All week
NOTEL: This eerie exhibition sounds very Black Mirror. Check in to a hyper luxurious hotel designed just for you, where there are no other humans and AI caters to your every need. (London City Island), free, just turn up, until 1 September
AUDREY HEPBURN ON CAMERA: See rare photographic portraits of the silver screen legend that is Audrey Hepburn, as captured by the likes of Terry O'Neill, Eva Sereny, and Norman Parkinson. A true style icon, there's so much more to Audrey than that one ubiquitous Breakfast At Tiffany's promo shot. Proud Central (Charing Cross), free, just turn up, 10am-6pm, 17 August-30 September
DRAG EXHIBITION: Celebrate the art of drag at an utterly fierce exhibition that brings together over 50 years of radical self-portraits. Through the work of 20th century icons like Pierre Molinier and Cindy Sherman to that of contemporary artists such as Victoria Sin and Adam Christensen, prepare to have received ideas of gender, race, sexuality and class totally challenged. Hayward Gallery (Southbank Centre), free, just turn up, 11am-7pm, 22 August-14 October
Monday 20 August
PIMP YOUR PINEAPPLE: Don't be one of those people that goes to a bar, asks for the WiFi password and spends the entire evening on their phone. Decorate a pineapple instead! For their latest edition of Monday evening silliness, Drink, Shop & Do have all the sparkly bits you need to create a fully pimped-up pineapple while you nurse a brew and congratulate yourself for having got through another Monday. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), free when you buy a drink, 6pm
ACTION ANTIHERO: Becky Brunning may be an actor, a comedian and a certified daredevil, but that' doesn't mean she's got it all worked out. Watch her boldly tackle the big issues in her new 'nigh-octane' show. The Bill Murray (Islington), £5, book ahead, 6.45pm-7.45pm
NEW MOON: Enjoy folksy melodies and edgy pop at the Half Moon's musical discovery night. Tonight's lineup features Hannah Jackson, Gallery 47, Martin Yates, and Concept. Half Moon (Putney), £2.50, book ahead, 7.30pm
Tuesday 21 August
BARE WITH ME: From fancy undergarments to the birthday suit, this one night only photography exhibition explores various states of undress. Fashion photographer Begum Yetis teamed up with London-based stylist Matt King to create this playful and celebratory showcase of the human form. Join Doomed Gallery (Dalston), free, just turn up, 6pm-9pm
CAYA SOUNDSYSTEM: Visit Somerset House, and end up being one of the cool kids on Boiler Room TV. As part of the SYSTEM: Future Sounds exhibition, roots, reggae, and dub, producer Thali and his CAYA soundsystem make some serious noise. Lancaster Rooms, Somerset House (The Strand), free, book ahead, 7pm-10pm
DINOSAURS AND DICOTS: Meet the former director of Kew Gardens for a talk on the evolution of flowers in the age of the dinosaurs. Garden designer Louise Yates joins Sir Peter Crane to chat about bringing this story to life in the world's first Jurassic Park — the Dinosaurs of Crystal Palace. Crystal Palace Museum, £5, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm
Wednesday 22 August
FAST JET CRAFTS: Give the kids an arty intro to aerodynamics at the RAF Museum. They can choose between making their own jet rockets or jet kites, before taking them outside and watching them soar into the sky. Royal Airforce Museum London (Colindale), £2 per activity, just turn up, 10am-3pm, until 24 August
EMBROIDERY WORKSHOP: Did you know that William Morris was a self-taught embroiderer? Where better, then, for your kids to get acquainted with the craft, than at The William Morris Society? They'll sew their own Morris-inspired designs onto a cloth bag to take home with them. The William Morris Society (Hammersmith), £5 per child, book ahead, 10.30am-1pm
DIGITAL MAKER COLLECTIVE: Plug in to the incredible digital and immersive experiences designed and developed by VR visionaries at the Digital Maker Collective. They show off their creations in the BFI atrium if you fancy getting your hands on the tech and networking over a drink or two. BFI Southbank, free, just turn up, 6pm-9pm
An invitation to Londonist's beer launch party
Love London? Love beer? Then we've got some very exciting news to share. Londonist has teamed up with the talented folk at Fourpure Brewery to create our own unique, Londony brew. And we want to you to celebrate its launch with us. So go on, join us for an epic party at the Fourpure brewery on Sunday 16 September. There'll be live music, the chance to win some Londonist swag and, naturally, lots and lots of beer. More deets and booking info can be found here — and you can book tickets here.
Thursday 23 August
INTERNATIONAL SLAVERY REMEMBRANCE DAY: With speeches, pop up performances and family storytelling on the agenda, International Slavery Remembrance Day at the National Maritime Museum looks set to be a particularly poignant affair. The day finishes up with a ceremony commemorating the victims of the transatlantic slave trade down the River Thames. National Maritime Museum and Queen's House (Greenwich), free, just turn up, 11am-4.30pm
RADICAL KITCHEN: The Serpentine Gallery's foodstuff-themed lunchtime gatherings return, and this edition is dedicated to the humble potato. Join artist and writer Daniella Valz Gen in the Serpentine Pavilion for a discussion about spuds. Serpentine Pavilion (Kensington Gardens), free, just turn up, 1pm
ZACH SAID: Techno nerdiness meets soulful vocals in the form of Zach Said's British soul pop. See him perform live for free at Merchant Square's next sunset session. Floating Pocket Park, Merchant Square (Paddington Basin), free, just turn up, 5.30pm-8pm
MODERN DAY ICONS: From the internet to STDs, there's a patron saint for everything. But forget Lucy of Syracuse with her golden plate of gauged out eyes, because Beach London are canonising a new batch of icons. Canon: The Art of Modern Day Icons celebrates the pioneers, innovators and masters of the last 50 years through a series of screen prints. Beach London (Kentish Town), free, just turn up, 6.30pm-11.30pm
Friday 24 August
SUPREME COURT OPEN DAY: Visit the highest court in the land for a day of interactive workshops, legal talks, and the chance to drool over some truly magnificent interiors, like Sir Peter Blake's pop art carpet and the triple-height library. There's also plenty to entertain younger visitors, including a dress up box and a legal eagle trail. UK Supreme Court (Parliament Square), free, just turn up, 9.30am-4.30pm
NACHO WELLES: Pop in to GreatArt London to see some live painting from Spanish street artist Nacho Welles. He'll be showcasing his recent creations all weekend. GreatArt London (Dalston), free, book ahead, 10am-6pm, until 26 August
JAZZ AND POETRY ON THE WATER: Bookworms and jazz cats, this one's for you. Head on down to London's floating book shop for a night of jazz and spoken word. Just bring some pennies and your poison of choice. Word on the Water, Granary Square (King's Cross), free, just turn up, 6pm-10pm
SHAKEN-UP SHAKESPEARE: Serious Shakespearean scholars, look away now. Improv troupe ShakeItUp Shakespeare are hosting a night of Bard-based bedlam, where they craft a brand new Shakespearean play based on audience suggestions and whatever madcap ideas enter their head on the night. Upper Room (Camden), £5, book ahead, 8pm-9pm
Saturday 25 August
TECH FEST: Get to grips with latest in VR tech, go on an artificial reality treasure hunt, and even build your own robot at Hi!Tech, the family-friendly festival of technology. International Quarter London (Stratford Walk), free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm
VICTORIAN VAUXHALL: History comes to life at Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens through an array of circus performances (think knife juggling and tightwire acts) and walking tours. There's even pony rides. Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, free, just turn up, 3pm-7pm
TROJAN JUKEBOX: Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Trojan Records at the Tate, where special guest DJs Asher G, Tiny T and Dave Katz spin their favourite records from the legendary label's back catalogue. Expect the very best in vintage reggae, ska and rocksteady. Terrace Bar, Tate Modern, (Bankside), free, just turn up, 7pm-11pm
CIRQUE ROUAGES: One cable. Two wheels. Four moving bodies. This is Sodade, a moving (in more ways than one) musical story from Cirque Rouages. Bell Square (Hounslow High Street), free, just turn up, 8pm
Sunday 26 August
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL: It's family day at Notting Hill Carnival, so if you've got little revellers in tow, choose today over tomorrow's more raucous affair. There's still everything that makes the carnival brilliant though; expect beautiful costumes, steel bands, and thumping beats. Notting Hill, free, just turn up, 9am-7pm
MEET THE SUPPLIERS: If you're planning on rounding off the week with a well-earned pint, opt for The Water Poet. They've invited their local suppliers round for an afternoon of tasters and demos. It's got an ace beer garden, too. The Water Poet (Spitalfields), free entry, just turn up, 1pm-4pm
CARNIVAL FITNESS WORKSHOP: Get into the carnival spirit at AyoJam, a dances fitness class that fuses authentic African and Caribbean styles. There's also disco yoga, Caribbean mocktails, and a glitter station. O2 Academy (Islington), free, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm
