Looking for something fun to do today? Something eye-opening to watch tonight? Something delicious to eat tomorrow? Our guide on things to do this week in London is personally curated, ensuring there's always a diverse range of events for you to choose from. Get stuck in!
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JUNE IN LONDON: With a new week comes a new month too. Bookmark our curated pick of the best events and things to do in London in June 2026 right now, so you're never short of entertainment. It includes the most in-demand new theatre shows and exhibitions opening this month, along with festivals, sports events and loads more.
LONDON FESTIVAL OF ARCHITECTURE: A celebration of architecture and 'city-making', the London Festival of Architecture programme is packed with more than 400 events throughout the month, from public installations to talks, tours, debates and performances — including some family-friendly events. It kicks off on Monday with a keynote lecture from Jayden Ali, Founding Director of JA Projects. Other highlights this week include a free talk about Millennium Mills in the Royal Docks. 1-30 June 2026
FLUSH: Last chance to see Flush, an ensemble comedy-drama set entirely in the toilets of a London club, where 16 women trade confessions over the course of a single night. See it at Arcola Theatre. Until 6 June 2026
BYOUNG SOO CHO: An exhibition of work by influential Korean architect Byoung Soo Cho is on display at the Coronet Theatre in Notting Hill. Earth Works unfolds throughout the Coronet's historic interior, with audiences invited to move freely through the work — on stage, in the studio and beyond — becoming part of a living, shifting environment, accompanied by a newly composed soundscape. FREE, until 6 June 2026
SHERLOCK HOLMES: The Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's new adaptation of Sherlock Holmes comes to an end this week. Set in London in 1890, the production follows Holmes and Watson as they pursue a deadly conspiracy. Until 6 June 2026
ROOFTOP CINEMA: It's outdoor cinema season, with al fresco screens popping up across London over the coming weeks. This week, Rooftop Cinema Club's Peckham and Stratford venues screen classics including Pride & Prejudice, 500 Days of Summer, Almost Famous and Notting Hill.
LONDON CLOWN FESTIVAL: One Polish clown attempts to stage the most epic adventure story ever told in this wordless physical comedy, and courageous clowns go head-to-head in a series of hilarious tasks and challenges to compete for the Clong Award: just some of the events happening for the London Clown Festival this week. Until 13 June 2026
DRINK OF THE WEEK: If you find yourself parched around Clapham High Street from Thursday onwards, know that there's a new cocktail bar in the form of Mimosa — boasting not only a snappy bar with ambient lighting and velvet-lined seating, but a rooftop terrace where you can sink a signature serve. Presumably one of these will be a mimosa... From 4 June
BOOK OF THE WEEK: An expanded edition of Andrew Martin's marvellous book, Seats of London: A Field Guide to London Transport Moquette Patterns, has just dropped, and there are some fab new gems in there, including the author's sneak peek inside TfL's cupboard of lost moquettes — which you can read here.
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A brand new comedy festival in Battersea Park
Belly laughs incoming… some of THE biggest names in British stand up descend on one of London's loveliest green spaces this weekend, for the first Battersea Park Comedy Festival.
This three-day fiesta runs 5-7 June and boasts headline performances from Sara Pascoe, Simon Amstell, Lucy Beaumont and Simon Brodkin (Saturday's Joe Lycett-fronted show has already sold out, so act fast if the others tickle your fancy). The supporting line-ups are top notch too, featuring Taskmaster alumni, rising stars and familiar faces from your favourite panel shows.
Other highlights include a Wise Fools-curated show starring Ola Labib, Kae Kurd, Shazia Mirza and Nabil Abdulrashid. There are even laughs for your little ones, in the form of Comedy Club 4 Kids and improvised musical Showstopper! The Kids Show.
Comedy takes place inside a big top tent (so you're golden, whatever the weather), and there's an open-air festival garden for soaking up summer sunshine where you'll find tasty street food, cocktails, craft beer, and pre/post-show live music.
Battersea Park Comedy Festival, 5-7 June in Battersea Park (Wandsworth). Tickets here.
Today's events: Monday 1 June
MINI CORAL REEFS: Get creative with recycled materials and build a vibrant 3D underwater world at Harrow Arts Centre. This mini coral reefs family workshop focuses on cutting and arranging colourful scraps into miniature sculptures, and is for families with children aged five and over. 10am-12.30pm
PIZZA SUPPER CLUB: Cult pizza meets Stoke Newington's most iconic corner shop, Londis N16, at the Hot Saint Supper Club at the Old Queens Head in Islington. This one-night-only vegetarian takeover features a menu inspired by Patel family recipes, including Gujarati Gremolata pizzas, and banana miso soft serve topped with Parle-G biscuit crumbs. All profits go to Mermaids UK to support transgender and gender-variant youth. 6.15pm-9pm
DARK FAIRY TALES: Master storyteller Viktor Wynd leads an evening of unsettling folklore at his Museum of Curiosities in Hackney. Eschewing the sanitised Disney versions, this live lecture explores the grimmer side of German tradition, featuring tales of decapitated children, wicked ointments and subterranean dwarfs. Tickets include a complimentary glass of Devil's Botany absinthe to steel your nerves. 6.30pm-7.30pm
ACTING: Eight actors gather in a derelict gothic mansion on the outskirts of London to deconstruct key scenes from Shakespeare's Macbeth, in Sophie Fiennes' immersive documentary, Acting. Screening at Bertha DocHouse in Bloomsbury, the film provides a rare look at the creative process of pioneering theatre practitioners Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod of Cheek by Jowl, and is followed by a Q&A with Fiennes. 6.30pm
GEORGE MICHAEL: Journalist and author Sathnam Sanghera visits Islington's Union Chapel to explore the complex life and enduring cultural impact of pop icon George Michael. Marking a decade since the singer's passing, the talk draws from Sanghera's new book, Tonight the Music Seems So Loud, to examine how a conservative Greek-Cypriot upbringing and the legacy of Empire shaped the man behind hits like Careless Whisper. A Q&A session follows the main discussion. 7pm
CLIMATE EMERGENCY: Walthamstow Trades Hall screens People's Emergency Briefing, a documentary film offering a frank assessment of the planet's trajectory. Naturalist Chris Packham and comedian Jennifer Saunders feature in the film, alongside leading scientists and a former general, to discuss urgent environmental solutions. 7pm
WORD SPACE: Creative energy replaces the usual Monday slump at Jamboree in King's Cross for Word Space, a community-focused evening of poetry and expression. The session blends open mic slots and poem sharing with communal writing activities, discussion, and feedback for those looking to develop their work. 7pm
GHOST-NOTE: Multi-Grammy-winning drummer Robert "Sput" Searight and percussionist Nate Werth lead all-star funk collective Ghost-Note at Camden’s Jazz Cafe. The band's lively sound blurs the lines between Afrobeat, hip-hop and psychedelia. 7pm-10.30pm
LGBTQ+ FUNDRAISER: For one night only at the Lyric Theatre, West End performers including Alice Fearn, Danielle Steers, Kitty Scott‑Claus and the London Gay Men's Chorus sing roles they wouldn’t usually be cast in. The evening is an LGBTQ+ IVF fundraiser, with money raised going towards self‑funded IVF. 7.30pm
PAUL SINHA: Trained medical doctor, Chortle Award winner and star of ITV's The Chase, Paul Sinha brings his stand-up set to the Fighting Cocks in Kingston. 8pm
Today's events: Tuesday 2 June
UCL SUMMER FESTIVAL: Workshops, panels, markets, fitness tasters and a world-record attempt are part of the UCL200 Summer Festival, a week-long bicentenary festival run by the Students' Union. Ticketed headline evening events including the Great Debate, a student film festival and the UCL Proms. 2-6 June 2026
360 ALLSTARS: A lively urban circus featuring an international cast of artists, 360 ALLSTARS barrels its way into the Peacock Theatre. Expect BMX tricks, basketball trickery, acrobatics, beatboxing and a live drumming soundtrack, accompanied by large video projections. 2-6 June 2026
WHITECHAPEL MURDERS: Author Sarah Bax Horton visits Guildhall Library to discuss her extensive investigation into the identity of Jack the Ripper and the Thames Torso Killer. Drawing on Metropolitan Police Archives and the legacy of her great-great-grandfather, a police sergeant during the 1888 "Autumn of Terror," Horton explores the evidence that led to her identifying the notorious killers in her books One-Armed Jack and Arm of Eve. FREE, 2pm-3pm
KILL BILLIONAIRE: Radical politics and revenge-fuelled storytelling collide at Housmans Bookshop in King's Cross for the launch of Anders Lustgarten’s propulsive new thriller. Kill Billionaire follows a 14-year-old Australian genius and an ex-soldier from Tuvalu as they hunt down the corporate figures responsible for climate destruction. 7pm-8.30pm
COLM TÓIBÍN: Acclaimed Irish novelist Colm Tóibín is at Union Chapel to discuss his latest short story collection, The News From Dublin. The evening explores his recurring themes of exile and loss through new tales set in Galway, Barcelona and San Francisco, followed by a Q&A session. 7pm
LEBANESE POLITICS: This panel discussion at Paddington's Frontline Club examines Lebanon's survival amidst regional conflict and economic crisis. Speakers Gilbert Achcar and Iva Kovic-Chahine explore the fragile space between war and negotiation, questioning how a state navigates internal fractures that are inseparable from global geopolitics. 7pm-8.30pm
PUB QUIZ: Brainiacs and jokers alike can go head-to-head at the Fighting Cocks in Kingston for its June pub quiz. Hosted by resident quiz wizard Andy, the monthly event features a rolling jackpot prize and a strict "no phones" policy for teams of up to five. FREE, 7.30pm
MAGGIE O'FARRELL: Author Maggie O'Farrell appears at the Royal Geographical Society to discuss her new novel Land, inspired by the mid-19th-century mapping of Ireland. 7.30pm-10pm
BIG GAY VARIETY SHOW: Rhinestones, sequins and unapologetic queer chaos fill The Other Palace for the Big Gay Variety Show. This Pride spectacular kicks off the venue's Queerly Beloved festival with a high-energy mix of powerhouse vocals, drag performance and stand-up comedy. It promises everything from disco numbers to four-part harmonies... and "questionable wigs." 8pm
Today's events: Wednesday 3 June
MUSICAL REVIVAL: Hit musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie comes to The Cockpit in Marylebone. Inspired by a true story, the show follows 16-year-old Jamie New as he overcomes prejudice on a Sheffield council estate to step into the spotlight as a drag sensation. 3-6 June 2026
SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE: Eric Simonson's stage adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's novel, Slaughterhouse-Five, follows Billy Pilgrim, a soldier who becomes 'unstuck in time' after he is abducted by aliens. See it at Southwark Playhouse Borough. 3 June-4 July 2026
SHAKESPEARE IN THE SQUARES: Every summer, a single Shakespeare play is performed in open-air gardens and squares all over the capital. For 2026, Shakespeare in the Squares tackles Love's Labour's Lost, popping up in venues including Kensington Gardens Square and Camden Square. It kicks off in Leinster Square today. 3 June-12 July 2026
KYOTOGRAPHIE: Japan House London stages Kyotographie, a joint exhibition of work by two exciting Japanese photographers, Kawada Kikuji and Iwane Ai. Works include Kawada's Chizu (The Map), selections from The Last Cosmology, and Iwane's Kipuka and A New River series. The show, organised with Kyotographie International Photography Festival, is the venue's first major photography exhibition. FREE, 3 June-18 October 2026
OXFORD HOUSE: Explore the hidden history of Bethnal Green's first settlement house, Oxford House on a guided building tour. Visit a "secret" oak-panelled chapel and the venue's Victorian archives, concluding with 360-degree views of the East End from the rooftop. 11am-12.30pm
FITZROVIA CHAPEL: Former Middlesex surgeon James Thomson leads a guided tour of Grade II* listed architectural gem Fitzrovia Chapel. The 45-minute tour explores the history and intricate gold mosaics of the neo-gothic chapel, which originally served the Middlesex Hospital. FREE, 12pm-12.45pm
SPOTLIGHT TALK: Join a knowledgeable volunteer at the Foundling Museum in Bloomsbury for a spotlight talk, exploring the history and Rococo design of the hospital's original meeting space, highlighting significant artworks by Hogarth and Gainsborough that still hang on its walls. 2pm
CITY TRANSFORMATION: Trace the epoch-defining changes of the 19th century Square Mile on a walking tour. Guide Richard Watkins explores how broad new thoroughfares and Victorian finance hubs replaced medieval lanes, visiting atmospheric pubs and historic vistas that survived the rebuilding boom. 2.30pm-4.30pm
POLITICS OF INACTION: Dr Ursula Hackett of Royal Holloway delivers the UCL Institute of the Americas Annual Lecture at Bentham House in Bloomsbury. The talk explores how America's constitutional architecture continues to reward institutional neglect and frozen policies 250 years after the Declaration first condemned such "politics of neglect." FREE, 5pm-7pm
SHOPPING EVENING: Browse the shelves after hours at the London Review Bookshop in Bloomsbury at the monthly late shopping evening. Enjoy a 10% discount on all books throughout the event, with experienced booksellers on hand to offer tailored recommendations. The neighbouring St. JOHN remains open late for food and drink purchases. FREE ENTRY, 6pm-8pm
PLUTO ISN’T A PLANET: Professor Chris Lintott visits Conway Hall in Holborn to discuss the 2006 decision by the International Astronomical Union to demote Pluto to a dwarf planet. The Gresham College lecture explores the remote Kuiper Belt, and questions what it means to name celestial bodies, while explaining why this distant world still warrants our scientific attention. FREE, 7pm
LIFE OF THE SEA: The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment brings a new community musical adventure to Southbank Centre. Life of the Sea follows a maritime explorer who discovers a "new island" in the Pacific, only to realise it is actually a massive garbage patch. Performed alongside primary school students, the production blends storytelling and music to highlight the urgent need for ocean conservation. 7pm
BICYCLE-POWERED SHAKESPEARE: The HandleBards pedal into the Sculpture Garden at Dulwich Picture Gallery for an environmentally sustainable production of As You Like It. The four-strong troupe carries their entire set, props and costumes on the back of their bikes, delivering their own take on the Bard's tale of mistaken identity and wrestling matches in the Forest of Arden. This is an outdoor performance, so bring your own chairs, blankets and picnic. They're also at Southwark Cathedral tomorrow night. 7pm-9.20pm
THE CARPENTERS: Vocalist Maggie Nestor and a band of eight musicians bring the hits of Richard and Karen Carpenter to Greenwich Theatre. The Carpenters Experience recreates the duo's signature arrangements and harmonies, featuring a setlist of classics including Close To You, Rainy Days and Mondays, and Goodbye to Love. 7.30pm
MALALA YOUSAFZAI: The youngest-ever Nobel laureate visits St Martin-in-the-Fields for an intimate conversation about her life as a young woman beyond her global icon status. She joins journalist Pandora Sykes to discuss the human side of her journey, from the psychological toll of the Taliban's attack to the ordinary experiences of friendship and first love. 7.30pm-8.45pm
OCEAN EXPLORATION: Head to the Royal Geographical Society for a night of ocean storytelling and discussion featuring submersible pilot Victor Vescovo, explorer Steve Backshall, oceanographer Helen Czerski, expedition leader Paul Rose and oceanographer Dr Jyotika Virmani, hosted by Oceanographic magazine. 7pm
SPARK STORYTELLING: Spark Storytelling returns to Upstairs at the Ritzy in Brixton for an evening of personal narratives. The theme for this session is "Holidays," inviting you to share five-minute tales of sunburns, missed flights or life-changing adventures. Whether you're a first-timer or a practiced performer, sign up on the night to tell a story... provided it's true and happened to you! 7.30pm
STATE OF LONDON DEBATE: Put your questions to the Deputy Mayors and a panel of City Hall experts at the State of London Debate 2026. This hybrid event invites Londoners to have their say on critical issues including transport, policing, housing and the environment. Attendees can participate in person or join a dedicated online livestream to raise questions via a live chat. FREE, 7.30pm-9pm
SIGNATURE BREW COMEDY: Ed Gamble headlines a top midweek line-up at the Signature Brew Comedy Club in Walthamstow. The Off Menu co-host is joined by Eshaan Akbar, alongside BBC New Comedy Awards finalist Evaldas Karosas and Valeria Vulpe, who recently supported Ricky Gervais. 8pm
FLO & JOAN: Multi-award-winning sisters Nicola and Rosie return to the Tommyfield in Kennington to test material for their new show, With Feeling. This work-in-progress performance offers an intimate look at the duo's signature blend of tight musical harmonies and cynical observational wit as they build their upcoming tour from the ground up. 8pm-9pm
Today's events: Thursday 4 June
MAKE A MESS: Anna, newly bereaved and estranged from her mother, immerses herself in Nigella Lawson’s How To Eat and summons an imagined Nigella as a guide. Theatre show How To Make A Mess explores grief and comfort through recipes and memory, and takes place Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate. 4-28 June 2026
MARILYN MONROE: Portraits and photographs of Marilyn Monroe by renowned artists and photographers go on display at the National Portrait Gallery to mark what would be the star's 100th birthday, along with personal belongings such as books, scripts and clothes. 4 June-6 September 2026
GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS: 1992 dark comedy film Glengarry Glen Ross comes to the stage at the Old Vic, in a new adaptation of "one of the most influential and thrilling dramatic comedies of the late 20th century", and with an all-female cast including Rosa Salazar and Indira Varma. 4 June-18 September 2026
BRANDING BRITAIN: The Museum of Brands' new exhibition Branding Britain explores how Britain's identity has been built and exported. It pairs data visualisation from the Ipsos and JKR 'Be Distinctive Britain' report with objects from household names including Yorkshire Tea, Marmite and Burberry, also highlighting design figures such as Vivienne Westwood and Paul Smith, and cultural moments from the 1966 World Cup to London 2012. 4 June-October 2026
CURATOR TALK: Curators Lydia Caston and Rosalind McKever provide a behind-the-scenes look at the V&A South Kensington's major exhibition on Elsa Schiaparelli. This illustrated curator talk explores the maison’s journey from its 1920s avant-garde origins to its modern revival under Daniel Roseberry, detailing how star objects were selected to represent the designer's pioneering legacy. FREE, 1pm-2pm
KENSINGTON SISTERS: City of London Guide Robert Stephenson presents an illustrated talk comparing two of London's most famous Victorian cemeteries. Hear about the notable occupants of Brompton and Kensal Green, examining how these 'Magnificent Seven' burial grounds differ in character and design, despite being located in the same borough. Takes place at Guildhall Library. FREE, 2pm-3pm
SUMINAGASHI TASTER: Local print-maker Alice Peake leads a workshop on the ancient Japanese craft of marbling, at Bell House in Dulwich. This Suminagashi taster session is designed for beginners to create hand-crafted papers suitable for bookbinding or art displays, mastering the soothing, meditative qualities of the ink-on-water technique. 6pm-7.30pm
THE HEART-SHAPED TIN: Food writer Bee Wilson visits Daunt Books Hampstead to discuss her new book The Heart-Shaped Tin with GBBO contestant Ruby Tandoh. The book explores the emotional and magical meanings we attach to everyday kitchen objects, and was inspired by the moment Wilson dropped her wedding cake tin just as her marriage ended, leading her to investigate human mementos across different cultures. 6.30pm
CARIBBEAN JAZZ: Artist and poet Rhea Dillon transforms Whitechapel Gallery into a lo-fi listening room, for an evening dedicated to the spirit of jazz from across the Caribbean archipelago. Catch live performances of works in progress by musicians including Luke Bacchus on keys and Marlon Hibbert on the steel pan, coinciding with the gallery's current Veronica Ryan exhibition. 6.30pm-8pm
DEAD INK BOOKS: Independent publisher Dead Ink Books marks a decade of literary risk-taking with a summer showcase at Foyles Charing Cross Road. The evening features a curated line-up of award-winning authors from the press's roster, celebrating 10 years of championing new and experimental voices. 7pm
THOMAS J PRICE: Acclaimed British sculptor Thomas J Price joins Gus Casely-Hayford at the V&A East Museum to discuss the influences and cultural traditions that shape his practice. The conversation follows the unveiling of Price's newest 18-foot-tall work, A Place Beyond, which challenges traditional hierarchies of public commemoration by depicting an everyday figure in casual dress. FREE, 7pm-8.30pm
TOP GEAR: Television producer Andy Wilman, co-creator of Top Gear and The Grand Tour, visits the Royal Geographical Society to share behind-the-scenes stories from his career. The man often called "Neville" by his co-hosts discusses his childhood friendship with Jeremy Clarkson and the accidental making of TV history. He is joined in conversation by comedian and actor Charlie Baker to recount the exhilarating highs and crashing lows of producing the world's most famous car shows. 7.30pm-8.45pm
SKATE CULTURE GIG: Celebrate 50 years of Southbank Centre's skate space with a special edition of the futuretense x Skate 50 gig series. Curated by the SORI Collective, the evening features the hardcore intensity of queercore trio Shooting Daggers and the genre-blurring alt-pop of Tiberius b, accompanied by immersive visuals. The event acts as a "love letter" to the original skate space and runs alongside the current Skate 50 exhibition. FREE, 7.30pm
THE CAVERN CLUB: Fully endorsed by the legendary Liverpool venue, The Cavern Club Story at Greenwich Theatre charts the 70-year history of the most famous cellar in music. Live musicians and visuals combine to celebrate the icons who graced its stage, from The Beatles and Cilla Black to Oasis and Adele. 7.30pm
Today's events: Friday 5 June
CENTRE FOR ILLUSTRATION: After a couple of delays, the Quentin Blake Centre For Illustration finally opens its doors in a former waterworks building in Clerkenwell today. The world's largest space dedicated to illustration kicks off with a debut trio of exhibitions, including one showing off Blake's own work. From 5 June 2026
JAIPUR LIT FEST: Authors Namita Gokhale and Sheena Kalayil and playwright Samantha Ellis are among the speakers on the line-up for the London Jaipur Literature Festival at the British Library, a satellite event of the huge Jaipur Literature Festival which takes place in India each January. 5-7 June 2026
ZOO NIGHTS: London Zoo's late-night openings are back, for adults only on Fridays in June and July from tonight. Zoo Nights is a rare chance to see the animals at dusk, and enjoy tours, live acoustic music, street food and live performances. London Zoo also unveils a special blue plaque trail this summer, marking ZSL's 200th anniversary. 5 June-24 July 2026
PROJECT A BLACK PLANET: Barbican Centre launches both an exhibition and a season of events called Project a Black Planet, celebrating the art and culture of Panafrica this summer. Over 300 works – from paintings and installations to posters, journals, and film – explore the impact of Pan-Africanism on artistic and cultural production from the 1920s to the present, alongside live music, film screenings and talks. 5 June-6 September 2026 (exhibition opens 11 June)
SUMMER SESSIONS: Leadenhall Market has free Summer Sessions happening every Friday this month, kicking off today with seasonal wreath making; hula hoop performers; and live pop, Irish, rock and soul sounds from Indie Rollers. 1pm-7pm, and every Friday in June
CONSERVATION TOUR: Chief Inspectress Helen Dorey and Head of Conservation Jane Wilkinson lead an exclusive after-hours journey through the Regency time capsule of Sir John Soane's Museum. The tour offers rare insights into the ongoing projects and decades of expertise required to maintain the architect's historic Lincoln's Inn Fields home exactly as he left it in 1837, and includes a visit to the in-house conservation studio. 6pm-7pm
SISTER SLEDGE: Original lead singer Kathy Sledge brings the definitive sound of Philadelphia disco to KOKO for a career-spanning celebration. Enjoy live performances of era-defining anthems including We Are Family and He’s The Greatest Dancer, alongside her recent solo work. 6pm-10pm
SCIENCE MUSEUM LATE: South Kensington's Science Museum stays open late for an adults-only evening exploring creativity and innovation from India. Look out for giant hand-crafted puppets in the Energy Hall, Open Labs in the Information Age and roaming musicians, as well as a live Indian musical performance in the IMAX. FREE, 6.30pm-9.15pm
LIVE BAND KARAOKE: Front a professional five-piece band at the Ivy House in Nunhead for a high-energy twist on the traditional karaoke night. Ditching the standard backing tracks, Live Band Karaoke offers a repertoire of over 400 songs and scrolling lyrics to help you lead the stage. Browse the setlist and sign up digitally, receiving text alerts when it's your turn to perform for the supportive south London crowd. 7pm
OLD DIRTY BRASSTARDS: Old Dirty Brasstards bring a 10-piece brass takeover to Between The Bridges, reworking indie anthems by Oasis, The Killers, Joy Division, Franz Ferdinand, Arctic Monkeys, The Libertines, The Smiths, Blur, The Stone Roses and Pulp into bold, danceable brass arrangements. Expect sing-alongs. 7pm-11pm
THE SISTERHOOD: Singer Sarah Jane Morris and guitarist Tony Remy visit the Exchange in Twickenham to celebrate the female pioneers who reshaped musical history. The performance pays tribute to 12 iconic stars including Patti Smith, Tracy Chapman and Sinéad O'Connor. Morris blends rock, soul and jazz to tell the story of these 20th century trailblazers through strikingly original arrangements. 7.30pm
Today's events: Saturday 6 June
OPEN GARDENS WEEKEND: London Open Gardens Weekend is a chance to explore they city's green spaces via open days, tours and talks. They range from allotments to small private gardens, to the larger gardens in the likes of Eaton Square, usually only accessible to local residents with a key. 6-7 June 2026
LONDON MAP FAIR: The Royal Geographical Society hosts around 40 national and international antiquarian map dealers selling original maps from the 15th to the 20th century, with prices starting from about £10 (and going much higher, if you have deep pockets...). The London Map Fair also features lectures including Rose Mitchell on historic mapmakers and talks by Ashley Baynton-Williams on starting a map collection. 6-7 June 2026
BARNET MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL: See re-enactments of the 1471 Battle of Barnet, as well as displays by the gunners, archers and mounted knights, at this year's Barnet Medieval Festival. There's also a medieval-style market, craft displays and an art exhibition, all taking place at Lewis of London ice cream farm, just north of Barnet. 6-7 June 2026
SERPENTINE PAVILION 2026: 'a serpentine' (their lower case, not ours) is the apt name and design of this year's free Serpentine Pavilion, erected in the grounds of the Serpentine South gallery, and open to the public from today. Mock-ups show the interior will provide an irregular-shaped courtyard with spaces for sitting, and a brise soleil roof propped with brick columns. FREE, 6 June-25 October 2026
BRITISH JAZZ LEGENDS: Celebrated saxophonist Art Themen and legendary bassist Dave Green join broadcaster Ian Shaw at Ronnie Scott's in Soho for an afternoon of brunch, songs and stories. The two pillars of the scene recount decades of shared history, from Themen's early years with Alexis Korner to Green's collaborations with Ben Webster and Sonny Rollins. Expect a mix of live musical moments and vivid tales from the road, mapping the evolution of British jazz through the eyes of those who shaped it. 11am
PRIME MINISTERS’ HOMES: Explore the Mayfair and St James's residences of 12 British leaders on a guided walk led by Rob Smith of Footprints of London. While 10 Downing Street is the famous address, this walking tour visits the exteriors of houses belonging to figures such as Churchill, Gladstone and Disraeli, while uncovering the scandals and political intrigues of Georgian and Victorian Britain — beginning at Green Park and concluding near Piccadilly Circus. 11am-1pm
BLOCK PRINTING: Head to the historic Forty Hall Estate in Enfield for a hands-on block printing workshop for adults. This beginner-friendly session introduces the art of Indian block printing, using traditional hand-carved wooden blocks to explore rhythm and pattern. Experiment with layering and various motifs to personalise your own canvas tote bag to take home. 11.30am-1.30pm
THE ARTISTS' FAIR: Somerset House Studios brings together a cross-disciplinary community of practitioners for the fourth edition of The Artists' Fair. This alternative artist-led market features a live programme of talks and workshops in collaboration with Montez Press Radio, including a DIY zine-making session for kids and a frank discussion on the financial realities of maintaining an art practice. 12pm-6pm
LONDON METAL PRIDE: Heavy music and queer power collide at Signature Brew Blackhorse Road for a full-day festival of riffs and zero apologies. The stacked line-up features Battle of the Bands winners Riff Dealer, the horror-infused black/doom of Karnstein, and trans black metal activists Davghter. Expect unhinged energy and danceable chaos from Something or Other? alongside a host of other heavy acts. 1pm
POLYMATHS AND PIONEERS: Humanist heritage expert Madeleine Goodall leads a two-hour guided walk through the streets and squares of Bloomsbury to uncover the history of its most remarkable female residents. Starting at Conway Hall, the tour explores the homes and haunts of trailblazers who broke new ground in law, health, print and design. 2pm-4pm
ENFIELD FEASTS: Head to the Dugdale Arts Centre in Enfield for a culinary celebration featuring television producer-turned-food creative Lauren Abery. Part of the venue's food-focused programming, Enfield FEASTS! highlights local community flavours and food culture in the heart of the borough. 6.30pm
LIVE AT THE CHAPEL: The monthly comedy showcase returns to Union Chapel with a headline set from David O'Doherty. The "Ryanair Enya" and king of tiny keyboards tops a high-calibre bill, featuring Taskmaster star Bridget Christie, viral comic Red Richardson and Hasan Al-Habib. Chloe Petts takes on hosting duties for the evening. 7.45pm
CHAOS CABARET: Knickers CHAOS Cabaret presumably upper-cased that middle word for a reason. Head to Peckham Levels for wild alt comedy starring stand-ups, drag artists and clowns — then stick around to get sweaty on the dance floor afterwards. 7.30pm
GAMES MUSIC FESTIVAL: Hear three decades of music from video game series Diablo, performed by the London Mozart Players and a choir at the Royal Festival Hall. The concert features themes from across the series and special guests Ted Reedy (lead composer) and Derek Duke (music director) are present. It's the opening event for the Games Music Festival 2026. 8pm
Today's events: Sunday 7 June
HEAVY HORSE SHOW: Capel Manor Gardens in Enfield hosts the Herts Heavy Horse Show and Country Show. See heavy horse breeds in action, taking part in various events in the show ring. There's also a dog show, farrier demonstrations, a mini zoo and children's rides. A great excuse to explore the venue's 30-acre gardens. 10am-5pm
VINTAGE MARKET: Dulwich Picture Gallery fills its stunning gardens and galleries with a curated selection of 40 handpicked traders for the So Last Century Vintage Market. Hunt for mid-century furniture, original 1950s art, and French brocante while enjoying live New Orleans jazz from the Alvar Treefrogs, street food from Sarrasin and coffee from the Flotsam & Jetsam Café. FREE ENTRY, 10.30am-5pm
PECKHAM SALVAGE YARD: Expect more than 70 traders selling vintage clothing, furniture, collectables, homewares and independent crafts at Peckham Salvage Yard (Copeland Park) plus food stalls around the site. 11am-5pm
LITTLE HOLLAND HOUSE: Carshalton's Little Holland House is a Grade-II listed building packed full of hand-made furniture, paintings, interior decoration, carvings and metalwork. Take a look inside at the monthly open day, with guided tours available. FREE, 11am-5pm
VINTAGE FAIR: Frock Me! is at Royal Horticultural Halls in Westminster for a one-day vintage fair featuring some 80 exhibitors specialising in antique textiles, menswear, womenswear, workwear, jewellery and accessories. 11am-5.30pm
MITCHAM CARNIVAL: After a successful return last year, a parade takes place as part of Mitcham Carnival again this year. The mile-long route starts in the town centre and finishes at Three Kings Piece, where you'll find live performances, wrestling demos and funfair rides. FREE, 11am-6pm
ZOO HISTORY TOUR: As part of the ongoing ZSL200 celebrations, take a tour of London Zoo themed on pop culture, and find out how the zoo's animals, buildings and staff have inspired films, music and art — from James Bond to Harry Potter. 11.30am
HIGHGATE WALK: Join a two‑hour walking tour of Highgate Village, visiting Lubetkin's High Point flats, Waterlow Park, Highgate Cemetery, Holly Lodge Estate and St Anne's Close, soaking up architectural titbits and local stories as you go. 3pm-5pm
BEATS AND BANDS: Get lively at Beats and Bands, a stadium-scale fitness party at Craven Cottage. A live DJ plays Afrobeats, Amapiano, dancehall and hip hop while group workout classes take place. 3pm-7pm
COUNTRY SOUL SESSIONS: Western Swing and Americana fill the basement of The Spice Of Life in Soho for a high-energy double bill. The Boot Heel Playboys return to the venue with their authentic 1940s-style dance tunes, while Honest Hal and His Buried Hearts launch their debut 10-inch pink vinyl LP, Kentucky Bound. Expect a mix of steel guitar, fiddle and rock 'n' roll melodies, designed to get the audience two-stepping. 7.45pm
