Looking for something to do on another day of the week? Our day-by-day guide to London events has loads of ideas to keep you busy.
At a loose end this weekend? We've compiled a guide to things that happen in the capital on a Saturday, so you can find something to keep you busy, whoever you're with and whatever your budget. Take a look at our weekend guide for events happening this weekend specifically, then keep the fun going with our pick of things to do in London on a Sunday.
FAMILY FILM CLUB: Barbican Cinema hosts Family Film Club every Saturday morning, screening films suitable for younger viewers, which the whole family can watch together. Sometimes it's old classics, other weeks it's a new release, and occasionally there are craft event or workshops before the film starts. It's not too spenny either — at time of writing it's £5 per adult/£2.50 per child, and they offer a loyalty card which makes your sixth visit free. Note they're strict on the 'family' part: no kids are admitted without an adult, and no adults are allowed in without kids.
MALTBY STREET MARKET: A short walk from London Bridge station and the better known Borough Market, weekend pop-up Maltby Street Market has earned itself quite a reputation as a foodie hotspot. All manner of street food is available, from crepes to calamari, via burgers, brownies, coffee and loads more, all crammed down a pedestrianised alleyway decked out with colourful flags and bunting alongside the railway line. Also open on Sundays, though there are usually more traders on a Saturday.
AROUND THE WORLD TOUR: Join a guide for a whistlestop tour of the British Museum, visiting some of its most famous objects, including artefacts from Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt. Tours are for adults and children aged 12+ and take place at 11.30am and 2pm, lasting around 90 minutes. Takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
PORTOBELLO ROAD MARKET: Saturday is the main day for west London's Portobello Road Market, a sprawling antiques market which sees traders lining the streets of Notting Hill for around a mile selling antiques and vintage goods, from furniture and homewares to clothes to vintage cameras, stamps, fine art and other collectible items.
SOMERSET HOUSE TOUR: You've probably been to Somerset House at one time or another, but have you ever stopped to wonder about the magnificent building's history? Historical Highlights Tours cover why it was originally built, why this spot alongside the Thames was chosen and plenty more, over the course of an hour. Tours take place on Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays.
BRUNCH IN LONDON ON A SATURDAY: There's a huuuge choice of brunch options in London on a Saturday, ideal for getting together with friends for food, drinks, and often live entertainment too. Some are occasional, but the following take place every week at time of writing:
- Bottomless brunch at London Bridge Rooftop
- Shoreditch Fiesta Bottomless Brunch at Urban Food Fest
- Oh My Gods bottomless brunch at Circe's Rooftop, Waterloo
- Rhythm & Brunch at 100 Wardour Street
- Vibe Brunch at STK Rooftop Stratford
SEWING MACHINE MUSEUM: One Saturday a month, London's little-known Sewing Machine Museum opens its doors, allowing the public inside to view one man's personal collection of hundreds of the machines — including one which once belonged to Queen Victoria's daughter. Read about our visit for an idea of what to expect, and check upcoming dates. Usually the first Saturday of the month.
COMEDY: Getting your fix of laughs on a Saturday night is easy peasy, but here are a few comedy nights we particularly recommend:
- Crack Comedy is on at the Broadway Wimbledon every Saturday night, with acts on from 8pm, and the chance to party afterwards
- Head Downstairs at the King's Head in Crouch End to see fab comedians make you chuckle in a windowless room
- There's both comedy and cabaret on a Saturday at Camden's Monkey Business Comedy Club — and sometimes two different shows in one night
- Board the Tattershall Castle, moored at Victoria Embankment, on any Saturday of the year to watch an array of stand-ups fire out their material.
INFINITY PIZZA: The Liverpool Street venue of Pizza Pilgrims offers unlimited pizza, prosecco, wine and beer (or non-alcoholic drinks) for 90 minutes every Saturday afternoon. Margherita, double pepperoni spicy honey, mushroom truffle, and chef's choice pizzas are included, along with white truffle, pesto aioli and nduja crust dipping sauces.
BREWERY TOURS: Every Saturday afternoon, Brixton Brewery offers tours, beginning at its taproom on Brixton Station Road. Join an expert brewer to see how the beer is made, and to hear how the company started up in Brixton. It finishes with a guided tasting back in the taproom.
AFTERNOON TEA: As far as we're concerned, any day is a good day for afternoon tea, and many London venues serve it every day of the week. We've tried a few in our time, and can point you towards the capital's best themed afternoon teas, afternoon tea menus which are great for kids, restaurants where you can eat your way around the world in afternoon tea, and the capital's most budget-friendly afternoon teas. We've also got the lowdown on the newest afternoon teas in London.
SPORTS VIEWING: Saturday's usually a busy day for sports fixtures, depending on the season. If you're looking for somewhere to watch the football/rugby/cricket/snooker/NFL/boxing/whatevs, try one of London's best sports bars — just be aware that you'll need to get down there early or book a table for busy days like cup finals. We've also got a guide to London's best pubs and bars for watching football, if that's your bag. Or get to a live game: depending on the season, you can catch a local ice hockey (top tip: Streatham London), football (top tip: Dulwich Hamlet), rugby (top tip: Harlequins), basketball match (top tip: London Lions)... the opportunities are endless, and it's often a thrifty way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
£5 PIZZA: Couldn't face bottomless nosh at Pizza Pilgrims (above)? How about pizza for a fiver instead? Get to The Book Club in Shoreditch before 7pm on a Saturday to take advantage of the £5 pizza deal, and end your day/start your night on a stomach lined with cheesy, doughy goodness.
CLUB DE FROMAGE: Taking place at the O2 Academy Islington every Saturday night, Club de Fromage is a club night focusing very much on cheesy pop tunes. Expect pop anthems, massive singalongs, confetti cannons, dance-offs, games and more while the DJ plays tunes by the likes of Queen, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, The Killers, Whitney Houston, Harry Styles, Abba, Avril Lavigne the Spice Girls and others. Occasionally there are themed events, and the company has recently introduced occasional Daytime Parties on Saturday afternoons. Check upcoming Club de Fromage parties here. Top tip: anyone in fancy dress usually gets to queue jump.
HOW DOES IT FEEL: If you're less into cheese, more into indie and Motown, How Does It Feel To Be Loved? is a long-running club night, spinning the likes of Belle & Sebastian, Dusty Springfield, The Ronettes and the Beach Boys — which tends to happen once a month on a Saturday.
FUNKY NATION: Radio presenter and DJ Mike Vitti plays a mix of jazz, funk, soul, rare groove and house at the weekly Funky Nation club night at Ronnie Scott's in Soho. Tickets tend to sell out in advance for this one, so plan ahead.
SOUL CITY: Saturday night is house and disco night at Camden's Jazz Cafe, as weekly club night Soul City takes place. Party into the small hours, with tickets starting from £5.
