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, ensuring there's always a diverse range of events for you to choose from.
All week
DOWNTON ABBEY EXHIBITION: Bonhams hosts a special auction and exhibition dedicated to the beloved TV series Downton Abbey, ahead of the third and final film's release in September. Costumes, props and set pieces from the show are on display, including costumes worn by characters such as Lady Mary, Lady Edith and Violet Crawley (played by the inimitable Dame Maggie Smith). It's free but likely to be very popular so do book in advance. FREE, 18 August-16 September
SING STREET: Last chance to see musical Sing Street at the Lyric Hammersmith. Set in 1985 Dublin, it's the story of Conor, a struggling teenager who hires new girl Raphina to star in a music video for his non-existent band. Until 23 August
ROUGH MAGIC: After a successful run last year, Rough Magic is back at Shakespeare's Globe until this Saturday. It's a family-friendly show set in the world of Shakespeare's characters, specifically Macbeth's Weird Sisters. Audience members are invited to dress as their favourite mythical creature (think fairies, witches, ghosts, monsters). Age five+. Until 23 August
MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM: Following its critically-acclaimed run in 2019, the Bridge Theatre's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream is back with some rather unique staging: seating is wrapped around the action, or buy immersive tickets to follow the story on foot. Until 23 August
CAMDEN FRINGE: Performing arts festival Camden Fringe continues until Sunday, with heaps more shows to see before then. Try the premiere of new musical comedy Dragging Your Heels, about a builder becoming a drag queen, or Fickle Eulogy, a one-woman show about the many facets of grief. See It, Say It... Salted! reimagines London through the eyes of the unseen, including a mouldy lettuce, and a pigeon, and The Oracle is a forward-facing show that's 50% stand-up and 50% character comedy. And that's barely the tip of the iceberg. Until 24 August
EAST END EATS: Go on a food crawl inspired by traditional Spanish tapas routes. The Great East End Eats sees local foodie businesses serving chosen dishes or drinks — including pizzas, burgers, tacos, cakes and iced lattes — with a portion of profits going to St Joseph's Hospice. Sounds like a great excuse to try out a few new restaurants, cafes and pubs in east London! Until 24 August
WORLD PRESS PHOTO: Time's running out to see this year's World Press Photo Exhibition, showcasing dramatic, awe-inspiring and heartbreaking images of the biggest news stories of the past year. It's on at MPB Gallery at Here East in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, with images covering everything from conflicts and war zones to sporting events to wildlife conservation stories. Until 25 August
SUMMER HOLIDAYS: Running out of ways to keep toddlers/kids/teenagers entertained while school's out? There's still plenty of mileage left in our summer holidays events guide, which covers one-off and ongoing events, exhibitions, and ideas for family-friendly days out and activities. Budget running low? Our pick of free things to do in London in the summer holidays has you covered.
CINEMA OF THE WEEK: The Whiteley in Bayswater has just opened a new Everyman Cinema, and boy, does it look plush — what with five screening rooms fitted out with velvet sofas and armchairs, two art deco-styled bars, and menus serving up cocktails and ice cream sundaes. Among the movies screening this week are Beyond Friendship, the original Bladerunner, and The Thursday Murder Club.
EAT OF THE WEEK: The explosively-named Pyrotechnist's Arms in Nunhead — recently under new management — now has delicious Nepalese dumplings from eatMOMO every Tuesday-Sunday (1pm-9pm) — which we'll warrant make a stodgily-satisfying side order to go with your pint.
GOOD CAUSE OF THE WEEK: Talitha Arts runs therapeutic arts workshops for refugees, people with dementia, survivors of domestic abuse, modern slavery and exploitation. On 20 September, they're organising a sponsored 30k/18.5m Walk for Wellbeing from Hampton Court Bridge to Twickenham along the Thames Path. Fancy taking part? Registrations are now open.
Today's events: Monday 18 August
PURPLE RAIN: The Peckham outpost of Rooftop Film Club screens 1984 film Purple Rain. The semi-autobiographical musical film stars singer Prince and his songs in the story of an up-and-coming musician from Minneapolis using his craft to escape a troubled home life. Fingers crossed for no rain — purple or otherwise — for this outdoor screening. 6.45pm
PUB QUIZ: Every Monday, the Old Blue Last in Shoreditch holds a pub quiz upstairs, with a rolling cash jackpot to be won. Entry is just £2 per person, making for a bargain start to the week. 7pm
NEO SOUL: Camden's Jazz Cafe hosts a live band for a celebration of the neo-soul genre, with lively covers of hits by the likes of Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, Jill Scott and Lauryn Hill. Expect a blend of classic soul, hip-hop, jazz and RnB. 7pm-10.30pm
A MASS OF LIFE: Sir Mark Elder conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra, with soloists including baritone Roderick Williams and tenor David Butt Philip, in a performance of Frederick Delius' cantata, A Mass of Life. It's performed at the Royal Albert Hall as part of BBC Proms, sung in German with English subtitles. 7.30pm
DISTURB THE VIBE: Comedian Elena Gabrielle brings her current show Disturb The Vibe to Top Secret Comedy Club on Drury Lane, using her unique storytelling style to recount some of her embarrassing dating stories. 7.30pm
Today's events: Tuesday 19 August
SPOT'S BIRTHDAY PARTY: Beloved children's book character Spot the Dog is having a celebration, and you're invited. Spot's Birthday Party at Stanley Arts in South Norwood is a theatre show for ages two+, with birthday-themed singing and dancing to join in with. 19-20 August
DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY: Picking up six years after the end of Pride & Prejudice, theatre show Death Comes To Pemberley is based on the 2011 book of the same name — a murder mystery at Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy's home, with Captain Denny dead, and Mr Wickham the main suspect. See it at Churchill Theatre Bromley. It's one of a few Jane Austen-themed theatre shows in London over the coming months, marking the 250th anniversary of the author's birth. 19-23 August
PAUL'S CROSS: Ever heard of the Paul's Cross? It was a preaching cross and open-air pulpit at St Paul’s Cathedral where sermons were preached and announcements were made. Learn about it in a free lecture at Guildhall Library, given by City of London Guide & Lecturer & Cathedral Guide Jill Finch. FREE, 2pm-3pm
WHISKY & ICE CREAM: Not an everyday pairing, but the combo of whisky and ice cream sounds like something we can get on board with. Join the Scotch Malt Whisky Society at 19 Greville Street (Farringdon) for a guided tasting, pairing three ice creams with three different whiskies. 6.30pm-8pm
HISTORIC LONDON PUBS: Footprints of London guide Rob Smith offers a virtual tour around a handful of historic London pubs. From the comfort of your own home, hear about well-known favourites such as the Cheshire Cheese and the Prospect of Whitby, as well as lesser-known historic pubs like the Cross Keys in Dagenham and The Old Mill in Plumstead. 8pm-9pm
Today's events: Wednesday 20 August
OPEN HOUSE BOOKINGS: A helpful reminder that booking for the non-balloted events on the Open House London programme opens today. Tickets are free, but are likely to go quite quickly. Don't worry if you miss out — the majority of the 700+ buildings on the programme don't need booking, and you can just turn up on the correct day in September for a look inside.
THE ANIMATOR: Opening at Southwark Playhouse Borough today, The Animator tells the true story of German film director Lotte Reiniger, the visionary who created the very first feature-length animation film, The Adventures of Prince Achmed, a decade before Disney’s Snow White. 20-30 August
BARBICAN OUTDOOR CINEMA: There's an eclectic range of films on offer at Barbican's Outdoor Cinema this summer, from Little Shop of Horrors to Fantastic Mr Fox, beginning tonight with David Lynch's Dune. All films are shown on a giant screen in the open-air Sculpture Courtyard, with food and drink available to buy nearby. 20-31 August. Have a browse of the other outdoor cinemas popping up in London this summer too.
THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE: Step into Narnia with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, which opens at Sadler's Wells today. Join Lucy, Edmund and Peter as they venture through the back of the wardrobe, marking the novel's 75th anniversary. Age seven+. 20 August-7 September
THE PRINCESS DIARIES: Me? A princess? Shut up! Watch the story of average American teenager Mia Thermopolis turned Genovian royalty at tonight's free outdoor screening of Princess Diaries, at Merchant Square in Paddington. Deckchairs are available if you arrive early enough, or you can bring your own picnic blanket, with food and drink available to buy from traders nearby. FREE, 6pm
SUMMER WINES: Head to wine bar Humble Grape in Crouch End for a wine-tasting session focusing on summer tipples. The 45-minute event is tailored for beginners and talks you through four wines, teaching you to unlock the different flavours in each one. Plus your ticket gets you a £20 voucher to spend at any of the Humble Grape wine bars or shops. 6.30pm-7.30pm
Today's events: Thursday 21 August
FAIRGAME CITY: Indoor fairground Fairgame — which already has a Canary Wharf venue — opens the doors to its newest branch at One New Change, near St Paul's Cathedral. Fairgame City offers 12 games including giant hook-a-duck Beaky Finders, and OAPrix, a mobility scooter-themed rollerball experience. Also available inside: funfair-themed cocktails, Prosecco-infused candy floss, and street food options including Burger & Beyond, Alby’s Pizza, and Le Bab. From 21 August
COLDPLAY: A Film For The Future is the film created to accompany Coldplay's newest album, Moon Music, and it's being shown in a limited number of screenings at Lightroom in King's Cross from today, coinciding with the band's Wembley shows. As is Lightroom's way, viewers will be completely immersed in the film, with projections on the walls, floor and ceiling. 21 August-8 September
BRING YOUR BABY WALK: Aimed at parents and carers with little ones in tow, Bring Your Baby Walks offers a guided tour around Canary Wharf and Docklands. Meet at Montgomery Square, and learn about the area's history, including how it got its name, links to the slave trade, and Second World War history. There's a stop halfway through the walk, giving you a chance to feed and change your baby, and have lunch. 11am-2pm
GREY MAGAZINE: To celebrate the launch of issue 2 of The Grey magazine, there's a party going down at the Divine in Dalston, featuring interactive decorations and conversation starters to help you make new friends, custom badge making, independent designers and vintage clothing to shop at a discount, and a prize for the best looks. Dress code is 'Black, White and Read All Over'. Bar open from 5pm, launch from 7.30pm
SPIES MUSEUM LATE: The Bank of England Museum stays open late for a war and spies themed evening. Take part in an Alan-Turing inspired series of codebreaker games hidden throughout the museum, and hear a talk by a mystery guest speaker about the world of espionage, as well as viewing the museum's usual exhibits after hours. FREE, 5.15pm-8pm
FINGERPRINTING MASTERCLASS: Also open late tonight is Covent Garden's Bow Street Police Museum. Former Detective Chief Inspector Steve Gaskin hosts an evening focusing on fingerprints, and how they have helped solve crimes including the Great Train Robbery and the Docklands bombing. 6.30pm
DAMIAN BARR: Author Damian Barr is at Southbank Centre to launch his new book, The Two Roberts. Barr chats to writer and poet Okechukwu Nzelu about the novel, the story of two men called Robert who meet in Glasgow in 1933 and explore the city together, all the while loving each other behind closed doors. 7.45pm
Today's events: Friday 22 August
GREENWICH AND DOCKLANDS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL: Free outdoor performing arts festival Greenwich and Docklands International Festival returns, for two weeks of theatre, art, dance and circus in outdoor locations from today. Highlights include Above and Beyond, a parkour performance through Woolwich, and The Weight of Water, a dance and circus show on a floating stage, mimicking the perils of climate change. FREE 22 August-6 September
KIDS' PARTY: Normally an adults-only venue, ballpit bar Ballie Ballerson in Shoreditch hosts kids' party sessions on Fridays throughout August. Choose between sessions for seven-12 or 13-16 year olds, and let them loose to let off steam in the ballpits. 3.30pm/5.30pm 3.30pm/5.30pm
SUMMER SOUNDS: OSO Arts Centre spills out onto Barnes Green on Friday evenings throughout the summer. Summer Sounds sees live music and DJ sets in a relaxed atmosphere, with drinks and street food available to buy, and money raised going to OSO's goal of raising £25k in 2025 to celebrate its 25th birthday. From 6pm
SUMMER CLIMB SESSIONS: Watch the sun set from atop The O2 with Sunset Sessions. Do an Up at The O2 evening climb over the dome, and enjoy cocktails, mocktails and a live DJ at the top, as you admire the views over London. 7pm-8pm
SORROWFUL SONGS: Another highlight from BBC Proms this week is Symphony of Sorrowful Songs at the Royal Albert Hall. Henryk Górecki’s Symphony of Sorrowful Songs is the main event, preceded by Respighi’s reworking of an organ chorale prelude by J. S. Bach, and the UK premiere of a new violin concerto by T. de Hartmann. Violinist Joshua Bell, soprano Francesca Chiejina, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra perform. 7.30pm
Today's events: Saturday 23 August
BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND: Today's the start of the three-day August bank holiday weekend (dare we say, the last bank holiday before Christmas). Make the most of the extra day with our guide to spending a bank holiday in London, as well as our pick of August bank holiday events so you're guaranteed a good time... even if good weather isn't guaranteed. 23-25 August
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL: Notting Hill Carnival is back on the streets of west London for three days of Caribbean-style entertainment. Expect the usual heady mix of Caribbean culture, samba, mas, soca and calypso, dazzling costumes... and lots and lots of people. It begins gently (but loudly!) today with the UK National Panorama Steel Band Competition, a family-friendly event in Emslie Horniman's Pleasance Park, near Trellick Tower (you'll need tickets for this one, though we'd hazard a guess that you'll hear it from anywhere in the vicinity). That's followed by Family Day tomorrow, and the main event on Monday. Here's everything you need to know about this year's event. 23-25 August
FOOD FESTIVAL: Feast your eyes on the surroundings of Hampton Court Palace, and your stomach on goodies from the Hampton Court Palace Food Festival, which is held in the palace gardens. Tuck into street food, browse and buy artisan products including wine, rum, cakes, pastries, coffee and cheese. There's also live music at the bandstand, garden games and a Bluey meet and greet for kids. 23-25 August
REFLECTING ON GRIEF: Engage with nature to help explore and understand grief differently: that's the premise of Reflecting on Grief, a free walk in Highgate Cemetery, in which you're invited to pause, reflect and share. Booking required. FREE, 11am-1pm
SLAVERY REMEMBRANCE DAY: The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich marks Slavery Remembrance Day with workshops, screenings and other events. The themes this year are resistance, care and collective memory, and the day culminates in an emancipation ceremony by the Thames, where everyone's welcome to join in a collective act of remembrance. FREE, 11am-5pm
RALLY FESTIVAL: The third edition of RALLY Festival takes place in Southwark Park today, featuring post-punk experimental group Moin, along with rising London underground duo Bassvictim, and DJ OK Williams. 11.30am-10.30pm
IMMIGRATION WALK: Join guide Laura Agustin for a walk around the Hatton Garden and Saffron Hill area, which has been the home to numerous immigrant groups over the centuries. Explore how working class families from Italian, Irish, African, West Indian and Jewish backgrounds have lived and worked in the area. 1pm
VOCAL BLONDE: Hear songs from the likes of Dusty Springfield, Peggy Lee, Madonna and Blondie — as sung by jazz and soul vocalist, Rachael Calladine, at Piccadilly's Crazy Coqs tonight. They mix a mean cocktail here too — just sayin'. 7pm
FLOATING COMEDY: All aboard the Tattershall Castle for another night of laughs on the Thames, courtesy of The Boat Show Comedy Club. Matt Stellingwerf MCs a line-up including Black Peng, Thomas Green and Slim. Doors 7pm
Today's events: Sunday 24 August
FORDS: A visit to Enfield's Whitewebbs Museum of Transport is worthwhile any time, but this Sunday, lovers of Ford RS models are in for a treat, as members of the Essex RS Owners Club will be parking up outside the museum all day. Gates Ford will be there too, flaunting a couple of new models. 10am-5pm
CALLY CLOCK TOWER: Islington landmark the Caledonian Clock Tower offers its semi-regular tours today. The Italianate structure is a remnant of one of London's last cattle markets, and you'll need to climb 178 increasingly steep steps, led by a guide from Islington Guided Walks, to reach the top. Once you're there, admire the views and get a closer look at the clock face and mechanism. 11am/1pm/3pm
SPECTRES OF SPITALFIELDS: Join award-winning author Travis Elborough on a guided walking tour through Spitalfields, exploring its rich cultural history shaped by various migrant communities, from French Huguenot silk weavers to Jewish and Bangladeshi migrants. Discover the area's history, from Nicholas Hawksmoor’s Christ Church to London's most notorious slum, and the Jack the Ripper murders. 2.30pm
COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS: Doing just what it says on the tin, Comedy Club 4 Kids brings the best stand-ups, sketch acts and cabaret performers to Park Theatre today for a show that's suitable for ages six+. This week's performers are Ben Van Der Velde and Bilal Zafar, with Matthew McAloone as MC. 3pm
FREE JAZZ: The King's Head in Crouch End has three hours of jazz for your delectation this afternoon, courtesy of a laid back event that's now been going on at the pub for 40 years (not continuously, obviously). FREE, 4pm-7pm
OPEN-AIR CONCERT: Head to Strawberry Hill House inn Twickenham this evening for an open-air concert by the Pasadena Roof Orchestra, performing the sounds of the roaring 1920s and elegant 1930s. Take a picnic, or buy refreshments there. Doors 6pm, show 7pm
MADISON LATES: Rooftop bar Madison keeps the party going into the early hours of Monday with Madison Lates. Dance the night away to a surprise headline act, with view over the dome of St Paul's to boot. 10pm-1am
