All week
HALF TERM: For most London schools, this week is half term. Stuck for things to do with the kids? In need of family days out in the capital? Our guide to May half term in London covers family-friendly events, exhibitions, theatre shows and more, with a helpful guide to the capital's best playgrounds, and plenty of free things to do too.
ROMEO AND JULIET: Backyard Cinema hosts atmospheric screenings of Baz Luhrmann's 1996 take on Romeo and Juliet at Alexandra Palace — accompanied by a live choir. In previous years, the show's been held at Islington's Union Chapel (and always sells out), and brand new songs have been added this time round. Until 4 June
NEON ARTWORKS: Head to Rich Mix in Shoreditch for a free exhibition of neon artworks by Chila Kumari Singh Burman. Her work has previously adorned the front of Tate Britain, and the interior of Covent Garden Market, and this time we're promised "bold, colourful installations combining Hindu mythology, British iconography, Bollywood glamour, colonial history and childhood memories". FREE, until 7 June
QUENTIN BLAKE: The London Wetlands Centre in Barnes celebrates the works of illustrator Quentin Blake with a series of events throughout the summer, including an exhibition of 54 Blake's prints, inspired by wetlands and wildlife, on display in the art gallery. Until 10 September (exhibition until 14 July)
DAY TRIP OF THE WEEK: As a nod to half term, and parents looking for ways to keep the whole family entertained, we'll point you in the direction of Wellington Country Park in Berkshire. It's packed full of entertainment for kids of all ages, including playgrounds (yes, plural — there are several), a miniature railway, a petting farm, splash zone, model dinosaurs, enchanted forest and plenty more.
READ OF THE WEEK: If you enjoyed the Peckhamscapes of recent romcom Rye Lane, then the new novel from Caleb Azumah Nelson — Small Worlds — could well be up your street. Peckhamplex, plantain and Supermalt feature in this queer Ghanaian love letter to this corner of south east London.
PUB OF THE WEEK: Claphamites have a new local in the Apollo Arms, which has just opened on Old Town, and promises real ales, classic cocktails, and extensive wine list, posh pub grub, and a garden out the back.
Bank holiday Monday 29 May
BANK HOLIDAY: It's bank holiday Monday — the last one until August. If you're lucky enough to have the day off work, take a look at our guide to spending the bank holiday in London, covering days out, walking routes, guided tours, parks and gardens to visit, and plenty more.
FOODIES FESTIVAL: Head to Syon Park for the final day of Foodies Festival, a celebration of all things edible (and quaffable), with a side of live music. Fleur East headlines today, alongside live demos by celebrity chefs, street food and artisan markets, kids' cookery sessions, pop-up bars and more. 27-29 May
LORD OF THE RINGS: The inimitable Prince Charles Cinema hosts another of its legendary Lord of the Rings Trilogy extended editions screenings. That means watching the lengthy version of all three films back to back, with just a short break between each — a feat lasting over 12 hours. 10.15am-11pm
ALBERT'S BAND: Take the kids along to the Royal Albert Hall and introduce them to live music courtesy of Albert's Band. All Aboard is the theme of today's concert, starring musical pirates, aimed at 4-11 year olds and their families. 12pm/2.30pm
SECRET SERVICE: Join Footprints of London guide David Charnick for a walking tour around the St James's area, with particular focus on sites linked to espionage. In addition to parks and a Tudor palace, the area has links to MI5, MI6, the SOE and other aspects of the secret service. 2.30pm-4.30pm
NEW MUSIC: As with every Monday, the Half Moon in Putney hosts a night of new music, giving up-and-coming musicians a platform to show off their talents. Rock band Beyond Babylon and multi-instrumentalist Marta Per are among those on tonight's line up. Audience entry is only £2.50 and the first 24 customers through the door get a free pint. 7.30pm
Tuesday 30 May
LUNCH FOOD MARKET: Head to London Bridge City (near HMS Belfast) on your lunch break, and treat yourself to something significantly more appetising than a soggy supermarket sarnie. The Lunch Market is a KERB job, bringing together traders selling all manner of nosh including burgers, tacos and noodles. 11.30am-2.30pm
WOMEN AT WAR: Lambeth's Imperial War Museum hosts historian and author Sarah Louise Miller, discussing her latest book, The Women Behind the Few, with air warfare expert Dr Victoria Taylor. The book focuses on the contributions the Women's Auxiliary Air Force made to the second world war effort, and there's a chance to ask your questions and explore the museum's Second World War Galleries after hours. 6pm-8pm
BLACK NARCISSUS: St Marylebone Parish Church ends its heritage film season with a screening of Black Narcissus. The 1947 film is about a group of Anglo-Catholic nuns sent to a remote mountaintop palace in the Himalayas to establish a school. 6.45pm-9.30pm
JOSIE LONG: Comedian Josie Long is at the British Library to discuss her new book, Because I Don't Know What You Mean and What You Don’t, with fellow comedian and writer Isy Sutti. It's a collection of short stories covering topics including parenthood and leaving London. 7.15pm-8.30pm
COUNT BINFACE: Politician and former candidate for Mayor of London Count Binface gives a performance at Angel Comedy Club. It's a work-in-progress show with a MEGA (Make Earth Great Again) theme. Have a read of our interview with Count Binface before you go. 8pm-9pm
Wednesday 31 May
SCI-FI LONDON: Film festival Sci-Fi London kicks off today with an opening night gala screening of UFO Sweden at Picturehouse Central. Set in 1996, it's about a group of misfits investigating UFO sightings in Sweden, and is the launch pad for more than a dozen screenings of different films over the coming week. 31 May-6 June
BROCKWELL BOUNCE: Take the kids along to Brockwell Park for a free, family-friendly festival by the team behind Mighty Hoopla. There are live performances on stage, but also dance classes, art and craft activities, a softplay area, family raves, circus workshops, storytelling sessions and loads more. FREE, 12pm-7pm
DAL PURI DIASPORA: Dal puri is a type of wrapped roti, and is the subject of film Dal Puri Diaspora, which is screened at Museum of London Docklands tonight. Find out how the dish went from being eaten by indentured workers from India in 19th-century British and Dutch Caribbean colonies, to the global Indo-Caribbean community today. The screening is followed by a Q&A session and discussion. 6.30pm
VICTORIAN LONDON: The National Archives hosts an online talk by author and historian Helen Amy, about everyday life in Victorian London. Find out what life was like for most Londoners at a time when the city was growing rapidly, against the backdrop of events including the Great Exhibition of 1851 and Queen Victoria’s golden and diamond jubilees. 7.30pm
LIZ GUTERBOCK: The London LGBTQ+ Stand Up Comedy Festival continues with a performance by Liz Guterbock at 2Northdown. It's a work in progress show, so a chance to see her trying out new gags on the topic of growing older. 9pm
Thursday 1 June
IMPROVISED GREEK TRAGEDY: There's no need to swot up on your classics for Absurdocles: The Improvised Greek Tragedy, which comes to Woolwich Works. It's an hour-long improvised comedy show about the greatest Greek tragedy never told, with themes of love, loss, pride, power, and plenty of laughs along the way. 7pm (and various dates until 3 August)
SEA CREATURES: Artist, sailor and marine biologist Hannah Stowe is at Stanfords in Covent Garden to discuss her new book Move Like Water, which discusses our relationship with the sea and the creatures who inhabit it. She draws on her own experiences in the North Sea, the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the Celtic Sea, and the Caribbean to focus on the damage we're doing to the Earth's water. 7pm-8.30pm
COMEDY THINGY: The madcap Andy Zapp, unpredictable Hatty Preston and one-man character factory Nicholas Everritt are among acts at Thingy Cafe in Hackney Wick tonight. 7.30pm-10pm
THE QUEER COMEDY CLUB: Dee Allum headlines a night of laughs at the Queer Comedy Club, the newly-opened LGBTQ+ comedy club in Tufnell Park. Kate Dale, Jen Zheng and Ben Pollard are also on tonight's line-up. 8pm
LATE NIGHT JAZZ: Once again, the Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall keeps its doors open for Late Night Jazz. The James Kitchman Quartet perform a live programme of jazz music, with dancing along, moving around and singing along very much encouraged. 9.30pm
Friday 2 June
LAMBETH PALACE GARDENS: For a select few days each year, the gardens of Lambeth Palace — home to the Archbishop of Canterbury — open to the public, and today is one of those days. Spend an afternoon wandering around the lawns and flowerbeds in a walled garden beside the Thames, and enjoying refreshments in the marquee. There's a suggested donation of £5 on entry, which goes to charity. Read about our visit here. 12pm-4pm
1963: The particular year of 1963 is under the microscope at this online event from the National Archives, in which Contemporary Specialist Mark Dunton uses sources from the archive to look at the events of 60 years ago (yeah, we had to check the maths on that one too). It was the year of JFK's assassination, the Great Train Robbery and the Profumo Affair... and a little-known band called The Beatles were just getting started. 2pm
HISTORY OF MEASUREMENT: How was distance measured before rulers and tape measures? We've never really thought about it, but James Vincent has — and the author is at the Royal Institution tonight to talk about the hidden history of measurement. Find out how ancient civilisations began to use consistent units of measurement. 7pm-8.30pm
QUEERING THE TABLE: The British Library celebrates Britain’s LGBT+ food movement with a discussion about why food is such a powerful tool for queer community building, resistance and celebration. Participants include food writer and trend consultant Gurdeep Loyal, and chef Rachel Rumbol. 7.15pm-8.30pm
Saturday 3 June
BLACK CULTURE MARKET: Shop gifts, cards, unique prints, jewellery, male grooming kits, skincare, clothes and more at the Black Culture Market at The Department Store in Brixton, an event which supports emerging entrepreneurs and new businesses of African & Caribbean descent. 3-4 June
PETANQUE CHAMPIONSHIPS: Across two days, watch players from UK club level and international champions going head to head in the Pétanque Championships in Crystal Palace Park. Food and drink stalls and a picnic area are available on site. 3-4 June
FAMILY FILM CLUB: For free family-friendly fun, head to the outdoor cinema screen in Canary Wharf for Family Film Club. It's a free screening of the superb 2016 animated film Sing, about a koala theatre manager who goes to extraordinary lengths to save his theatre. Get there early to bag a good spot — and remember that there's free crazy golf nearby for afterwards. FREE, 10.30am
MIGRATING MILLIMUNGER: Children's author Charlotte Chaplin reads her new book, The Migrating Millimunger, about a creature who lands on Blue Bear Island after being chased from home by a hungry crocodile. For added fun at this interactive storytelling session at Elephant and Castle's SoLo Craft Fair shop, there'll be puppets! FREE, 11am-12pm
SEWING MACHINE MUSEUM: The monthly open day at London's little-known Sewing Machine Museum takes place this afternoon. It's home to more than 600 of the machines, including one which was owned by Queen Victoria's daughter. We visited it ourselves back in 2018. FREE (donations appreciated) 2pm-5pm
PLANET ARDBEG: If you're a fan of peated malt whiskies (and detective noir), this Ardbeg Day event is for you: the launch of Heavy Vapours — Ardbeg's first whisky distilled without a purifier — features an array of immersive activities in which you work with an 'investigative journalist' to solve puzzles, and wind up tasting drams. 2pm-7pm
FA CUP FINAL: If you've not got your ticket for City Vs United at Wembley this afternoon, better secure yourself a spot at one of London's best pubs and bars for watching football. As it's a biggie today, you may want to reserve your place, or otherwise arrive nice and early. KO 3pm
ORGANOKE: Taking karaoke to a godly level, Organoke invites you to sing along to your fave pop hits, as played on the majestic organ at St Giles church in Camberwell. Sk8er Boi never sounded like this before. Doors 7pm (and again tomorrow, doors 6.30pm)
Sunday 4 June
PRIDE TOUR: Once again, Shakespeare's Globe is offering Pride Guided Tours, taking you around the famous theatre and sharing stories of queer characters from Shakespeare's time. Find out about members of the LGBTQ+ community and their links to the theatre, from rebellious icons down in the yard to nobility in the galleries. 10.30am
WINDRUSH 75: As the 75th anniversary of the Empire Windrush's arrival in London approaches, the British Museum holds a celebration of sound system culture. It's curated by artist and educator Linett Kamala, and includes DJ and dance workshops, talks, film screenings and more, focusing on the culture's lasting impact on British society. FREE, 11am-4pm
FLEA MARKET: Big Penny Social near Blackhorse Road station hosts Walthamstow Flea Market today, with heaps of vintage furniture, homeware and various curios up for grabs. Plenty of food and drink is available (it's a beer hall after all) onsite, and vendors take card and cash. 11am-5pm
OLD YORK ROAD UNPLUGGED: Old York Road in Wandsworth goes traffic-free for a day of live music performances. One stage is curated by a local radio station, while another is an acoustic stage, with open-mic slots open to anyone. There's also a street food market, and games and rides to keep kids entertained. FREE, 11am
SHIRLEY WINDMILL: There's a chance to visit Shirley Windmill in the borough of Croydon today — with guided tours taking place throughout the afternoon on one of their opens days. (Note also that Upminster Windmill is now hosting open days once again after years of closure. Check here for dates.) FREE, 12pm-4pm
POLLY TOYNBEE: Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee comes to Conway Hall to talk about the guilt of privilege, coming from a family of left-wing rabble-rousers who also happen to be wealthy. 3pm
INTERNATIONAL LITERATURE FESTIVAL: Rich Mix in Shoreditch hosts the Saudha International Literature Festival, which brings together new literature from different cultures and heritages around the world. It's curated by poet Ahmed Kaysher and features talks, readings and performances. 4pm
Museum treasure of the week
Trevor Baylis is famous for inventing the wind-up radio. He's less well known for pioneering energy-generating shoes. You've probably never heard of the shoes because, as Baylis himself found, people tend to assume the wearer is a shoe bomber. The curious footwear and other Baylis gadgets can be seen in the wonderful Eel Pie Island Museum in Twickenham, which mostly concerns itself with the island's rock and roll history, but also has space for other local stories.
Good cause of the week
Volunteers needed!
Food poverty is one of the biggest issues in the UK right now. With the cost-of-living crisis biting hard, many people and families who were previously comfortable are now finding themselves with little money for food. The numbers are scary. According to charity the Felix Project, 1 in 10 Londoners has less than £3 a day to spend on food.
The Felix Project has now joined forces with Canary Wharf Group in a bid to ease the situation. The charity will rescue surplus food from the estate's many restaurants, supermarkets, cafes and bars, and distribute it to those in need across Tower Hamlets.
But they need help.
Volunteers are needed to help collect the surplus food and then distribute it via a dedicated electric van. If you think you can lend a hand, check out the volunteers page, and fill in the form.
