Brunel Museum presents a lively summer season of cultural events from Friday 17th April to Monday 31st August 2026 at Brunel Museum, Railway Avenue, London SE16 4LF. Set within one of London’s most distinctive historic sites, the programme brings together heritage, creativity and community through a wide range of activities for all ages.
Visitors can explore the museum’s rich engineering history while taking part in interactive workshops, guided walks and immersive performances inspired by the Thames Tunnel and its surroundings. The Discover Trees Walks on 10th and 17th May offer relaxed, guided routes through Rotherhithe and Southwark Park, encouraging participants to connect with nature and local stories.
Seasonal celebrations continue with May Day festivities on 12th May, featuring traditional dance and opportunities for audience participation. A new exhibition, Groundbreakers: The Intrepid Men who built the Thames Tunnel (17th April–30th August), highlights the workers behind this pioneering achievement.
Families can enjoy Tunnellers’ Tales (23rd–31st May), an interactive experience for children aged 7–11. The season also includes monthly Secret Concerts (14th May, 18th June, 16th July, 13th August), transforming the underground shaft into a unique venue for live music.
Woolwich Works unveils an exciting programme of family fun, culture and creativity running throughout 2026 at Woolwich Works, The Royal Arsenal, London SE18 6HD. From spring through to autumn, the South East London venue offers a packed schedule of performances and interactive experiences designed for children and families.
The season begins in May with Nick Sharratt’s Picture Book Drawalong on 10 May, where young audiences can learn to draw and create their own characters. This is followed by Claytime on 29 May, an imaginative, hands-on theatre experience using clay, perfect for children aged 3–6. On 14 June, The Bubble Show brings science, storytelling and spectacular bubble artistry together in a visually stunning performance.
Autumn continues the creative momentum with The Museum of Marvellous Things on 11 October, alongside half-term highlights including There’s a Monster in Your Show on 24 October and Out of the Box on 25 October. Into November, families can enjoy Mr Sleepybum’s Dream Machine on 8 November and Captain Cauliflower & Marvin the Mischievous Moose on 15 November.
Together, these events offer a joyful mix of theatre, storytelling and hands-on creativity for all ages.
Alice in Wonderland returns to London for a limited summer season in 2026, playing at Riverside Studios from 16 July to 2 August, before transferring to Soho Theatre Walthamstow from 5 to 16 August. This critically acclaimed production follows its UK premiere at the Marylebone Theatre in 2025 and a successful spring run earlier this year.
Audiences are invited to tumble down the rabbit hole into Lewis Carroll’s fantastical world, where logic is turned upside down and imagination reigns. Alice’s extraordinary journey unfolds as she shrinks and grows, encountering unforgettable characters along the way, from the mischievous Cheshire Cat to the frantic White Rabbit and the formidable Queen of Hearts.
Adapted by Penny Farrow and directed and designed by Nate Bertone, this visually rich production combines inventive staging with striking costumes and puppetry to bring the beloved story vividly to life. Praised as a “delightfully imaginative retelling,” it offers a magical theatrical experience for audiences of all ages.
Following international success, including performances to over 100,000 people in Australia, this London return promises another enchanting and memorable theatrical adventure.
Kids Week 2026 returns to London this summer, running from Monday 20 July to Monday 31 August 2026 across participating West End and London theatres. Presented by Society of London Theatre, the much-loved initiative invites families to experience the magic of live performance at venues throughout the capital.
Now in its 25th year, Kids Week offers children aged 17 and under the chance to attend top shows for free when accompanied by an adult paying full price. Each paying adult can also purchase up to two additional children’s tickets at half price, all with no booking fees. Tickets will go on sale at 10am on Tuesday 9 June 2026 via Official London Theatre.
Alongside theatre performances, Kids Week features a lively programme of workshops and activities, giving young audiences a behind-the-scenes look at how productions are created. From stagecraft to storytelling, these experiences aim to inspire the next generation of theatre-makers and enthusiasts.
Often described as “the longest week in summer,” the programme spans the full school holidays, making theatre more accessible to families. With a wide range of shows and creative events set to be announced, Kids Week 2026 promises another exciting season of discovery and entertainment.
Comic chaos crash-lands at Hampton Court Palace Historic Royal Palaces welcomes the friends from Beanotown for a ‘blam-tastic’ summer. Running from 25 July – 23 August, Beano Havoc at Hampton Court Palace invites visitors of all ages on a time-twisting trail through Henry VIII’s former Palace.
When Dennis, Minnie, Harsha, Rubi and Gnasher are late for their Bash Street School trip, Dennis hatches a plan to save the day by turning his go-kart into a time machine with Rubi’s flux capacitor. But things take a turn; the machine malfunctions, hurtles through time and space, and plummets into Hampton Court Palace—much to the dismay of Henry VIII.
With the timeline in a right royal muddle, Beano fans are tasked with fixing the busted time machine on a journey through the Palace. Armed with a bespoke comic strip story, visitors must track down the scattered pieces to repair the tangled timeline. Along the way, expect palace pandemonium by encountering costumed characters dressed in signature Beano stripes and colours – from Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, Sophia Duleep Singh, and more.
Once the mission is complete, continue the adventure and explore 60-acres of historic gardens, get lost in the maze, or run wild in the Magic Garden playground. Families can treat themselves to Beano-inspired lunch and cakes from the onsite cafes and pick up cheeky merchandise from the shop.
Live performances will run throughout the day providing photo opportunities for Beano enthusiasts ‘court up’ in the commotion. With mischief unfolding at every turn, Beano Havoc at Hampton Court Palace unleashes a time-bending adventure where history meets comic- chaos.
The adventure continues in Northern Ireland with Beano Hijinks at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens from 27 June to 31 August 2026. For more information, visit https://www.hrp.org.uk/.
Families planning a standout summer day out can head to The British Motor Show, taking place from 21–23 August 2026 at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre. Blending motoring excitement with family entertainment, the event promises something for visitors of all ages.
Alongside hundreds of new cars, supercars and family vehicles, younger guests can meet some of their favourite characters. Paddington Bear appears on Sunday 23 August for special meet-and-greet moments, while Skye will be greeting fans on Friday 21 August. On Saturday 22 August, Sonic the Hedgehog brings high-energy fun to The Grid, an interactive gaming and e-sports zone.
Beyond the character appearances, the show features a packed programme including live stunt displays, music, outdoor exhibits and hands-on driving experiences for children. Visitors can explore themed areas such as The Showroom, The Grid, Festival Fields, the Supercar Paddock and Discovery Garage, offering a mix of education and entertainment.
With a refreshed layout and family-friendly focus, the event offers great value, including free entry for under-17s with a paying adult. Early bird tickets, with discounts available until 31 May 2026, make it an accessible and exciting summer outing.
The Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition returns from 30 June to 5 July 2026 at Royal Society, offering a free, week-long celebration of cutting-edge research in the heart of central London. A media preview will take place on Tuesday 30 June.
Bringing together leading scientists and engineers from across the UK, the exhibition features 13 interactive displays alongside a dynamic programme of talks, demonstrations and hands-on activities for all ages. Visitors can explore topics ranging from the science of ice cream and the physics of sand to robotics, supercomputing and the mysteries of the universe.
Highlights include Cardiff University’s lightning laboratory demonstrations, the Oxford Robotics Institute’s interactive robot “Frank,” and the Microbe Zoo from Norwich Research Park, where visitors can journey through microscopic worlds. There are also opportunities to learn about healthy ageing, nanotechnology in healthcare, and groundbreaking advances in radiotherapy.
The exhibition opens with a schools-only day on 30 June, followed by an adults-only late event that evening. Public opening begins at 10am on 1 July. Special events include a Pride-themed evening on Friday 3 July and a weekend celebration of David Attenborough’s 100th birthday.
Barbican Centre launches Preschool Pics, a brand-new year-round cinema programme for toddlers aged 12 months to 4 years, running on selected midweek mornings from May to September 2026 at the Beech Street Cinema Café, London EC2Y. Designed as a gentle introduction to the big screen, the series combines short films, live performances and creative activities in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.
The programme begins on Wednesday 20 May 2026 at 10:30am with Amazing Animations and a live music session from cellist Tara Franks. On Wednesday 24 June 2026, Jasmine and Jambo – Midsummer Magic is paired with interactive storytelling, while Wednesday 23 September 2026 features The Smeds and the Smoos alongside more live music. Additional screenings are scheduled for 9 December 2026, 10 February 2027 and 27 March 2027.
Each event is carefully curated with age-appropriate films—either dialogue-free or in English—alongside space for play before and after screenings. Facilities include baby-changing areas, highchairs and relaxed seating.
With tickets from £2.50 for children and £5 for adults, Preschool Pics offers an accessible and engaging first cinema experience for young audiences and their carers.
Family favourites Simon Mole and Gecko bring their brand-new show The Great Big Bug Show to Stanley Arts on Wednesday 27 May 2026, with performances at 11am and 2pm during the May half-term holidays.
Packed with poems, raps and catchy songs, this lively and interactive show invites children aged 4–11 and their families to explore the fascinating world of bugs. From beetles with surprising defences to ancient minibeasts and eight-legged hunters, the performance blends fun facts with imaginative storytelling and music. Audiences can expect a mix of humour, creativity and plenty of “earworm” tunes inspired by the tiny creatures beneath our feet.
Following a buzzing premiere at the Natural History Museum, the show has already delighted young audiences and gained national attention. Inspired by Simon Mole’s book A First Book of Bugs, it also encourages children to appreciate nature while sparking curiosity and creativity.
With a running time of approximately 50 minutes and no interval, The Great Big Bug Show offers an engaging, educational and entertaining day out for families in South London.
