All weekend
BARBICAN OUTDOOR CINEMA: An eclectic range of films is on offer at Barbican's Outdoor Cinema this summer. On Saturday, watch Weathering With You, Makoto Shinkai's follow-up to anime fantasy film Your Name. On Sunday it's action-packed kaiju extravaganza Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster. Films are shown on a giant screen in the open-air Sculpture Courtyard, with food and drink available to buy nearby. 19-30 August 2026. Have a browse of the other outdoor cinemas popping up in London this summer.
ALL POINTS EAST: Deftones, Lorde, Tyler the Creator... just a few acts on the impressive line-up at this year's All Points East Festival in Victoria Park. Tickets for this Saturday are sold out, but Sunday's still available at time of writing. The In The Neighbourhood free programme of events on selected non-gig days returns this year too, offering live music and DJs, fitness activities, outdoor cinema and family theatre shows. 21-30 August 2026
GREENWICH AND DOCKLANDS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL: Free outdoor performing arts festival Greenwich and Docklands International Festival is back, for two weeks of theatre, art, dance and circus in outdoor locations, with a theme of 'We Move'. The highlight this weekend is the annual Greenwich Fair in Greenwich Park, with several other events happening around south-east London too. FREE 21 August-6 September 2026
PROPELLERS AND POPCORN: London's full of unusual places to watch a film over the summer months, but what about on an airfield? The RAF Museum in Hendon screens (rather fittingly) Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick for its Propellers & Popcorn movie nights. 1980s costumes very much encouraged. 22-23 August 2026
QUEER FREQUENCIES: It's weekend three of The Music is Black Festival on Stratford's East Bank — and the turn of Queer Frequencies. That means two afternoons/evenings packed with live music curated by Shy One, Donnie Sunshine, Mark-Ashley Dupé and Joel Mignott. Plus the Dance Floor is Black at Sadler's Wells East — which runs especially late on the Saturday. FREE, 22-23 August 2026
MIND SPORTS OLYMPIAD: Fire up your little grey cells, the 30th edition of the Mind Sports Olympiad takes place at the Mercure Earls Court hotel. More than 80 games are held across nine days, with spectators welcome to watch participants in contests spanning Othello, Scrabble, Catan, Ticket to Ride and Sudoku. The Backgammon World Individual and Team Championships also feature. 22-30 August 2026
MARIONETTES EXHIBITION: Islington's Little Angel Theatre marks its 65th birthday with a free exhibition celebrating string puppets. View historic and newly made marionettes by British makers from across six decades, including the theatre's own founders John and Lyndie Wright. FREE, 22 August-6 September 2026
FAIRY TALES: Interactive displays, theatrical design, costumes and activities feature in family-friendly exhibition Fairy Tales at the British Library, which closes this weekend. Familiar characters and magical creatures are brought to life as you learn how fairy tales have been transformed through time. Until 23 August 2026
SUMMER SOUNDS: Free open‑air music and performance festival Summer Sounds is back at Coal Drops Yard mixing folk, jazz, soul, classical and indie. This final weekend includes performances by Soul Choir, Rock Choir and the all-male Chaps Choir, as well as a roaming dance performance on a 12ft giant wheel. FREE, until 23 August 2026
Saturday 22 August
SUMMER MARKET: Dagenham's historic museum grounds fill with over 20 local community stallholders for the return of the Valence House Summer Market. Alongside a variety of handmade gifts and treats, the Fun Football Factory provides family entertainment with an inflatable goal and a giant darts board. 10am-4pm
FRANK BOWLING: British artist Frank Bowling is in the spotlight at the Royal Drawing School where exhibition Driven To Draw showcases his works spanning more than 60 years. Today's the final day of the exhibition. 10am-4pm
HISTORY BOOK FESTIVAL: Leading historians and authors gather at Southwark Cathedral for a day-long celebration of historical storytelling and diverse voices. Access a packed programme across the nave and library, including Alison Weir discussing the wives of Henry VIII, and Anne Sebba on Wallis Simpson. Other sessions explore the Lost Jewels of Cheapside and the darker side of the early Quakers. 10am-9pm
MAKERS MARKET: The Ivy House in Nunhead hosts its first ever Makers Market, bringing together a curated selection of local traders to the historic community-owned pub. Browse a variety of handmade gifts, crafts and unique wares. FREE entry, 11am
WINE FAIR: Hop from importer to winemaker in Crystal Palace Park, at the South London Wine Fair, tasting any vinos you like from 20+ exhibitors (there are over 100 wines in all). Note that time slots are limited to 110 minutes. 12pm-6.30pm
MUSIC JERK 'N TINGS: Forest Hill's Horniman Museum and Gardens hosts a celebration of Caribbean culture featuring live music, island flavours and family activities. Comedian Donna Spence leads a packed line-up at the Bandstand, including the Delphina James Steel Ensemble, reggae royalty Me & You, and DJ Daddy Ernie spinning everything from soca to lovers rock. Top chefs serve jerk, vegan and vegetarian dishes alongside an arts and crafts market showcasing independent producers. 2pm-6pm
PAN-AFRICAN INTERVENTIONS: Barbican Cinema screens Pan-African Interventions in the Museum, a selection of films examining how Western institutions have shaped and suppressed African cultural histories. Works range from the 1953 critique Statues Also Die to contemporary reflections by Hope Strickland and Emma Wolukau-Wanambwa. The programme, which includes Nii Kwate Owoo's searing You Hide Me, concludes with a live panel discussion with filmmakers Ayo Akingbade and Hope Strickland alongside artist Daniel Owusu. 2pm
HEATHERS THE MUSICAL: Adapted from the cult 1980s film, the popular Heathers the Musical is at The Arts at Marble Arch, and today's your last chance to see it. Journey into Westerberg High with It Girl Veronica Sawyer, the three Heathers and the mysterious J.D. 2.30pm/7.30pm
WOOLWICH WOOFS: Canine companions of all breeds and sizes take over the courtyard at Woolwich Works for the return of the Woolwich Woofs Dog Show. Enter your pet into a variety of friendly competitions, including an opening pageant, Doggie Track & Field, and a talent showcase, with a free 30-minute "Doga" (dog yoga) warm-up session. 3pm-5pm
SOUL CITY: Camden's summer party series returns with a day-to-night session that splits its time between open-air grooves and a late-night club floor. The event begins at Campfire, the outdoor venue at Two Tribes Brewery, for sunset house sets before moving around the corner to the main stage at the Jazz Cafe. Expect a soundtrack of warm house grooves and dance floor favourites from the Soul City DJs. 3pm-3am
CIRQUE DU HANDICAP: Taking place at Soho Theatre Dean Street, Cirque Du Handicap is a cabaret-theatre show that mixes exaggerated circus acts, spoken word and theatre to tell a story rooted in disability justice, representing the life of disability activist, writer and actor Simi Roach.6.45pm
KEMI AMOS: East London independent artist Kemi Amos brings her unique blend of folk, alternative and rock-influenced sounds to the stage at the Social in Fitzrovia. Renowned for deeply personal and empowering songwriting, she performs a late-night set at this intimate Little Portland Street venue. 7.30pm
CHINEKE! ORCHESTRA: World-famous music festival BBC Proms continues, and tonight it offers a chance to see the Chineke! Orchestra — Europe’s first majority-Black and ethnically diverse orchestra — live in concert at the Royal Albert Hall with American soprano Angel Blue. 7.30pm
NEON NIGHTS: Taskmaster star Fern Brady headlines a comedy showcase at Soho Theatre Walthamstow. The Neon Nights Summer Special features a packed bill including Janine Harouni, Daniel Foxx and Thor Stenhaug. It's hosted by Sikisa. 8pm
SCARED TO DANCE: Post-punk, new wave and art-rock fill the dance floor as club night Scared To Dance returns to the Shacklewell Arms in Dalston. Guest DJs Walt Disco join resident Paul Richards to spin a set featuring the likes of Talking Heads, Dry Cleaning and Wet Leg. 11pm
Sunday 23 August
JACOBEAN LIFE DRAWING: Sketch the figure beneath the opulent 17th century plasterwork of Brentford's historic Boston Manor House. This tutored workshop, hosted by Brentford Nudes in the imposing Drawing State Room, is open to all abilities from novices to seasoned artists. Basic dry materials are provided for the session, which takes place in one of the house's most grandly decorated historic interiors. 10am-12pm
BLACK HISTORY WALK: Explore the rich African and Caribbean heritage along the riverside on a Southbank Black History Walk. The tour traces histories from ancient Africa and the link between the Second World War and the Windrush generation to the history of Black British Civil Rights and the Anti-Apartheid movement. Learn about the area's connection to Caribbean entrepreneurs, best-selling authors, and the African Odysseys film programme at the BFI. 10.15am-12.30pm
LUXURY HOTEL SECRETS: Step behind the gilded doors of the capital's most prestigious addresses on The Secrets of London's Luxury Hotels, a guided walk starting from Green Park. Led by Andy Hotels — the official historian of Brown's and author of the definitive history of the Savoy — the tour uncovers a world of white-glove service and high-society scandal. Hear about Rudyard Kipling's final moments at his desk, King Zog of Albania checking in with the crown jewels, and the mystery of a body found in a bathtub. 10.45am-12.45pm
QUEER SOHO: Discover how lesbian, bisexual, and trans identities have shaped the historic urban landscape of London's pleasure district on the Queer Soho walking tour. The two-mile route explores queer place-making and activism, from the planning of Piccadilly to the hidden social worlds tucked away behind Soho's facades. The tour begins outside the Criterion Theatre and considers how licensing laws and "mainstream-ification" continue to impact these community spaces today. 11am-1.30pm
SLAVERY REMEMBRANCE DAY: The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich marks Slavery Remembrance Day with an afternoon of workshops, screenings and other events remembering the long struggle for emancipation throughout the world. FREE, 11am-5pm
PUBLIC SPEAKING: Storytelling coach Ian Hawkins heads to the George IV in Chiswick to explain Why Everything You Know About Public Speaking is Wrong, as part of the Pints of Knowledge events series. The Netflix coach, who has worked with CEOs and Olympians, shares the fundamental principles used by influential leaders to engage audiences and overcome stage fright. 12pm-1.45pm
CALAIS FOOD COLLECTIVE: Head to the garden of the Fox and Firkin in Lewisham for a Day Party to raise urgent funds for displaced people. The afternoon features a mix of DJs, arts and crafts stalls, and food and drink options, with all proceeds supporting the grassroots provision of food and water in Calais. 12pm-7pm
CATHEDRAL OF SEWAGE: Witness the spectacular ornamental cast ironwork of the Crossness Pumping Station during a special steaming day. This Victorian masterpiece, designed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette to save London from the "Great Stink," opens for a guided tour that includes an illustrated history talk, a ride on a narrow-gauge railway and a look at an extraordinary collection of historic toilets. A vintage bus pick-up from Abbey Wood station is available to ferry visitors to the site. 2.30pm-4.30pm
K-POP ALL STARS: Fans of global chart-toppers can head to the Churchill Theatre in Bromley for the K-Pop All Stars Tribute. The high-energy production features stadium-sized anthems and razor-sharp choreography, covering hits from the likes of Blackpink, BTS, NewJeans and Stray Kids. Expect a spectacle of visuals and original dance routines that capture the vibrant energy of the world's biggest pop movement. 3pm/7pm
PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY: Photographers looking to master environmental portraiture are invited to the Forty Hall Estate in Enfield for a practical afternoon workshop. Learn how to use available light across the estate's historic grounds to add context to your subjects. The session is designed for those with a working knowledge of manual camera settings like aperture and ISO. 3pm-4.30pm
SIP & PAINT MONET: Impressionistic brushstrokes and French coastal light take centre stage at the London Art Bar in Holborn for Sip & Paint Monet's Antibes. Participants are guided through the creation of their own masterpiece inspired by Claude Monet, with all art supplies, an apron and a glass of prosecco included in the ticket. A themed playlist provides the backdrop for the afternoon, and no prior painting experience is required to join in. 3.30pm-6pm
ROMEO & JULIET: Fulham Palace's walled garden becomes the stage for Immersion Theatre Company's take on Romeo & Juliet, described by Stage Review as "the funniest, freshest telling you're likely to see for years". 5.30pm-7.20pm
