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Family Sundays

Family Sundays

Family Sundays

Royal Opera House
Workshops and activities

Discover opera, ballet and the Royal Opera House with fun-packed creative activities for all the family.

Perfect for families with children aged 3 to 10 enjoy creative sessions filled with informal performances, hands-on workshops and behind-the-scenes fun.

Running time
Family Sunday sessions last approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. 10am–12.30pm and 1.30pm–4pm.
Guidance
Suitable for all, but activities are designed for families with children aged three to ten.
#royaloperahouse
Our next Family Sunday

is Carnival of the Animals taking place on 12 April 2026

View Morning Map Programme (PDF 200.1KB)

View Afternoon Map Programme (PDF 1.1MB)

Access

Family Sundays take place throughout the whole of the Royal Opera House. All spaces have step-free access. Find out more about Access.

Background

Family Sundays at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden are fun, relaxed and creatively packed sessions perfect for families with children aged 3 to 10. Jam packed with workshops, performances and craft. These mini festivals are a great opportunity to introduce your little ones to dance, music and theatre.   

Held on Sundays throughout the year, Family Sundays invite families to explore a theme each time through a specially curated programme of music, dance, and creativity. 

Choose the time that works best for your family, both sessions offer the same exciting experiences: 

  • Morning session: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM 
  • Afternoon session: 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM 

Each Family Sunday includes: 

  • Informal performances by Royal Ballet dancers, Jette Parker Artists, and musicians 
  • Interactive workshops, where kids can try singing or dancing 
  • Theatrecraft demos, like stage combat and behind-the-scenes magic 
  • Upcycling crafts, led by the Opera House’s talented makers and creatives 
  • Relaxed spaces with bean bags, hands-on activities, and opportunities to explore the venue 

Family Sundays are an opportunity to experience dance and music in a whole new way, with a focus on creativity, learning and fun. 

UPCOMING FAMILY SUNDAYS

Carnival of the Animals - 12 April 2026 and 26 April 2026

View Morning Map Programme (PDF 200.1KB)

View Afternoon Map Programme (PDF 1.1MB)

Step into a Family Sunday at the Royal Opera House, featuring music, movement and hands-on activities for all ages

  • Warm up with ballet barre taster sessions or lift your voice at the Big Sing.
  • Get creative by helping to invent a brand-new opera with Arion, a legendary musician rescued at sea by a music-loving dolphin, or explore Alcina’s magical island, where shadowy creatures and spells come to life.
  • Enjoy lively performances and demonstrations inspired by Saint-Saëns’s Carnival of the Animals, Swan Lake and Janáček’s opera The Cunning Little Vixen.
  • Let your imagination run free with craft activities, making your own animal creations to join in with the celebration as the building comes alive.

PREVIOUS FAMILY SUNDAYS

See previous Family Sunday maps, the programme designed to guide visitors through the day.

Heroes and Villains - 22 March 2026

View Morning Map Programme (PDF 196.3KB)

View Afternoon Map Programme (PDF 1.0MB)

Heroes and Villains - 1 March 2026

View Morning Map Programme (PDF 197.1KB)

View Afternoon Map Programme (PDF 1.0MB)

Opening Night - 30 November 2025

View full Morning programme and Map for 30 November (PDF, 1.1MB)

View full Afternoon Programme and Map for 30 November (PDF, 1.1MB)

Lots of Love - 1 February 2026

View Morning Map Programme (PDF 238.2KB)

View Afternoon Map Programme (PDF 1.3MB)

TICKETS

Tickets for Family Sundays are released on general booking day with additional ticket releases in the four weeks leading up to the event. If tickets aren’t currently available please check back. We also offer group bookings at a discounted rate for community groups and organisations. If you’d like to talk about bringing a group to a Family Sunday please contact us daytimeevents@roh.org.uk  

A large group of people gathered in a brightly lit room with vaulted ceilings and white ironwork windows, they are engaged in conversation and activities.

Access

Family Sundays take place throughout the whole of the Royal Opera House, which is a large building with many stairs, escalators and lifts. The flooring in the building varies – some floors are smooth and tiled, and some are carpeted. There is step-free access to the building from the Bow Street entrance and from here, you’ll find the escalators and lifts that take you throughout the building. 

These events can be busy, loud and bright at times, but we can lend ear defenders and have a space for quiet reflection. 

Join our Access Scheme for priority access performance tickets and to personalise your account for your access requirements. 

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Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 480523) Charity Registered (Number 211775)