All week
CLOWN FESTIVAL: Prepare for some ridiculousness at London's Clown Festival; for the next 11 days London is overflowing with physical comedy. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 11-21 May
PHOTO EXHIBITION: It's the start of a month-long exhibition from photography agency Magnum, showing some of history's most iconic photos (including the introduction of colour photography), in a LED lit pedestrian tunnel. King's Cross Tunnel, free, just turn up, 15 May-15 June
FREE MINIGOLF: Get swinging at Columbus Courtyard in Canary Wharf, where a free-to-use 9-hole mini golf course has popped up. All equipment is provided, and it's open to everyone, regardless of age or golfing ability — a win-win situation really. Columbus Courtyard, free, just turn up, ongoing
FREE FILM FESTIVAL: Herne Hill Free Film Festival has a great line-up, including Murderball, Moana and La La Land. Various locations, free, book ahead, until 29 May
Theatre review: solemn revolutionary
Salomé. Now, there's a girl who knows how to get a head. The new take by Yaël Farber (Les Blancs) on the classic tale comes with a novel twist: the action is seen through the eyes of an older version of our protagonist (Olwen Fouere) and portrays her younger self (Isabella Nefar) more as a revolutionary than her usual depiction as being a capricious, lustful or vengeful harpy. The theatricality is turned up to 11 with an ambitious orgy of sound and visual effects to drive forward an often sombre drama. This is as solemn a Salomé that has ever been depicted and all the better for it. Salomé, National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 9PX, from £15, until 15 July ★★★★★ Franco Milazzo
Monday 15 May
STALKING TREES: Wander round Spitalfields in the company of urban nature writer and photographer Peter Coles, discovering the area's Huguenot heritage and seeking out remnants of mulberries. Christ Church Spitalfields, £10, book ahead, 11am-1pm
HISTORY WORKSHOP: Got any family heirlooms that were passed down across generations but you don't really know their importance? Well get down to ID your stuff, helping you research your family history. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, book ahead, 2pm
CULT SCI-FI: Witness the bizarre and psychedelic Altered States, a 1980 film in which a scientist experiments on himself to unlock different states of consciousness. The screening is preceded by a discussion of the Drug Experience film mini-genre. The Institute of Light, £5, book ahead, 7pm-10pm
ORCHESTRA BIRTHDAY: One of the world's best non-professional orchestras, hear the wonderful sounds of Kensington Symphony Orchestra at their 60th anniversary gala. The Barbican, £12.50-£30, book ahead, 7.30pm
Tuesday 16 May
POLICE HORSES: At this special Police Museum event, learn about the various roles played by the City of London Police's Mounted Branch, including ceremonial events and its day-to-day role. Guildhall Library, free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
WAITERS' RACE: It's the fifth anniversary of the Waiters' Race; so watch lots of waiters sprint through Hyde Park, trays in hand and cheer them on from the sidelines. Hyde Park, £10 to enter, free to watch, book ahead to enter, 4pm
ADULT SEX-ED: It's time to break the pleasure taboo at this adult sex-ed talk, with Sophie Holloway from Ladies Come First. The Book Club (Shoreditch), £6, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm
COMEDY: Laugh Out London's latest line-up of comedy stars includes sets from Marcel Lucont, Adam Riches, Suzi Ruffell, Lauren Pattison and Jayde Adams. The Antelope (Tooting), £5/£7, book ahead, 7.30pm-10.30pm
Wednesday 17 May
WALKSHOP: Join Londonist contributor Tom Bolton on this guided tour exploring two of London's lost migrant communities. Norton Folgate used to home Huguenots while Cripplegate was London's first Jewish quarter. Liverpool Street Station (Bishopsgate entrance), £15/£10, book ahead, 6pm-7.30pm
HAPPINESS: Research into negative emotions such as fear and depression is much more advanced than research into their positive counterparts. This panel dives into the mysterious world of feeling good. The Royal Institution, £14/£10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC: 'Panoramic sound quilting'. That's one description of Matana Roberts' latest album, which the renowned saxophonist is currently touring. Jazz Cafe (Camden), £12, book ahead, 7pm-11pm
POWER OF YOUTH: 18-15 year olds can take part in a pre-election debate with politicians from across the political spectrum about the power that young people have. Southbank Centre, free, book ahead, 7.30pm
Thursday 18 May
CYCLE FEST: Croydon is staging an all day Cycle Fest, with events ranging from talks, charity racing and professionals darting through south London's streets. Croydon, free, just turn up, 11am-9pm
CAPITAL CONDOMS: Hear the story of the London Rubber Company, a condom company established in London in the 20th century, at a time when marketing of contraceptive products was heavily restricted. Wellcome Collection, free, book ahead, 6pm-7pm
MUSEUM LATE: Forest Hill's Horniman Museum is open late for a Museums at Night. Browse the exhibits after hours, enjoy storytelling in the garden, take part in craft sessions, hear talks about the garden and museum, and more. Age 18+. Horniman Museum, £5, book ahead, 6.30pm-9.30pm
LIFE DRAWING: Sketch gods and goddesses against the incredible backdrop of the Old Royal Naval College's Painted Hall. Old Royal Naval College, £20, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
Friday 19 May
ALCHEMY: Southbank Centre's Alchemy festival begins today, showcasing cultural connections between South Asia and the UK. Free events include a light-wall installation, satirical comedy, short films and more. Southbank Centre, prices vary, 19-29 May
MUSEUMS AT NIGHT: The Bank of England Museum is open late for Museums at Night, with special events taking place, including talks about some of the more interesting objects, an insight into the new banknotes and a chance to handle a real gold bar. Bank of England Museum, free entry, just turn up, 5.30pm-9pm
MUSEUM LATE: Elsewhere for Museums at Night, the National Gallery has a Renaissance-themed late with live music and performances, workshops, food, drink and more. National Gallery, entry is free but there are charges for some activities/events/exhibitions, from 6pm
DANCE: Watch five cutting edge dance productions as part of the Wandsworth Community Fringe Festival in an informal night out. Wilditch Community Centre, £9, book ahead, 7.30pm
Art review: a wonderful wunderkammer
Phalluses and a unicorn horn. Similar in shape but not two things you'd expect to find in the same room. This eclectic collection of nearly 400 objects belongs to Oliver Hoare, and it's on display among other art and historic artefacts. The Islamic collection is stunning, with too many great items to list here. Every Object Tells A Story at 5 Cromwell Place, SW7 2JE, until 5 July ★★★★☆ (Tuesday-Sunday) Tabish Khan
Saturday 20 May
OPEN HOUSES: As part of Dulwich Festival, over 200 local artists are throwing their doors open, allowing members of the general public to take a good snoop around their studios and workspaces. Various locations in Dulwich, free, just turn up, 20-21 May
SICILYFEST: A Sicilian-themed market is popping up in Spitalfields, with food and drink from the region, traditional performances, cooking sessions, a traditional puppet theatre and more. Bishops Square, free entry, just turn up, 20-21 May
SOUND BATH: We're promised a three-hour long 'immersive performance installation and participatory experience' at St Leonard's Church in Shoreditch. Make of that what you will, but rest assured you can exit, enter, linger and lounge at your leisure throughout the duration. St Leonard's Church, £5, book ahead, 6pm
GRACE JONES: Get groovy to the tunes of the icon, Grace Jones at this themed club night. Bethnal Green Working Men's Club, £6-£10, book ahead, 9pm-2am
Sunday 21 May
WILDLIFE ART: Learn to illustrate wildlife in the glorious surroundings of Bushy Park, with a workshop focusing on pen and ink techniques. It promises to be wonderful as long as the weather's on your side. Bushy Park, £25, book ahead, 10am-4pm
CAMERA FESTIVAL: Classic camera fans from across the country descend on London today, for the Photographica Fair. It's the perfect place to snap up — sorry — some ideal vintage cameras. RHS Lindley Hall, £5, just turn up, 10am-4pm
INSIDE OUT: Wear the kids out with an hour-long skate session in the railway arches, before plonking them in front of Disney Pixar film Inside Out — grown-ups will probably like this one too. House of Vans (Waterloo), free, just turn up, 12.15pm
BEAUTIFUL GARDEN: Mona invites you into her award winning back garden in Muswell Hill, which she's opening for the day under the National Gardens Scheme. It's filled with species from Australasia and the Mediterranean that have been carefully cultivated to survive north London's harsh winters. Muswell Hill, £4, just turn up, 2pm-5.30pm
