All weekend
IDLER FESTIVAL: A genuine Archbishop; authors Irvine Welsh, Jojo Moyes and Charlie Higson; and Bake Off legend Prue Leith are among the speakers at this year's Idler Festival, at Fenton House in Hampstead. Festival goers are invited to do "as much or as little as they please" in a laid-back environment — but with a chance to hear from those big names, it's worth packing in as much in as you can. 10-12 July 2026
TEST CRICKET: England play India in the first ever Women's Rothesay Test match, taking place at Lord's. Exactly 50 years since Rachael Heyhoe Flint first led out an England Women's team at the ground, Nat Sciver-Brunt will lead out her England side, with two of the biggest international teams in the sport going head-to-head. 10-13 July 2026
URBAN ART: Urban Art returns to Josephine Avenue in Brixton with over 120 exhibitors showing painting, printmaking, photography and mixed media, from both established and novice artists. Visit the open-air fair to buy directly from makers and refuel at food stalls from Trinijam, Caffé Papavero, Gwyneth Johnson and Fish Tale. 11-12 July 2026
POWER & RESPECT: The second free festival weekend of The Music is Black Festival in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is Power & Respect — featuring two afternoons of performances from the likes of Jamz Supernova and Yazmin Lacey x TYSON. You can also take to the dance floor at Sadler's Wells East for DJ sets from Jade Hackett, L'attise Rhoden & Glade Marie, and BORN N BREAD. FREE, 11-12 July 2026
HENRY VIII'S JOUST: Watch a staged medieval tournament action in the magnificent grounds of Hampton Court Palace, as Henry VIII's Joust returns to town. See fully-costumed knights jousting, and pick your favourite to cheer on, with falconry displays also taking place throughout each day. 11-12 (and 18-19) July 2026
HAPPY PLACE FESTIVAL: Focus is on the feel-good, as the Happy Place Festival comes to a new venue, the Old Deer Park in Richmond, for a weekend of talks, live podcasts, yoga — as well as a shopping village packed with independent brands. 11-12 July 2026
SHAKESPEARE IN THE SQUARES: Every summer, a single Shakespeare play is performed in open-air gardens and squares all over the capital. For 2026, Shakespeare in the Squares tackles Love's Labour's Lost, and your last chances to see it are at Chiswick House and Gardens on Saturday and Fortune Green in Hampstead on Sunday. Until 12 July 2026
BUCKINGHAM PALACE: Take the opportunity to go inside Buckingham Palace at the annual summer opening of the State Rooms. The Throne Room, Ballroom Grand Staircase and Palace Gardens are among the areas open to the public for just a few weeks — we've been inside, and it is spectacular. 9 July-27 September 2026
Saturday 11 July
SARRUT SPOTLIGHT: The National Army Museum in Chelsea marks the launch of its new exhibition with Sarrut Spotlight, a day of activities dedicated to the wartime sketches of French artist Paul Sarrut. Meet serving soldiers from the Defence Sikh Network and First World War re-enactors, or join a curator-led gallery tour exploring Sarrut's role as an interpreter for the Indian Army. Expert guide Rav Singh also leads an historical walking tour through the surrounding streets to uncover local Sikh history. FREE, 10am-5pm
FREE.HER: Polish-born artist and ethnographer Anna Jochymek presents a powerful series of community portraits at Bell Square in Hounslow. The project, Free.Her, explores contemporary definitions of freedom through the personal histories and migration experiences of Polish women living in the local area. This outdoor exhibition uses visual storytelling and social anthropology to reflect on the identities of a specific migrant community. FREE, 11am-6pm
OPEN STUDIOS: Explore the workspaces of 18 unique multidisciplinary creatives as Bow Arts opens its doors for the Leyton High Road Open Studios. Meet a diverse range of painters, sculptors, photographers and framers, including multidisciplinary artist Natasha Awuku and material culture researcher Ellen Sampson. It's part of the community-led Leytonstone Arts Trail, offering a rare chance to see new works-in-progress and finished pieces within a professional studio setting. FREE, 11am-5pm
MATARIKI: Celebrate the Māori New Year at the National Maritime Museum with an afternoon dedicated to the star cluster that signals the start of the lunar cycle. This festival explores the deep connections between celestial navigation and Pacific cultures through a programme of oral storytelling, kite-making workshops, and vibrant dance performances by Beats of Polynesia. FREE, 12pm-4.30pm
FAMILY PRIDE DAY: Storyteller Luke Saydon leads a celebration at Vestry House Museum for Waltham Forest Pride. Families can join interactive storytelling sessions and a hands-on art workshop to create self-portraits for a collaborative display inspired by William Morris' poem, Love is Enough. Aimed at children aged 5-12, though all LGBTQIA+ families and allies are welcome to attend. FREE, 12.30pm/1.30pm/2.30pm
KALEIDOSCOPE FESTIVAL: Musicians Groove Armada, MJ Cole, Black Grape, the Amy Winehouse Band and DJ Paulette are all on the eclectic line-up at Kaleidoscope Festival. The one-day event takes over Alexandra Palace with live music, DJ sets, comedy and spoken word performances, plus magicians, games and workshops for families — all with incredible views over London. 1pm-10.30pm
CAJUN APRÈS-MIDI: King's Cross venue Jamboree hosts an afternoon of lively Louisiana rhythms featuring the Là-bas Cajun Band. The session kicks off with a dance lesson to get you up to speed with two-steps and waltzes, followed by live music including rare double-fiddle numbers. Musicians are invited to join the stage for the final hour during a supported 'electric jam' session. FREE, 1.30pm-5pm
HEATHERS THE MUSICAL: Adapted from the cult 1980s film, the popular Heathers the Musical is back in London, at The Arts at Marble Arch. It follows It Girl Veronica Sawyer, the three Heathers and the mysterious J.D. at Westerberg High. 2.30pm/7.30pm (and until 27 August 2026)
GRACE PERVADES: Ralph Fiennes plays Victorian actor Sir Henry Irving opposite Miranda Raison as actress Ellen Terry in David Hare's latest play, Grace Pervades at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, closing today. 2.30pm/7.30pm
WINESTOCK: All‑inclusive black‑tie wine festival Winestock London takes place on Clapham Common. Tickets include refills from about 15 wines chosen by sommeliers, plus Pimm's, Aperol, sangria and beer on tap. Food comes in the form of wood‑fired pizzas, plant‑based options and slow‑cooked meats — with entertainment ranging from live bands and DJs to fire breathers, magicians and bubbleologists. 5pm-11pm
KILL BILLIONAIRE: Radical politics and revenge-fuelled storytelling collide at Housmans Bookshop in King's Cross for the launch of Anders Lustgarten's propulsive new thriller. Kill Billionaire follows a 14-year-old Australian genius and a giant ex-soldier as they hunt down the corporate figures responsible for climate destruction. 7pm-8.30pm
MIDSUMMER POETRY: Four acclaimed writers gather at the Poetry Café in Covent Garden for an evening of contemporary readings. The line-up features Bridport Prize winners and shortlisted poets Rosalind Easton, Elizabeth Parker, Tim Scott and Natalie Whittaker. A Midsummer Night's Poetry offers a deep dive into themes of identity and resilience, with several performers drawing on their experiences as educators and editors in London and Bristol. FREE, 7pm-9pm
ANYTHING GOES: Teddington Choral Society returns to the Landmark Arts Centre for a summer concert exploring the music of the 1950s. Led by musical director Julian Collings, the choir performs a varied programme ranging from Ralph Vaughan Williams' Five Mystical Songs to medleys by Irving Berlin and Cole Porter. The evening features guest baritone Dominic Sedgwick and pianist Greg May, with the audience encouraged to sing along to familiar showtunes from Guys and Dolls. 7.30pm
Sunday 12 July
HACKNEY BRIDGE FLEA: More than 60 traders are expected at this summer market taking over Hackney Bridge, with vintage and designer fashion, furniture, homeware, records and posters. There's an indoor bar and terrace, and outdoor stalls spill into the courtyard and riverside garden. 10am-4.30pm
HIDDEN GARDENS: Discover the City's unexpected oases on the Hidden Gardens of London walking tour, which explores some of the 200 gardens tucked away among the Square Mile's high-rises. Led by historian Bridget Chandler, the route visits churchyards transformed after the Great Fire and the Blitz, including a 'garden in the air' at Alphage Highwalk and the reputedly haunted Christchurch Greyfriars. 11am
NEIGHBOURS DAY: The Garden Museum in Lambeth opens its doors for a free community festival featuring live music from the Lambeth Wind Orchestra and a guided tour of local fruit trees. This year’s Neighbours Day is themed around "Pollen & Paint," offering visitors complimentary access to the summer exhibition, which can be visited for free today. FREE, 11am-4pm
CHESS FEST: Trafalgar Square hosts a free chess festival, open to all, whether you're a seasoned player or want to learn the game. This year's Chess Fest has a living chess set with 32 actors taking on the role of the pieces, recreating famous games with live commentary, as well as free beginner lessons and a chance to challenge a master at speed chess. FREE, 12pm-7pm
JAZZ IN THE CHURCHYARD: The award-winning gardens of St John's Waterloo provide the backdrop for an afternoon of outdoor blues, grooves and improvisation. Part of the Waterloo Festival 2026, Jazz in the Churchyard features a line-up of London's emerging musical talent curated by the Unity Music Arts Team. FREE, 1pm-4pm
IN THE PALACE: A day-long spoken-word festival, In The Palace takes place inside the vaulted Crystal Palace Subway, featuring a curated line-up of leading spoken-word artists, immersive sound and an open-mic/Wall of Poems. 2pm-9pm
NINA SIMONE: Inspired by the life of Nina Simone, Apphia Campbell's acclaimed play Black Is The Color Of My Voice follows a singer and civil rights activist as she seeks redemption after the death of her father. See it at the Garrick Theatre for one night only. 3.30pm/7pm
NOTTING HILL: Classic rom-com Notting Hill is on the programme at Rooftop Cinema Club in Stratford. Kick back and watch as a bookstore owner (Hugh Grant) falls in love with a Hollywood actress (Julia Roberts). The cinema is located within the Roof East summer pop-up, where food is available from a selection of vendors — think burgers, fried chicken, and popcorn from the cinema's own bar. 5pm
WEST LONDON CHORUS: West London Chorus celebrates its 50th Anniversary with a concert at Cadogan Hall featuring soloists Katie Trethewey, Gwendolen Martin, Ellie Minney, Alex Haigh and Lawrence White, with the London Mozart Players conducted by Hilary Campbell and introduced by Alexander Dragonetti. The programme includes Handel's Nisi Dominus and Dixit Dominus, Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, and Mozart motets Alma Dei creatoris and Ave verum corpus. 6pm
BOY BLUE: Boy Blue, the UK hip-hop dance company, brings a 25th‑anniversary celebration to Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, with performances, a pre-show DJ set on the picnic lawn and a post-show DJ set. 6.30pm
SHAKES VERSES SHAV: The Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith marks the finale of its inaugural Shaw Festival with a screening of the award-winning animated short Shakes Versus Shav. Based on George Bernard Shaw's final play, the film features the voices of Derek Jacobi and Colm Meaney as the two literary titans trade barbs over their respective legacies. Directors Damian Farrell and Gerry Hoban are in attendance for a Q&A, bringing along the original puppets used in the production for a close-up look. 7pm
PAUL FOOT: The exceptionally funny Paul Foot is WIP-ing his latest hour-long effort, The Future, at the Bill Murray this evening. In it, he asks the (relatable) question: "When did optimism end?" 7pm-8pm
VICTIM OF MY GENERATION: A two-hander about intimacy, identity and the occult set on All Hallows' Eve, I'm A Victim Of My Generation opens at The Divine in Dalston. Rachel, a podcaster-turned-witch, and Jeremy, a queer academic obsessed with writer Mary MacLane, perform a ritual that blurs satire and confession. 7.30pm
