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. Get stuck in!
All week
CAMDEN FRINGE: Who needs Edinburgh when you've got Camden Fringe? The festival offers new and experimental theatre and comedy performances by emerging artists across north London, with 400+ shows on the 2025 programme, beginning on Monday — see the website for what's on when, and get booking. 28 July-24 August
PUPPET FESTIVAL: Throughout the summer holidays, Little Angel Theatre in Islington runs a Children's Puppet Festival, with shows from eight different companies, as well as workshops for adults and children, and playcation days with activities on a set theme. 28 July-31 August
REPETITIVE BEATS: Part of Barbican's summer season of events, In Pursuit of Repetitive Beats is a virtual reality experience taking you back to the Acid House scene of 1989, followed by a small exhibition. Experience it in The Pit at Barbican until the end of this week. Until 3 August
SWIMMING EXHIBITION: You've got a couple of weeks left to dive into Splash!, Design Museum's exhibition about the history of swimming. It's fashion-heavy, tracking the designs of swimwear through the years — with a few nods to lido architecture and other aspects of the sport along the way. Until 17 August
PROMS: Music festival BBC Proms is ongoing at the Royal Albert Hall, and other venues around the country. London highlights this week include a late-night celebration of the music of Arvo Pärt (Thursday) and a morning of Viennese waltzing (Saturday). Have a read of our BBC Proms guide for everything you need to know about getting tickets, including promming. Until 13 September
SHOWTIME: New exhibition Showtime! at the Charles Dickens Museum celebrates the enduring appeal and adaptations of Charles Dickens's work across various media, including stage, television, film and radio, from 1837 to the present day. View original playbills, photographs, and props, revealing how Dickens's love of theatre influenced his storytelling. Until January 2026
SUMMER HOLIDAYS: Got kids on school holidays? Our guide to things to do in London in the summer holidays has entertainment ideas for tots through to teens, spanning special events, exhibitions, and family-friendly activities. We've also curated a list of free things to do for all ages (useful if you're on a budget), and shared our team's pick of family-friendly theatre shows on in the capital right now.
AUGUST: With the new month getting started this week, have a browse of our guide to things to do in London in August. We've curated the top things not to miss in the capital, including new theatre shows, lively festivals, Notting Hill Carnival and loads and loads more to help you make the most of your summer.
DRINK OF THE WEEK: Just launched, Tiny Wine in Fitzrovia claims to be 'London's tiniest wine shop' (disclaimer: they haven't measured it). Nonetheless, it's crammed with a mouth-watering wine list (inc. Panoramico Clarete Rosé and Volcánico Pais) paired with bold Latin American small plates. And if you fall in love with something, you can buy a bottle or two to take home.
EAT OF THE WEEK: All that talk of wine making you crave cheese? Pick & Cheese in Camden has just reopened, now sporting a cheese conveyor belt. Cheese/condiment pairings include Cropwell Bishop stilton and kimchi, Cornish yarg with pea and mint pesto, and St Ella goat's cheese and Turkish delight. Maybe call in before/after seeing a show at Camden Fringe (see above).
Today's Events: Monday 28 July
STEPHEN FRY: Spend an afternoon with Stephen Fry at Lord's Cricket Ground, joined by comedian Alan Davies, and former England cricketers Graeme Swann and Mike Gatting. The event celebrates 75 years of the Lord's Taverners, a charity which empowers young people through cricket. 11.30am-5pm
FAMILY FARM DAY: The animals of Vauxhall City Farm head north across the river for a day in Covent Garden. Family Farm Day is free (donations welcome) and open to everyone, offering a chance to meet goats, sheep, alpacas, rabbits and guinea pigs, as well as taking part in storytime, yarn-spinning demos and other farmyard fun. 12pm
SCOTTISH DRAG QUEEN: Described as "a cross between Dame Edna & Billy Connolly", comedy show God Is A Scottish Drag Queen comes to Leicester Square Theatre. God, dressed in a floral power suit, comes down to set the record straight on everything from Adam and Eve to Star Wars and answer humankind's most asked questions. 7pm
MURDER SHE WROTE: Interactive show Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote gets a new format for this year's Edinburgh Fringe, and you can be part of the test audience at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern tonight. Hosted by Agatha Christie super-fan Tim Benzie, it features games, prizes and audience participation as you race to solve the crime. 7pm
JAZZ IN THE ROUND: The July edition of Jazz in the Round at the Cockpit Theatre stars pianist and composer Zoe Rahman, performing music deeply rooted in jazz which also reflects her classical background and British-Bengali heritage. There's also a special guest performance by tap dancer Ben from Tap Dance Exchange, to a soundtrack of music written by Rahman. 8pm
Today's Events: Tuesday 29 July
KING'S CROSS WALK: Get to know the King's Cross area better with a guided walk by Guildhall Library, looking at how it's changed since the Great Northern Railway came to the area in the 1850s. Hear about its decline and recent revival, as City of London Guide Jill Finch leads the circular stroll. 11am-1pm
PUB WALK: Alternatively, allow yourself to be led around the pubs of Covent Garden, absorbing their history as you go. Find out about the people and events they're named after, and which pub was frequented by a notorious highwayman. And yes, there's a stop in one of the pubs along the route. 2.30pm-4.45pm
CHARLIE'S ANGELS: Leicester Square's Prince Charles Cinema celebrates 25 years of action/adventure film Charlie's Angels, with a special screening introduced by BAFTA-winning writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns. 6pm
DRINK AND DRAW: You're invited to join The Big Draw up on Stratford's Roof East, for Drink and Draw, an evening of life drawing with a drink or two — suitable for seasoned doodlers through to total newbies. Everything you need is provided: drawing materials, paper — and life models clothed in vibrant, colourful costumes. 6.30pm-8.30pm
BIRDLAND: Fly on over to Stanfords Covent Garden to hear from award-winning writer and keen birder Jon Gower about his new book, Birdland. He delves into some of his favourite species he's spotted in Britain's skies, why we feel such a strong connection to the bird life around us, and how the climate emergency and a decline in biodiversity is causing our skies to fall silent. 7pm-8.30pm
THE BREAKFAST CLUB: 1985 cult classic film The Breakfast Club is shown in a late-night screening at Rooftop Film Club in Stratford. Head up to Roof East and don a pair of wireless headphones to watch the film about a group of teenagers thrown together in a Saturday morning detention. 9.15pm
Today's Events: Wednesday 30 July
MACBETH: The Duke’s Theatre Company offers an innovative take on Shakespeare's Macbeth, playing for three days at Wilton's. Expect a contemporary edge to the classic tragedy of ambition, murder and madness. 30 July-1 August
PICTOGRAMS: The iconic Japanese design of Pictograms is explored in a new exhibition at Japan House, opening today. From street signs and text messages to toilet doors and maps, the symbols are used in communication worldwide, and this is a chance to find out about the role Japan played in developing them. FREE, 30 July-9 November
KIDS' SUMMER RAVE: As part of Camden Market's free summer holidays programme, take the family along to a kids' rave in Hawley Place. DJ Cheeky Meeky offers a two-hour party of dancing, parachute games and fun activities for 2-10 year-olds. Arts and crafts, face painting and a Lego workshop also feature. FREE, 1pm-4pm
BOMBS AND BRAVERY: The London Archives in Clerkenwell offers a talk about St Paul's Cathedral during the Blitz, including how it survived largely unscathed due to the bravery and commitment of a group of people who defended and protected it throughout the war. 5.30pm-6.30pm
RIPPED BACKSIDES: Author, journalist and former punk musician Richard Cabut is at the Farsight Gallery in St Giles UPDATE: the venue has changed to Dash The Henge Store in Camberwell. He's discussing his book Ripped Backsides: Postcards from Beneath the Pavement, described as "Part poetic dérive, part hauntological collage, fusing text, photography, and fragments of punk-era memory to conjure up submerged cities, selves, and scenes." From 7pm
Today's Events: Thursday 31 July
HORRIBLE HISTORIES: One of our picks for family-friendly theatre shows to see this summer, Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain opens at Apollo Theatre today, taking you on a whistle-stop tour through Britain with the nasty bits left in. Boudica, King John and the Magna Carta and the Gunpowder Plot all feature in a show which'll have kids fascinated by history. 31 July-31 August
GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR: Will and Grace star Sean Hayes stars in the Broadway transfer of Good Night, Oscar, about the life of pianist and humorist Oscar Levant, particularly the 1958 episode of The Tonight Show with Jack Paar, in which he had "Hollywood's first celebrity meltdown". 31 July-21 September
RUBBER DUCK RACE: 1,000 rubber ducks are released into Paddington Basin this lunchtime... all for a good cause. The annual rubber duck race raises money for local charity Cosmic (Children of St Mary's Intensive Care), by allowing the public to sponsor a duck. Later this evening, a dragon boat race takes place along the same stretch of water, also for charity. 12pm-2pm/5pm-9pm
MEET THE CURATOR: The current (free!) exhibition at Islington Museum is Undercurrent, taking a (metaphorical) dive into the area's lost waterways including the Walbrook and Fleet rivers. This afternoon, curator Sarah Guzman offers an hour-long talk and tour of the display, covering some of her favourite objects and stories featured. FREE, 3pm
THEATRE ON THE LAWN: Huff and puff your way over to Forty Hall in Enfield this afternoon, to watch a family-friendly performance of The Big Bad Wolf, on the lawn outside. Take your own chair or blanket and settle down to find out what happened to Little Red Riding Hood, and if the Wolf is really as bad as he seems. Age four+. 4pm
FREE OUTDOOR CINEMA: With London's outdoor cinema season in full swing, an al fresco screen pops up on Lower Marsh in Waterloo for a free showing of Dirty Dancing. Get there in plenty of time to grab drinks and snacks from local businesses and bag yourself a deckchair. Fancy dress themed on the film is very much encouraged. FREE, from 5.30pm (film 6.30pm)
MUSEUM CAT LATE: Cats take centre stage at the Cartoon Museum's monthly evening opening, tying in with the current Cats in Cartoons exhibition. View the exhibition after hours, and join in with moggy-mad activities including cat-themed cocktails, cat mask-making and cat bingo. 6.30pm-9pm
Today's Events: Friday 1 August
OPEN-AIR SHAKESPEARE: Yep, another interpretation of Macbeth this week. The 'Scottish play' is the latest show being performed in the open-air at the Actors' Church in Covent Garden. See a visceral version of Shakespeare's dark tragedy Macbeth. Make it a double bill: on the same days, the same theatre company also performs its take on Romeo and Juliet. 1-4 August
SECRET CINEMA DOES GREASE: Grease is the word down in Battersea Park, as Secret Cinema's latest venture recreates the world of Pink Ladies and T Birds. Immerse yourself in the halls of Rydell High alongside Danny and Sandy, with live performances of hits such as Summer Nights popping up around you, and the film playing on multiple screens throughout the venue. 1 August-7 September
FELT CHIPPY: Oh my cod! Felt artist Lucy Sparrow strikes again, and there's a special plaice in our hearts for her latest work. The Bourdon Street Chippy, opening today, is a full-sized replica of a fish and chip shop made entirely from felt — that's the 'food', the counter, and even the artworks on the wall. We can't wait to skate on over and see it. FREE, 1 August-14 September
COSTA DEL CROYDON: A pop-up beach appears on a car park rooftop in central Croydon for the summer from today. Feel the sand between your toes in a giant sand pit, try bungee trampolines, a water splash zone... I mean, who needs Brighton anyway? FREE, 1-31 August
EVERY BRILLIANT THING: One-person play Every Brilliant Thing comes to Soho Place, with a different famous face on stage every night. Lenny Henry, Ambika Mod, Sue Perkins and Jonny Donahoe take it in turns to star in the story of a seven-year-old who starts a list of everything that's brilliant about the world, and continues it into adulthood. Check the schedule for who's performing on which dates — Lenny Henry takes the first week. 1 August-22 September
AFRICAN REMEMBRANCE DAY: London Museum Docklands marks 30 years of African Remembrance Day with a talk led by leading voices including historian Professor Hakim Adi, human rights advocate Jacqueline McKenzie, and lawyer Dele Ogun. There's also a three-minute silence at 3pm to honour enslaved victims across the Americas, Asia and Africa. FREE, 1pm-4pm
THE NEW DINOSAURS: Palaeontologist, geologist and author Dougal Dixon, and researcher, archivist, and writer Ross MacFarlane make a joint appearance at Waterstones Gower Street to discuss illustrated book The New Dinosaurs: An Alternative Evolution, which is being reissued. Find out what planet Earth and its inhabitants might look like today if the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event never happened. 6.30pm-8.30pm
HITS DIFFERENT: From the team beyond Taylor-Swift themed club night Swiftogeddon, Hits Different is a celebration of the new wave of pop music, playing tunes from artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Alessi Rose, Charli XCX and Billie Eilish. Takes place at Between the Bridges on South Bank. 7pm-11pm
Today's Events: Saturday 2 August
ICE WEEKEND: Once a year, the London Canal Museum in King's Cross holds an ice weekend, celebrating the space where ice was stored before the days of refrigeration. Visit its Victorian ice well (Sunday only), descending by ladder into the underground space where ice used to be stored, and take part in all manner of ice-themed activities. 2-3 August
RONNIE SCOTT'S STREET PARTY: Legendary jazz club Ronnie Scott's throws its first street party in six year, taking over Frith Street in Soho for an afternoon of live music, DJ sets, family activities, outdoor bars, and street food. FREE, 11am-5pm
THAMESMEAD FESTIVAL: South-east London is the place to be when the free Thamesmead Festival returns to Southmere Park. Several stages pop up, allowing local performers to showcase their talents, spanning R&B, soul and rap music and more. FREE ENTRY, 12pm-7.30pm
PARADISE IN THE CITY: Four stages make up music festival Paradise in the City, a new event coming to Boston Manor Park today, curated by electronic music visionary Jamie Jones. Expect to see artists playing house and techno against a backdrop of cutting-edge sound and state-of-the-art production. 12pm-10pm
GLASSHOUSE ON THE ROOF: Rooftop bar Glasshouse at NYX Holborn is open late for Hedonist Nights, inspired by the outrageous style and legacy of Leigh Bowery. Drink your way through a specially-concocted cocktail menu with a live DJ soundtrack. 6pm-11pm
SCARSDALE FATS: Edinburgh-formed, SE-London-based Scarsdale Fats — who peddle 70s psychedelia, 90s grunge, and modern alternative rock — headline the Lexington in Pentonville tonight, with Pack Of Animals and Benchwarmer in support. 7pm
THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY: Yeah, we know it's Saturday, but Thank God It's Friday is the name of the 1978 disco fever film screening tonight at The Nickel Cinema in Clerkenwell. Alan Jones, who will be signing copies of his new book Discomania, introduces. 8.45pm
Today's Events: Sunday 3 August
DRINK, DEATH AND DEBAUCHERY: Join a Foundling Museum tour guide for a walking tour focused on the debauched and boozy history of 18th-century London. Begin outside the Dominion Theatre and wander through St Giles, Seven Dials and Covent Garden, hearing about the gin craze, inspiration for Hogarth’s famous Gin Lane, as well as gallows, plague pits and prostitution. Enjoy a discounted drink in The Lamb pub on Lamb’s Conduit Street, before continuing on to the Foundling Museum. 11am-1pm
JAZZ CAFE FESTIVAL: For the second time, Camden's Jazz Cafe curates its own live music festival, spanning a range of genres and playing out in Burgess Park, south London. Soul musician Masego headlines, alongside American rapper Westside Gunn, making his highly anticipated UK stage debut. 12pm-10pm
GRIEF RAVE: Southbank Centre's Grief Rave invites anyone and everyone to dedicate a song to someone or something they may be missing. From personal bereavements and break-ups to releasing some political rage or fury, it's intended as an afternoon of catharsis in a time when we need it most. FREE, 1pm
AS YOU LIKE IT: The East London Shakespeare Festival takes over Big Penny Social in Walthamstow for a charming outdoor production of As You Like It. The family-friendly show offers high-energy music, slapstick comedy and audience participation — with craft workshops for children before the show starts. 1.30pm-3.30pm
BATTLE OF THE STEELBANDS: Get warmed up for Notting Hill Carnival later this month with the UK Steel Band Panorama Battle of the Steelbands at Artsdepot. Enjoy an afternoon of loud and lively Caribbean music as top UK Steelbands go head-to-head in a bid to be crowned champions. 2pm
LOW EFFORT SKETCHES: Andy and Alice, aka Low Effort Sketches, are at the Libra Theatre this afternoon, performing their latest show, As Described. As a surprise twist drives a wedge between them, will they overcome their differences, or is this the end of comedic double act for good? (We're guessing the former, as they're back here later in the month, performing the show again.) 4pm
PULL MY GOLDFINGER: "Bond is dead. Craig's out. Enter Sandin... Carlos Sandin — the new undercover hero we never knew we needed." So runs the tagline for Carlos Sandin's solo spy-themed comedy show, Pull My Goldfinger, which has received both one- and four-star reviews. Sounds like one for lovers of the utterly absurd. It's on at the Cockpit in Marylebone. 4.30pm
