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
WIMBLEDON 2026: The biggest fortnight in tennis is back from Monday. If you can't make it to SW19 yourself, fear not — plenty of places around the capital show the action on big screens, often for free. Here's our guide to where to watch Wimbledon. Want to get closer to the action? Learn all you need to know about joining 'The Queue' for on-the-day tickets. Alternatively, leave the hard work to everybody else and mark the season with a Wimbledon-themed afternoon tea instead. 29 June-12 July 2026
FIFA WORLD CUP: The FIFA World Cup is ongoing, with many bars and venues across London screening matches. As of this week, the Group stage is over and we're onto the final rounds, with at least two matches each day. At time of writing, we don't know who'll be playing when, but if England make it through, you'll want to book your spot at these match screenings ASAP. Until 19 July 2026
ST MARTIN’S: The church of St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square turns 300 this year. To celebrate, they’ve opened a small, and free exhibition looking at the church’s history. This stretches back centuries before the present building, to a time when the church really was ‘in the fields’. Until 15 November 2026
EQUUS: Peter Shaffer’s modern classic Equus is at the Menier Chocolate Factory until Saturday, following psychiatrist Martin Dysart as he probes why 17‑year‑old Alan Strang blinded six horses, asking whether the cure is worse than the crime. Until 4 July 2026
GLASSBLOWING EXHIBITION: Last chance to see the London Glassblowing Exhibition, celebrating 50 years of the craft at the Bermondsey Street studio (previously located in Rotherhithe). 40+ creators have created new works for the display, including current and past resident and guest artists. FREE, until 5 July 2026
REVEL PUCK CIRCUS: The circus is in town! Revel Puck Circus pitches up at Leyton Jubilee Park, offering a contemporary big top experience with world-class acrobatic performances. The show, A Glimmer Daze Gambit, is about hope, arrival and community, told through teeterboard, aerial cradle, straps, bounce juggling, cloud swing, and group acrobatics. Definitely a case of "don't try this at home". Until 5 July 2026
GENUINE FAKE PREMIUM ECONOMY: It's the final week of the ICA's current exhibition, Genuine Fake Premium Economy, where artists including Jenna Bliss, Buck Ellison and Jasmine Gregory use moving image, photography, painting and assemblage to examine class, labour and the relationship between art and money, and how financial precarity, and how the art market shapes value and taste. Until 5 July 2026
SMITHSONIAN STARSTRUCK: Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, the Smithsonian Starstruck immersive experience is now open at the Science Museum. Designed to show you the universe and take you inside it, use VR to witness a spectacular supernova, venture to the edge of a supermassive black hole, and stand beside the Smithsonian’s Whipple Observatory. Sounds out of this world. Until 30 August 2026
PUB OF THE WEEK: Having opened earlier this year inside the former Brewmaster's House on Brick Lane, Ninety One already boasted an enviable courtyard for summer sips. Now it's teamed up with the Jamaican/Turkish mash-up maestros of Jurkish, to serve dishes like plantain hummus and curry goat manti. They even do a twist on the Sunday roast.
Today's events: Monday 29 June
KEEP ON THE GRASS: As the London Festival of Architecture 2026 enters its final couple of days, the University of Westminster unveils its new exhibition, Keep on the Grass. Delve into the world of signs in public spaces, including why they're needed, and how their tone controls our behaviour. The launch event takes place over two days, with the exhibition open until the end of July. FREE, from 29 June 2026
ENGLISH GRAMMAR DAY: English Grammar Day is a one-day programme of talks and discussion at the British Library, looking at the teaching, history and social uses of English grammar. Speakers include Tom Freeman, Charlotte Brewer, Gregory Tate, John Williams, Caitlin Hogan and Kirsty Bradshaw, and the day ends with an 'Any Questions'‑style panel chaired by Devyani Sharma. 9.15am-5pm
CHURCHILL'S CITADEL: Historian Katherine Carter, who managed Chartwell for 12 years, discusses her book on the subject, and how meetings at Churchill’s country home in Kent informed his thinking in the 1930s, in a talk at the Wallace Collection (also available to watch online). Hear about political leaders diplomats and spies who visited Churchill at Chartwell, and how they influenced him. 6.30pm-7.30pm
CONVOY 37: The London Welsh Centre hosts a screening of Convoy 37, a documentary following British volunteers from the organisation Driving Ukraine. The film captures the journey from Silverstone to Lviv as the team delivers vehicles to medical forces for emergency evacuations. A Q&A session follows the screening with volunteers Andrew and Owain, who are raising funds to deliver another life-saving vehicle later this summer. FREE, 7pm
KINKS AND CONNECTION: Dr Ashley Brown of King’s College London leads a research-informed talk on sexual desire, kink and relationships, debunking pop-psych myths and covering desire, arousal and contexts such as stress and health. The Pints of Knowledge session, at Big Penny Social, is followed by a Q&A. 7pm-8.30pm
RNB ORCHESTRA: Catch live orchestral arrangements of 90s and 00s R&B tracks, performed by The RnB Orchestra at The Jazz Cafe. The group reworks well‑known tracks into full-scale performances that highlight the genre’s storytelling and emotion. 7pm-10.30pm
FOLK AND NOISE: Dalston’s Shacklewell Arms hosts an eclectic four-act bill featuring the intimate, open-hearted songwriting of Eli Carvajal. The evening also showcases London-based folk-rockers Patchwork, the Egyptian zar-inspired electronic drones of NADIM, and the "nasty noise-folk" of James Moss. FREE, 7.30pm
Today's events: Tuesday 30 June
SUMMER SCIENCE EXHIBITION: Opening today, the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition is suitable for all ages, and showcases the latest research from across the UK, through hands-on activities, talks and interactive exhibits. Topics this year include the mysteries of lightning, super computers, and the secrets of the universe. FREE, 30 June-5 July 2026
EAST END HISTORIES: Bethnal Green’s Oxford House celebrates the creative heritage of east London with the launch of new exhibition Material Histories & Reframing the East End. View five large-scale banners inspired by the area’s textile industry — from Huguenot silk weavers to Bangladeshi garment makers — alongside a photography project by Rehan Jamil. Meet the collaborators and explore how migration and craft have shaped the identity of the local community. FREE, 5.30pm-7.30pm
POLITICAL MAYFAIR: Join guide Richard Watkins for a tour of the tumultuous politics of the 18th century, seen through Mayfair's Squares, grand buildings, parish church, and power brokers. One prominent issue was the American war, making this walk particularly relevant on the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence. 6pm-8pm
FOOD IN QUEER LITERATURE: Writer and cook Kate Young leads an evening at Fortnum &Mason’s Food & Drink Studio combining readings from LGBTQI+ literature with a three‑course dinner inspired by the texts. Oysters, potato croquettes and chocolate ice cream are among the dishes served, with Young reflecting on what role food plays within the literary works. 6.30pm
OPEN-AIR OTHELLO: Theatre troupe the Lord Chamberlain’s Men present Othello in the open air at Chiswick House & Gardens, performed by an all-male cast in Elizabethan costume with music and dance. Bring your own chair and picnic along to enjoy the show. 7pm
ALI SMITH: Award-winning novelist Ali Smith discusses her powerful anti-war novel Glyph at St Martin-in-the-Fields, as part of the ongoing The Conversation series of events. The book blends contemporary real-world events — such as the conflict in Gaza and UK flag controversies — with profound historical reflection. 7pm
SUMMER BY THE RIVER: Catch a National Theatre Live broadcast of Shakespeare’s Hamlet at London Bridge City Pier. This outdoor screening follows the Prince of Denmark as he returns home to a royal court upended by his father's death and his mother's hasty remarriage to his uncle. The event is part of the annual riverside festival and offers a chance to see world-class theatre in a relaxed, open-air setting by the Thames. FREE, 7pm
BLUES JAM SESSION: Kennington’s Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Club comes alive with the gritty sounds of Chicago blues and swampy rhythm & blues at this monthly community session. Hosted by Jimmy Regal and the Royals, the evening begins with a house band set led by harmonica player Joff Watkins before opening the floor to guest musicians and singers of all levels. 7.30pm
ALEC HARPER QUARTET: Swing into Tuesday night at Eastcheap Records for a high-energy session of jazz and bop. Part of the venue's Inside Out series, the Alec Harper Quartet features a rotating line-up of top-tier musicians including Ferg Ireland, Nick Costley-White and Will Cleasby. FREE, 8pm-10.30pm
Today's events: Wednesday 1 July
CHISWICK SHORTS: A programme of eight short plays by new writers is presented cabaret-style at St Michael's Centre. Chiswick Shorts takes place across four evenings, with a warning of strong language and adult themes in some of the works. 1-4 July 2026
CROYDONITES: Christmas Croydonites comes early: the punchy fringe festival was last on in October, but hurries back for July 2026 — bringing everything from a glitter-soaked tragicomedy to a 1976-style gameshow, to venues Cronx-wide. 1-5 July
SOUTH ASIAN SOUNDS: Southbank Centre launches South Asian Sounds, a five-day season showcasing contemporary and classical South Asian music and performance. It kicks off today with a show by award-winning Nepalese composer and percussionist Anmol Mohara, with pianist Rekesh Chauhan and the London Bollywood Orchestra among those on the schedule later in the week. 1-5 July 2026
LUMINISCENCE: Westminster Cathedral (note: not Westminster Abbey) gets a glow-up from today in the form of Luminiscence, a 360° projected light show, bathing the sacred space's windows, walls, pillars and ceiling in remarkable moving colourscapes. The building's never-completed mosaic-adorned domes will be digitally created, giving us a glance at what might have been. 1 July-27 September 2026
VISUAL SCORES WORKSHOP: Sound and art collide in a hands-on experimental session that transforms Islington’s Union Chapel into a living instrument. Delivered in partnership with the Estorick Collection, The Architecture of Noise: Protest Posters workshop draws inspiration from the Futurist Manifesto and the sound visualisation experiments of Margaret Watts Hughes. Explore the building’s acoustics and textures to translate rhythm and pitch into functional graphic scores and posters. FREE, 10am-4pm
MOVIE CREW: Dig out the eyeliner and head to Kingston’s The Fighting Cocks for a nostalgic throwback to the 2000s. This month’s Movie Crew features a free mystery screening of an iconic concert film from emo legends, capturing a two-hour performance that marked the end of an era for the band. FREE, 7pm
WAR CHILD FUNDRAISER: Dalston’s Shacklewell Arms hosts a multi-act showcase in aid of War Child. The lineup features The Moving Stills, Lover's Skit, HORNET and Sean Trelford, bringing a mix of emerging live talent, with attendees encouraged to make a donation to support children affected by conflict. 7pm
HISTORIC HOAXES: Art historian Madeleine Pelling talks about her new book Hoax and is joined in conversation by historian Helen Carr at the Museum of the Order of St John to discuss three incredible 18th century hoaxes. The evening includes access to the 12th-century crypt before and after the talk. FREE, 7pm-8pm
THE POP-UP CHOIR: An evening of uplifting a cappella music fills the Tea House Theatre in Vauxhall as The Pop-Up Choir returns for a live vocal showcase. The performance is open to everyone, and enthusiastic audience members are even encouraged to join in for a song or two, regardless of previous singing experience. FREE, 7.30pm-9.30pm
Today's events: Thursday 2 July
COCKTAILS IN THE CITY: Boozy festival Cocktails in the City takes place over two weekends this summer, bringing together some of the most popular bars in London to serve up their concoctions in the private garden of Bedford Square, with entertainment thrown in, from live music and silent discos to cocktail workshops and demonstrations. 2-4 July (and 6-8 August) 2026
WALDMULLER LANDSCAPES: The National Gallery presents the first UK exhibition devoted to Austrian painter Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller’s landscape paintings. The show gathers views of Vienna’s Prater Park, the lakes and mountains of the Salzkammergut and scenes from Sicily, and highlights Waldmüller’s use of colour, light and detailed brushwork. FREE, 2 July-20 September 2026
CITY BEERFEST: Clock off work early today and head to Guildhall Yard for boozy party City Beerfest. Several breweries are serving their beers to the City crowds, plus there's live music and street food, and the whole event raises money for the Lord Mayor's Appeal charity. 12.30pm-9pm
CHARLES DICKENS: Dr Anna Gibson, co-director of the Dickens Notes project, visits the V&A South Kensington to reveal the intricate "story weaving" behind the 19th century’s most famous serial novels. This lunchtime lecture examines Charles Dickens' working notes and manuscripts, showing how he managed complex plots across monthly instalments. See how Dickens planned, questioned, and changed his mind while at the "loom" of his creative process. FREE, 1pm-2pm
LOST MUSIC VENUES: Curator Harriet Reed leads an online talk providing a deep dive into the V&A’s new Theatre and Performance display, Lost Music Venues. The session explores approximately 50 vanished performance spaces from the 1980s to the 2010s, examining their creative impact and the systemic challenges that led to their closure. FREE, 4pm-5pm
COVENT GARDEN RENT CEREMONY: Swing by the Piazza this afternoon to watch the annual Covent Garden Rent Ceremony. The traditional parade sees Covent Garden trustees — joined by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, the Deputy Mayor of Camden, a town crier, musicians and street performers — pay the symbolic peppercorn rent of five apples and five posies. The procession and short speeches take place on the Piazza by St Paul's Church. FREE, 4.30pm
SUMMER EVENINGS: Escape the city bustle as Fulham Palace opens its historic summer evenings in the walled garden for rare after-hours access. Enjoy the tranquil grounds at a slower pace, with options to book a sunset champagne package for two or join an outdoor yoga session led by an experienced instructor. See the centuries-old botanical displays in the soft evening light after the daytime crowds have departed. 5pm-9pm
QUEER NATURE LATE: Forest Hill’s Horniman Museum and Gardens celebrates South Asian queer and trans culture with an evening of music, workshops, and botanical exploration. The Museum Late features a nature walk with ecologist Jazmeen Isa Qureshi, garland-making with journalist Sharan Dhaliwal, and a tour of the Meeting Mohini exhibition. Award-winning icon DJ Ritu provides the soundtrack alongside performances from multidisciplinary dancers Bolly-Illusion and Dosa Cat. FREE, 5.30pm-9pm
BOOKTOK LATE: TikTok and the British Library partner for a major cultural takeover of the Euston Road landmark, celebrating digital reading culture and fandom. Hosted by "internet librarian" Jack Edwards, the evening features talks with influential creators, after-hours access to the Treasures Gallery, and curated discovery sessions to help you find your next book obsession. The night concludes with a DJ set. FREE, 6pm-10pm
BREAKUP HAIRCUT: Indie-pop-punk band Breakup Haircut headline a live music bill at The Cavendish Arms to kick off the summer, with support from Belgium-based twee-pop band Capsuna and indie-rockers Argonaut. 7.30pm
Today's events: Friday 3 July
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES: London Children’s Ballet returns to the Peacock Theatre with a revival of L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. An all‑child cast aged 9-16 performs to an original classical score played by a live orchestra. 3-5 July 2026
LGBTQ+ LIFE DRAWING: Artist and illustrator Kai Kathleen facilitates an inclusive LGBTQ+ Life Drawing Class at the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre in Bankside. The session features LGBTQ+ models and is designed to be a brave, vulnerable space for all abilities, whether you are a seasoned artist or a complete beginner. Basic materials like paper and charcoal are provided, though you're welcome to bring your own supplies. 6pm-7.30pm
LGBTQ+ BALL: Curated by artist Sadie Lee, the Wallace Collection’s LGBTQ+ Annual Grand Ball kicks off Pride in London weekend with queer performance, music and short talks across the museum’s galleries. 6.30pm-11pm
SKYSCRAPER SILENT DISCO: Head up to Horizon 22 — the viewing platform at the top of the 22 Bishopsgate skyscraper — for a silent disco with a view. Begin your evening with a welcome drink and performances from drag duo Adam All and Apple Derrieres, before choosing between three channels on your headphones and dancing the evening away. 7pm
HERSH DAGMARR: Hersh Dagmarr brings a Weimar-inflected cabaret about devotion and fandom to Crazy Coqs, reworking Kylie Minogue’s songs with pianist Karen Newby. The show explores queer iconography and the line between worship and pop fandom. 7pm
CATACLYSMIC: One-person physical theatre piece CATACLYSMIC follows Andy as they grapple with nostalgia, grief and a creeping sense of collapse. The show mixes clowning and immersive techniques, and can be seen at the Hope Theatre in Islington. 7pm
IRISH LANGUAGE IN LONDON: A panel of world-leading experts gathers at the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith to trace the history of the Irish language in the capital from ancient times to the present day. The discussion explores the migrant experience, the city’s pivotal role in the Gaelic Revival, and London's enduring connection to Irish-language literature. The talks are conducted in English with just a few words of Irish included. 7.30pm
POP LOAD: Head to The Divine in Dalston for a high-energy queer party spread across two floors. This weekly "demonic disco" features a rotation of east London’s finest queer DJs and drag collectives, spinning everything from Taylor Swift and Britney Spears to Charli XCX. The basement hosts mash-up shows from 11pm, while the ground floor bar offers a more relaxed pub-party atmosphere with level access. FREE entry before 10pm. 9pm-3am
Today's events: Saturday 4 July
AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY: Fourth of July is always a big deal for our American cousins, and even more so this year, as 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. We've put together a guide to special events, as well as some of our favourite all-American restaurants and hot spots around London, so you can celebrate in style. Around 4 July 2026
EEL PIE ISLAND: The first of this summer's open weekends at Eel Pie Island is now. It's a chance to set foot on the mysterious and private island in the Thames and visit the artists who live and work there in their studios — and of course, buy artworks straight from the source. FREE (booking required), 4-5 and 11-12 July 2026
IVANOV: Chris Pine makes his London stage debut in a new production of Chekhov's comic drama Ivanov, at the Bridge Theatre. Pine takes on the role of Nikolai Ivanov, a man facing a midlife crisis due to financial and marital woes. 4 July-19 September 2026
COUNTRY ON THE COMMON: Country on the Common returns to Tooting Common with a mix of country, blues and roots acts, with artists including Seasick Steve, Elles Bailey and Kezia Gill, plus activities such as line-dancing with The Country Roses, rodeo bull riding, axe throwing, lasso lessons, campfire sessions, BBQ food, craft beer and a whiskey bar. 4-5 July 2026
COOPERS' CASK RACE: Teams of four compete in Guildhall Yard, rolling full‑size casks across the cobbles in a test of strength, skill and teamwork for the 2026 Coopers' Cask Race. The event begins with the blessing of the casks, followed by teams racing to roll casks across the Yard, with prize categories for speed, presentation and team spirit. It's free to watch. 9.30am
GEOFFREY FLETCHER: The pioneering chronicler of 'secret London', most famous for his 1962 work The London That Nobody Knows, is the subject of a guided walk through the City today, by London on the Ground. 10.30am
CAFE OTO SUMMER FAIR: Dalston’s experimental music venue opens its doors for a daytime celebration of independent print and sound culture. The Cafe OTO Summer Fair gathers a curated selection of the venue's favourite publishers and labels, including the Syrian Cassette Archive, Burley Fisher Community Press, and the Palestinian Sound Archive. Browse rare vinyl, artist books, and zines while supporting small-scale creative collectives and local traders. 11am-6pm
MARITIME COMMUNITY DAY: Go behind the scenes at the Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre in Kidbrooke for a free afternoon of tours, workshops, and live performances. This Community Day offers a rare look at the National Maritime Museum’s state-of-the-art conservation studios and hidden archives. Highlights include sea shanties from the Queer History Club, ropemaking demonstrations, and a chance to explore the onsite community garden. FREE, 12pm-4pm
HAPPILY EVER AFTER: Timeless stories of wonder and library magic collide at the British Library for the Happily Ever After family festival. This creative takeover features author-illustrator Chris Riddell, poet Joseph Coelho, and mini-musicals from Gareth P. Jones, alongside BSL-interpreted storytelling and a dedicated sensory space. Hone your illustration techniques with Alex T. Smith, join a quest with Wee Movers’ dancers, or catch a magical concert from the Baby Broadway West End singers. FREE, 12pm-4pm
PRIDE IN LONDON: The mahoosive Pride in London festival takes place today, with a parade winding through the centre of London from Hyde Park Corner to Whitehall, and festival stages set up around Soho. Expect to see many Pride after-parties and other LGBTQ+ events taking place around this time too. FREE, 12pm-6pm
Today's events: Sunday 5 July
HAMPSTEAD BIG FAIR: Heath Street in Hampstead goes traffic-free for the Hampstead Big Fair, with 110 stalls selling crafts, food and drink, alongside a funfair, circus school, live music and other entertainment. FREE, 12pm-5pm
CALLY FESTIVAL: Islington's Caledonian Road — affectionately known as 'The Cally' — closes to traffic and puts on its party gear for The Cally Festival. The free-entry celebration of local culture offers live music, storytelling, workshops, kids' activities and more. FREE, 12pm-6pm
SUNDAY PAPERS: A real-world version of stepping into the Sunday supplements returns to Clerkenwell today. Sunday Papers Live combines talks, food & drink, craft, walks, and even a live-action crossword. 12pm-6pm
VINYL MARKET: Far Out Recordings returns to the garden of the Fox and Firkin in Lewisham for a sunny afternoon of crate-digging and Brazilian beats. This Vinyl Market offers a curated selection of record vendors alongside a soundtrack of funk, jazz, and world music. The event is family-friendly and offers a relaxed outdoor setting to hunt for rare pressings and global tunes. 12pm-7pm
SLACKER SHAKESPEARE: Baz Luhrmann’s modern, stylised adaptation of Romeo & Juliet stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes as the titular lovers, set against rival street gangs and backed by a 1990s‑style soundtrack. It's shown at Dalston's Rio Cinema this afternoon as part of the Slacker Shakespeare season, introduced by season curator Travis Elborough. 2pm
JANE AUSTEN’S LONDON: Trace the novelist’s connections to the capital on a guided tour through the streets of Mayfair and St James’s. Led by a former Museum of London archaeologist, the tour visits the site of her brother’s bank, the location of her original publishers, and the historic shops of Old Bond Street that remain much as they were in the Regency era, as well as real-life settings that inspired the London-based chapters of Sense and Sensibility. 2.30pm-4.30pm
CROUCH END JAZZ: Spend a relaxed afternoon at Downstairs at the Kings Head for what is arguably London’s oldest and liveliest weekly jazz jam. Established in 1985, the session invites music lovers to gather in the intimate basement space for three hours of performance, offering a welcoming atmosphere for both long-time regulars and those new to the club's 40-year residency. 4pm-7pm
PIEHOUSE COOP: Stand-up comedy from the Tooting Broads is followed by electronic choons and a lightshow from Phalanx, Azadi J and others — at Deptford's Piehouse Coop this evening. If you like chasing your laughs with a rave, this one's for you. 6pm-11pm
ILLEGAL EAGLES: Tribute band The Illegal Eagles perform their Hotel California Tour at New Wimbledon Theatre, playing the full Hotel California album plus hits such as Life in the Fast Lane and New Kid in Town. 7.30pm
