Things to do this week is sponsored by London Transport Museum.
All week
LONDONIST PARTY: Would you believe it — Londonist turns 20 years old in 2024! To celebrate, we're throwing a party at the magnificent Five Points Taproom & Courtyard on Wednesday 12 June. There's live music, incredible food and the chance to mingle with the Londonist team and other London lovers. Be sure to nab a ticket soon! (Your first couple of drinks are included.)
IN THE ROUND: The latest incarnation of In The Round Festival is on at Camden Roundhouse, giving fans a chance to experience music performed live on the venue's circular stage. This week, catch Paraorchestra, and American jazz singer Samara Joy, among other performers. 18-27 April
QUEER EAST: Queer East Festival continues until the end of this week, celebrating all manner of LGBTQ+ visual arts and performances from East and Southeast Asia and its diaspora communities. Screenings, workshops and performances take place at various venues around London, including the UK premiere of The Missing, and a screening of Summer Vacation 1999. Until 28 April
TIME IS RUNNING OUT: ...to see current exhibition Time Is Running Out by the Institution of Civil Engineers, on display at the London Transport Museum. It looks at the role civil engineers can play in fighting climate change and hitting net zero targets by 2050. Topics such as flooding, energy production and waste products are covered in the family-friendly display. Until 28 April
ENTANGLED PASTS: Also closing at the end of this week is the Royal Academy's exhibition, Entangled Pasts, 1768-now, which brings past and present together for a look at art's role in shaping narratives of empire, enslavement, resistance, abolition and colonialism Until 28 April
WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS: One of the highlights of the London photography calendar is the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House. They're doing things a bit differently this year, with photographs printed, projected and presented digitally to 'enhance your visual experience'. There's also a display dedicated to the works of Edgar Martins, the 2023 Photographer of the Year, telling the story behind his project. Until 6 May
SHOW OF THE WEEK: English Kings Killing Foreigners is a 'silly show about serious things', which asks questions like: what does it mean to cast a Global Majority actor in a Shakespeare play? And: how does a non-white, non-English person fit into this most English hero-making story? Ultimately it wonders: would you die for your country? It premieres at Camden People's Theatre on Tuesday. 23 April-11 May
DAY TRIP OF THE WEEK: Why not spend a day — or longer — in the idyllic town of Rye, close to the East Sussex? Cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses and plenty of places to eat and drink make it worth hopping on the train — here's our full guide to the town.
Monday 22 April
CHARITY DINNER: Renowned chefs Atul Kochhar, Cyrus Todiwala, Charlie Hodson, Vivek Singh and Simon Rimmer join forces to whip up a special dinner, raising money for charity Hospitality Action, which supports workers in the UK hospitality sector. The event takes place at Kanishka in Mayfair and features a five-course tasting menu, with one dish prepared by each of the five chefs. 6pm
BOOK SALON: Hear from authors Georgina Moore and Kate Sawyer at the Charlotte Street Hotel's Book Salon. They discuss the process of writing a novel and getting published, and the themes of family, friendship and relationships in each of their books, in conversation with journalist Kate Maxwell. 6.30pm-8pm
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: Psychologist Chris French is at the Royal Institution to discuss paranormal activity. He uses scientific methods to try to find the truth behind so-called paranormal experiences including ghostly encounters, alien abductions, UFO sightings and near-death experiences 7pm-8.30pm
NACAO ZUMBI: Latin music festival La Linea comes to a close today with a performance by Manguebeat group Nacao Zumbi, at the Jazz Cafe in Camden. Manguebeat is a style of hip-hop originating from Recife in Brazil, with rock, punk, funk, hip hop and soul influences. 7pm
VIRTUAL TOUR: Take a virtual tour of Smithfield to learn about the area's history of 'burnings, butchery and black death', courtesy of Historic London Tours. Your ticket price goes towards funding the Up Against Time appeal to provide London with new Air Ambulances. 7pm
FOLK CLUB: Oxfordshire-based singers and squeezeboxers Tyburn Road play the Cellar Upstairs folk club at Islington's Alpaca pub tonight. Expect shanties about rakes, vagabonds, scoundrels and various ne'er-do-wells. salty stuff for a Monday evening 8pm-10.45pm
MONDAYS IN LONDON: Looking for something else to do, today or any other week? Take a look at our guide to things to do in London on a Monday — we've gathered together live music venues, comedy and cabaret clubs which keep going on what is usually the quietest day of the week, along with guided walks and tours scheduled on a Monday, and a few special offers too.
Tuesday 23 April
ST GEORGE'S DAY: Today is St George's Day, and although London's main celebrations take place on Sunday 21 April this year, look out for events today, including at Leadenhall Market in the City. There's also a special St George's sea shanty session on Friday — take a look at our guide to St George's Day events in London this year.
MOBY DICK: Herman Melville's seafaring novel Moby Dick is performed on stage at Wilton's Music Hall from today. See the story of a Nantucket crew setting out to hunt down the whale which cost the captain his leg. 23 April-11 May
SHAKESPEARE TOUR: As well as being St George's Day, today is Shakespeare's birthday — the ideal time to take a Shakespeare-themed tour of Southwark Cathedral. Join a guide to discover links between the cathedral — then known as St Saviours — and the actors who performed in Shakespeare's plays on nearby Bankside. 11am-12pm
QUEER HISTORY: Today's Gresham College lecture delves into how queer urban life has changed in the last 70 years. Specifically, Professor Matt Cook uses the examples of Leeds, Manchester, Brighton and Plymouth to challenge the idea that London was leading the way in shifts in economy, culture, attitudes, and technology. Watch in person at Barnard's Inn Hall, or online. FREE, 6pm
CHEAPSIDE MARKET: Follow tour guide Richard Watkins for a canter through the 1,000 years of commercial history of Cheapside, including magnificent processions, street riots and a centre of bling, with a few great churches, unexpectedly fine buildings and great signs of life long ago. 6pm
THE SHADOW KEY: Head to the Old Operating Theatre in London Bridge for the launch of Susan Stokes-Chapman's new book, The Shadow Key. The novel is set in Wales in the 18th century, following the life of a physician who has been dismissed from working in a London hospital. Tonight's event includes a talk, Q&A session, and live music. 6pm-8.30pm
LINDLEY LATE: The RHS Lindley Library in Westminster hosts the next in its series of Lindley Late events. This time, houseplant experts Jane Perrone and Matt Pottage share their experiences of indoor gardening and offer tips to help you make the most of your space. 6.30pm-8pm
Sponsor message
A rare chance to delve into design history at London Transport Museum’s Depot
Oxblood tiles, eye-popping moquette, that iconic roundel… If we were to make a list of all the things we love about London’s public transport network, its sense of style would be very close to the top indeed. So we’re especially excited about the theme of London Transport Museum’s upcoming depot open days.
The ‘London By Design’ Depot Open Days are your opportunity to explore a vast treasure trove of transport history that’s usually off-limits to the public, all while getting stuck into a range of design-centric activities. Discover the world’s largest collection of transport signage, play ‘match the moquette’, design your own Lego city, and enjoy curator and designer-led talks. There are all sorts of child-friendly things to do, too — including arts and crafts, a soft play area, and a variety of heritage vehicles to ogle (undoubtedly the pièce de résistance for your bus or train-obsessed toddler, but also pretty exciting for us adults, tbh).
This three day event takes place Friday 26-Sunday 28 April at the London Transport Museum Depot in Acton. It’s open 10.30am-5pm (last entry 4pm), and with a Mexican food stall, a coffee bar, and a live busker on site, you can really make a day of it. Get your tickets now.
Wednesday 24 April
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY: Birmingham Royal Ballet sprinkle some fairy tale magic on Sadler’s Wells this week, with a five-performance run of Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty. Expect opulent costumes, dazzling dance, and spellbinding music played live by the acclaimed Royal Ballet Sinfonia. Tickets start at just £15. Book ahead. 24-27 April (sponsor)
BREW LDN: Raise a glass to Brew LDN — the beer festival is back at a new venue this year. Taking over Between The Bridges for three days, with Toast Brewing, Renegade Brewery, Jiddler's Tipple, Moot Brew Co, Flowerhorn Brewery, and SXOLLIE among the companies confirmed to be attending. 24-27 April
OPEN CITY DOCS: A screening of Sunless Haven, a documentary about London's Docklands at the turn of the 20th century, is the opening event of this year's Open City Documentary Festival. Talks and workshops, Q&A sessions, networking events and screenings take place over the coming days. 24-30 April
ECHOES OF SHAKESPEARE: Footprints of London guide David Charnick leads a guided walk around the City of London, with a Shakespearean theme. Meet at St Giles without Cripplegate (Barbican) and hear excerpts from Shakespeare's writing as you visit sites linked to him. 11am-1pm
INDY JOHAR: The London Society's annual Banister Fletcher lecture is given this year by architect Indy Johar, who discusses the future of architecture in London. Hear his insight on how the capital will have to change in the near future, due to issues of material scarcity, energy usage and biodiversity. Takes place at RIBA on Portland Place. 6.30pm-8.15pm
AFRO-JAZZ: New Afro-Soul seven-piece band Jembaa Groove take to the stage at Camden's Jazz Cafe for a night of contemporary sounds from Ghana blended with jazzy sounds from Berlin’s underground music scene. 7pm
Thursday 25 April
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING: Shakespeare's Globe launches its Summer Season with a production of Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Globe Associate Artistic Director Sean Holme and opening tonight. It's one of Shakespeare's best-known comedy plays, packed with love and deception. 25 April-24 August
WORLD DRAM DAY: Dram Bar on Denmark Street celebrates World Dram Day with an event where you can peruse, buy and try an impressive array of over 2,000 drams of whisky. There are also drop-in tasting sessions with experts throughout the day. 9am-7pm
ROBERT GOLD: Bestselling author Robert Gold is the special guest at a literary dinner at Rick Stein in Barnes. Tuck into a three-course seafood menu while Gold discusses the book, Ten Seconds, with Little Brown Book’s Editorial Director Rosanna Forte, and takes part in a Q&A and book signing. 6pm
OLD TIME SAILORS: Head to the Cutty Sark in Greenwich for a lively night of singing and dancing like a drunken sailor. The Old Time Sailors take centre stage in an immersive performance of seafaring music from the 19th century. Fancy dress is very much encouraged. 7pm
OPEN MIC: Refettorio Felix in Earl's Court hosts an open mic evening, showcasing spoken word artists, musicians and comedians. Money raised goes towards supporting the venue's services, which provide vulnerable people with nutritious meals, and a safe, welcoming space to have lunch, five days a week. 7.30pm-11pm
PUB COMEDY: Imran Yusuf, Fiona Allen, Chris Read and James Trickey are all on the line-up at Comedy at The Rose, a night of laughs at The Rose pub in Fulham. Arrive early if you want to enjoy pre-show food or drinks in the bar or beer garden. 8.30pm-10.30pm
LATE NIGHT JAZZ: Stay late at the Royal Albert Hall, as the Elgar Room hosts a celebration of the greatest female jazz songwriters. Performers including vocalist Ineza and the Alex Webb Trio cover songs by the likes of Peggy Lee, Billie Holiday, Betty Carter and Abbey Lincoln. 9.30pm
Friday 26 April
BEYOND THE BASSLINE: The British Library launches its new exhibition, Beyond the Bassline, looking back at 500 years of Black British music. Find out about venues including clubs, carnivals and stages which influenced the evolution of Black music, as well as trailblazers who introduced new types of music to the UK. From 26 April
THE BUBBLY SHOW: Raise a glass to The Bubbly Show, taking place at 10-11 Carlton House Terrace and celebrating champagne and sparkling wine. Tastings, talks, masterclasses and a special afternoon tea take place across two days, with champagne houses, small growers, and English sparkling wine producers all taking part. 26-27 April
BRICK LANE JAZZ FESTIVAL: The Brick Lane Jazz Festival returns for a weekend of live music. Headline acts include RnB artists Ojerime, Grammy Award-nominated artist Theo Croker, and French-Senegalese singer, songwriter and producer anaiis. You can buy day or weekend passes to all shows at the Old Truman Brewery, with tickets to Village Underground shows sold separately. 26-28 April
ROOFTOP YOGA: Start your day on a high — literally — with sunrise rooftop yoga at Art'otel at Battersea Power Station. The gentle flow yoga class takes place in the shadow of those iconic chimneys, followed by a complimentary hot drink or a juice and a pastry at Tozi Counter. 7.30am-8.30am
NOT A PHASE: Tonight sees the launch of Not A Phase, a brand new club night for queer women and non binary people, which promises 'luxury' touches — think red-carpet entrance, VIP booths, table service, and a night of risqué stage entertainment. It's at Embankment. 10pm-4.30am
Saturday 27 April
CLASSIC CAR BOOT SALE: Pre-1990 vehicles including cars, campervans, hot rods, scooters, caravans, motorbikes and custom bicycles park up in King's Cross for the Classic Car Boot Sale — a weekend of shopping, eating and dancing. Browse and buy vintage clothing and homewares from the Charity Super.Mkt, and visit the Repair Shop for advice on caring for your vintage garments. 27-28 April
PALACE GARDENS: This is one of the few weekends a year when you can visit the Hampton Court Palace Gardens for free. The Great Fountain Garden, the Privy Garden, the Kitchen Garden and the Pond Garden can be explored without paying a penny. Normal charges still apply if you want to visit the Palace building, the maze or the Magic Garden Playground. FREE, 27-28 April
TUDOR PALACES: At time of writing, there are a few tickets left for a day of talks about Tudor palaces in London, taking place at Southwark Cathedral. Richmond, Eltham, Hampton Court, Nonsuch and Oatlands palaces are all discussed by experts, who offer an insight into how the palaces were built, and what life in court was like. 10am-4pm
PLANT FESTIVAL: Get yourself over to Chelsea Physic Garden for its annual Plant Festival, consisting of a plant and gift market, and gardening demonstrations. Indoor and outdoor plants are available, and sessions include flower crown-making, candle making, how to grow mushrooms, and more. The cafe is open all day for food and drink. 10am-5pm
SECRET CITY: London on the Ground tours have a double header today, looking at the hidden corners of the Square Mile. The earlier walk tackles the western half of the City, while the later one delves into the eastern section. 11am and 2.30pm
MORE SECRET CITY: Or, alternatively, sign up for Alison Turner's Secret City Gardens tour, which includes a little-known cloister gardens, the site of an old plague pit and a physic garden among Roman ruins. 11.30pm
DAYTIME PARTY: It's Club de Fromage... but not as you know it. The disco club event hosts a daytime party for over-30s only. Expect the usual mix of pop, rock, indie, power ballads and disco, plus balloons, sing alongs and the like, all finished by 7pm so you can get dinner/head onto your next party/trot on home to bed. As always, fancy dress is encouraged, and it takes place at Scala. 3pm-7pm
BIG SUMMER KICK-OFF: Jess Glynne headlines the entertainment stage at the family-friendly Big Summer Kick-Off at Twickenham Stoop Stadium. Entertainment (including fairground rides) is followed by the Gallagher Premiership match between current table toppers Harlequins and Northampton Saints. Kick off 3.05pm
Sunday 28 April
GIANT LONDON FLEA MARKET: Apparently London's largest indoor flea market, the Giant London Flea Market rocks up to a multi-storey car park in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, with 100+ traders furniture, vintage home decor and the like. 10am-5pm
CREATIVE WORKSHOP: Artist, illustrator and printmaker Mary Kuper leads a creative workshop inspired by current exhibition A Birthday Garland at Southbank Centre. Make your own 'word picture' using wooden type, stamps, typewriting, drawing and low tech printmaking methods. Age 18+. 10am
TAIWANESE BRUNCH: Daddy Bao in Tooting and Mr Bao in Peckham have launched a Taiwanese brunch menu, offering the likes of Taiwanese sausage benedict with gochujang hollandaise, and prawn toast royale with gochujang hollandaise — with the option to go bottomless on cocktails. From 11.30 each weekend
SWAN LAKE: Catch a ROH Live screening of Swan Lake, shown at Barbican Cinema. Filmed live on stage this Wednesday, it features the Royal Ballet accompanied by the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House performing Tchaikovsky's famous score. If that's your vibe, check out these other productions of Swan Lake in London over the coming months. 2pm
MUSIC HALL: Step back in time to a traditional Victorian Music Hall, with a unique blend of authentic characters and broad comedy. The New Players’ Theatre are at Charing Cross Theatre for this traditional entertainment fronted by Maestro Mr Tom Carradine. 3pm
ST AUGUSTINE'S TOWER: 'Tis the last Sunday of the month, which means St Augustine's Tower — the oldest building in Hackney — is open to the public. The tower is all that remains of the old church of St. Augustine — the rest of which was demolished in 1798. FREE, 2pm-4.30pm
DRUMS OF THE WORLD: Green Note in Camden invites you to sit in a drumming circle, under the instruction of Adam Teixeira, and play on various drums from around the world — learning new rhythms, and working in time with your fellow percussionists. No previous experience required. 3pm
BEAR GRYLLS: Explorer and survival expert Bear Grylls navigates his way to Wembley Arena for his Never Give Up! live tour. He tells stories of some of his adventures, and shows previously unseen images and behind-the-scenes footage, in this family-friendly show. Doors 6.30pm
SUNDAY SUPPER CLUB: Mayfair restaurant Kanishka continues its Sunday Supper Club series of events featuring female chefs. This time Indian chef and food writer (and former GBBO contestant) Chetna Makan takes over the kitchen, whipping up a five-course menu with optional wine pairing. 6pm
Good cause of the Week
Have you considered donating plasma? This vital blood component can be used to treat around 50 different diseases, so the NHS is always looking for new donors. 22-28 April 2024 has been designated Plasma Donation Week, in a bid to raise awareness. The process takes about an hour and is very similar to donating blood.
Plasma makes up approximately 55% of your blood, and contains antibodies, known as immunoglobulins, which fight infection. These antibodies are made into medicines to help people with rare diseases, immune disorders and genetic conditions.
By giving plasma you could help build a person's antibodies, help to heal burns, protect pregnancies, and help babies' hearts to continue to beat.
London's donation centre is in Twickenham, with others available in Reading and Birmingham.
Find out how you can help today.