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!
All week
WORLD CUP MATCHES: We're entering the final week of the 2026 World Cup, with semi-finals scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, the third place play-off on Saturday, and the all-important final on Sunday. At time of writing, we don't know which teams will be playing in these matches, but you can keep up with all the action at these London venues which offer World Cup screenings. Until 19 July 2026
PRINCESS OF PUNJAB: This week is your last chance to delve into the life of Princess Sophia Duleep Singh at Hampton Court Palace. Her story, as daughter of Maharaja Duleep Singh, one of the last princesses of Punjab and a long-time resident at the palace, is told through a series of costumed performances taking place daily throughout the palace. Until 17 July 2026
THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND: Last chance to see The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind at Soho Place, a musical about William Kamkwamba. Based on his book and Chiwetel Ejiofor's film, the show tells the story of a boy who figures out how to build a windmill to save his village from a devastating drought. Until 18 July 2026
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM: An outdoor production of Shakespeare's comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream is on at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre until Saturday, telling the enchanting story of a bitter dispute in the fairy kingdom, and four fleeing lovers who find themselves in an enchanted forest. Until 18 July 2026
GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS: David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Glengarry Glen Ross is at The Old Vic in a new production featuring an all-female cast. Set in a cutthroat Chicago real-estate office, the play charts four salespeople as a brutal competition unfolds. Until 18 July 2026
GRINDR THE OPERA: On at Union Theatre, Grindr: The Opera sends the notorious hook-up app into the world of opera, following four gay men — Devon, Tom, Jack and Don — through comic songs and satirical scenes. Until 19 July 2026
PUB OF THE WEEK: We were recently invited to try out the Prince Arthur in Belgravia, part-pub, part-Basque restaurant; the plates (including an array of pintxos and raw seafood) is excellent, but if you just want to enjoy a beer, it's £5 on all pints until the end of the World Cup i.e. the whole of this week. (There's a screen inside for games; otherwise, make the most of the newly installed terrace out front.)
Today's events: Monday 13 July
TEST CRICKET: Today's the final day of the first ever Women's Test match held at Lord's, with England taking on India in a landmark moment for the north London stadium. From 11am
PRISONER ESCAPES: Head to the London Archives in Clerkenwell for a lunchtime talk from Blue Badge Guide Patrick Voss about London prisoners who have broken free over the centuries. Jack Sheppard's escapes from Newgate and Ranulf Flambard fleeing the Tower of London feature. 12pm
SPRINGSTEEN FILM: Stanley Hall in South Norwood hosts a relaxed screening of the film Deliver Me From Nowhere exploring the creation of Bruce Springsteen’s 1982 album, Nebraska. The biographical drama follows a young Springsteen as he records his raw, acoustic masterpiece while navigating the pressures of impending global superstardom. 1pm
SEX AND THE STAGE: Guide Laura Agustin leads a tour of Holborn and the West End, looking at the connections between the theatre and the sex industry in the 18th Century. "There are the bawds who kept houses, the women who worked in them, like Sally Salisbury, and Harris's List, where they might advertise. We hear about homosexual Molly Houses as well as Jelly Houses, Coffee Houses and Bagnios." 1pm
RELAY TEAM: The Ivy Collection and UK Athletics host a live Q&A with members of the Great Britain and Northern Ireland 4x100m relay squad at The Ivy Tower Bridge, ahead of the summer's high-profile athletics competitions. Your ticket includes a three‑course dinner and a glass of champagne. 6pm
COMEDY DOUBLE BILL: Head to the London Hospital Tavern for a double bill of silliness tonight, as the "ridiculously funny" Lady Bolognese dinner lady duo drag you back to school; while Reverend Derek Gritt televises a funeral service and answers your burning questions. What a way to start the week! 7.15pm-10pm
HASHTAG UNITED VS CLAPTON CFC: Fan-owned east London club Clapton CFC travel to Ilford for a pre-season friendly against Hashtag United. The Men’s First Team fixture takes place at Oakside Stadium, the home of Redbridge FC, as both sides prepare for the 2026/2027 campaign. K/O 7.45pm
Today's events: Tuesday 14 July
THE REAL ESTATE: Desperate to sell their London flat, a couple jump at the offer from an eccentric billionaire Crown Prince. But there's a catch: to complete the sale, they must become the stars of his gritty new reality show. Will Thacker's satire The Real Estate opens today at Penge's Bridge House Theatre. 14-25 July 2026
LYING-IN-STATE: The Palace of Westminster opens a new, free exhibition about Queen Elizabeth II's Lying-in-State, following her death in 2022, a tradition which triggered an almighty queue as people waited to pay their respects. The exhibition showcases works by six artists who observed and recorded the Lying-in-State and the activity surrounding it. FREE, from 14 July 2026
DOLLIS BROOK BALSAM BASH: Help restore the riverbank at Whetstone Stray by joining a community effort to remove litter and invasive Himalayan Balsam. Led by environmental charity Thames21, the Dollis Brook Balsam Bash aims to boost local biodiversity and support the recovery of native plants. Volunteers are provided with all necessary equipment, including waders and wellies, and can enjoy tea and biscuits by the water. FREE, 10am-2pm
SUMMER SCHOLARS: Two researchers present new insights into Caribbean history during a lunchtime talk at the British Library. Award-winning novelist Jacqueline Crooks explores how colonial power shaped Jamaican fatherhood across generations, while PhD candidate Samuel Niu examines the recruitment of over 13,000 Chinese indentured labourers to the region in the 19th century. FREE, 1pm-2pm
SUMMER SEASON OPENING: Whitechapel Gallery kicks off its new programme with the Summer Season Opening, an evening celebration featuring art, music, and aperitivo. The event marks the launch of Backyard Biennial: East, a sprawling eight-week festival with over 100 events across east London, and includes specific installations by the OITIJ-JO Collective and Fozia Ismail. Explore the new exhibitions and film screenings while enjoying a live DJ set and drinks from the in-house café, Alba. FREE (donations welcome), 4pm-8pm
PASTA MASTERCLASS: Antonio, Head Chef at Notting Hill restaurant The Shed, runs a practical pasta-making masterclass covering dough preparation, shaping techniques and simple sauce pairings. Make tortelli and tagliatelle from scratch, and then sit down to eat them. 6pm-9pm
OUTDOOR CINEMA: London Bridge City Pier hosts a free screening of the 2002 coming-of-age sports comedy Bend It Like Beckham. The film follows 18-year-old Jess as she navigates the friction between her passion for football and the expectations of her traditional Punjabi Sikh family. Part of the Summer by the River festival. FREE, 7pm
CICERO: Professor Catharine Edwards joins bestselling novelist Robert Harris at City Lit to discuss the life and legacy of Rome’s greatest orator. The conversation explores how Cicero’s struggle against autocratic power and his efforts to save a fragile democracy remain strikingly relevant in the modern age, and whether the statesman was a principled defender of the republic or a duplicitous spin doctor. 7pm-8.15pm
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Heathers the Musical is back in London
Greetings and salutations to a cult classic musical sensation — now back in the West End for a strictly limited run.
Heathers the Musical (based on the pitch black 1989 comedy starring Winona Ryder and Christian Bale) transports audiences to Westerburg High, a school where popularity is quite literally a matter of life and death. Here, student Veronica Sawyer is taken under the wing of three beautiful-yet-cruel Heathers, before meeting a mysterious teen who teaches her that though it might kill to be a nobody, being a somebody can be murder...
Expect catchy original songs, deliciously dark plot twists and more incredible one-liners than you can shake a croquet mallet at.
Heathers the Musical is at The Arts at Marble Arch Theatre until 22 August.
Today's events: Wednesday 15 July
GREENWICH COMEDY GARDEN: Jack Dee, Josh Widdicombe, Sara Pascoe, Lou Sanders, Alan Davies and Thanyia Moore are on the bill at Greenwich Comedy Garden, a laughter-inducing festival taking over the grounds of the Old Royal Naval College for eight shows across five days. There are street food stalls and pop-up bars aplenty too. 15-19 July 2026
LEIGHTON HOUSE MINIATURE: To mark its 100th anniversary as a public museum, a one-twelfth scale miniature of Kensington's Leighton House goes on display for just a few days. Head to (the real) Leighton House to view the 2.5m-wide replica, which showcases the Silk Room, the Narcissus Hall and the Arab Hall in painstaking detail. 15-20 July 2026
TRAINSPOTTING THE MUSICAL: Choose life. Choose Trainspotting the Musical when it opens at Theatre Royal Haymarket from today, offering an adaptation of the 1996 film set to live music. Irvine Welsh, who wrote the original novel, has penned this adaptation. From 15 July 2026
AMERICA NOW: The British Library explores the parallels between the USA’s recent 250th anniversary and the Bicentennial celebrations of 1976. Chaired by Mike Collins, America Now! 1976 And All That features a panel of experts including Will Kaufman and Claire Watt discussing how the nation remembers its revolution during times of political instability and global energy shocks. The talk dives into the cultural landscape of the mid-70s, from the Eagles to the launch of the Apple 1, to understand the institutional memories of the founding era. FREE, 6.30pm
BAL ÉTOILE: Northern European folk traditions take over Jamboree in King’s Cross for an evening of social dancing and live music. Bal Étoile focuses on Balfolk, a style of dance from France and Scandinavia that is easy for beginners to pick up on the night. Musicians are encouraged to bring their own instruments for a low-pressure session, while the venue’s Zer kitchen serves Middle Eastern fusion food from 5pm. FREE, 7.30pm
Today's events: Thursday 16 July
DYSTOPIA ROCK OPERA: Multimedia rock opera Dystopia pairs a live band with satirical portrayals of political figures — with characters including Touchy Trump, Polonium Putin and Kim Jong Elvis. See it at the Leicester Square Theatre tonight and tomorrow. 16-17 July 2026
GRAYSON THE MUSICAL: Catch the preview run of a new musical comedy inspired by the life and work of Sir Grayson Perry. The show tells the story of one of Britain's most celebrated contemporary artists — though note that Perry himself doesn't appear in the performances — at Soho Theatre Walthamstow. 16-19 July 2026
SUMMER SERIES: Lightning Seeds, the Flaming Lips and Venna are among the headliners at this year's Somerset House Summer Series, a programme of open-air gigs taking place in the building's courtyard, which kicks off with French-Haitian powerhouse Naïka tonight. 16-26 July 2026. See other music festivals taking place in London this summer.
GARDEN EXPLORERS: Take your young nature lovers to the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow for a bug-hunting adventure through Lloyd Park. This Mini Morris session invites children to observe the patterns and shapes of local insects before creating their own colourful creatures inspired by the gallery’s famous textile designs. The drop-in workshop is specifically designed for toddlers aged two to four and includes singing, crafting, and a snack to take away. FREE, 10am/11.30am
LIVE JAZZ: Head to the Rose Cafe in Kingston for a laid-back afternoon of Jazz with the Half-Diminished Band. This local amateur quintet performs a mix of classic jazz standards alongside blues, pop, and rock numbers adapted into their signature relaxed style. FREE, 12pm-2pm
SHARED HISTORIES: Head to Whitechapel Gallery for an informal evening exploring the heritage of London’s Jewish East End. Take along personal objects, photographs, or documents for Adam Corsini from the Jewish Museum London and curator Katrina Schwarz to lead a conversation on their cultural significance and wider narratives of migration, faith, and everyday life in the local area. FREE, 5pm-8pm
REVOLUTIONARY PUBLISHERS: Head to the British Library's Pigott Theatre for a night of conversation, poetry and song, celebrating revolutionary Black publishers Margaret Busby and Jessica and Eric Huntley. Busby herself will be there, discussing her new book, Part of the Story. 7pm-8.45pm
SUNSET QUARTET: Local string quartet enSEmble26 performs a programme of classical masterpieces and cinematic scores at the historic Horniman Bandstand in Forest Hill. The collective, whose members have played with the London Symphony and Aurora Orchestras, provides a melodic backdrop to the city skyline as the sun goes down. Street food and a licensed bar are available on-site. 7pm-9pm
POETRY REVIEW LAUNCH: The Poetry Café in Covent Garden celebrates the latest issue of the UK’s leading poetry journal, The Poetry Review, with a night of live readings. Guest readers include Chloe Stopa-Hunt, Jemma Borg, and John Clegg, who performs a tribute to J.H. Prynne. The evening also includes an exclusive screening of a recording by American poet Major Jackson and a presentation of the winning poem from this year’s Dearmer Prize. FREE, 7pm-9pm
PECKHAM CHESS CLUB: Thinkers, schemers, and absolute beginners are invited to Peckham Levels for a laid-back evening of strategy and socialising. The Peckham Knights Chess Club offers a relaxed atmosphere with no clocks, no pressure, and proper bar vibes accompanied by background music. Boards are provided for all games, and walk-ins are welcome. FREE, 7pm-10.30pm
TUGBOAT CAPTAIN: South London five-piece Tugboat Captain are at The Ivy House in Nunhead to premiere their new record, All At Once. The evening features a full playback of the album — which evolves their scratchy lo-fi roots into hi-fi baroque-pop — followed by an informal Q&A session with the band. FREE, 7.30pm
Today's events: Friday 17 July
CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL: Over 100 breweries are expected to pour into London Craft Beer Festival, which moves to Southwark Park for 2026. Sample from 800+ different brews made by established and newer breweries. All beers are included in your ticket. 17-18 July 2026
ESTHER'S REVENGE: The audience becomes the jury in interactive play Esther's Revenge, based on the true story of Esther Ada Johnson, who was trialled and convicted of murdering her husband in 1956. It's on at the Africa Centre. 17-18 July 2026
ROUGH TRADE 50: Check out the programme for a three-day takeover at Southbank Centre marking 50 years since the first Rough Trade shop opened. The line-up mixes gigs, film, live performance and literature, with highlights including Pulp, Scritti Politti, caroline + My New Band Believe, and a live soundtrack screening of Ken Loach’s Kes introduced by Jarvis Cocker. 17-19 July 2026
SWAN LAKE: The State Ballet of Georgia brings Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake to the London Coliseum, with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia in the pit. The production tells the story of Prince Siegfried, Odette and the evil Rothbart, with a 12-performance run. 17-26 July 2026
BBC PROMS: We can't even type those words without Land of Hope and Glory firing up the record player inside our heads — but that's Last Night of the Proms, and there's almost two months' worth of live music to enjoy before that, beginning today. For all your info on tickets, highlights, promming and the like, peruse our guide to the BBC Proms 2026. 17 July-12 September 2026
LONDON VICTORY PARADE: Historian Jennifer Grant visits the National Army Museum in Chelsea to examine the complex legacy of the London Victory Parade of 1946. The talk explores why this massive celebration — which saw two columns of troops march past Winston Churchill and Clement Attlee — has largely faded from popular memory, and dives into the controversial diplomatic decisions regarding which international allies were invited to attend. FREE, 12pm-1pm
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. You can switch between two channels featuring DJ Goldierocks and DJ Sugai, with a bar and food available throughout the evening. 7pm-10.30pm
LOST PLEASURE GARDENS: Dr Matthew Green leads a tour around the Vauxhall area, on the trail of the famous pleasure grounds. History is brought to life with actors and music, and 'generous servings of chilled gin punch'. 7.30pm (and repeated on 25 July)
Today's events: Saturday 18 July
SKY GARDEN PILATES: Begin your weekend 36 floors above London, with a pilates session in the Sky Garden. Women's fitness platform Shreddy leads today's session, which is a full-body pilates sculpt session followed by a post-workout smoothie and pastry. 8.30am-10am
ELSYNG PALACE: Discover the royal history of one of Enfield’s most significant Tudor sites. This family-friendly day at the Forty Hall Estate offers a rare chance to watch archaeologists excavating the grounds of Elysing Palace and examine 400-year-old artefacts uncovered from the site. Younger visitors can join in with a hands-on mini dig in a dedicated sandpit excavation area. FREE, 11am-4pm
JURASSIC JUNGLE: Meet a roaming T. Rex, Bumble the Brontosaurus, a Megalosaurus, two baby dinosaurs, and two dinosaurs which you can climb on and ride, all at Jurassic Jungle at The Brunswick Centre in Bloomsbury. The free, family-focused event includes meet-and-greets, photo opportunities and dinosaur encounters. FREE, 11am-4pm
WHARFSIDE WATERCOLOURS: Artist Annamaria Antonazzo leads a relaxed afternoon of plein air painting by the water at Royal Albert Wharf. Experiment with watercolour techniques while enjoying live music from Jon Howell’s jazz duo and a provided picnic spread of vegan and vegetarian sandwiches. The session is open to all skill levels, with all necessary materials provided. FREE, 12pm-3pm
FOOTBALL EMBROIDERY: Artist Nicole Chui and the Migration Museum lead an embroidery workshop at the Whitechapel Gallery exploring the intersections of sport, migration, and belonging. Take your own football jerseys along to learn hand-embroidery techniques, transforming your shirt into wearable archives of personal heritage and identity. FREE, 2pm-3.30pm
TRANSATLANTIC FOOTIE FRIENDLY: East London’s fan-owned club, Clapton CFC, welcomes American visitors for a special exhibition match at the Old Spotted Dog Ground in Forest Gate. The CCFC Men's First Team vs New York International fixture offers a rare cross-continental meeting at London’s oldest senior football ground. 3pm
CVNTCLAVE: "Conclave. But queer(er)" is how Cvntclave is described — a darkly comical "one-Cardinal" show exploring power, faith, hypocrisy... and how much tea can go in that cup before it runneth over. Catch a WIP tonight at the Glitch. 7pm-8pm
Today's events: Sunday 19 July
LATINOLIFE FESTIVAL: The UK’s largest Latin Festival, LatinoLife celebrates its 10th edition at Walpole Park in Ealing. Britain's only Latina-curated festival offers salsa, reggaeton, samba, jazz, fusion, folk, funk, bolero, tango, hip-hop and more across four stages. 12pm-10pm
CRAFTY FOX MARKET: Crafty Fox brings more than 100 independent designers and makers to The Crossing in Granary Square (King's Cross) for a one-day summer market. Browse handmade jewellery, artwork, clothing, ceramics and homewares, and meet the stallholders at the free-entry event. 11am-5pm
EAST INDIA COMPANY: Learn about the 18th century company that was so huge it had its own private army. A London Lark Rising is an annual promenade performance (like a guided walk with theatrical interludes) through the Square Mile, which charts the rise of this unique organisation. 11am and 2.30pm
SOHO VILLAGE FETE: A tug of war between the police and fire brigade, a best in show where pooches must dress like royalty, and a music stage are all part of the Soho Village Fete. But surely the highlight is the Soho Waiters' Race, which sees serving staff from different restaurants legging it around the area while balancing a bottle of fizz, wine glass and ashtray on their tray. FREE, 12pm-6pm (Waiters' Race at 3.15pm)
COMICS AND ZINES: Small press creatives and independent publishers gather at Stanley Arts in South Norwood for the fifth instalment of the South London Comics and Zine Fair. Browse a diverse range of graphic novels, picture books, and zines, or head to the room hosted by WIP Comics to discover work from first-time exhibitors. The afternoon also features a free programme of panels and talks alongside an extra-large communal table for sharing new work. FREE, 12pm-6pm
FAMILY PRIDE: Queer families and children of all ages are invited to Walthamstow Trades Hall for an afternoon of colour and creativity. Hosted by Scarlet Diamonte and Gaybourhood East, Family Pride - Slay the Runway features costume making with the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, face painting, and a joyful disco. Expect plenty of pose and vogue moments on the catwalk alongside a family sing-along. FREE, 1pm-4pm
SMITHFIELD: Few areas of London are quite so rich in grim history as Smithfield. Join London on the Ground for a tour of this tumultuous area (soon to be home to the London Museum), taking in 'monasteries, martyrs, murder and meat'. 2.30pm
IMPROV: The Free Association's house teams perform their first show of the year this evening — regaling you with a heady mix of Harold, organic and narrative improv. 6pm-8pm
