All week
KEW THE MUSIC: Beverley Knight, Craig David and Jools Holland are among the big names performing at Kew The Music, a series of picnic concerts in the grounds of the botanical gardens. Bring your own food (plus blankets and chairs), or pre-order a picnic hamper to collect on the day. Some events have sold out, but others still have tickets available. Kew Gardens, various prices, book ahead, 9-14 July
LONDON POSTERS: Last chance to see 100 shortlisted posters, each telling a story about London. The Poster Prize for Illustration features artworks covering historic and contemporary, fictional and true tales about the capital. London Transport Museum (Covent Garden), included in admission, just turn up, until 14 July
WIMBLEDON: As Wimbledon gets into its final week, keep up with all the action — and watch the grand finals — at these big screens located around the capital. Until 14 July
UNDERBELLY: Highlights from the Underbelly Festival programme this week include a drunk rendition of Alice in Wonderland, a soul choir concert, and a drag tribute to Mariah Carey. South Bank, various prices, book ahead, until 9 September
WHAT A SONG AND DANCE: Musical theatre fans, put your (jazz) hands up. The Royal Academy of Music Museum's new exhibition is an unapologetic celebration of musicals, tracing their development from vaudeville to today's West End sensations. Royal Academy of Music Museum (Marylebone), free, just turn up, until 22 February 2020 (sponsor)
Monday 8 July
ENGLISH GRAMMAR: Love getting stuck into a debate about all things grammar? Spend hours rolling around in verbs and apostrophes (metaphorically, of course) at a day dedicated to English grammar. Attend talks and lectures about the evolution of grammar, and how it should be taught in schools. British Library, £10/£7, book ahead, 9.30am-5pm
COMEDY: Comedians Suzi Ruffell and Gareth Richards offer previews of their Edinburgh shows at the Deli Comedy Festival. Ruffell questions whether stand-ups are at their best when they're miserable, while Richards integrates songs played in the Q chord. The Old Library (Camberwell), £12/£10/£5, book ahead, 7.30pm-10.30pm
MAGGIE NELSON: Hear celebrated author Maggie Nelson talk about her work. She chats to literary critic and cultural historian Lara Feigel about her New York Times bestseller The Argonauts, and about writing on themes of love, family and violence. Southbank Centre, £15, book ahead, 7.15pm
Tuesday 9 July
STANLEY KUBRICK: British writer and broadcaster Sir Christopher Frayling gives a lecture on Ken Adam's set designs for Stanley Kubrick’s films. Adams first worked with Kubrick on Dr Strangelove, and they went on to form a strong director-designer partnership. Design Museum (Kensington), £12/£8, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm
RUSH HOUR: Sit out the usual rush hour madness at an hour-long concert by the Pegasus Chamber Choir, who perform everything from British folk songs to contemporary Baltic music. Once the concert's finished, the ride home should be a lot quieter. Royal Over-Seas League (Green Park), £16/£12, book ahead, 6.30pm-7.30pm
ARMSTRONG: New documentary Armstrong is screened in cinemas for one night only. It tells the human story of astronaut Neil Armstrong, his own words narrated by Harrison Ford, alongside NASA footage of the moon landings. This screening is followed by a recorded Q&A with the director. Bertha DocHouse (Bloomsbury), £9/£7/£5, book ahead, 8.30pm
Wednesday 10 July
SHE IS FIERCE: Babble Talks are aimed at carers with young babies, although adults without children are also welcome. Today's focuses on amazing female writers that history forgot, including suffragettes, aristocrats and schoolgirls. Poetry anthology editor Ana Sampson tells their stories, and questions why we don't already know their names. The Bedford (Balham), £10, book ahead, 11.30am-12.30pm
SUMMER PARTY: The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants hosts a fundraising summer party, celebrating its successes of the past year and raising further funds to protect the legal rights of immigrants. Food is included in the ticket price, with drinks available to buy at the bar, plus there's a raffle, live music, and outdoor play area for kids. Check out this article from when we went down to the amazing Calthorpe Project a couple of years ago. Calthorpe Project (Gray's Inn Road), £10, book ahead, 6pm-10.30pm
PAINT LONDON: Have a go at creating your own version of this colourful London skyline. Pop-Up Painting provides all the materials, and guidance from a qualified teacher — you just need to bring your creativity, and buy a drink or two to help you on the way. Roundhouse (Camden), £27.99, book ahead, 7.30pm-9.30pm
Thursday 11 July
THE BRINK: American political expert Steve Bannon is the subject of new documentary The Brink, which follows him through the 2018 mid-term elections. Tonight's screening is followed by a Q&A with Guardian associate editor Paul Lewis, who features in the film, hosted by journalist Jenny Kleeman. Bertha DocHouse (Bloomsbury), £5-£12, book ahead, 6.30pm
ACROBATIQUE: Groupe Acrobatique de Tanger perform their show Halka, celebrating the tradition of street performances in their native Moroccan. The 14-strong group combine acrobatic feats, visual humour and stirring music. Southbank Centre, £20, book ahead, 7.30pm
THE CURE: Watch the rise of classic goth-rock band The Cure, in a screening of this documentary which charts them over 40 years, culminating in their 2018 live performance in Hyde Park. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £10.95, book ahead, 8.20pm
Friday 12 July
HYPER JAPAN: Japanophiles, rejoice! Hyper Japan brings all aspects of the country you love under one roof. Take part in cosplay, learn about traditional Japanese culture, try local cuisines, watch live performances and compete in table top games. Olympia London, from £17, book ahead, 12-14 July
FOOD FESTIVAL: Culinary experts from all over the country appear at The Great British Food Festival to sample and sell their wares. Try and buy everything from cakes to cheeses and beer to gin. Live music, chef demos and foraging walks form the entertainment, and there are kids' cooking classes too. Chiswick House & Gardens, from £9, book ahead, 12-14 July
IDLER FESTIVAL: Louis Theroux, Viv Groskop and Sally Phillips are among the familiar faces appearing at Idler Festival, a three-day festival of talks, debates, music, comedy and merriment. The beautiful house and grounds that the event is set in is an added bonus. Fenton House (Hampstead), £35-£105, book ahead, 12-14 July
Saturday 13 July
SKY AND SCOPE: Experience stargazers and those interested in the solar system are invited into the planetarium for a session with a Royal Observatory astronomer, getting an in-depth overview of the season's night sky. Basic concepts won't be covered, and there's plenty of jargon involved, so it's really one for those who already know their astronomy. Age 16+. Royal Observatory (Greenwich), £13, book ahead, 10am
HARRY POTTER: Take the kids along to a family-friendly screening of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, preceded by a cooking workshop. Magic up some edible treats and cast a few spells before settling down to watch the film. Harris Academy South Norwood, £6.50/£5, book ahead, 1pm
Sunday 14 July
GRAND FLANEUR: Get dressed up in your finery and join the Grand Flaneur Walk, a free wander through London's streets, for an unspecified period of time. Its's the work of The Chap magazine, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year — although this event sadly replaces the ever-popular Chap Olympiad. Jermyn Street, free, just turn up, 12pm
STAND-UP FEST: An impressive line-up of comedians include Jayde Adams, Lucy Porter and Simon Brodkin are taking part in Stand-Up Fest, a jam-packed afternoon of comedy sets. They're all showcasing their latest work before heading to Edinburgh or off on tour — and some of the shows are free, if you don't mind queueing. The Comedy Pub (Piccadilly), various prices, book ahead, 12.30pm-9.15pm
BEACH CARNIVAL: Get a proper dose of summer at a Caribbean beach carnival... in the far reaches of north London. Music is a variety of soca music hailing from all Caribbean islands, plus there's food, drink and face and body art... all on a white sand beach. Lee Valley Beach, £28, book ahead, 1pm-10pm
