October Half Term
The team at dandelion.london love the October half term. Autumn leaves, Day of the Dead, Halloween… Plus Agatha Christie and a roller disco. Have fun!
SEASONAL ACTIVITIES AND ONE OFF EVENTS
Dia des Los Meurtos 1 Nov
Great ready for a Mexican colour-filled fiesta at the Day of the Dead Family Festival at the Horniman Museum. With Mexican market stalls, butterfly and skeleton making workshops, face painting and live music, it will be fantastic for all ages. Dressing up is very much encouraged. 1 Nov, 11am–4pm. £8 adults, £6 kids.
Creative Camps 28–30 Oct
While parents head to the 1980s’ Blitz show (we spent rather too long in the Club Room), kids can get creative at one of the Design Museum’s fab Design Camps. From Digital Illustration and Wearable Paper Sculptures to Badge Making and Strange Halloween Designs, there’s something for everyone. Varying prices and times.
Night-time by the Campfire 18 Oct (and 22 Nov)
This delightful new evening Campfire Adventures at Discover sounds divine. A chance for older children to explore the centre after hours with a scavenger hunt and a play in the Monster Funfair before supper and story time around the campfire with a steaming hot chocolate. 18 Oct & 22 Nov. 5.30-8.30pm. Ages 5–11 plus their grown-ups. £31 per person.
We also love the sound of the Diwali Together sensory session for younger children, 23–25 Oct.
Leg Warmers and Wheels 19 Oct
If you haven’t been yet, the newly-renovated Fulham Pier complex is ace! Head over on the 19 Oct for a skate at the retro Roller Disco or take your little witches and wizards to Pumpkin Carving, a Spooky Screening or a Creepy Crawly Encounter, all running as part of Halloween at the Pier 17 Oct–2 Nov.
Dogs on Show on the Kings Road 1 Nov
Hooray for the first ever Halloween Dog Parade in Chelsea. Dress your furry friend in their finest spooky outfit before promenading along London’s most fashionable street. Start at the Chelsea Theatre and finishing at Sloane Square. The best-dressed dog will win a hamper of goodies and a free groom at Love my Human. 1 Nov, 11am-1pm.
Pumpkins to Pick
Head to Hounslow and Pumpkin Patch at Hobbledown Heath to pluck the pumpkin of your dreams from a field brimming with orange wonders. Tickets on sale for picking day and night!
From £7.50 plus cost of desired pumpkin.
NEW EXHIBITIONS
Lots of lovely new shows to choose from. These are our Top 5. You can read full reviews online at dandelion.london.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year Natural History Museum
Our favourite annual show rolls into town just in time for half term. From fledgling penguin chicks to wily coyotes, the 100 extraordinary shots on show never cease to amaze.
17 Oct–12 July 2026. From £15.50 adults, £7.75 children.
We have one free family ticket to give away. Head to the Events page of the Dukes Club for your chance to win.
Prepare to be utterly dazzled by this tiny teen queen! Combining history, fashion and fame perfectly, this spectacular show has everything from perfume-infused busts to a chunk of the guillotine (though not the one that chopped off her pretty little head). Tickets are like gold dust so your best bet for a half term visit is to join as a member. Open to 22 Mar, from £23 adults, U12s free.
Over at the Young V&A there is a chocca week of Egyptian-themed workshops to keep little people busy as they celebrate the finale of their fantastic Making Egypt exhibition with lots of family workshops and storytelling sessions.
Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World National Portrait Gallery
A ‘gallery of beauties’ awaits at the NPG’s new blockbuster show. Glamour and icons at every turn, the rooms are filled with ravishing portraits of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and so many more. A must for any budding fashion photographer. 9 Oct–11 Jan. From £23 adults, U12s free, U25s £5.
Kerry James Marshall: The Histories Royal Academy
Marshall’s powerful and large-scale colour filled canvases place Black Americans front and centre. His largest exhibition outside of the US Kerry has an incredible talent to make the unseen seen. To 18 Jan, From £23.50 U16s free.
Agatha Christie British Library
Calling all mini sleuths. Take a deep dive into the life and works of the Queen of Crime from Hercule Poirot to Miss Marple in a new show that opens on 30 Oct. Ticket info coming soon.
We also like the sound of Secret Maps, which tells the stories hidden in some of history’s most mysterious maps. Opening on 24 Oct, there are family workshops running in connection with it on 18 and 25 Oct. Tickets: £20.
Christmas diary dates BOOK NOW
For the first time ever, Buckingham Palace is opening a Christmas pop-up shop. From 14 Nov, the Royal Mews will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland packed with excellent stocking fillers.
Tickets are also selling fast for the charming Victorian Santa’s Grotto at the Museum of London Docklands. 21 Nov-23 Dec, from £14.50.
For more ideas of inspiring things to do with families in London, visit dandelion.london or follow them on Insta @dandelion.london