All week
FREE FILM FESTIVAL: Herne Hill Free Film Festival has a great line-up, include Victoria, Easy Rider, and The Big Lebowski. Various locations, free, book ahead, until 29 May
RESTAURANT OPENING: Pergola on the Roof deems it warm enough the open the doors for the summer months, sitting neatly atop the Television Centre in White City and themed on New York's The Hamptons. Expect great food and drink, with a decent view to boot. Pergola on the Roof, book ahead, 3 May-1 October
SCI-FI FESTIVAL: It's Sci-Fi London, so spend your week exploring possible futures thought up by brilliant minds. There's more than just films too, with live music and even sci-fido, the world's only cosplay for dogs. Various locations, various prices, book ahead, until 6 May
Monday 1 May
BANK HOLIDAY: Looking for things to do in London over the long weekend? Check out our guide to spending the bank holiday in the city, whatever the weather and whatever your budget.
CITY FARM: Kentish Town City Farm hosts its annual May Day Festival. Games, arts and crafts, pony rides and goat grooming are just a small slice of what they have planned. Kentish Town City Farm, £1/50p, just turn up, 1pm-4pm
ARCHAEOLOGY & MAGIC: In the ancient world, people used spells to solve everyday spells. Dr Drew Wilburn talks through the archaeological remains of these spells and shows how they're vital to understanding ancient practices. Treadwell's Bookshop (Bloomsbury), £8, book ahead, 7.15pm-9.15pm
UV LIFE DRAWING: Life drawing is a fun hobby, but for some it's just too dull. That's why the Duke of Wellington is brightening it up with some neon at their UV Life Drawing Class. The Duke of Wellington (Dalston), £12, book ahead, 7.30pm-9.30pm
Tuesday 2 May
LUNCH MARKET: Fancy something different for lunch? Spicy patties, empanadas, noodle salads, haggis toasties and zingy ceviche are just some of the foods on offer at this lunch market. Canary Wharf, free entry, just turn up, 11am-3pm
CHRISTIE'S LATES: Auction house Christie's stays open late for an evening inspired by the art and culture of Asia, with talks by experts, tea sampling, a crash course in Mandarin, and more. Christie's (South Kensington), free entry, book ahead, 6pm-8.30pm
MUSEUM BY CANDLELIGHT: Explore Sir John Soane's Museum after hours by candlelight. The house's collection includes antiquities and other curiosities, as well as paintings by the likes of Turner and Hogarth. Sir John Soane's Museum (Lincoln's Inn Fields), free, just turn up (worth getting there early to avoid disappointment), 6pm-9pm
EXPLORING THE EXTREMES: Spend an evening with a scientific adventurer and a mountaineering medic, who will be talking about their work on earth's highest mountains and in the deepest oceans. Royal Institution, £14/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
Theatre review: the attraction of Law
Fresh from his TV success as The Young Pope, Hollywood heartthrob Jude Law appears in Obsession directed by Ivo Von Hove (Lazarus, Hedda Gabler). The story is lifted from an unfilmed screenplay by Luchino Visconti (Death In Venice) and revolves around a murky mix of sex, murder and betrayal. So far, so Italian, but Von Hove elevates the strangely stiff, stilted and staccato script into an engaging study of human nature peppered with insightful observations on love and connection. As peripatetic hunk Gino, Law lays down a steamy masterclass in sensuality and soulfulness while, opposite him, Halina Reijn is an invigorating foil as the desperate drifter who values roots over freedom. A heart-rending denouement is spoiled by a mawkish and eminently missable epilogue which veers on the pretentious; by all means, feel free to leg it early to avoid the rush. Obsession will be broadcast live at the Barbican as well as cinemas around the UK and internationally on Thursday 11 May. Barbican, Silk St, EC2Y 8DS, £16-£60, until 20 May ★★★☆☆ Franco Milazzo
Wednesday 3 May
GUIDED WALK: Thamesmead doesn't always appeal as London's most glamorous locale, but it's packed with industrial, maritime and military history - find out more on this guided walk. Plumstead Station, £9/£12, book ahead, 11am-3pm
PUB SCIENCE: Learn all about the chemistry of cooked food, and why humans evolved to want it, in the comfy confines of a pub near London Bridge. The Old King's Head, free (donations welcome), just turn up, 6pm for 7pm start
CRICK LATE: The new Francis Crick Institute holds its first late opening, an evening of pop-up science with talks, demonstrations, live music, food and drink. Francis Crick Institute (King's Cross), free, book ahead, 6pm-9.30pm
CYPRIOT POETS: Five Cypriot poets talk about and tell the story of their divided community through poetry. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 8pm
Thursday 4 May
HOLOCAUST TALK: Discover the important role that music played for Jewish communities in the concentration camps and ghettoes during the second world war, with Dr Nick Strimple. China Exchange, £12, book ahead, 6.30pm-7.45pm
EROICA: Listen to Beethoven's 3rd Symphony, Eroica, in a comfortable setting with classical music. Eroica tells the story of a hero on a journey towards fulfilment and can now be enjoyed drink in hand. Oval Space, £20-£25, book ahead, 7pm-midnight
STAR WARS: Mark Star Wars Day (May the fourth...) with a Star Wars themed quiz. Do you know your Jedi from your Sith? Prove it with questions, craft challenges and more. Drink Shop Do (King's Cross), £5, book ahead, 7.30pm
Friday 5 May
AFRICAN WOMEN: Find out about the different roles African women played in the first world war, including labourers, spies and snipers, at this talk. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, book ahead, 11.30am
OPEN GARDEN: The monthly public opening of Lambeth Palace Gardens takes places today. Visit the oldest continuously cultivated garden in London. Lambeth Palace Gardens, £5, just turn up, 12pm-3pm
MIDNIGHT APOTHECARY: Tonight's the launch of the 2017 season of enchanting summer bar, the Midnight Apothecary. Located in a rooftop garden atop the Brunel Museum, sup seasonal botanical cocktails by the excellent Cocktail Gardener, sitting alongside an open firepit. Brunel Museum (Rotherhithe), £5 entry (food and drink charged on top), book ahead, 5.30pm-10.30pm (and every Friday and Saturday night until September)
GIMP FIGHT: An hour of late night sketch comedy with the very un-PC name, Gimp Fight. What more do you need to know? Soho Theatre, £10, book ahead, 11.30pm
Art review: Dangerous Minds
Artist duo Dangerous Minds take over this railway arch gallery with eye-catching artworks featuring neon, a skeleton and assault rifles. It's bold, brash and visually striking work that also looks at the dark angst of the world around us. Dangerous Minds: As We Step Into Chaos at The Underdog Gallery, Arch 6, Crucifix Lane, SE1 3JW, until 7 May, free ★★★☆☆ (Tuesday-Sunday) Tabish Khan
Saturday 6 May
IMPERIAL FESTIVAL: Land a virtual reality plane, battle superbugs and learn how scientists are trying to make cheese creamier at Imperial Festival, a free, family-friendly science festival which gives the public an insight into the work of Imperial's scientists. Imperial College, free, book ahead, 6-7 May
SEWING MACHINES: It's the monthly opening of London's sewing machine museum. See a machine which was given to Queen Victoria's eldest daughter as a wedding present, among 600 other objects. Sewing Machine Museum (Balham High Road), free (donations welcome), just turn up, 2pm-5pm
GUIDED WALK: Head east for a riverside walk exploring chimneys and tunnels along the Thames. Greenwich Pier, £15/£12, book ahead, 2.15pm-5pm
Sunday 7 May
CRICKET: It's the beginning of the new cricket season and to kick it off, Lord's is hosting the first ever one day international between England and Ireland on British soil. Lord's Cricket Ground, £25/£5, book ahead, 10.30am
CROYDON AIRPORT: See the world's oldest air traffic control tower and take a free tour around the micro museum at Croydon Airport's monthly open day. Croydon Airport, free (donations welcome), just turn up, 11am-4pm
MINIONS: Minions is the film of choice at Little Rippers Film Club. Wear the little ones out with an hour of skating first, before settling them in front of the film. Not a Minions fan? No problem — adults can refuel in the cafe while kids watch the screening. House of Vans, free, just turn up, 12.15pm
