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Kent

South London

Monthly on Sat Pastfinders Guildford Museum Club Salter’s Castle Street Guildford 01483 444750 Seeking new members to join in activities to include art & craft, trips, talks & more,8+yrs. 19 Jan Crimean Chaos discover the personal stories of those who went to war, the famous, the infamous & the ordinary.

Weekends throughout Dec Canary Wharf      Visit Santa in his grotto & take part in festive activities such as facepainting, cookie decorating & more.

From 24 Nov Science Museum Exhibition Rd London  0870 870 4868 Launchpad FREE interactive gallery re-opens & a third bigger which allows visitors to launch a rocket, turn their head into a sound box & control a magnetic cloud.  1 Dec-6 Jan Imax Santa vs the Snowman 3D. Until Jan Penicillin: A Story of Triumph and Tragedy exhibition, FREE. Until Feb Inside the Spitfire: Personal Stories of Britain’s Most Famous Plane,FREE. Daily drama characters exciting series of shows for families.

Every weekend & daily school holidays Tate Modern Bankside London SE1 9TG 020 7887 8008 Family Zone games have been designed to increase the understanding & enjoyment of the new collection displays, FREE. Daily The Learning Zone a wide range of interactives, games & quizzes based around single artworks.

Every Sun National Gallery   www.nationalgallery.org.uk 020 7747 2885 Magic Carpet storytelling families under 5’s,FREE. Every Sun Art Workshops for families 5-11yrs,FREE. 27-29 Dec Monster Celebration FREE painting workshop, families 5-11yrs. 27-29 Dec Tally Ho Ho Ho FREE mixed media workshop.

Daily Natural History Museum Cromwell Road London     020 7942 5000 Explorer backpacks for families. New opens 28 Nov The Vault permanent gallery.  Every Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat & Sun Focus Points for families. Every weekend Hands-on Nature Oceans, FREE. 1,15 Dec Crafty Nature-Penguin Mask activity under 7’s. 2,8,16,22,29 Dec Gallery characters. 27-28 Dec Judy Preece Natural Tales with puppets, families under 7’s. 16,31 Dec Nature Live event Living in the FREEzer. 22 Dec The World of Chocolate discover the world of chocolate with botanist Vilma Bharatan, FREE. 28 Dec The Natural History of Reindeer find out more, FREE. 29 Dec The World of Spiders, FREE.

Until 1 Dec  The Hawth Crawley  01293 553636 Cats the musical. 1 Dec One, Two, Zebra Zoo bounce-along, sing-along, musical storytelling under 5’s. 7-8 Dec A School Journey to the Centre of the Earth. 14 Dec-6 Jan Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. 9-10 Jan Nutcracker performed by St Petersburg Ballet Theatre. 18-19 Jan The Town Mouse & The Country Mouse. 25-26 Jan Theseus and the Minotaur 6-11yrs.

Until 2 Dec Unicorn Theatre for Children 147 Tooley Street   020 7645 0560 How to Beat a Giant. 1 Dec-27 Jan Duck!is the story of the Ugly Duckling 7+yrs.

30 Nov-2 Dec,6-9 Dec The Broadway Theatre Catford Broadway Lewisham 020 8690 3428 Tek Weh Yuself panto for all the family. 15 Dec-6 Jan Aladdin.

27 Nov 4,11, Dec Somerset House Open Air Ice Rink Strand London 020 7845  4600 & 12,19,26 Jan Ice Skating Courses. 15,22 Dec Children’s Hour. 5 Jan Wheelchair session. 9,16,23 Jan Student Skate.12,19,27 Jan Children’s taster lessons.

Until  23 Dec The Tower Ice Rink   0844 482 7799 Life in the Medieval Palace. 27-31 Dec Merry Medieval Christmas. Until 13 Jan Ice Skating.

Until 24 Dec Selfridges Department Store    Santa grotto board a small train & travel through an enchanted winter wonderland to book www.selfridges.com.

Until 24 Dec Grotto at Harrods    Children can journey through a magic castle & learn the story of Sleeping Beauty before meeting Santa,FREE but need to book online to pre-book an allotted time,www.harrods.com.

Until 29 Dec Chertsey Museum   01932 575370 A to Z of Runnymede exhibition.

Until 29 Nov  Lyric Theatre Hammersmith London 08700 500 511 Christmas Claytime 3-6yrs. 29 Nov-5 Jan Beauty & The Beast 7+yrs.

Until 31 Dec The Tower Brdge Exhibition Tower Bridge London  020 7403 3761 Fascinating selection of postcards of Tower Bridge on display.

Until 6 Jan Artsdepot 5 Nether Street London 020 8369 5454 Fungus the Bogeyman.

28 Nov-6 Jan Arts Theatre 6-7 Great Newport Street     0870 154 40 40 The Gruffalo’s Child 4+yrs.

Until 20 Jan Natural History Museum Ice Rink   0870 060 1780 Magical setting with Christmas lights in the surrounding trees plus traditional Christmas fair.

Until 27 Jan Wed-Sun Little Angel Theatre 14 Dagmar Passage Cross Street London  020 7226 1787  Cinderella 5+yrs. Thurs & Suns 2 Dec-27 Jan Little Cinders 2-5yrs & 16 Dec,13 Jan Baby Friendly performances.

1 Dec Richmond Park ( Kingston Gate car park)    Christmas walk for all an introduction to the history & wildlife of the park, meet Kingston Gate car park, starts 10am.

1 Dec Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Millbrook Guildford 01483 44 00 00 Mister Humbug 3-9yrs. 17-20 Dec Going Christmas Crackers with Bruno Bear 3-7yrs. 21-23,30-31 Dec The Night Before Christmas 3-7yrs. 24,27-29 Dec & 2-5 Jan The Town Mouse & The Country Mouse 3-7yrs. 7 Dec-7 Jan Jack & The Beanstalk

1 Dec The River & Rowing Museum Mills Meadows Henley on Thames  01491 415600  Workshops Christmas Decorations 4-7yrs. 8 Dec Christmas Baubles 7-11yrs. 15 Dec Christmas Sacks design your own,7-11yrs. 15 Dec Beadylicious make your own hand-crafted  necklace,12-16yrs. 22-23 Dec Toad’s Christmas come & visit Toad in his caravan & tell what you would like for Christmas. 3 Jan Shadowpuppets workshop,7-11yrs.

From 1 Dec Hamleys Toy Shop Regent Street London 0870 333 2455 Book a breakfast with Santa himself.

1 Dec Church of the Holy Spirit Clapham   Winter Fair with crafts, books, homemade cakes, gifts for the family, hamper, raffle, refresments  & Kids Zone Christmas craft activities for children,2-5pm.

1 Dec Greenwich Steiner School St George’s Church Greenwich 07974 319547 Holistic Winter Fair with taster holistic therapy sessions plus festive gifts,home made savouries & much more,11-4pm.

1 Dec Lewisham Youth Theatre Catford Broadway  020 8690 0002 Inside Out 5+yrs.

1 Dec Somerset House Strand   020 7836 8686 Ice Puppet Show, FREE.  Drop-in workshops for families of all ages, FREE 8 & 15 Dec Sparkling snow mobiles, 20-21 Dec Snow Shakers.

1,2,8,9,15,16,17-23 Dec Royal Botanic Kew Gardens   020 7222 1234 17-23 Dec meet Father Christmas in a special visit to his festive weekend dell. 1 Dec-2 Jan Rides on a Victorian Carousel. 1,2,8,9,15,16,17-23 Dec Aladdin ‘planto’ story with a Kew twist performed in the botanical play zone. 15 Dec-2 Jan fun & games at Creepers interactive play area & family activities 3-9yrs with a games session & art & craft, bookable on the day. Daily festive horse & carriage rides. 14-15 Dec FREE Festive Lat Night Openings. 26 Dec-2 Jan Activities for all ages. Until 6 Jan Ice Rink

1,2 & 8-24 Dec Painshill Park Portsmouth Road , Cobham   01932 868113 Crystal Grotto.

1 Dec-12 Jan Barbican Centre   020 7638 8891 Jack & the Beanstalk

1 Dec-6 Jan Winter Wonderland   020 7298 2100 Set between Hyde Park Corner & the Serpentine features London’s largest outdoor ice rink, a toboggan slide, a traditional German Christmas market, numerous cafes & bars, a 5m giant observation wheel offering magnificent views of Hyde Park, a carousel & a selection of amusement rides for all ages. The site is FREE to enter with tokens for all rides & attractions to purchase on the day, for more info www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com.

1 Dec-12 Jan Hackney Empire Theatre 117 Wilton Street London   020 8985 2424 Dick Whittington & his Cat

1 Dec- 13 Jan Hampton Court Palace Hampton Court   0870 752 7777 Ice Rink. 17-23 Dec Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. 1-2 Dec,27 Dec-1 Jan Tudor Cookery. 27 Dec-1 Jan King Henry VIII’s Christmas.

2 Dec Wildlife Watch Wimbledon Common  020 8540 6154 Natural Seasonal Decorations,10-12pm,8-14yrs.

2 Jan National  Maritime Museum   Greenwich  020 8858 4422 Treasure Trove with creative workshops to performance for all ages, FREE. 2,5,12,19,26,27 Jan Meet Israel Hands from Treasure Island who will tell all about pirate ships, customs, treasure maps & more,6+yrs,FREE. 2,6,13,20,27 Jan Dream Boat make a colourful sailing boat, all ages. FREE. 8,15,22,29 Jan Tiny explorers’ adventure for tiny ones to explore & learn,under 3’s (need to bring a change of clothes as some sessions messy), FREE. 8,15,22,29 Jan Little explorers’ adventure 3-5yrs, FREE. 27 Jan Hidden Treasures session 5+yrs, FREE. 27 Jan ‘All that glitters’ family day, 5+yrs,FREE. Daily All Hands a gallery for children of all ages.

2 Dec ` Camberwell  020 7701 0100 The Magnificent Flying Machine. 9 Dec The Lucky Gingerbread Man plus make your own Gingerbread Man Christmas adventure with a FREE workshop after the show.

2 Dec Handel House Museum 25 Brook Street London 020 7495 1685 Spirituoso present: Baroque Idol fun event providing a glimpse of the day to day life of an aristocratic child in Handel’s time,7+yrs.

2 Dec Fairfield Christmas Market   020 8688 9291 Large selection of stalls plus of entertainment for all the family including Father Christmas, carol singing & magic shows. FREE entry.

2,9,16,23 Dec Design Museum Shad Thames London  0870 833 9955 Crystal Christmas workshop 5-11yrs.

3 Dec Christ’s Chapel Dulwich Village     020 8299 1859 Concert of Christmas Music, children FREE.

3-8 Dec BAC Lavender Hill Battersea London 020 7223 2223 Snowapunyuki a story about a girl who wants to become a snowflake. 20-22,27-29 Dec,2-5 Jan Christmas Creatures with songs & poems ,7+yrs.

4 Dec Epsom Playhouse Ashley Avenue  01372 742555 All the Best Christmas Chart Hits in One Fabulous Show. 14 Dec-6 Jan Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. 15 Dec Bruno Bear. 21-22 Dec David & Katie Corrie’s Magical Comedy Show.

4 Dec-5 Jan Greenwich Theatre Crooms Hill London   020 8858 7755 Dick Whittington

4 Dec-20 Jan The Old Vic Waterloo Road London   0870 0606628 Cinderella the pantomime.

5,6,12, 13 Jan Imperial War Museum Lambeth Road      020 7416 5349 Weapons of Mass Communication: Posters of War and Protest family drop-in workshop & The Nature of the Beast – turn tanks into dinosaurs & aircraft into insects. 19-20 Jan Family Study Days looking at the Holocaust,14+yrs.  26-27 Jan In Their Shoes a chance to look at artefacts & discover the people & stories behind them family workshop. Until 6 Jan The Falklands special exhibition.

6 Dec Dorking Halls   01306 881717 An Evening of Musical Magic, Giants of Jazz. 14-30 Dec Aladdin. 7 Jan Kiev Classical Ballet The Nutcracker. 8-9 Jan Ballet Romeo & Juliet.

6 Dec Geffrye Museum Kingsland Rd London   020 7739 9893 Find your Festive Spirit make Christmas decorations & listen to festive music.

6 Dec Christmas Tree Trafalgar Square   London     Tree lighting ceremony. 7-23 Dec FREE Carol Singing sessions.

6 Dec-13 Jan King’s Theatre Islington  020 7226 1916 Treasure Island

7 Dec Conduit Street Festival    Independent traders who offer everything from vintage dresses & special gifts to one-off designer jewellery, food, fruit & veg plus lots of children’s activities to include a Santa’s grotta & music, old fashioned games, face painting plus lots more,12-7pm. Discovery trails at Coram’s Fields Children’s playground 1-4pm.

7 Dec-20 Jan New Wimbledon Theatre Broadway Wimbledon 0870 060 6646 Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs. 24-27 Jan Moscow State Circus.

7 Dec-20 Jan Richmond Theatre Richmond Green  Richmond   0870 060 6651 Cinderella. 13 Dec Princess Party make tiaras & other princesses accessories,5-10yrs. 15 Dec Professional Skills Workshop-Set Design,12-16yrs. 13 Jan Family Fun Day enjoy entertainment in the theatre for an hour prior to afternoon performance.

7 Dec-6 Jan Fairfield Halls  Croydon 020 8688 9291 Dick Whittington. 15 Dec Arthur Davison Family Concert. 10-13 Jan Romeo & Juliet.

7 Dec-13 Jan New Victoria Theatre Woking   01483 545900 Peter Pan

From 8 Dec Bodiam Castle   Kent 01580 830436 Every weekend Santa in his grotto, children can follow Santa’s Christmas trail (find the wreaths with mystery festive objects)& then meet him to receive a present as a reward.

8 Dec Great Christmas Pudding Race  London 0870 780 5001 Watch 1500 people in fancy dress (incl. rather a lot of Santas) race around a course with Christmas puddings balanced on spoons,11.30am.There will also be street performers & entertainers, money raised in aid of Cancer Research.

8 Dec Dulwich Picture Gallery Gallery Road   London     020 8693 5254 Herbie Rides Again. 9 Dec Gumdrop & Val Biro will give a talk to children about his work & tell some of his stories & also be available for book signing afterwards. 19-20 Dec Holiday workshops Christmas Creations for 6-8 & 9-11yrs. First & last Sun of every month Artplay for families 4+yrs. Every Thurs 10 Jan-7 Feb,4.30-6pm Enchanted Art Workshop 7-10yrs. Every Sat 12 Jan-9 Feb Fairy Tales & Arabian Nights Art workshop,7-10yrs.

8 Dec Museum in Docklands No 1 Warehouse West India Quay Hertsmere Road London 0870 444 3857 Unheard Voices by combining readings with storytelling 7+yrs. 15 Dec Drama Running a 1000 miles to FREEdom.

8 Dec-13 Jan Old Royal Naval College Ice Rink Foundation House 2 Cutty Sark Gardens Greenwich 0870 169 0101 Ice Skating.

8-15 Dec Horniman Museum London Road Forest Hill  020  8699 1872 Christmas Cracker workshop. 1,2,8,9,15,16 Dec Hand On family workshop. 1 Dec Kwanzaa Crafts,  8,15 Dec Christmas Crackers, families 8+yrs. Every Sat until 15 Dec Family storytelling for all ages. Until 14 Dec Storytime for under 5’s.

9 Dec Mitcham Common    8648  0255 Sunday Morning Stroll meet at 10.30am.

9 Dec St Nicholas Shopping Centre  Sutton 020 8770 1777 Santa’s Magic Toyshop party for Santa with toy soldier & fairy stilt walkers, shows from the Rag Doll & craft workshops for children,11-3pm all events FREE. Throughout Dec every Thurs after 5.30pm FREE parking. 6,13 Dec Carol Singing competition for Schools,Tel:020 8770 1777.

10-15,17,19-22 ,27-29,31 Dec  Royal Opera House Covent Garden London 020 7304  4000 & 3-5 Jan Pinocchio family show.

12-30 Dec The Pleasance Theatre Carpenter’s Mews North Road London 020 7609 1800 The Big Ugly Monster and The Little Stone Rabbbit,3+yrs.

13 Dec-5 Jan The Leatherhead Theatre   01372 365141 Cinderella

13 Dec Bracknell ’s Carnival Christmas    Princess Square is transformed into a Big Top with performances, high wire acts & acrobatics, from 4.30pm FREE. Every Sat until 15 Dec Elf Training Academy on 1^st flr of Princess Square . Every weekend until 16 Dec All Aboard Robbie the Land Train.

13 Dec Kensington Gardens   020 7298 2083 Guided Walk Christmas Through the Ages 2-3.30pm, FREE, limited places need to book.

13 Dec-5 Jan Leatherhead Theatre    01372 365141 Cinderella

14 Dec Hyde Park      Guided Walk Christmas Through the Ages leisurely stroll,1-2.30pm,need to book,Tel:020 7298 2083. FREE.

14-23 Dec NEC Arena Birmingham   0870 0101052 The Magic of Christmas for all the family. Village with Christmas market, carousels, puppet show, tap dancing reindeer, inflatable ‘snow’ slides, disco igloo, festive singalongs and Father Christmas in his Magical Forest .

15 Dec-6 Jan Harlequin Theatre Warick Quadrant, Redhill  01737 765547 Cinderella

18,28 Dec NewWimbledon Studio Theatre Broadway Wimbledon 020 8540 0362 Snow White Family workshop,FREE but admission is with a ticket which can be obtained from Box Office.

19 Dec Polka Theatre 240 The Broadway Wimbledon 020 8543 4888 The BFG’s Phizzwizzing workshop 6-8 & 8-10yrs. 21 Dec Drama Workshop for Princes & Princesses 3-4,4-5 yrs. Until 9 Feb The BFG for families 6+yrs.

19 Dec St.Nicholas Church Bookham  01372 220022 Children’s Charity Carol Concert,7-9pm in aid of Rainbow Trust.

20 Dec Oakwood Sports Centre Balcombe Road Horley  01293 822 238 Urban Grooves 11-15yrs. 20 Dec A Christmas Carol 8-12yrs. 21 Dec Arts & Crafts Workshop 6-9yrs. 22 Dec Multi Activity Day 6-14yrs. 22,29 Dec Saturday Soccer 5-13yrs. 29 Dec Kickboxing & Karate Session 6-10 & 11+yrs.  

20 Dec Lauderdale House Highgate Hill  020 8348 8716 Christmas Lantern Making to take home.

20 Dec The Arc Caterham  0845 055 6457 Nutcracker Spectacular Ballet 3-5yrs.  The Nightmare before Christmas 8-12yrs. 22 Dec Snow Bear Christmas Cake create your own to take home,5-8yrs & Santa Christmas Cake 8-12yrs. 22-24 Dec Three Little Pigs 3+yrs.

20,21,27 ,28,31 Dec & 2 Jan De Staffords Leisure Centre  Caterham 01883 344355 Multi-Activity Days 5-12yrs. 22,29 Dec Basketball 8-16,16+yrs. 23 Dec Christmas Mayhem activities will include hockey, football, basketball, tennis & more. 

21 Dec Tandridge Leisure Centre  Oxted 01883 716717 Christmas Tree Decorations workshop 5-9yrs. 27 Dec Studio Sports bouncy castle, parachute games & much more,5-8yrs. 28 Dec Imagine Christmas class combines skills from dance, drama, stretch & sport,2-4 & 4-6yrs.

25 Dec Peter Pan Cup Swimming Race  Serpentine Hyde Park   Traditional 100-yard Christmas Day Swim,9am.

26 Dec Richmond Park ( Roehampton Gate Garden )    Boxing Day Walk in the Park find out more about the wildlife, meet Roehampton Gate car park,10am.

27-31 Dec British Museum Great Russell Street London  020 7323 8299 Lanterns, dragons & hats family event, try your hand at making Chinese crafts, drop in 11-4pm,FREE.

29 Dec St James’s Park   020 7930 1793 Guided Walk-Cheating in the Cold, find out how birds survive in the winter & what you can do to help them,1-2pm,need to book.

29-30 Dec Kew Bridge Steam Museum Green Dragon Lane Brentford  020  8568 4757 The Cornish Engine Expereince Weekend.  9 Jan-2 March ‘Explore the Sea Floor’ interactive exhibition.  

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