival: The Southbank Christmas Market (now through 24th December) and Royal Festival Hall: Pack a picnic or buy food there. Enjoy shelter and entertainment in the Royal Festival Hall after walking through the Southbank Christmas festival and market. Take in the views from the Southbank, watch the entertainers, eat in the market and ride the fabulous carousal and then pop into the Royal Festival Hall and check out Forkbeard Fantasy Theatre of Imagination(2nd December – 8th January) an interactive with life size puppets, peepshow boxes, mechanical gizmos and cartoons. The Festival Hall is a community space, with toilets and highchairs and wifi for anyone to use. You can bring your own food or buy food there. This weekend there will be the Chocolate Festival Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th all day, with William Curley, Rococo Chocolates and loads other brands exhibiting
and as always, our line up of some other good things ….
Just for Babies:
Gate Cinema: Tuesday 13th December, 10:30am: Margaret. Come watch MATT DAMON and some other actors in a tale about the loss of youthful idealism. Click here fro more details
For toddlers and Babies
Classical Babies: Wednesdays, 11:00am, Belisize Park, Interchange Studios. £10 per family for a delightful classical concert that is completely baby and toddler friendly, the perfect mid-week bit of brain candy
For Bigger Kids:
Kids Club at The Gate Picturehouse: This week, send dad out with the kids from 10am they have activities, then Toy Story 3 (great film) begins at 10:30. £4 to join the Kids Club, but then tickets are £1 after, popcorn and juice for the kids £2. Click here for more details
Family Art Workshops in the Saatchi Gallery on Sundays from 27th November – 18th December, £3 per card. The fabulous Valeria will take your children on a guided discovery through the galleries and then teach them how to print Christmas cards. Click here for more details
