🦊 Leaf it to London

Morning, London! Happy Thursday. Autumn has officially kicked in. Some trees have jumped the gun thanks to the dry summer, but we’re now heading into peak leaf-kicking territory. Expect London’s parks to start showing off in full red-and-orange glory.

Anyone else had the heating-on debate yet? That awkward moment where you hover near the dial like it’s a moral decision. It’s fine. No one’s judging. Much. Skies have been lovely, but mornings are definitely getting chillier.

Oktoberfest is slowly kicking off, with most of the big events happening early October. We’ll round up a few kid-friendly spots in next week’s issue, for those of you raising tiny stein enthusiasts.

And yes, the Halloween special is coming. Plans are brewing.

Let’s dive in.

. LONDON SNIPPETS .
Bits that caught our eye

🎄 Royal Stocking Fillers Incoming. Buckingham Palace is getting its first ever Christmas shop, opening 14 November at the Royal Mews. Expect royal baubles, Windsor-inspired ceramics and gin fit for a king. It runs through to 5 January, which gives you plenty of time to panic-buy a £65 tea towel. Full story

🏄‍♂️ Surf’s Up, North London. London is getting a £60 million surf resort because apparently we do waves now. Surf London will open at Lee Valley Leisure Complex with a giant 200 metre pool serving everything from gentle ripples to two metre breaks. Expect surfboards, glamping pods, and at least one confused goose. Full story

🌟 Carnaby Street Reveals 2025 Christmas Lights Plan. Mark your calendars for 6 November: that’s when Carnaby Street flips the switch on its famous Christmas lights. This year’s display is part two of the five-year All Is Bright series, bringing another burst of bold colours and festive flair to Soho. It's early, yes, but who are we to argue with sparkle? Full story

. CASUAL EINSTEIN .
2 for 1: Wow your kid, and outsmart the other parents

Fun Fact: A group of flamingos is called a flamboyance. 🦩✨ The bird, the posture, the name; it’s all drama. Nature didn’t just name them, it gave them a vibe.

London Fact: The Waterloo & City line has only two stops. 🚇📉 It runs between Waterloo and Bank, and only on weekdays. Built just for commuters, it’s the Tube equivalent of a secret corridor with zero small talk.

. EVENTS SCOOP .
What’s on this week?

🎵 Hartbeeps Magical Classes @ Stanley Arts
Date & Loc: Sep 25, Croydon SE25
Join multi-sensory classes blending music, puppets, storytelling and movement: a cozy, playful experience for little ones.
Age: 8 weeks - 5yo | Price: see venue | Info

🎲 Play After School @ Young V&A
Date & Loc: Sep 25-26, Bethnal Green E2
Drop in after school for creative activities inspired by the museum’s collections. Perfect for a midweek burst of colour and fun before heading home.
Age: 2+ | Price: no cost | Info

🔥 Rekindling @ Royal Docks
Date & Loc: Sep 25–26, Royal Victoria Dock E16
A glowing fire installation spanning land and water featuring light, sound and stories of renewal in the heart of Royal Docks.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

👑 Royal Day Out @ Buckingham Palace
Date & Loc: Sep 25-28, Westminster SW1A
Explore the State Rooms, Royal Mews and King’s Gallery all in one ticket. A compelling 4‑hour royal experience that includes art, carriages and palace gardens.
Age: Everyone (under‑5s free) | Price: from £30.60 | Info

📜 WordPlay (0–2) @ Southbank Centre
Date & Loc: Sep 26 onwards, Southbank SE1
Sing, clap and play in a soft, engaging performance space made for toddlers and caregivers to explore language, rhythm and sound.
Age: 0–2 | Price: no cost | Info

🦖 Dino Disco @ Natural History Museum
Date & Loc: Sep 26, South Kensington SW7
A headphone disco in Hintze Hall, dance among dinosaurs and choose your DJ channel. Great for families who love to boogie with fossils.
Age: 6–12 | Price: £15 | Info

🎶 Singing & Story Sessions @ London Transport Museum
Date & Loc: Sep 26, Covent Garden WC2E
Combine song, stories and a short craft in a transport-themed setting.
Age: Under 5s | Price: no cost (with museum adm.) | Info

🔥 Great Fire of London Family Walk @ London Museum
Date & Loc: Sep 27, City EC3M
Step into the smoke-filled streets of 1666 with this guided walk through the story of the Great Fire. Expect fiery tales, iconic landmarks and plenty of historical drama.
Age: 5+ | Price: from £8 | Info

🎪 Gorilla Circus: RPM @ artsdepot
Date & Loc: Sep 27, North Finchley N12
A high‑energy spectacle combining acrobatics, street dance and roller skating, all on a giant moving treadmill.
Age: 7+ | Price: from £19 | Info

🔬 Fun Kids Science Weekly @ Bloomsbury Theatre
Date & Loc: Sep 27, Bloomsbury WC1E
Dan Simpson leads experiments, guest demonstrations and live science fun in a one-hour stage show with a real meteorite feature.
Age: 8+ | Price: from £14.50 | Info

🎥 Film 100 Guinness World Record Attempt @ Old Royal Naval College
Date & Loc: Sep 27, Greenwich SE10
Celebrate 100 years of film with pop-ups, screenings, and you could help set a Guinness World Record by dressing as your favourite movie or TV character.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🌿 Chelsea Physic Garden Open Weekend
Date & Loc: Sep 27–28, Chelsea SW3
Pop in for pond dipping, seed planting, storytelling, plant art and guided tours in London’s oldest botanical garden.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🌊 Mudlarking Weekend @ London Museum Docklands
Date & Loc: Sep 27–28, Canary Wharf E14
Explore Thames foreshore finds, hear expert stories, see artefact displays and connect to London’s river heritage.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎬 Beethoven U (Film) @ The Garden Cinema
Date & Loc: Sep 27-28, Holborn WC2B
A slapstick dog‑centric comedy: a mischievous St. Bernard disrupts family life with hilarious chaos.
Age: Everyone | Price: pay what you can | Info

🎩 Gyles & Joanna: Celebrate Winnie‑the‑Pooh @ Garrick Theatre
Date & Loc: Sep 28, Charing Cross WC2H
Gyles Brandreth & Joanna Lumley celebrate Pooh and his creator in a charity matinee full of stories, fond memories and whimsy.
Age: 4+ | Price: from £36 | Info

🎺 Meet the Instruments @ Southbank Centre
Date & Loc: Sep 28, Southbank SE1
Aurora Orchestra and presenter Lucy Drever invite families to explore orchestral instruments through songs, demonstrations and immersive sound.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £18 | Info

✂️ Family Crafts: Crafty Collage Tiles @ Stanley Arts
Date & Loc: Sep 28, Croydon SE25
Drop in for a tile-mosaic collage workshop: bring your ideas, make something bold, and take it home.
Age: Everyone | Price: £6 | Info

🫧 Ultimate Bubble Show @ Stanley Arts
Date & Loc: Sep 28, Croydon SE25
Gigantic bubbles, smoke bubbles, bubble illusions: this theatrical bubble show brings whimsy, laughs and wonder.
Age: Everyone | Price: £10 | Info

🌾 Harvest Festival @ Brixton Windmill
Date & Loc: Sep 28, Brixton SW9
Celebrate harvest time with farm animals, crafts, seed planting, and food in this charming windmill grounds festival.
Age: Everyone | Price: no cost | Info

🎻 Chineke! Junior Orchestra @ Southbank Centre
Date & Loc: Sep 28, Royal Festival Hall SE1
Celebrate young musical talent with a live performance showcasing diverse orchestral works led by emerging Black and ethnically diverse musicians.
Age: 7+ | Price: from £12 | Info

🧛 Dracula: The Bloody Truth @ Lyric Hammersmith
Date & Loc: until Oct 11, Hammersmith W6
A chaotic comedy take on Bram Stoker’s classic, as Professor Van Helsing desperately attempts to set the record straight with the help of an unprepared amateur cast.
Age: 13+ | Price: £10 | Info

🐻 We’re Going on a Bear Hunt @ Little Angel
Date & Loc: until Nov 8, Canonbury N1
Join a family expedition through mud, rivers and forests in this puppet‑filled adaptation of Michael Rosen’s beloved picture book. An ideal adventure for brave hunters and bear lovers alike.
Age: 3–8 | Price: £13 | Info

🦉 WOW! Said the Owl @ Little Angel
Date & Loc: until Nov 8, Canonbury N1
Journey with a curious owl through day light, colour and stars in this gentle puppet‑story show based on the book by Tim Hopgood.
Age: 2‑5 | Price: from £13 | Info

🎨 Mini Play for Babies @ Young V&A
Date & Loc: Oct 3/6/10, Bethnal Green E2
A sensory play session just for babies and caregivers, with soft textures, gentle sound and creative play inspired by the Play Gallery.
Age: Under 1 | Price: £15 | Info

🩰 Family Sundays @ Royal Opera House
Date & Loc: Sundays from Oct 26, Covent Garden WC2E
Discover opera, ballet and backstage magic through hands-on creative activities, workshops and themed fun in the heart of the Royal Opera House. A great intro for curious kids and their grown-ups.
Age: Everyone | Price: from £10 | Info

Let me know what you think! Your feedback helps us keep this section better and more useful for you.

. MUSIC .
The Scoop’s Soundtrack

. SPREAD THE LOVE .
Thank you for reading ❤️

Got any comments or suggestions? Feel free to reply; I’d love to hear from you.

Also, if you enjoyed this, feel free to share it with friends!