All week
FESTIVAL OF ARCHITECTURE: If you love (or love to hate) London's buildings, get involved in the Festival of Architecture, which has a 'Boundaries' theme this year. There's a plethora of events going on over the course of a month, including a chance to climb London's weirdest skyscraper. Various locations and prices, 1-30 June
FESTIVAL OF CULTURE: UCL showcases the research being undertaken by its staff and students at the Festival of Culture. Film screenings, talks, panels and live performances are all part of the lengthy programme. Our picks would be this curator tour, this discussion about multilingualism in London, and this guided walk focusing on the women of Bloomsbury. Various locations, book ahead, 3-7 June
NO FILTER: Musical comedian Jess Robinson combines celebrity impressions and musical improvisations in her new show No Filter. It's on all week if you fancy a laugh. Soho Theatre, from £11, book ahead, 3-8 June
HERITAGE FESTIVAL: Rattling on until the end of the week, Wandsworth Heritage Festival offers walks, talks, tours, exhibitions and more. Take a guided walk around the trees of Putney, tour the historic Emanuel School, and learn about the history of the lengthy Garratt Lane. Various Wandsworth locations and prices, until 9 June
RUBY WAX: A monk and a neuroscientist join Ruby Wax on stage in her latest show, How To Be Human. It maintains her unique comedy style, and looks at what would happen if we upgraded our minds regularly, the way we upgrade our phones. Leicester Square Theatre, £19.25, book ahead, 4-15 June
WATERLOO FESTIVAL: There's an impressive selection of music, drama, talks and art at Waterloo Festival, which begins this week. Look out for outdoor sculptures at St John's Church, lunchtime concerts at various locations, and a walk around the lost hospitals of Waterloo. Various locations and prices, 6-23 June
Monday 3 June
JEWELLERY GALLERY: Following the recent relaunch of the V&A's jewellery gallery, curator Richard Edgcumb talks through some of the more interesting bling on show. Queen Victoria's sapphire and diamond coronet takes centre stage, along with a gold pendant of Paddington Bear by Cartier. V&A Museum (South Kensington), £15-£18, book ahead, 7pm-8.45pm
FICTION SHORTLIST: The shortlisted authors for this year's Women's Prize for Fiction read their work, ahead of the winner announcement on Wednesday. Pat Barker, Oyinkan Braithwaite, Diana Evans, Tayari Jones and Madeline Miller all showcase their words, and Anna Burns' work is read on her behalf, as she is unable to attend. Cadogan Hall (Chelsea), £18, book ahead, 7pm
UTTER CIRCUS: Static trapeze, contemporary dance and a psychedelic-esuq disco are all part of Utter Circus, which explores what circus acts would be like if the artist spoke. Text accompanies all of the acts, and the show is part of Last Word Festival. Roundhouse (Camden), £10, book ahead, 7.15pm
Tuesday 4 June
RISE AND RUN: Start your day on the right foot with the help of this free 5K from Westin Hotels & Resorts. As the city snoozes, pick up tips from fitness blogger Charlie Watson and nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert, before whizzing off along the banks of the River Thames. The River Room, Glaziers Hall (South Bank), free, book ahead, meet at 6.45am for 7am start (sponsor)
TUG OF WAR: The annual House of Lords vs House of Commons tug of war takes place this evening, with members of each house going up against each other in a garden party setting. Sip fizz as you watch the action, which raises money for Macmillan Cancer Care. Westminster Abbey College Gardens, £75 to watch, book ahead, 5.30pm
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS: Watch a special screening of 1986 film Little Shop of Horrors — the best carnivorous vegetation based musical of all time — followed by a Q&A with actress Ellen Greene, who played Audrey (the woman, not the plant) in the film. Prince Charles Cinema (Leicester Square), £12.50/£10, book ahead, 8.30pm
Wednesday 5 June
MEET THE QCs: Tom Grant and William Clegg are both QCs who have written books about the most memorable cases they have come across. Tonight they talk about their books, and their work as barristers — including the tale of a man given life in jail because of an ear print. Alleyn's School (East Dulwich), £10/£8, book ahead, 7.30pm
DISCO YOGA: Get glitzed up at the DIY glitter station before taking part in a Disco Yoga class, which teaches a unique style of flow yoga to a blend of disco music. A disco-themed cocktail — included in the ticket price — awaits you after the hard work. Clayton Road (Peckham), £17, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm (sponsor)
UNDER THE STARS: Did you know that Battersea Arts Centre has a lovely open-air courtyard? It's the setting for Stand-up Under The Stars, a comedy night starring Phil Wang, Suzi Ruffell, Kieran Hodgson, Tom Ward and Elf Lyons. Battersea Arts Centre, £12-£15, book ahead, 8.30pm
Thursday 6 June
ARCHITECTURE SHOWOFF: London's ever-changing skyline is the subject of Architecture Showoff, a comedy night by those who really know their stuff about architecture. Steve Cross comperes, with podcast comedian Iszi Lawrence and alternative comedian Michael Brunström on the bill. The City Centre (Guildhall), £9.50, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm
WOMEN AND MONEY: Coinciding with the current Jews, Money, Myth exhibition, Jewish Museum hosts an all-female comedy evening on the tricky subject of money. Musical comedian Ria Lina, BBC regular Athena Kugblenu, and comedy newcomer Eleanor Tieran are hosted by MC Ben Van Der Velde. Jewish Museum (Camden), £10/£7, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm
POETRY SLAM: Three heats have taken place, and tonight, the winner of Poetry Slam 2019 is chosen. Poet Caleb Femi and children’s novelist Laura Docrill are among the panel, although this year is the first time that the audience also has a say in choosing the winner. Roundhouse (Camden), £5-£15, book ahead, 7.30pm
Friday 7 June
STOKEY LIT FEST: Chocolate, a pub quiz, Elmer the Elephant, Lauren Laverne and Joel Golby are all on the eclectic programme of Stoke Newington Literary Festival, which has dozens of events over three days covering a range of topics — including plenty of children's events. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 7-9 June
FRAGMENTS FESTIVAL: Solidarity and unity within the film industry is the focus of Fragments Festival, which gives a platform to underrepresented filmmakers, including LGBT+ individuals, and people of colour. The opening gala features Teen Spirit, a fierce take on a classic Cinderella story. Genesis Cinema (Mile End), various prices, book ahead, 7-15 June
SUMMER BALL: Stay late at Gunnersbury Park Museum and party like it's 1799. Princess Amelia's Summer Ball focuses on the building's Georgian heritage, with dancing, mask making and a Georgian fancy dress station. The Chocolate Museum runs a workshop (and tasting) on 18th century chocolate, and your ticket includes a welcome drink. Gunnersbury Park Museum, £10, book ahead, 7pm-10pm
Saturday 8 June
CIRCUS DAY: Run away and join the circus... for a day. Circus Experience Days are a chance to try skills including trapeze, tightwire, acrobatics and juggling. It's for complete beginners, and offers a taste of the longer courses available. National Centre for Circus Arts (Shoreditch), £74, book ahead, 2.30pm-5.30pm
BLITZ PARTY: The Vaults are transformed into an air raid shelter for The Blitz Party, a 1940s themed D-Day soiree. Dressing up is encouraged (think victory rolls and soldier uniforms), and a big band plays 1940s tunes throughout the evening, with themed cocktails available at the bar. The Vaults (Waterloo), £35-£45, book ahead, 7pm-2am
Sunday 9 June
STEAM GALA: It's the final day of the Epping Ongar Railway's annual steam gala, with a variety of historic locomotives offering trips up and down the line, including the Caledonian Railway 419. Heritage buses also run between the stations, and a bar is open on board each train serving soft and alcoholic drinks. Epping Ongar Railway, £20/£10, book ahead, 7-9 June
PINK JUKEBOX: Aimed at members of the LGBT community and their friends, The Pink Jukebox is a Ballroom and Latin class for dancers of all abilities. Learn the basic steps in a tutored session before putting it to use in a social dancing evening. Bishopsgate Institute (Liverpool Street), £12/£10, book ahead, 2pm
JAPANESE ANIMATION: A selection of early Japanese animation — including some of the first anime films — are screened at Barbican, dating back as far as 1917, and accompanied by a live soundtrack from Guildhall's Electronic Music Studio. Barbican Cinema, £12.50, book ahead, 3pm
