All weekend
COOKERY CLASS:
Mint Cookery in Walthamstow is putting on cookery classes in Mediterranean, French and Italian cuisine. Got a special occasion coming up or a partner to impress? Perfect your cookery skills over three hours by the end of which you'll be able to rustle up a three course meal in no time. £28.95, prebook, 18-19 July
Get Tickets
COCKTAILS IN THE CITY:
Two days worth of sumptuous cocktails, sizzling BBQs and live music takes place across 25 of London's swankiest bars. Bedford Square Gardens in Holborn will be filled with the best of London's street food concepts and plenty of games for you take part in. £15, prebook, until 19 July
Get Tickets
LEYTONSTONE FESTIVAL:
There are a variety of events going on in Leytonstone showcasing an array of local talent including music, performances, cookery workshops and discussions. On Saturday the cob oven will be fired up ready for garden pizza making. On Sunday Henry Reynolds Gardens will be wafting with the summer scent of BBQ and Caribbean punch. Round off the weekend with live jazz at Luna Lounge. Free, just turn up, until 19 July
ITALIAN STREET FEAST:
Moretti Grand Tour is back for the second year, this time taking place at Hackney's Space Studios. Recreating an Italian street market, the Studios will host Italian street food vendors, plus plenty of beer and music. Tickets are £10 each and include 2 pints of Birra Moretti and 2 plates of food. £10, prebook, until 19 July
LAMBETH COUNTRY SHOW AND AFTERPARTY:
Spend the weekend at Brockwell park soaking up the sun while enjoying animal displays and horticultural shows. There'll be plenty of food and craft stalls as well as live music. (Free, just turn up, noon-8pm) Brixton Jamm are kicking off this year's country show afterparty, expect carnival vibes on their newly renovated terraces. (£6.50, prebook, 8pm)
Get Tickets
BBC PROMS:
Get ready for eight weeks worth of concerts, performances, workshops and discussions as the Proms returns to Royal Albert Hall. On Saturday night, neuroscientist Daniel Levity will be exploring the relationship between music and the mind at a free talk, followed by an evening of the best classical pieces to inspire children. On Sunday night learn about the rich history of the festival before enjoying Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. To help plan your festival we've put together our top picks of the Proms. Various prices, prebook, until 12 September
Saturday 18 July
CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL:
Every Saturday Brook Green Market and Kitchen in West Kensington will be hosting a free craft beer festival. There'll be free guided tastings as well as beer pairings from top street food vendors and visiting brewer Weird Beard Brew Co. Free, just turn up, 10am-3pm
SNAP LONDON:
Enhance your photography skills in this four hour photography tutorial led by technical tutor Claudia, who has 10 years of experience behind her. You'll learn lots and hopefully end up with some fabulous pictures of the South Bank. £50, prebook, 10.30am
Get Tickets
VINTAGE FASHION FAIR:
Pick up all your style necessities at Wanstead Vintage Fashion and Brocante Fair. The fair is celebrating its fifth birthday with fashion, accessories and everything you need to revamp your home— vintage style. The PomPom Lounge will be running workshops throughout the day. Ultra Sound Choir will be playing those classic vintage tunes to accompany your afternoon tea. £5/£2.50/£1.50, just turn up, 11am-5pm
NATIONAL BUSKING DAY:
The streets of London will be teeming with talented musicians and entertainers today to celebrate National Busking Day. Special shows will be taking place at St Paul's Cathedral, Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square as well as across various tube stations. Use this map to find out where the music is happening. The map also includes recommended pitch locations but some require booking and registration. Free, noon-6pm
LUNCH DEAL:
Peckish? if you're in Hoxton today head to Howl at the Moon where you'll get a gourmet burger filled with your choice of pulled meat, a choice of sides and a pint from Mr Pig Stuff all for under twenty quid. £12, just turn up, noon
Get Tickets
GRAFFITI WORKSHOP:
Master the art of graffiti at this two hour workshop held at London West Bank Gallery. Learn the art of spray can control from a top graffiti artist. £25, prebook, 1pm
Get Tickets
CLOTHES SWAP:
In need of a wardrobe update but on a tight budget? Head to The Brownfield Cabin in Poplar for a Swishing clothes swap. Take along up to 10 items and you'll receive tokens which you can then use to snap up other people's gems. Free, just turn up, 1pm-4pm
VEGAN BEER FESTIVAL:
Fat Gay Vegan (a.k.a. Sean O'Callaghan) is bringing his Vegan Beer Festival to the Camden Centre due to popular demand. On offer will be a range of beer, gourmet vegan burgers and eco wine all accompanied by four live bands. £5.95, prebook, 12pm-8pm
Get Tickets
GAME OF PHONES THEMED TREASURE HUNT:
Join up with other Game of Thrones fanatics on this parody treasure hunt where you'll be tasked with the challenge of getting to the iron phone before winter comes. Expect clue solving, riddles and plenty of laughs. Join the drinks social after to swap predictions about the fate of the surviving characters. £18, prebook, 2pm
Get Tickets
STTEET ART WALKING TOUR:
Discover the best of East London's street art at this tour in Shoreditch. Meet at Shoreditch High Street Station and don't forget to wear comfy shoes. £10, prebook, 3pm
Get Tickets
FREE COMEDY:
There are free work in progress shows from John-Luke Roberts, Katia Kvinge and Chris Coltrane at the Carpenter's Arms near Marble Arch. Free, just turn up, 7.30pm
CITYDASH:
Covent Garden becomes an adult adventure playground during Citydash, a street game which demands speed, stealth and strategy from its players. Dash to checkpoints, solve cryptic clues and don't get caught by the guards. £15, prebook, 2pm
Get Tickets
ACOUSTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL:
Discover the best of London's acoustic talent at this festival at Dingwalls Canalside Camden. Beer garden, food market and great acoustic music, what more could you want? Free, just turn up, 3pm-8pm
BOW STORY SLAM:
Got a story up your sleeve? Head to The Galvanisers Union near Bromley-by-Bow for Bow Story Slam. Each reader gets five minutes to wow with their tale, which are judged at the end by way of clapometer. Free, just turn up, 7.30pm
COMEDY:
It's your last chance to see Luisa Omielan's standup show Am I Right Ladies?! She'll be performing to her largest audience yet in Bloomsbury Theatre. This girl's got plenty of sass; expect gutsy rants which poke fun at the way women are treated in society — both hilarious and relevant. Here's a taster clip of her performing in Australia. £17.50, prebook, 9pm
CIRCUS:
Get to the Aeronaut in Acton to be wowed by a talented selection of jugglers, hula hoopers, dancers, contortionists, magicians and comedians. Call ahead to reserve a table if you're planning to eat; DJs will play till late. £8, prebook, 9pm
Get Tickets
LIVE JAZZ:
Head to Brasserie Toulouse Lautrec in Kennington to hear Karl Charity Jazz Quartet perform some of the jazz greats, including Chet Baker and Cole Porter. £7, prebook, 9.30pm
Get Tickets
BELLE AND SEBASTIAN:
How Does It Feel To Be Loved is hosting an 'after show' party at The Shacklewell Arms, celebrating Belle and Sebastian's gig at Somerset House tonight. Though Stuart Murdoch and co might not be in attendance, plenty of their whimsical indie-pop will be spun, plus you can revel in tracks played by guest DJ Colm McCrory of Help Stamp Out Loneliness. £6+ booking fee. To get a couple of quid knocked off, email [email protected], 11pm-3am
Sunday 19 July
TALK TO ME DAY:
Us Londoners are well known for conducting our journeys in stony silence but today is an exception. For Talk To Me Day there'll be a whole lot of chatter taking place in various locations across London, including a talking picnic and talking bar. To get the chitchat rolling, conversation starter cards and badges are provided. Free, just turn up, 11.30am-11pm
AQUATIC FUN:
There's plenty of aquatic themed fun to be had at Lee Valley White Water Centre today. Get involved in a range of activities including hydrospeeding, rafting and canoeing. Ever thought you could do better than the contestants on Total Wipeout? Well now's your chance to tackle the inflatable water wipeout obstacle course. Complete the day with bar, BBQ and live entertainment. £3, prebook, 11pm-4pm
CHOCOLATE TASTING TOUR:
Satisfy your sweet tooth on this chocolate tasting tour beginning at Algerian coffee store in Soho, where you'll learn of the rich history of the brown stuff from knowledegable chocolatiers — but more importantly you'll get to sample chocolatey delights across seven tastings. £15, prebook, 12pm
Get Tickets
CITADEL FESTIVAL:
Head to Victoria Park in Hackney for a quality line-up of music including Ben Howard and Bombay Bicycle Club. There will also be a roller disco, bandstand, sports day, comedy and plenty of fun to be had. £6, prebook, 12pm
Get Tickets
JAZZ AT PIZZA EXPRESS:
The perfect way to combine your love of jazz with your lunchtime craving for pizza. Head to Pizza Express Jazz Club on Dean Street to hear new material from John Crawford Quintet. Free entry, just turn up, 1pm
FOOTPRINTS OF LONDON TOUR:
Join Andrea Vail for a walk around the city where everything is not as it seems. On Re-moved, Re-used and Re-cycled City you'll discover places, monuments and buildings with curious and unexpected stories to tell. Meet outside Monument tube station. £7.50/£10, prebook, 2pm-4pm
BABY DISCO DANCE HALL:
If you've got children under five who love a good boogie then take them to The Spiedgeltent on South Bank for an afternoon of rocking out to tunes provided by DJ Monski Mouse. £11, prebook, 3pm
Get Tickets
OUTDOOR CINEMA:
If you haven't seen The Godfather and wondering what the fuss is all about, get down to Shapes in Hackney for this special outdoor screening. Street food, cinema snacks and cocktails will be available on the night. £13.50, prebook, 6.30pm
ANIMATION SHORTS:
If you're animated for animation you should join the British Animation Film Festivalat Roxy Bar and Screening where you'll get to watch a selection of some of the best animation films and you'll get a say in who wins the awards at the end of the night. Enjoy a main meal and cocktail included in the ticket price. £15, prebook, 6.30pm
Get Tickets
COMEDY:
Postpone those Monday morning blues with a night of comedy upstairs at The Queen's Head Piccadilly Circus hosted by 99 Club. Tonight's line up includes Felicity Ward, Luke Benson and Ola. £12, prebook, 8.30pm
Get Tickets
POETRY:
Head to The Duke in Deptford to see BBC slam poetry champion David Lee Morgan perform his brand new Edinburgh show Building God. In this show his cutting words will be accompanied by a soundtrack from CloudFistConceptz. Hosts Platform-7 have also put together a decent line-up of supporting poetry acts. Free, just turn up, 5pm-9pm
Other good stuff
- What’s on stage
- What’s on in Museums and Galleries
- Art & photography shows
- Free things to do in London
- Eating and drinking
- Listen to our latest podcast
- Free & cheap events in London
Catch up on all latest features, see what we like in theatre and arts and browse more things to do in London.
What have we missed? Let us know what’s going on this weekend, leave a comment or email [email protected]
For daily ideas of things to do in London subscribe to our emails.
