Things to do
FIESTA DE MEXICO: Free three-day Fiesta de Mexico celebrates the culture and traditions of the central American country. Tuck into dishes from street food stalls while listening to a mariachi band, watch a lucha libre show, or take part in family-friendly activities. Guildhall Yard, free entry (some events charge and need booking), just turn up, 26-28 July
VICTORIAN LONDON: The lives of London’s destitute children in the Victorian and early Edwardian periods are examined in a special postgraduate project exhibition. Find out what it meant to be penniless, and discuss the challenges and ethical issues of the time. London Metropolitan Archives (Clerkenwell), free, book ahead, 26 July-22 August
BEHIND THE SCENES: Delve behind the scenes on this special tour of the National Archives’ repositories. Find out how the collections are cared for, and see a couple of the hidden gems normally off-limits to the public. National Archives (Kew), £10, book ahead, 11am
NAPOLEONIC SPIES: Historian Tim Clayton gives a free talk about a spy ring that threatened to overthrow Napoleon Bonaparte. It's part of his research for his latest book, This Dark Business: The Secret War Against Napoleon, and covers a network of French royalists who were sent to Boulogne to keep watch for an invasion. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, book ahead, 11.30am
ST JAMES'S PARK: As part of National Park City Festival, join a free guided walk around St James's Park. Learn about the history of surrounding areas including The Mall and Horse Guards Parade, find out about how wildlife in the park is cared for, and see the resident pelicans' daily feed. St James's Park, free, book ahead, 1.15pm-2.45pm
MUSEUM LATE: The Natural History Museum stays open late for after-hours fun. The theme this month is space, marking 50 years since the moon landings, so there's a chance to hold 4.5 billion year old meteorites, see a replica of Neil Armstrong's spacesuit, or simply browse the usual displays and exhibitions after hours. Natural History Museum (South Kensington), free (charge for some exhibitions/events), just turn up, 6pm-10pm
ASTRO SHORTS: Watch an series of short film screenings inspired by the moon and the wider universe, curated by London Short Film Festival. The films date from between 1902 and 2017, including a UK premiere — plus, some of them have a live music accompaniment. Science Museum (South Kensington), £10, book ahead, 7pm-8.45pm
POLARI: The tables turn at LGBTQ+ literary salon tonight, as usual host Paul Burston headlines for once. He launches his latest novel, The Closer I Get, a psychological thriller about an author with writer’s block and the fan who won’t leave him alone, and chats to author Susie Boyt about the novel. Southbank Centre, £5, book ahead, 6.30pm
PALACE JAZZ: Enjoy an evening of live music on the lawn at Fulham Palace. Singer Wayne Hernandez — who’s worked with Madonna, Billy Ocean and Gorillaz — performs a groove music set, backed by a seven-piece band. There’s another performance tomorrow night, by jazz singer Claire Martin. Fulham Palace, £17.50/£11, book ahead,7.30pm
THE BREAKFAST CLUB: Watch an open-air screening of cult American comedy-drama The Breakfast Club. The 1985 film is about a group of very different teenagers who spend a Saturday morning in detention together. Bring your own picnic, or buy food and drink from the on-site traders and bar. Ruskin Park (Denmark Hill), £13.75/£22, book ahead, 9.15pm
Tube ponderings with Barry Heck
Our resident tube fancier dishes out daily thoughts on the London Underground.
I've been banging on about architect Leslie Green all week for a reason. That's because we've just published our comprehensive map of Green's red-tiled tube stations. From Tufnell Park to Elephant and Castle, Gloucester Road to Holloway Road, Green's style is a world-famous icon of our city. The map lets you compare and contrast the surviving station designs. I hope it inspires you to take a closer look at these adorable buildings. Follow Barry Heck on Twitter @HeckTube.
Good cause of the day
Learn how to make the most of leftover food, at Wise Up To Waste's free lunch event at Ridley Road Market. Watch cookery demonstrations to get an idea of how to put your leftovers to use, and try samples of meals that have been prepared from food that would otherwise have been thrown away.
What we're reading
- How Victorian Londoners invented leisure.
- Stanmore tube station car park to be converted into flats.
- Caledonian Sleep staff vote for strike action.
- Digital visualisations showing London as a city underwater have been rereleased.
