Things To Do In London This Week: 11-17 May 2026

Looks like this article is a bit old. Be aware that information may have changed since it was published.

Looking for something fun to do today? Something eye-opening to watch tonight? Something delicious to eat tomorrow? Our guide to things to do this week in London is personally curated, to bring you our take on the best things happening around the city.

All week

Things to do today in London: people riding their bikes through Kensington Gardens
Get stuck into Kensington Wellness Week

LONDON CRAFT WEEK: Watches? Tick. Lamps? Of course. Calligraphy? Naturally. Find out about some of the more unusual things being made here in the capital at London Craft Week. Workshops, demonstrations, talks and workshop tours feature in the impressively large programme, showcasing the handiwork of London's makers. 11-17 May 2026

WELLNESS WEEK: A week-long programme of runs, classes, talks and workshops take place across the area for Kensington Wellness Week, including a 5km run, complimentary day passes for local gyms, pilates, creative sessions, wellbeing events and daily 'Wellness through the ages' tours at Kensington Palace. 11-17 May 2026

CARE: Alexander Zeldin's play Care, about a single mother, two pre-teens and their grandmother, runs at the Young Vic, and deals with ageing, loss and depictions of death. 11 May-11 July 2026

DULWICH FESTIVAL: Walks, talks, live performances and myriad other events are part of the Dulwich Festival programme, celebrating the history and culture of the local area. We particularly like the sound of a local history talk about the area's beer houses, a special edition of Dulwich Hamlet Comedy Club, and a guided walk exploring local railway history — though there's plenty more to choose from if those don't take your fancy. Until 17 May 2026

FLYBY: Musical FLYBY ends its world premiere run at Southwark Playhouse Borough, following astronaut Daniel and documentary filmmaker Emily through flashbacks and space logs to explore their turbulent relationship. Until 16 May 2026

A very clear looking cocktail
The Donavan Bar has unveiled its new cocktail menu. Image: Londonist

HEART WALL: Kit Withington’s new play Heart Wall is set in a north-west pub and follows Franky as family secrets and grief surface during karaoke nights and Motown tunes. This week is your last chance to see it at the Bush Theatre. Until 16 May 2026

WATER IN LONDON: The Royal Photographic Society shows 64 images by 32 photographers on the railings outside Southwark Cathedral, documenting London’s rivers, reservoirs, ponds, fountains and other waterways. The photography includes abstract studies, landscapes and cityscapes, and images of people living by and using the water. FREE, until 17 May 2026

SEURAT AND THE SEA: Last chance to see the Courtauld Gallery's current exhibition, Seurat and the Sea, a display of 26 paintings, oil sketches and drawings by Georges Seurat exploring his seascapes from Honfleur, Port‑en‑Bessin and Gravelines. Until 17 May 2026

DRINK OF THE WEEK: The Donovan Bar — a swanky Mayfair hideout scattered with the swinging sixties photography of Terence Donovan — has unveiled its new, year-long cocktail menu, as devised by 'Maestro' Salvatore Calabrese and Director of Mixology Federico Pavan. On it are sophisticated summer sips such as the Dry Mojito, a clean, transparent take on the Cuban classic; and the Be(e) Champagne, which tops honey liqueur, elderflower and absinthe with fizz — giving you quite the buzz.

APP OF THE WEEK: With darts very much back in vogue, free app Dart Finder hones in on 100+ pubs around London which have dart boards at your disposal, with a community of darts lovers adding to the map all the time.

Today's events: Monday 11 May

Things to do today in London: dresses on display in a glass case in a museum
Get an insight into the current Elsa Schiaparelli exhibition (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

UNDERTAKERS AND DEATH: Death historian Dr Dan O’Brien visits The Last Tuesday Society in Hackney for an illustrated talk exploring the 18th-century trade. Discover how early undertakers were depicted in popular culture and cartoons, and enjoy a complimentary glass of Devil’s Botany Chocolate Absinthe during the lecture. 6.30pm-8.30pm

KING'S TRUST: Hosted by Ant and Dec, this one-night event at the Royal Albert Hall marks The King's Trust's 50th anniversary with music, comedy and awards. The all-star line-up includes Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, Sir Rod Stewart, Rita Ora, Ronnie Wood, Anne‑Marie and Craig David. 6.30pm

IMAGINARY GEOGRAPHIES: The British Library hosts a thought-provoking conversation exploring the enduring legacy and Indigenous origins of the myth of El Dorado. Writer Vanessa Londoño and researcher Carolina Sánchez Rojas discuss how this legendary tale of gold has been reshaped from colonial ambitions to its role in contemporary Colombian cultural memory. FREE, 6.30pm

LANGUAGE DEATH: Journalist Sophia Smith Galer joins broadcaster Maryam Moshiri at the Kiln Theatre in Kilburn to discuss the urgent cultural emergency of vanishing languages. Based on her globe-spanning investigation How to Kill a Language, the talk explores the root causes of linguicide and the activists fighting to bring their native tongues back from the brink. 7pm

ELSA SCHIAPARELLI: Though tickets to attend in person have sold out, you can still catch the online livestream of Uncovering Elsa, in which curator Sonnet Stanfill talks to author Justine Picardie to map designer Elsa Schiaparelli’s unconventional life and career, based on the V&A’s current exhibition, Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art. 7pm

OUR IDIOT BRAIN: Neuroscientist Dean Burnett and special guests return to the Royal Institution for a lively tour of our most baffling organ. Marking a decade since his debut book, the panel explores the quirky and eccentric aspects of grey matter, with copies of the book available for signing. 7pm-8.30pm

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL POLITICS: Broadcaster and political commentator Steve Richards returns to Kings Place for an election special of Rock 'n' Roll Politics, a behind-the-scenes guide to the dramas shaping the British political landscape, with Richards' signature "unreliable predictions" and a public Q&A session to make sense of the latest election results. 7pm

RNB ORCHESTRA: Camden’s Jazz Cafe hosts The RnB Orchestra for a night tracing the evolution of contemporary RnB. A live orchestra reworks iconic hits from the 90s and 00s into hard-hitting, full-scale arrangements that celebrate the genre's emotional storytelling. 7pm-10.30pm

SEARCH FOR ALIENS: Astrophysicist Cheyenne Polius visits the Old Queen's Head in Islington to discuss how to find an alien. The talk explores how astronomers detect signs of life across light-years and identifies the most promising locations for life within our own Solar System. 7pm-8.30pm

COWBOY JUNKIES: Toronto-formed alt-country pioneers Cowboy Junkies bring their quiet, reflective sound to The London Palladium for a career-spanning performance. Expect a hushed, intricate set featuring Margo Timmins’ distinctive alto vocals and tracks from their 2023 album, Such Ferocious Beauty. 7.30pm

Today's events: Tuesday 12 May

Things to do today in London: a waiter serving drinks to people at a long table
The Future of Food Festival gets underway today

FESTIVAL OF WORDS: Fleet Street Quarter's Festival of Words returns, with more than 40 events around the area on the theme 'The Age of Wisdom and Foolishness'. Sir Ben Okri, Hanif Kureishi, Jojo Moyes, Tim Wu, Lady Brenda Hale and James Graham are among the big names taking part in author conversations, journalism panels, podcast recordings, breakfast briefings and family workshops. 12-16 May 2026

FUTURE OF FOOD: Regent Street and the surrounding area once again holds the Future of Food Festival, spanning supper clubs, chef collabs, masterclasses and an outdoor banquet — all with a focus on sustainability in the food chain. 12-24 May 2026

GARDEN TOUR: The Charterhouse in Clerkenwell offers springtime garden tours, led by the venue's own horticulture team. Discover how the historic courtyard gardens come back to life after winter on this seasonal walk through the evocative grounds of the former Carthusian monastery. 1pm

MODERN MEDICINE: Gresham College hosts The Pill and the Planet, a lecture exploring the environmental cost of modern medicine's success in extending human lifespans. The talk examines the impact of pharmaceutical waste and single-use plastics on global ecosystems, questioning if we can balance individual health with the survival of the planet. FREE, 6pm

MUSEUM GIN TOUR: Join an after-hours guided tour of the Household Cavalry Museum with a complimentary Horse Guards gin and tonic on arrival, followed by a walkthrough of the stables and exhibitions and talks about the regiment’s uniforms and traditions. 6pm-7.30pm

QUEER EAST: As part of Queer East film festival, Barbican Cinema screens Girlfriends, a female-centred coming-of-age drama from director Tracy Choi. The film uses a reverse-chronological timeline to follow a filmmaker from Macau as she revisits her past in Taiwan and Macau to explore her queer identity. Choi takes part in a post-screening discussion. 6.10pm

MUSEUM MAY DAY: Rotherhithe's Brunel Museum holds a traditional folk celebration marking the arrival of summer, featuring Morris dancing by The Belles of London City, and other performances at the museum's open-air piazza. 6.30pm-9pm

IMOGEN CRIMP: Daunt Books Notting Hill hosts an evening with author Imogen Crimp to discuss her new novel, Give Me Everything You've Got. In conversation with award-winning novelist Julia Armfield, Crimp explores a dark tale of power and mentorship set within a glamorous country house. 6.30pm

THE SIXTEEN: Legendary choral ensemble The Sixteen bring their current tour, the Choral Pilgrimage, to the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul at the Old Royal Naval College. Expect a programme pairing Spanish Renaissance works by Cristóbal de Morales and Sebastián de Vivánco with modern pieces. 7.30pm

Today's events: Wednesday 13 May

Things to do today in London: dancers performing in front of a large blue clown face
Samson et Dalila opens at the Royal Opera House

IMPROV FESTIVAL: The Big Scene Improv Festival kicks off today at the Free Association's newish venue in Southwark. Over the course of five days, you can lap up off-the-cuff laughs from some of the sharpest acts in the biz, including Asian AF, Ambika Mod and St Doctor's Hospital. Some shows are already sold out, so better get booking! 13-17 May

SAMSON ET DALILA: Composer Camille Saint-Saëns' Samson et Dalila is at the Royal Opera House, with members of the Royal Ballet and Opera performing a new take on the biblical story of a leader whose passion for passion for Dalila leads to a conflict with deadly consequences. 13 May-30 June 2025

ARMY EMBROIDERY: The National Army Museum in Chelsea hosts a special evening event exploring the intricate goldwork and artistry of military uniforms. Watch a live demonstration by experts from Hand & Lock, the 250-year-old embroidery house responsible for garments worn at the Coronation of King Charles III, and get a glimpse of rare ceremonial objects from the museum's collection which are not usually on public display. 6.30pm-8.30pm

MODERN FEMINISM: Conway Hall hosts a discussion on the rising threats to women’s rights, from online misogyny to state repression. Author Natasha Walter introduces her new book, Feminism for a World on Fire, alongside investigative journalist Carole Cadwalladr and sustainable fashion campaigner Aja Barber. Together, the panel explores how women can build resistance against the "broligarchy" and global economic inequality. 7pm-8.30pm

TROPHY HUNTING: The Frontline Club in Paddington hosts a special screening of The Hunt: Into The Grey, a documentary exploring the complex ethics of trophy hunting and conservation. Journalist Sarah Roberts leads the film's journey through Namibia, London, and Oxford to meet community leaders and scientists, followed by a live Q&A session with Roberts, Amy Dickman, and Dan O’Neill. 7pm-8.30pm

TRAIN TALK: Travel writers Tom Chesshyre and Andrew Martin appear at Stanfords in Covent Garden for an evening dedicated to the world of railways. The pair are in conversation about their experiences and the enduring appeal of train travel. 7pm-8.30pm

STEVIE WONDER: Celebrate the 76th birthday of legend Stevie Wonder at Camden’s KOKO. The night features rare archive films, guest DJs, and a live performance from The Wonder band playing classics like Superstition, Higher Ground, and Sir Duke. 7.30pm

DEFYING THE IMPOSSIBLE: Former Royal Marines Mitch Hutchcraft and Paul Harris are at St James's Church in Clerkenwell to discuss how they have overcome mental and physical adversity. Hutchcraft recently completed a 13,000km triathlon to the summit of Everest, while Harris turned his life around by walking the entire British coastline twice. 7.30pm-8.45pm

THEATRE OPEN EVENING: South London Theatre hosts an open evening at its unique home in a refurbished Victorian fire station. Take a tour of the listed building and discover how to get involved with acting, stage management, wardrobe, or front of house. 7.45pm-10pm

Today's events: Thursday 14 May

Things to do today in London: the Covent Garden Piazza
Celebrate Norway Day in Covent Garden. Image: Covent Garden

WIMBLEDON ART FAIR: More than 180 artists exhibit at Wimbledon Art Fair, giving you a chance to purchase artworks directly from their creators. There's also a rare opportunity to go inside artists' studios, and live music and a bar on launch night. FREE ENTRY, 14-17 May 2026

PRINT FAIR: The London Original Print Fair returns to Somerset House with 40+ galleries exhibiting, exclusive print launches, plus talks and live demonstrations of printmaking techniques. The programme covers prints from old masters to contemporary artists, with featured works by Rembrandt, Dürer, Picasso, Matisse, Miró, Hockney, Freud, Emin, Riley and Rego. 14-17 May 2026

NORWAY DAY: Norway's National Day falls on Sunday (17 May) but Covent Garden gets the celebrations started early with a four-day celebration of Nordic culture, food and live performances by Sigrid Zeiner, Sletta, Robert Post, and the London Nordic Choir. 14-17 May 2026

RARE BOOKS: Books, original manuscripts, letters and rare items are all for sale at the annual Firsts: London's Rare Book Fair. Taking place at Chelsea's Saatchi Gallery, this year it has a theme of 'Revolution', tying in with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the American Declaration of Independence, as well as a chance to purchase rare and unique tomes. 14-17 May 2026

COFFEE FESTIVAL: Get your fill of caffeine and then some, at the London Coffee Festival, a four-day programme of tastings, demos, competitions, shopping and more at The Truman Brewery on Brick Lane. 14-17 May 2026

MURDER MAYHEM: Oliver Dickens, a direct descendant of Charles Dickens, presents a series of Victorian-style readings at the Charles Dickens Museum. The programme pairs the harrowing The Murder of Nancy from Oliver Twist with the comic The Trial of Pickwick from The Pickwick Papers. 14-23 May 2026

VAUXHALL: Want to get to know this riverside area better? Join tour guide Richard Watkins for a tour taking in Doultons, Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, great old pubs and Charlie Chaplin. Repeated 22 May. 2.30pm-4.30pm

KEATS HOUSE: Experience the beauty of the Regency villa where Romantic poet John Keats lived and worked during a special late opening of Keats House in Hampstead. Explore the poet's life story and his relationship with Fanny Brawne, join a volunteer-led tour, and view the current exhibition after dark. 5pm-7pm

PUNK CABARET: Signature Brew Haggerston hosts the launch of Give 'Em The Boot, a new inclusive DIY party showcasing underrepresented talent in the punk, drag, and burlesque scenes. The night features live sets from Dakka Skanks and Ms. Mohammed, with hosting duties from married drag duo Miss Joelle and Aidan Orange. 6pm-11pm

DAMIEN LEWIS: Former war correspondent and bestselling author Damien Lewis discusses his new book SAS Great Escapes Five at Churchill War Rooms, drawing on interviews with Second World War veterans and families to retell daring SAS stories. His talk is followed by a Q&A, and exclusive after-hours entry to the Churchill War Rooms. 6.30pm-9pm

ICONIC FILM SCORES: Sinfonia Smith Square invites you to A Night at the Movies, where this live orchestra brings to life beloved scores from Hollywood classics and contemporary blockbusters. Head to intimate central London venue Smith Square Hall, grab a drink at the bar and listen as a live orchestra performs music from films as diverse as Harry Potter, Psycho and Up. What’s more, we’ve blagged our readers an exclusive discount: 2-for-1 tickets with the code MOVIES2FOR1 when booking. 7pm (sponsor)

CROYDON AIRPORT: Londonist editor Will Noble is at Croydon's Braithwaite Hall, talking about the era when Croydon was the centre of the universe, thanks to its Airport, a place Hollywood stars, royalty, record breakers and politicians poured in and out of. Access to the Museum of Croydon's Forge: Industries of Croydon exhibition is from from 6.30pm, with the talk starting at 7pm.

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD: Show business royalty Liza Pulman and Joe Stilgoe bring their exhaustive movie knowledge to Artsdepot in North Finchley for Hooray for Hollywood. The duo performs a technicolour selection of beloved songs from nearly a century of cinema, ranging from the classic harmonies of The Wizard of Oz to the modern magic of La La Land. 7.30pm

NORTH LONDON LAUGHS: Alexandra Palace Theatre hosts North London Laughs, a star-studded comedy gala raising funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Gastroenterology department. The line-up features Al Murray (The Pub Landlord), Jen Brister, Phil Ellis, and Huge Davies, with Hayley Ellis on hosting duties. 7.30pm

MACBETH ALONE: A visceral, one-man reimagining of Shakespeare’s bloodiest tragedy comes to Wilton's Music Hall. Actor Chris Garner portrays every character in this claustrophobic production, which is set entirely within a single cell to explore the fractured mind of the doomed king. 7.30pm

PIÑATA: The Ivy House in Nunhead hosts Piñata, a comedy variety festival featuring a fresh roster of comedic talent. Hosted by Ellie BW and Lewis Blomfield, the evening of performance culminates in the traditional smashing of a papier-mâché object. 7.30pm

FRINGE PREVIEWS: Get a first look at new material as comedians Rob Auton and Iain Stirling head to the Dugdale Arts Centre in Enfield for a double-bill of Edinburgh Fringe previews. Auton is known for his whimsical, theme-focused stand-up, while Stirling is the familiar voice of Love Island and a seasoned performer in his own right. 7.30pm

Today's events: Friday 15 May

Things to do today in London: a cemetery full of small gravestones dedicated to pets
Visit the pet cemetery as part of a tour of Hyde Park. Photo: Londonist

DOLLSHOUSE FESTIVAL: Experience life in miniature at the Kensington Dollshouse Festival. 130 top miniaturists from multiple countries exhibit and sell their works for anyone looking to kit out their own dolls house, plus there are displays, kids' activities and more. An ideal day out if you enjoy feeling like Gulliver in Lilliput. 15-16 May 2026

COUNTRY FESTIVAL: Country and Americana artists are at the forefront of Highways Festival, taking place at the Royal Albert Hall. Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, and Emmylou Harris give headline performances this year. 15-17 May 2026

NONSENSE AND SENSIBILITY: Catch a two-hander comedy‑drama in which feuding actors Samantha and Bartholomew are forced to mount a production of Sense and Sensibility on their own, resulting in petty arguments. Catch it at the Etcetera Theatre in Camden. 15-22 May 2026

HIDDEN STORIES: Discover the secret history of one of London's most famous green spaces on the Hidden Stories of Hyde Park Walking Tour. Led by an expert guide, the route covers everything from the notorious Tyburn Tree and the inception of Speakers' Corner to a rare visit to the Victorian pet cemetery, where over 1,000 pets were buried in the late 1800s. 11am-12.30pm

ALEX POLIZZI: Clapham's Omnibus Theatre hoststhe Hotel Inspector, Alex Polizzi to discuss her career and background with Eric Sabourin of Falcon Vintners. Tickets include tea, cake, and a glass of bubbles, with all proceeds supporting the theatre’s work as a registered charity. 3pm

GABRIELLE APLIN: The London Palladium hosts singer-songwriter Gabrielle Aplin as she celebrates 15 years in music with a special tour. The performance marks the vinyl re-pressing of her debut album English Rain and features hits from across her career, including her chart-topping cover of The Power of Love. 7.30pm

SCUMMY MUMMIES: Helen and Ellie return to Stanley Hall in South Norwood with their brand new comedy show, Hot Mess. The duo tackle everything from menopause and midlife dating to the trials of parenting teenagers, all while sporting their signature sparkly catsuits. 7.30pm-9.30pm

SUBMOTION ORCHESTRA: The genre-defying Submotion Orchestra bring their blend of deep electronica, jazz, and soul to the EartH Theatre in Dalston. Known for the fragile beauty of Ruby Wood’s vocals set against earth-shaking bass and lush trumpet textures, the ensemble celebrates 16 years of music-making with a set spanning from their signature track All Yours to their latest multi-textured live electronica. 7.30pm

STIMULANT DISCO: Ray Von's Stimulant Disco, a high-energy night described as a school disco on stimulants, pitches up at The Victoria in Dalston Expect a mix of club bangers, singalongs, and ravey classics, with the DJ even taking requests if they are good enough. 11pm

LADIES NIGHT: Dalston’s Rio Cinema hosts Ladies Night, a late-night double bill of feminist horror featuring the rarely screened 1975 satire The Stepford Wives and the 2007 cult classic Teeth. Curated by the Category H film club, the evening explores themes of women fighting back against corrupt power structures. 11.30pm

Today's events: Saturday 16 May

Things to do today in London: a woman cooking and holding up a plate of food
Tuck in at Camberwell Food Festival. Photo: Ahmed Kamara

WAR HORSE: The National Theatre's much-lauded (and rightly so) production of Michael Morpurgo's novel War Horse returns home to the Olivier Theatre, telling the story of one boy's attempts to find his beloved horse Joey when they are separated at the outbreak of the First World War. Mesmerising puppetry is used to depict the equine star of the show. 16 May-30 July 2026

CHEAM CHARTER FAIR: Rumour has it that the Cheam Charter Fair dates back to 1259 — though even the modern-day organisers can't verify that. Either way, head to the London-Surrey border for a traditional fair of stalls, kicked off with a procession at 9am. FREE ENTRY, 9am-2pm

SOUTH BANK ARCHITECTURE: Join Open City for a South Bank architecture walking tour that traces the area's evolution from the mid-19th century to the present day. Explore iconic landmarks including the Royal Festival Hall, the National Theatre, and the community-led development of the Coin Street Estate. 10am-12pm

CAMBERWELL FOOD FESTIVAL: Eat around the world at the annual Camberwell Food Festival on Camberwell Green with street food from across the globe, live music, local breweries and wine tasting, arts and craft stalls, a community lunch and family-friendly workshops. FREE ENTRY, 11am-7pm

SHAKESPEARE TOUR: With recent revelations about the location of Shakespeare's Blackfriars dwelling, now is a good time to join guide Jonathan Wober on a tour of the Square Mile sites important to the Bard. 11am

ANTI-SLAVERY: Also touring the City today (and parts of Westminster) is guide Laura Agustin, who goes in search of the sites that played a key role in campaigns to abolish slavery. 1pm-3.30pm

TWILIGHT TOUR: Sir John Soane's Museum in Lincoln's Inn Fields hosts an exclusive, after-hours Twilight Tour of the architect's remarkable home. As the sun sets, an expert guide leads a small group of 15 through the atmospheric interiors, reawakening the vast collection of art and antiquities after the daily crowds have departed. 6pm-7pm

SILENT DISCO: Kew Gardens hosts a high-energy Silent Disco inside the Victorian Temperate House, where you can dance among rare plants from around the world. Switch between two channels featuring DJ Goldierocks and DJ Sugai, with a bar and food available throughout the evening. 7pm-10.30pm

SCIENCE OF FERMENTATION: Gastronomist Robin Sherriff visits the Royal Institution to explore the mysterious biological processes behind miso, kimchi, and kombucha. The science of fermentation talk includes practical tips for repeatable results and a chance to try small food samples after the lecture. 7pm-8.30pm

84 CHARING CROSS ROAD: Foyles Charing Cross Road is the apt location for a celebration of Helene Hanff's novel 84, Charing Cross Road. The evening explores Hanff's long-distance relationship with the London bookshop. 7pm

ACES HIGH: The Cinema Museum in Kennington hosts a special 50th anniversary of Aces High (1976), the acclaimed First World War drama exploring the aerial battles of the Royal Flying Corps. Based on the play Journey’s End, the film features a stellar British cast including Malcolm McDowell and Christopher Plummer, and is followed by a live Q&A with stars Peter Firth and David Wood. 7.30pm

KINGKY BASTARDS: "The undeniable talent of Magic Mike Live but everyone's hot and queer!" That's how Kingky Bastards sets out its stall, a raucous hour of drag king hijinks from the likes of Squeegie Mangione, Count Gaylord Nightwood and Throbbie Williams. Find them at The Glitch in Waterloo. 10pm-11pm

EUROVISION FINAL: The 2026 Eurovision final takes place in Vienna, but if you aren't lucky enough to be heading to Austria, swing by one of these London venues screening all the Eurovision action. Expect glitter, confetti, singalongs and as much cheesiness as is physically possible — Eurovision isn't to be taken lightly!

Today's events: Sunday 17 May

Watch (or take part in) the Grand Flaneur Walk. Image: Martin SoulStealer via creative commons

WOOLWICH WALK: Explore the eclectic riverside history of Woolwich on this guided walk, which visits 18th-century gun factories and palatial Victorian municipal buildings, while revealing the origin story of Arsenal FC. You'll also see 1930s Art Deco architecture and the area's recent regeneration projects. 11am-1pm

GRAND FLANEUR WALK: 'A celebration of the pure, the immutable and the pointless, taken by the bold, the adventurous and the inebriated' is how organisers describe the Grand Flaneur Walk, a stroll without purpose, with participants wearing their finest dandy, flaneur or fop outfits — think top hats, handlebar moustaches, pocket squares, pocket watches, the works! FREE, from 12pm

SUNDAY PAPERS LIVE: The relaxed, all-afternooner, where you get to lounge back and enjoy talks and performances with food and drink, in a 'live' version of reading the Sunday papers. 12pm-6pm

FAMILY RAVE: The Fox and Firkin in Lewisham hosts a pirate-themed Big Fish Little Fish family rave in its festival-style garden. Resident DJs Baker & Beale spin an eclectic set of club tunes for all ages, accompanied by a dance floor filled with bubbles, giant balloons, and a parachute dance. There are also pirate-themed crafting tables, face painting, and homemade pizza available at the venue. 2pm-4pm

LONDON ON FILM: Four Weddings and a Funeral, Closer, Last Orders, The Small World of Sammy Lee, Notting Hill... many classic films have been shot on location in London, and this afternoon, Blue Badge Guide and author Rachel Kolsky talks you through some, including her favourite, The Long Good Friday. At this Hotel Indigo London Clerkenwell event, there's also the chance for a pre- or post-talk Sunday roast. 3pm-4.30pm

MINDFUL PHOTOGRAPHY: Reconnect with your surroundings at the Forty Hall Estate in Enfield during a Mindful Photography Walk. Led by a professional tutor, the relaxed session uses creative prompts and technical tips to encourage a slower pace, focusing on textures and light rather than perfect results. It is suitable for all abilities, whether you are using a DSLR or just a smartphone. 3pm-4.30pm

HENRY VIII: The CryerArts Centre in Carshalton hosts a theatrical encounter with the Tudor monarch in Divorced, Beheaded, Died: An Audience with King Henry VIII. Set in 1544, the performance finds an ageing, ill-humoured King recounting the events of his long reign and inviting his "loyal subjects" to petition or question him on any subject. 3pm

SALSA FOREVER: Enjoy a high-energy tribute to a legendary trombonist and creative visionary at Camden's Jazz Cafe. Willie Colón: Salsa Forever features a live band of London’s finest Latin musicians performing brassy arrangements from across his career, including the urban storytelling of Pedro Navaja and the sophisticated rhythms of Siembra. 6pm-9.30pm

NIGHTS FOR UKRAINE: Highgate’s intimate venue The Red Hedgehog hosts a piano recital by Vasilis Rakitzis as part of its ongoing series of benefit events. The programme features a selection of classical masterworks by Chopin, Schubert, Brahms, and Beethoven, with proceeds supporting humanitarian efforts. 7pm

JIM MAGEEAN: Ye Olde Rose & Crown Theatre Pub in Walthamstow hosts a night of powerful folk music with Jim Mageean. Known for his commanding voice and expertise in sea shanties, the North East-born singer draws on an extensive repertoire of maritime songs and broader folk knowledge. 7.30pm

MATT HAIG: Bestselling author Matt Haig celebrates his latest work at the Garrick Theatre. The Midnight Train sees the writer discuss his career and the themes of his new book at the historic Charing Cross Road venue. 8pm