All week
ASTRONOMY PHOTOGRAPHY: It's the final week to ogle this year's Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition, showcasing photos of space taken from all over our planet. National Maritime Museum (Greenwich), £10, book ahead, until 4 August
CAMDEN FRINGE: Comedy, circus, magic and physical theatre are just some of the genres showcased at the month-long Camden Fringe festival. Hop around venues in the area seeing top-notch performances and works in progress, most of them at very affordable prices. Browse the full programme. Various Camden locations, 29 July-25 August
LADYBIRD BOOKS: The Garden Museum launches a nostalgic exhibition dedicated to the Ladybird Books. Particular focus is on books from the series which teach children about the natural world, with original artworks on display that may well take you right back to your childhood. The Garden Museum (Lambeth), included in admission (£10), just turn up, 31 July-27 October
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: Lego models, zip wiring, and a flea voiced by Brian Blessed — just some of the options in our guide to summer holiday events in London. Have a browse for ideas to keep your children happy for the duration of their time off school.
Monday 29 July
COMEDY: Comedian Kieran Hodgson brings an anthology of his last four shows to Soho Theatre. Expect a whistle-stop tour of French school trips, Tour de France inspiration, classical music, and how we ended up in the EU in the first place. A genius at work. Soho Theatre, from £14, book ahead, 29 July-10 August
CINEMATIC OBSESSIONS: Deptford Cinema's Cinematic Obsessions season comes to an end with a screening of 2018 film Burning. Graduate drifter Jong-su is asked by a girl who used to live in the same neighbourhood as him to look after her cat while she embarks on a trip to Africa. When back, she introduces Ben, a mysterious and wealthy guy she met there — but who is Ben, and is he responsible for her sudden disappearance? Deptford Cinema, £4.50-£6, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm
Tuesday 30 July
REGENT'S CANAL: Join Footprints of London tour guide Jane Parker for a stroll along Regent's Canal, learning about the history of the waterway as you go. Its industrial past dates to a time when the towpaths were off limit to the general public, so dirty and dangerous were the businesses along the water's edge — very different from the colourful canal boats moored up there today. Angel, £12/£9, book ahead, 10.30am-12.30pm
AUTHOR TALK: What if your mind carried on working for a few minutes after your death? That's the concept behind new novel 10 Minutes 38 Seconds In This Strange World. Hear award-wining author Elif Shafak discuss the novel, followed by a signing. Daunt Books (Marylebone), £10, book ahead, 7pm
Wednesday 31 July
CONSPIRACY THEORIES: Did we really land on the moon, or was it all staged? If you love a moon landing conspiracy theory, head to Science Museum's IMAX to hear a panel of experts talk about why these conspiracy theories still persist, 50 years on. Science Museum (South Kensington), £10, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm
FUNNY WOMEN: Catch the semi-final of this year's Funny Women Awards and see some of London's most amusing ladies live on stage. Kemah Bob, Laura Smyth, Helena Langdon and Alice Brine are some of the names on the line-up, which is hosted by Suzy Bennett. Dingwalls (Camden), £11, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm
VENUS AND SERENA: Watch a special screening of Venus and Serena, a documentary following the lives of the tennis player sisters over the course of 2011, a year in which Venus grappled with an energy-sapping autoimmune disease and Serena battled back from a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. It's followed by a Q&A with sports psychologist Dr Linda Duffy. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £5, book ahead, 8pm
Thursday 1 August
GARDEN BOUQUET WORKSHOP: Rainham Hall celebrates the launch of its new exhibition with a garden bouquet workshop. Create a bouquet under expert guidance, using the favourite colours of Anthony Denney, a former resident of Rainham Hall and the subject of the new exhibition. Rainham Hall, £30, book ahead, 6pm
PECKAKUCHA: Peckakucha is a Japanese concept, where a range of speakers each talk about a subject for no longer than six minutes 40 seconds. The theme for this version of the event is 'transformations', with eight speakers from various backgrounds sharing their thoughts within the time limit. Geffrye Museum (Hoxton), £8/£6, book ahead, 6.30pm-10pm
FRIENDS QUIZ NIGHT: Do you know what Chandler Bing does for a job? Could you BE any more knowledgable about sitcom Friends? Grab your own gang and head to this Friends quiz night, which has regular quiz questions, plus a lightning round and a sing along session. Altogether now: Smeeeelly cat... Chocolate Cocktail Club (Shoreditch), £10, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm
Friday 2 August
BELLRINGING: Take a walk through Camberwell, ending at St Giles Church where you can have a go at ringing a bell in a belfry. Experienced bellringers introduce you to the art of change ringing. There's also a chance to climb the tower and learn about the history of bellringing. Denmark Hill station, £15, book ahead, 5.30pm
NORMAN JAY: DJ Norman Jay MBE plays a live DJ set on board the Cutty Sark. Enjoy a glass of prosecco on the top deck before dancing the night away to disco, funk and soul tunes. Cutty Sark (Greenwich), £22-£52, book ahead, 7pm
BAR TO BARRE: Ballet class meets cocktail masterclass at a joint event between Grand Marnier and Pineapple Dance Studios. It's aimed at dancers of all abilities, including beginners, and involves mastering basic moves while wielding a cocktail shaker. What could possibly go wrong? Pineapple Studios (Covent Garden), £10, book ahead, 8.30pm-9.30pm
Saturday 3 August
MELTDOWN: Southbank Centre's Meltdown Festival is a week-long festival of musical performances and events — and this time it's curated by Nile Rodgers. Although some of the headline events have sold out, plenty of others are still available (and several are free) — browse the programme and get booking. Southbank Centre, various prices, 3-11 August
SECRET GARDENS: Join a guided walk through some of London's secret gardens, from a bombed out churchyard near the Tower of London, to a community garden with a mini-library tucked away inside it. Bring a packed lunch, as there's a chance to have a picnic with your fellow walkers at the end. Monument, £15, book ahead, 11am-1.30pm
VISIONS FESTIVAL: This London Fields music festival brings artists from a range of genres and countries to the stage. The line-up includes Canadia alt-country sensation Orville Peck, experimental Polish artist Zamilska, Bristol techno-punks Scalping and Glaswegian synth-pop duo Free Love, along with plenty of London bands. Elsewhere at the event, there's a dog show, yoga, palm and tarot readers and food and drink stalls. London Fields, £33, book ahead, from 1pm
Sunday 4 August
BLUES BROTHERS: Enjoy an evening of Motown music as the Chicago Blues Brothers perform in London for one night only. The tribute band's lively show features tracks by Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Sam and Dave, James Brown, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Jackson 5 and The Supremes. Savoy Theatre, from £17.50, book ahead, 7pm
THE TEMPEST: See Shakespeare's The Tempest performed in a walled garden next to the Thames. It's the work of theatre company Ilyria, who specialise in Shakespearean comedy and make it into a family-friendly show. No seating is provided, so bring your own chair or blanket. Fulham Palace, £14/£8.50, book ahead, 7pm-9.15pm
