Housewarming Festival

At the beginning of July, King's Cross will gain the world's first public gallery dedicated to illustration. While they're still getting ready for the main event, the House of Illustration are hosting a series of events, talks, workshops and screenings for all ages as their Housewarming festival. The programme includes freelance illustrator Paul Cox in conversation with gallerist Chris Beetles (May 27) and live drawing from Lauren Child, creator of Charlie and Lola (June 17). There are daily family workshops during half-term (May 26-31) which include helping to create the venue's welcoming mural and a quest to illustrate a 3D island. The Illustrators' Fair (June 22) sees emerging and established artists sharing their talents on a fairground theme, with shows, games and workshops to keep the whole family entertained, and the festival comes to a close with a House Party (July 5), which is your chance to get a preview of the museum's inaugural exhibition, 'Inside Stories', a landmark show by Quentin Blake. Family workshops are free but most other events should be booked in advance on the House of Illustration's website.