London family events calendar 2027: the big dates to plan around with kids
By The London Scoop team✓ Last updated ⏱ 9 min read
The big London dates for families in 2027, in order: Chinese New Year on Sun 7 Feb, the Southbank Centre's Imagine festival over February half term, the Boat Race on Sun 11 Apr, a two-day London Marathon on Sat 24 and Sun 25 Apr, Trooping the Colour on Sat 12 Jun, Wimbledon from 28 Jun, Pride on Sat 3 Jul, and Notting Hill Carnival from Sat 28 to Mon 30 Aug, with its free Children's Day on the Sunday. Every date below is from the organiser's own website, checked on 26 October 2026. Where something hasn't been announced yet, we say so rather than guess, and we'll update this page as programmes come out.
🦊 Quick answer
Free and spectacular:the Boat Race (Sun 11 Apr) and the Marathon (Sat 24 & Sun 25 Apr) cost nothing to watch
Best for little ones:Imagine at the Southbank Centre (ages 0–11, lots of it free)
October 2026: new guide. Still to be announced: the Southbank's exact Imagine dates, the Chinese New Year programme, and most summer festivals. We'll add them as they're confirmed.
How we chose: annual London events that work with children, from free riverside spectacles to ticketed shows, where the 2027 date is already confirmed by the organiser. Events still to be confirmed are listed at the bottom, clearly marked.
The London Chinese Community Centre, which organises London's Chinese New Year celebrations, has announced Sunday 7 February 2027 for the Year of the Sheep. The full programme and route hadn't been published when we checked.
Scoop tip: The crowds in Chinatown get very dense by midday. With small children, watch from a wider street and keep a meeting point agreed.
Honest parent details
In past years the day has meant a parade through the West End, lion and dragon dances in Chinatown and a stage show, all free. It's the Sunday before February half term.
The details
Unverified: 2027 programme, route and times: not yet announced. Check lccauk.com nearer the date.
The Southbank Centre says Imagine returns in February 2027. It's London's biggest arts festival for children aged 0 to 11, timed for February half term, with theatre, music, comedy, books and free drop-in activities across the site.
Scoop tip: The ticketed shows go quickly once the programme drops. Sign up to the Southbank Centre's emails so you hear about booking early.
Honest parent details
Exact 2027 dates and the programme hadn't been announced when we checked. For reference, the 2026 festival ran from 11 to 21 February.
The details
Unverified: Exact 2027 dates: not yet announced by the Southbank Centre.
📅 Sat 13 Feb and Sat 22 May 2027, 10.30am and 12pm
📍 LSO St Luke's, EC1
🎟 £9 adults, £6 children, under-1s free
London Symphony Orchestra musicians retell a children's story through music in the Jerwood Hall at LSO St Luke's. Singing and dancing are encouraged, and babies under 12 months go free without a ticket.
Scoop tip: Join the LSO's Early Years mailing list to hear when tickets are released.
Honest parent details
There are two 2027 dates so far: Saturday 13 February, the start of half term, and Saturday 22 May. The LSO says these concerts sell out very quickly.
🎟 Easter Special Ticket: £15 per child, on top of a standard ticket
From 20 March to 11 April 2027, the Paddington Bear Experience runs an Easter egg hunt through its Windsor Gardens set, with children following a treasure map to find hidden eggs.
Honest parent details
The Easter Special Ticket is a children-only add-on that costs £15 on top of a standard entry ticket. It's sold for slots from midday onwards and includes an Easter basket, Paddington ears, stickers, sweets and a Paw Biscuit.
Oxford and Cambridge race on the Thames on Sunday 11 April 2027, with races at 15.40 and 16.40, according to the organisers. It's one of the few big London sporting events that costs nothing to watch.
Scoop tip: The crews pass any one spot in seconds, so pick a riverside park with space to run around while you wait.
Honest parent details
It falls on the last Sunday of the Easter holidays for most London schools, which makes it a good final day out before term.
TCS London Marathon 2027 (two days) and Mini Marathon
📅 Mini London Marathon: Fri 23 Apr 2027. Marathon: Sat 24 and Sun 25 Apr 2027
📍 Greenwich to Westminster
🎟 Free to watch
For the first and only time, the London Marathon will run over two days in 2027, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April, with 100,000 runners. That means twice the chance to stand on the route with a homemade sign.
Scoop tip: Children love handing out jelly babies, but check the course map first: some stretches are barriered and crossing points are limited.
Honest parent details
The TCS Mini London Marathon, for schoolchildren, is on Friday 23 April 2027. Schools apply to take part.
The King's Birthday Parade is on Saturday 12 June 2027 at Horse Guards Parade, according to the British Army. Seats on Horse Guards Parade itself are ticketed, but the procession along The Mall is free to watch.
Honest parent details
Expect very big crowds on The Mall. Arrive early and bring snacks.
📅 Sat 28 Aug: Panorama. Sun 29 Aug: Families and Children's Day. Mon 30 Aug: Adults' Parade
📍 Notting Hill, W10/W11
🎟 Free (Panorama is ticketed)
Europe's biggest street festival is over the August bank holiday weekend. The organisers list Saturday 28 August for Panorama, the ticketed steel-band competition, Sunday 29 August for the Families and Children's Day, and Monday 30 August for the Adults' Parade.
Scoop tip: Go early and leave by mid-afternoon, and agree a meeting point. Check TfL for station closures on the day.
Honest parent details
With children, Sunday is the day: the costumes and bands are out, but it's calmer than Monday.
Confirmed so far: Chinese New Year (Sun 7 Feb), the Imagine children's festival at the Southbank Centre (February half term), Paddington Easter (20 Mar–11 Apr), the Boat Race (Sun 11 Apr), a two-day London Marathon (24–25 Apr), Trooping the Colour (Sat 12 Jun), Wimbledon (28 Jun–11 Jul), Pride (Sat 3 Jul) and Notting Hill Carnival (28–30 Aug).
When is Chinese New Year in London 2027?
Sunday 7 February 2027, according to the London Chinese Community Centre. It's the Year of the Sheep. The programme hadn't been published on 26 October 2026.
When is the London Marathon 2027?
Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027. It's the first time the race has run over two days, with 100,000 runners. The Mini London Marathon for school pupils is on Friday 23 April 2027.
When is the Boat Race 2027?
Sunday 11 April 2027, from Putney to Mortlake, with races at 15.40 and 16.40. It's free to watch from the riverbank.
When is Notting Hill Carnival 2027?
Saturday 28 to Monday 30 August 2027. Sunday 29 August is the Families and Children's Day, and Monday 30 August (the bank holiday) is the Adults' Parade.
When is Trooping the Colour 2027?
Saturday 12 June 2027, at Horse Guards Parade. The procession along The Mall is free to watch.
