November is the month of autumn leaves and crisp weather, but it is also when the Christmas season officially begins. And, to get you into the spirit, we are sharing with you our favourite family activities in London this November.
Christmas and Winter Events
As always, Winter Wonderland will be showcasing spectacular family performances such as the Circus, adrenaline-fuelled rides and rollercoasters, delicious street food, Christmas Market shopping, the iconic Giant Wheel and the UK’s largest outdoor Ice Rink. Open daily from 10 am until 10 pm, Winter Wonderland offers the ultimate festive experience for everyone, from laid-back family mornings to twinkling evenings with friends.
Winter craft season has officially opened and The Real Flower Company has released its 2023 festive wreathmaking courses, which will guarantee to get you in the festive mood. Running from November to mid-December 2023, at its intimately charming, and welcoming New Kings Road store, whether you are a beginner or expert, all are welcome. Wreaths will be crafted on wireframes with moss, adorned with gorgeous seasonal British foliage, festive berries and delights all farmed directly from The Real Flower Company’s own farm in Hampshire. As a Carbon-negative, climate-positive farm the workshop will only use sustainable techniques, materials, and produce.
The UK’s biggest indoor Christmas experience returns for 2023. The Magical Christmas Adventure is a spectacular 2.5-hour storytelling journey filled with festive goodness. It’s a magical, immersive theatrical experience creating incredible memories and excitement for all the family. The Magical Christmas Adventure will be open this year from 25 November – 24 December, with tickets already selling fast, and on sale now here.
Get Ready to GLIDE: Battersea Power Station’s Iconic Ice Rink returns after a phenomenal debut year. Battersea Power Station and IMG are thrilled to announce the return of London’s only riverside ice rink. Opening to the public on 10th November 2023 for over eight weeks, this breathtaking open-air ice rink allows visitors to skate against the backdrop of the iconic Grade II listed Power Station, making it a must-visit destination for the upcoming winter season.
Indulge…
Holland Park’s beloved pub, The Mitre, has undergone a £750k makeover and has now re-opened its doors. The super-premium Gastropub is well worth a visit. It’s family and dog-friendly and serves delicious food!
The pub reopened with a brand-new menu and will be devised of a sensational food selection including unmissable Sunday Roasts and contemporary seafood dishes!
Or you can indulge in style at The Carlton Tower, and savour their Jumeirah Festive Afternoon Tea, an extra sprinkle of joy this festive season. Served daily from 13th November to 5th January 2024, between 12 pm and 5 pm.
Fun for the little ones (and their families)
Step into the Science Museum’s new musical playground, Turn It Up. In this fun, family-friendly experience you’ll get a chance to hear, interact with, and even make your own music! You’ll explore the science and secrets around the impact music has on us with unique interactive exhibits.
Or why not discover Birdies’ visually ridiculous crazy golf courses in Angel and at Battersea Power Station, which promises to be the perfect family day out, and can be complemented by a drool-worthy menu at Cheeky Burger and a selection of famous Birdies cocktails and mocktails at their bars. Adult tickets are £13, and kids at £8.
If you are looking for something for your little ones, join the Sound Explorers sessions for families with children aged 0-2. Listen, play and make some noise! These free, informal sessions will invite you and your little one to explore the V&A museum display through sound and music. Sessions take place on Wednesdays to Fridays during term time at 10.30 and 11.30, and last for 20 minutes.
Art & Culture
Don’t miss the Shakespeare and War exhibition at the National Army Museum between 6th October 2023 and 31st March 2024. This free exhibition explores some of the ways in which Shakespeare has shaped how we think about soldiers and the Army, and how we imagine war and its consequences today.
Or discover the second immersive exhibition from Illusionaries this year, Latent Spaces, which takes you on a meditative and mind-bending immersive journey through four different rooms, with bright, bold, sensory visuals that will captivate the whole family, with the new art opening Illusionaries up as a venue for all ages.
And finally, explore the idea of the untouched landscape found in Maha Ahmed: Where Worlds Meet exhibition and our own challenges with climate change and destruction, through the art of paper cutting and collage, at Leighton House on Saturday 25th November between 2 pm to 4 pm. £5 per ticket. Find out more about the Narrative Collage: Utopian Landscapes for Young Adults exhibition.
You may also be interested in joining one of our events this November here. Make sure you are subscribed to our newsletter to stay in the loop.
