Alfresco Arts: Family

Rock & Rhyme with Matt and Arji
Sunday 1 June, 10.30am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm
Jubilee Park
Recommended 0-5 years
Free, non-ticketed

Poet and performer Arji Manuelpillai and jazz rock guitarist Matt Smith have teamed up to create an unforgettable show full of energy, rhythm, and fun. Sing along to timeless favourites like Old MacDonald, Wheels on the Bus and Sleeping Bunnies all with a fresh, exciting twist that will have both children and grown-ups bopping along. This interactive performance blends poetry, rap, and music for a tongue-in-cheek rock show perfect for little people.

Show length 40 minutes

Comedy Club 4 Kids
Sunday 15 June, 11am & 2pm
Crossrail Place Roof Garden
Recommended 6 years plus
Ticketed: £8 adult/ £5 children (under 16)

This comedy club, made especially for children aged 6 and up, is just as much fun for the grown-ups too. Launched at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2005, this family-friendly show brings some of the best stand-ups and sketch acts from the international circuit to the leafy setting of Crossrail Place Roof Garden – minus the rude bits! Expect big laughs, silly fun, and top-tier talent, all tailored for a younger audience. It’s the perfect way for families to enjoy live comedy together.

Show length hour

The Wind in the Willows with Stephen Smith
Saturday 12 July, 11.30am & 1.30pm
Eden Dock
Recommended 6 years plus
Free, non-ticketed

Join Stephen Smith and immerse yourself in the whimsical tales of Mole, Rat, Toad, and Badger, as they embark on their escapades along the riverbank. In this theatrical rendition of Kenneth Grahame’s much-beloved children’s classic, the entire first chapter of the book is performed live and unabridged, offering all members of the family a perfectly delightful and accessible way to delve into the original 1908 novel.

Show length 30 minutes

Old Flo ‘Make & Take’ with Creative Workshops
Saturday 19 July, 11am – 3pm
Cabot Square
Recommended 5-12 years
Free, non-ticketed

Join Creative Workshops for a Make & Take session inspired by Henry Moore’s iconic sculpture Draped Seated Woman, affectionately known by Canary Wharf locals as Old Flo. In this fun, drop-in workshop, participants will use recycled materials to decorate their very own mini cardboard sculpture to take home. It’s a playful and eco-friendly way to get creative while celebrating one of the Wharf’s most cherished public artworks.

Drop-in format, last admittance 2.45pm

Puss in Boots with Let’s All Dance
Saturday 26 July, 2pm
Jubilee Park
Recommended 2 years plus
Free non-ticketed

Based on the classic tale by Charles Perrault, Let’s All Dance Ballet Company presents a magical new version of Puss in Boots, a heart-warming story of friendship, courage, and self-belief. This enchanting ballet follows the journey of a young man with a hidden musical talent and his unlikely companion: a clever, magical cat. With Puss’s help, he finds the confidence to embrace his gift, be true to himself, and win the hearts of the Princess, her mother the Queen, and even the rather snooty Marquis de Carabas. Filled with charm, humour, and beautiful choreography, this performance is perfect for families and children of all ages.

Show length 40 minutes, with a photo opportunity at the end

Alphabet Soup with A Line Art
Saturday 16 August, 11am – 3pm
Eden Dock
Recommended 5-11 years (younger and older children are welcome but the activity has been designed for this age group)
Free, non-ticketed

A big, bold, and delectable surprise awaits children and their families in this brilliant, interactive installation celebrating the language of food. Drop-in and take part in a playful workshop where you’ll create delicious poems and stories inspired by the rich, shared and diverse ways we talk about food. Discover the names of both real and imaginary dishes, uncover ludicrous words you’d never expect in a cookbook, and explore sensory language that brings flavours to life. Together, you’ll cook up a literary storm and contribute to a joyful, evolving art installation for all the family to enjoy.

Drop-in format, last admittance 2.45pm