Muddy Stilettos


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-explore-the-battersea-power-station-light-festival">Explore the Battersea Power Station light festival</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="868" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Battersea-Power-Station-render-portrait_RGB_Adj3_FudgedWide-1-scaled-e1704486886173-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86295" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Battersea-Power-Station-render-portrait_RGB_Adj3_FudgedWide-1-scaled-e1704486886173-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Battersea-Power-Station-render-portrait_RGB_Adj3_FudgedWide-1-scaled-e1704486886173-1-600x521.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you&#8217;ve not had your fill of light trails over Christmas, head to <strong>Battersea Power Station</strong> from <strong>Thu 25 Jan-Sun 25 Feb</strong> for its annual (and totally free) <a href="https://batterseapowerstation.co.uk/events/light-festival-2024/"><strong>Light Festival</strong></a>. Seven light art installations, from British and International artists, can be found dotted inside and out the iconic London landmark with many doing more than just look pretty – there&#8217;s an illuminated piano you can all play and bicycles you can ride (one way to tire out the kids!). There&#8217;s also family-friendly workshops, live entertainment throughout the festival and, with over 140 different bars, restaurants and entertainment venues now open at the site, you can easily make a nice day of it here.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Run away with the Circus</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="605" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/alegria_magical_feeling_desktop.jpg-copy.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86299" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/alegria_magical_feeling_desktop.jpg-copy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/alegria_magical_feeling_desktop.jpg-copy-600x363.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Cirque du Soleil is back for their traditional start-of-year&nbsp;slot at the <strong>Royal Albert Hall</strong>, and this year they are throwing it back to a classic and celebrating 30 years of <em><a href="https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2024/alegria/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Algeria: In a New Light</strong></a></em>. Expect all the usual mind-boggling acrobatics, surreal costumes, colourful sets and Grammy-nominated soundtrack in a show the whole family will be hard pushed not to enjoy – stroppy teens we&#8217;re looking at you! Running until <strong>Sun 3 Mar</strong> (that&#8217;s six Sunday&#8217;s to choose from). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Celebrate Chinese New Year</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Chinatown-Image-credit-bluefuton-Flickr.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65048" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Chinatown-Image-credit-bluefuton-Flickr.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Chinatown-Image-credit-bluefuton-Flickr-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Chinatown-Image-credit-bluefuton-Flickr-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Chinatown-Image-credit-bluefuton-Flickr-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://flickr.com/photos/bluefuton/428422362/in/photolist-DRM3s-hqufYd-huwgY3-huxunY-huyBRc-2nviqJh-2a53J5i-3hZdni-27jbKcG-BVQ59Q-huyHgk-C47New-rc4DhC-2igjQof-BY8Kzg-qQY6Fa-BaX65-MdMZgc-2n1v2X8-2jb8Nm6-EcBEe5-EthBWU-apdxuV-6fSPSw-252FpUo-mjiqp-mjipV-BDi4pQ-RZDppa-mjiqS-acP8ow-2o2Cuos-25HujAa-Sbh4JX-7adFkH-9aWsg-SZJdjq-7ahvJ7-epzpEJ-zZCBVi-5o4s7m-qhYgBR-pCqh3N-2j8Zhmk-SZJd7G-e6Ss88-2j7GyMc-fPStU-9Cu8X-waPzPe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Image credit</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>2024 is the Year of the Dragon, and this year Chinese New Year falls on <strong>Sun 11 Feb </strong>– so why not head to the West End to join in the celebration? There&#8217;ll be a traditional parade snaking its way from Charing Cross Road to Shaftesbury Avenue, and free stage shows in Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square including family-friendly workshops like calligraphy, as well as plenty of street food stalls to take your pick from (hello dim sum). Top tip: Chinese New Year tradition recommends you buy something red for you or your house to bring good luck for the rest of the year.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-succumb-to-cuteness-overload">Succumb to cuteness overload</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CUTE-HEADER-Press-Release.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86293" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CUTE-HEADER-Press-Release.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CUTE-HEADER-Press-Release-600x600.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CUTE-HEADER-Press-Release-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CUTE-HEADER-Press-Release-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Kooky cartoons, cherubic babies, doe-eyed kittens and a pastel colour palette to boot, welcome to the world of <strong><em><a href="https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/cute">CUTE</a></em></strong> &#8211; a new landmark exhibit at <strong>Somerset House</strong> which explores our cultural obsession with all things darling. Through work from a host of contemporary artists and a collection of cutesie phenomena – music, fashion, social media, toys – you&#8217;ll be taken on a saccharine safari to find out why cuteness has become so influential (hands up, who else blames Hello Kitty?). There is something here for all generations including a games arcade and an immersive installation inspired by a girlie sleepover. Pillows at the ready! <strong>Thu 25 Jan – Sun 14 Apr</strong>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Catch a Planetarium show</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Royal-Observatory.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65052" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Royal-Observatory.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Royal-Observatory-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Royal-Observatory-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Royal-Observatory-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Greenwich is packed with kid-friendly stuff to do on the weekend (the <em>Cutty Sark</em>, Maritime Museum and bombing around the park all spring to mind), but the <strong>Royal Observatory</strong> takes our top Sunday spot thanks to it being a great rainy day option.<strong> <a href="https://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/royal-observatory/we-are-guardians">We Are Guardians</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/planetarium-shows/sky-tonight">The Sky Tonight</a> </strong>are both excellent planetarium shows for ages 7+, while younger astronauts will love <a href="https://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/planetarium-shows/teds-space-adventure"><strong>Ted&#8217;s Space Adventure</strong></a>.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-see-a-folk-music-matinee">See a folk music matinée </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-Green-Note.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65055" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-Green-Note.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-Green-Note-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-Green-Note-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-Green-Note-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>If you&#8217;re raising music-lovers, then where better to take them on a Sunday than award-winning, family-friendly live music venue <a href="https://www.greennote.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Green Note in Camden</strong></a> (Amy Winehouse and Ed Sheeran have graced the stage previously!). They have shows seven days a week, specialising in roots, jazz and bluegrass, and their matinée performances are a cosy way to spend a Sunday afternoon with tweens and teens after mooching around Camden market and filling your boots on street food. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Be a zookeeper for a day</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="590" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/LZ-Lions-Pine-Trees-Nov-19-2018-14.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86316" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/LZ-Lions-Pine-Trees-Nov-19-2018-14.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/LZ-Lions-Pine-Trees-Nov-19-2018-14-600x354.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If a regular trip to the zoo won&#8217;t quite cut the mustard, up the ante with <a href="https://www.zsl.org/experiences/junior-keeper" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>ZSL&#8217;s Young Zookeeper experience</strong></a>. Older kids (aged 11 – 15) can take a behind-the-scenes tour (in their own Zookeeper uniform, naturally) and see what it takes to care for various animals at the zoo. You can snap photos from the sidelines or sidle off for a coffee while they have fun (ideal), but if you want to get more involved, the Zoo offers everything from<strong> <a href="https://www.londonzoo.org/plan-your-visit/zoo-experiences/feed-the-animals-london-zoo">animal-feeding experiences</a></strong> to <a href="https://www.zsl.org/zsl-london-zoo/london-zoo-lodge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>sleepovers at on-site lodges</strong></a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-visit-a-whole-new-world">Visit a whole new world</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/12.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-86310" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/12.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/12-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>For something a bit different, enter into the weird and wonderful world of <a href="https://www.avora-experience.co.uk/family/"><strong>Avora</strong></a> &#8211; an immersive theatrical experience come art installation come escape room. Like stepping onto Pandora<em> (</em>from the movie <em>Avatar</em> for the uninitiated), the kids will go wild for the funky uniforms they get to wear and the out of this world visual effects as they are guided through a series of challenges to uncover the wonders of this new universe (altogether now, ahhh). Perfect for 5-11 year olds, so parents you&#8217;ll need to get involved too but, immersive theatre aside, the installation is pretty darn magical.  <strong>Hackney</strong>, <strong>every Sunday throughout February</strong>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Go Ape at Ally Pally</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/alexandrapalacebanner-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65066" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/alexandrapalacebanner-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/alexandrapalacebanner-2-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/alexandrapalacebanner-2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/alexandrapalacebanner-2-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Who says you need a forest setting for <a href="https://goape.co.uk/locations/alexandra-palace" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Go Ape&#8217;s famous high ropes and zip wires</a>? Your mini adrenaline junkies can take on the suspended obstacle course against the backdrop of <strong>Alexandra Palace</strong> (just think of the view!), including a 46ft-high vertical plummet. Courses take between one and three hours depending on your difficulty levels, but you can make a day of it by exploring the 196-acre park with its boating lake, ice rink, golf course and lakeside café.</p>



<p><strong>More good times…</strong></p>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/london/things-to-do-in-london-february/">It’s fun February! 10 unmissable things to do in London</a></li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/day-trips/things-to-do-outside-london-this-weekend-2/">TGIF! 8 brilliant things to do outside London this weekend</a> </li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/london/new-openings-michelin-awards-latest-news/">Newsflash! Award-winners, new openings and the latest arty parties</a></li>



<li><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/london/supper-clubs-near-me/">London supper clubs to book now&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>


9 family-friendly ways to spend a Sunday in London

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