All week
BST OPEN HOUSE: Between the two big weekends of British Summer Time in Hyde Park comes Open House. The weekday festival is completely free, tamer and more family-friendly than the weekend offerings, with outdoor film and Wimbledon screenings, live music, circus and cabaret, and other entertainment. Hyde Park, free, just turn up, 8-11 July
WIMBLEDON: Tennis is still going on un SW19, and it's getting even more serious as the final weekend approaches. Find somewhere to catch up with the action — and see it through until the very end — at our guide to Wimbledon screenings in London. Until 14 July
ANNUAL EXHIBITION: The Royal Society of British Artists hosts its annual exhibition, showcasing works of sculpture, drawing, printmaking and painting by its members. Most of the works are for sale too, should you find one you love. Mall Galleries, £4, just turn up, until 14 July
FRIEZE SCULPTURE: If you prefer your art with a bit more fresh air, this year's Frieze Sculpture Park is now open. Wander through a Royal Park taking in works including a spherical house, a classic car, and a series of numbers. Regent's Park, free, just turn up, until 6 October
Monday 8 July
TINY TROOPERS: Army animals are the focus of this month's Tiny Troopers, an event aimed at under-5s and their families. Expect music, arts and crafts and sensory activities, all on the animal theme. National Army Museum (Chelsea), £5, book ahead, 10am/11.20am
PALACE THEATRE: As part of the Royal Society of British Artists' annual exhibition, learn more about the works which were inspired by Alexandra Palace's Victorian theatre. Artists talk about how the recent restoration of the beautiful theatre influenced their latest pieces. Mall Galleries, £4, just turn up, 2pm-4pm
CHOIR CONCERT: The Monaco Boys' Choir — which has previously performed at the Vatican — drops by Covent Garden's Swiss Church for a free concert as part of a UK-wide tour. Swiss Church (Covent Garden), free (donations welcome), just turn up, 7pm
Tuesday 9 July
CUBAN CUISINE: They say nothing in life comes free, but this Cuban street food event begs to differ. Try various Cuban and Latin-American street food dishes, prepared by local restaurant Cubana, as part of Waterloo Food Fortnight. Cubana (Waterloo), free, book ahead, 5.45pm
COMEDY: Comedian Ellie Taylor — who had her own Netflix special — performs new work live on stage, with support from other comedians. The Bill Murray (Islington), £5, book ahead, 8pm-9pm
Wednesday 10 July
FREE FILM SCREENING: Crazy Rich Asians is this week's free open-air film screening next to the canal in Paddington. It's the story of a New York-based Asian couple, who come under scrutiny when they visit his family in Singapore, and she learns just how rich he is. Merchant Square (Paddington), free, just turn up, 5.30pm-7.30pm
AIR AMBULANCE: Mark 30 years of London's Air Ambulance at this talk about the lifesaving work it does. It's a charity-funded service, making lifesaving treatment more quickly available to over 10 million Londoners. Centre of the Cell (Whitechapel), free, book ahead, 6pm-7.30pm
SPINELESS AUTHORS: Spineless Authors' Night is a new monthly open mic event where authors, poets and writers can perform their work in front of a small audience. Guest authors and emerging writers all perform — but you're welcome to just watch if you don't want to get up on stage yourself. The Clapton Hart, free, just turn up, 8.30pm-10pm
Thursday 11 July
ENTERTAINING LONDON: Find out about the history of London County Council Parks Department in this illustrated talk. The department employed hundreds of gardeners and park keepers, and built dozens of sport facilities and playgrounds, as shown in historic photos. London Metropolitan Archives (Clerkenwell), free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
ATOM BOMB: Find out how the 1945 atom bomb had a profound impact upon British people’s understandings of the past, the present and the political future. Hear the results of a 1945 social investigation, which asked participants to ‘describe in detail your own feelings and views about the atom bomb, and those of the people you meet.’ The National Archives (Kew), £4-£5, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
FOLKLORE SOCIETY: South East London Folklore Society hosts bestselling author Wendy Moore for this month's event. She discusses Victorian doctor John Elliotson, who introduced the capital to the idea of hypnotism. The Old King's Head (Borough), £5/£3, book ahead, 8pm
Friday 12 July
CRAFTY FOX: Browse ceramics, jewellery, scarves, homewares, clothes and toys at Crafty Fox Market, which makes a rare appearance north of the river. It takes place alongside the regular Canopy Market traders, meaning double the amount of lovely things to look at. Canopy Market (King's Cross), free entry, just turn up, 12-14 July
WATERLOO CARNIVAL: Slip out of work early for Waterloo Carnival — we won't tell if you don't. The free afternoon features a procession through the area, as well as music, dancing and workshops, and is part of Waterloo Food Fortnight. Millennium Green (Waterloo), free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm
SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY: Science Museum screens documentary Spirit Of Discovery, about 'Einstein of the ocean' Walter Munk. The well-respected oceanographer died in February, and the film pays tribute to his work as well as our oceans. It's followed by a panel discussion about the role of science in preserving the ocean — speakers include climate scientists, and those working on the plastic pollution problem. Science Museum (South Kensington), £5, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
Saturday 13 July
SUMMER FAIRS: A wealth of traditional fairs and fetes take place today, all free entry:
- Barnes Fair (9.30am-5.30pm)
- Whitecross Street Party (13-14 July)
- Battersea Fair (11am-3pm)
- Happy Streets Festival (12pm-6pm)
- Wapping Fete (12pm-6pm)
WALTHAMSTOW GARDEN PARTY: Head to London's 2019 Borough of Culture for a free two-day festival celebrating global culture in London. Walthamstow Garden Party covers music, dance, circus, arts and crafts and food and drink, with plenty of family-friendly entertainment. Lloyd Park (Walthamstow), free, just turn up, 13-14 July
BEARPIT KARAOKE: Hailing from Berlin, Bearpit Karaoke in an outdoor karaoke show where anyone's welcome to take to the mic — and the audience usually join in too. Founder Joe Hatchiban brings the event to Vauxhall, and while there's no pressure to join in, the energy tends to be infectious. Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, free, just turn up, 3pm
Sunday 14 July
HOUNDS ON THE HEATH: Bow wow wow your way over to Hampstead Heath for a day of doggy fun. Hounds on the Heath is a fundraiser for the Mayhew Animal Home. Dogs compete in agility courses and traditional categories, while there are stalls and food and drink for humans to enjoy. Hampstead Heath cricket pitch, free to attend/£4 to enter your dog, 11am-4pm
NORTHCOTE FEST: Battersea's Northcote Road is closed to vehicles for the Northcote Fete. Over 100 stalls line the street selling craft items, jewellery, clothing, gifts, food and drink, while dance and music acts perform on the stage. Plus, there's a big screen showing the action from the Wimbledon men's final. Northcote Road (Battersea), free, just turn up, 11am-6pm
SUMMER STREETS: The first of this year's traffic-free Sundays on Regent Street delves into the thoroughfare's history. It celebrates its 200th birthday this year, and Museum of London experts are on hand to show the important role horses have played in the street's history. There are also plenty of free games, competitions and special offers in the local shops. Regent Street, free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm
GRAND FLANEUR WALK: Sadly the Chap Olympiad isn't happening this year. Instead, The Chap magazine marks its 100th issue with The Grand Flaneur Walk. Get dolled up in your best flaneur finery and join the free amble — it could take five minutes or five days, but the aim is to get people away from their phone screens and observing the world around them. Jermyn Street, free, just turn up, 12pm
