Things to do this weekend is sponsored by Opera Holland Park.
All weekend
HALF TERM: Plan the whole of the half term week in advance with our guide to the best things to do in London with kids during the break.
FERIA DE LONDRES: Celebrate all things Spanish at Feria de Londres, a free festival similar to Spain's own traditional spring fairs (minus the weather, naturally). Watch flamenco dancing and traditional music shows, and tuck into paella, tapas, sherry and other regional food and drink. Bernie Spain Gardens (near Oxo Tower), free, just turn up, 24-26 May
JÄGERHAUS: Visit Jägermeister's Bauhaus-style two-story building with VIP loft, backyard, basement bar and warehouse at All Points East this weekend. Ice cold shots of Jägermeister and Jägermeister Mules will flow, while you groove away to intimate sets from top musicians. On Monday 27 May, enjoy a full day of free entry activities and cocktail meisterclasses. As part of All Points East, Victoria Park, 24-27 May and 31 May-2 June. Free entry on 27 May (sponsor)
TATTOO SHOW: 300 tattoo artists gather at the Great British Tattoo Show to give you inspiration for your next inking, whether it's your first tat, or the latest addition in a whole tapestry. You can even get one done then and there. Alexandra Palace, £22.50-£27, book ahead, 25-26 May
FOODIES FESTIVAL: Food and drink stalls, celebrity chefs, cooking demonstrations, live music, culinary masterclasses, a dessert tent and a Pimm's tea pot are just some of the things happening at Foodies Festival, a celebration of all things edible. Syon Park, from £19, book ahead, 25-27 May
MOTOR PAGEANT: Organised by Whitewebbs — London's other transport museum — the Enfield Pageant brings together classic cars and motorbikes, and American vehicles, to be admired. There's also a funfair, live bands and other family-friendly entertainment. Enfield Playing Fields, £10, just turn up, 25-27 May
CACTUS SHOW: Cacti and succulents are the order of the day at this three-day annual show. It's a serious business, with more than 200 plants on display, many for sale, and a chance to get tips from members of the British Cactus and Succulent Society. There's also judging, with prizes awarded to the best plants. Capel Manor Gardens (Enfield), included in admission (adult £6/child £3), just turn up, 25-27 May
LONDON RIVERS WEEK: The Thames isn't London's only waterway. This year's London Rivers Week focuses on London's lost waterways — those which were artificially straightened, or buried underground, but have now been rewilded. The launch event takes place on Saturday, followed by a whole programme of other happenings. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 25 May-2 June. If this sounds up your street (or canal), check out Museum of London Docklands' new Secret Rivers exhibition (opens 24 May).
WANDSWORTH HERITAGE FESTIVAL: An impressive programme of events is offered at this year's Wandsworth Heritage Festival, including book launches, exhibitions, talks and tours. This weekend, take a tour of Henry Tate Gardens in Streatham, or join a guided walk of the Balham Hill area. Various locations and prices, 25 May-9 June
PUBS: If you want nothing more than to kick back, pint in hand, and watch the world go by, take a look at our guide to the best pubs in London. You can search by area or facilities, and you might just find your new favourite boozer.
DAY TRIPS: If you want to escape London for a day (or longer), we can help. We've put together a map of London day trip ideas. From quaint villages to seaside resorts, and castles to model villages, it's all in there.
BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND: We've compiled a guide of things to do in London over any bank holiday weekend, whatever the weather. From little-known cultural gems to exploring the great outdoors, we've got plenty of ideas and inspiration.
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Watch Opera in a Stunning Outdoor Setting This Summer
Love opera? Curious to give it a whirl? The 2019 summer season at Investec Opera Holland Park offers world class opera performances, in an informal and alfresco setting.
Watch fresh productions of established masterpieces and operatic rarities, in a 1000-seat covered auditorium in the heart of one of London's most beautiful parks. The historic Holland House forms a dramatic real-life backdrop to the on-stage action.
This setting's not only informal, but affordable and accessible. There’s no dress code, and it's just a short walk from Kensington High Street. Also you can even bring your own picnic, or get some wine from the theatre bar for the less prepared.
What's on? This year’s productions centre around the themes of secrets, lies, political intrigue and obsessive love: Puccini’s Manon Lescaut, Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera, Cilea’s L’arlesiana and a double bill of Wolf-Ferrari’s Il segreto di Susanna and Tchaikovsky’s Iolanta. The season also features performances by the Royal Ballet School, Juilliard Opera and film screenings with Luna Cinema.
Investec Opera Holland Park runs from 4 June-3 August. Tickets on sale now. Box Office: 0300 999 1000.
Under 30? Don’t forget to sign up to the Under 30s scheme, for exclusive discounts and ticket offers.
Saturday 25 May
FOOD FESTIVAL: For street views with banging views, head to Streatlife festival at Ally Pally. Burgers, falafel, waffles, paella and BBQ are just some of the specialities offered up by traders, with plenty of craft beer to wash it all down. Live musicians and DJs provide a soundtrack, with those views over London thrown in for free. Alexandra Palace, free entry, just turn up, 25-26 May
CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL: Both Saturdays in half term, the Dalston area comes alive with free kids' activities for Dalston Children's Festival. Events today include a hula hoop workshop, puppet making, and a pop-up playground. Various Dalston locations, free, 25 May and 1 June
TOWER HILL TOUR: Learn about the history of the area surrounding the Tower of London on this walking tour — from the Romans of the second century, up to the second world war. There's murderers, anarchists, executions and espionage. £10, book ahead, 11am-12.30pm (sponsor)
SOAPBOX SCIENCE: Soapbox Science, an initiative led by conservation charity ZSL, is a chance to meet real scientists and chat to them about their work. Scientists from several disciplines take to their soapbox to share their research with the general public, and try to get them interested in science. Near Gabriel's Wharf (South Bank), free, just turn up, 2pm-5pm
ACOUSTIC NIGHT: Board the Golden Hinde — that dry docked boat down near Borough Market — for an evening of acoustic music. Indie folk band The Seniors perform as part of their current tour, and British singer-songwriter Genevieve Lambert showcases her take on modern pop. The Golden Hinde (Borough Market), £7.50/£10, book ahead, 7pm-10pm
COMEDY: Musician and comedian Vikki Stone — who has appeared on the John Bishop Show and the BBC Proms podcast — offers a preview of her current work-in-progress show, Song Bird. Pleasance Theatre (Islington), £5, book ahead, 7.45pm
Sunday 26 May
MOTORSPORT: Vroom vroom. Motor racing comes to Crystal Palace as classic and newer racing cars go head to head in a bid to get the fastest lap time of the day. Bikes get in on the action too, doing a parade lap, and food and drink stalls and a funfair are part of the fun. Crystal Palace, £10/£6, book ahead, 26-27 May
WETLANDS AND RIVERS: Get your walking boots on for a 5.7km (3.5 mile) walk through the Lee Valley, focusing on the wetlands and rivers of the area. Looks out for the wildlife species that live in the area and find out what's being done to protect them in lakes, reed beds and grasslands. Lee Valley Park Farms, free, book ahead, 11am-1.30pm
MAY DAY: To celebrate the completion of restoration works, Fulham Palace hosts a family-friendly Tudor May Day. Watch falconry, learn how to make a May crown or try candle rolling, with live music, and a parade for anyone in Tudor costume to take part in. Fulham Palace, free, just turn up, 11am-5pm
RECORD FAIR: Over 30 tables of vinyl are for sale at the Peckham Record Fair, which is open to serious record fans and more casual browsers. Browse items from indie record labels, record stores, used/collector/hifi dealers, vinyl cleaning, and local vinyl enthusiasts. Bussey Building (Peckham), free entry, just turn up, 11am-6pm
JIVE ACES: Liven up your Sunday afternoon with this performance by the Jive Aces. The jive & swing band performed on Britain's Got Talent, and if they can rid Simon Cowell of his trademark scowl, they can definitely put a smile on your face. They're joined by West End singer Kara Lane. Hideaway (Streatham), £15, book ahead, 2pm
GLITTERFEST: Make the most of the extra day off by staying out late partying tonight. Glitterfest involves 50kg of confetti, pumped onto the dancefloor via confetti cannons throughout the night, plus live dancers and performers, and hip hop, house, r'n'b and garage tracks. Metropolis Club (Cambridge Heath), £12, book ahead, 10pm-3am
Monday 27 May
SCI FI THEATRE: Today kicks off a week of short plays and talks with scientists for Science Fiction Theatre Festival. More than 70 artists are involved in the event, which this year centres around stem cell research, based on real work by scientists at King's College London. Pleasance Theatre (Islington), £16/£14, book ahead, 27 May-1 June
JAM ON RYE: Not a new eating fad, but a south London music festival — although food and music are paid equal attention at Jam on Rye. KERB provides a stage for some of the best street food vendors in the city, and even the music seems to have a culinary theme; Kelis headlines, and surely it's not a coincidence that her last album was called Food? Peckham Rye, £30, book ahead, 12pm-9pm
JAMES ELLROY: American writer James Ellroy discusses his latest novel, The Storm. It's the second in a quartet of books, and is a historical crime novel set in LA and Mexico in the wake of Pearl Harbour. Southbank Centre, £15-£25, book ahead, 7.30pm
A STAR IS BORN: Rooftop Film Club continues its summer season with a screening of A Star Is Born on Queen of Hoxton's rooftop. The 2018 film stars Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga as a musician who helps an up and coming singer. Queen of Hoxton (Shoreditch), £15.95, book ahead, 9pm-11pm
