All weekend
HYPER JAPAN: Love all things Japanese? It's your lucky weekend because Hyper Japan, a celebration of Japanese culture, comes to Olympia London. Japanese band Queen Bee and singer-songwriter Eir Aoi are among the performers, alongside a market, cosplaying and a sake experience. 24-26 July 2026
PECKHAM WEEKEND: Eat your way around SE15 while supporting a good cause. 19 local restaurants, bars and cafés take part in this year's Peckham Weekend — organised by legendary local restaurant Mr Bao — offering £10 specials, with £1 from each donated to Peckham Pantry. Participating venues this year include Mr Bao, Rice Paddy, Forza Wine, Shorty’s, Peckham Cellars, Taca Tacos and Janda Diner, with dishes spanning BBQ mackerel, crispy pork belly bánh mì, fried squid brioche, and swordfish tostadas. 24-26 July 2026
WING FEST: Arrive hungry at the London Stadium in Stratford for Wing Fest, apparently the world's largest chicken wing festival, with 45 different street food traders, restaurants and BBQ teams serving up their best wings. Tickets include live music, DJs, bands, entertainment, rides, games, axe throwing and eating competitions. 24-26 July 2026
STEEL SCENES: A weekend takeover at Southbank Centre marks 75 years of the steel pan in the UK, featuring youth ensembles, UK steel bands and new commissions across Riverside Terrace, Royal Festival Hall and Jubilee Gardens. Highlights include Steel Rising (youth performances) and Steel Sounds with Just Vibez on the riverfront. The majority of the weekend is free. 24-26 July 2026
ICE WEEKEND: Descend into a 42-foot-deep Victorian ice well, watch ice-cream making demos, go on a family ice trail, hear tales of the ice trade and try the Ice Trade Challenge — at the annual Ice Weekend at London Canal Museum in King's Cross. Boat trips run on the surrounding canals on both days too. 25-26 July 2026
CRAFT & FLEA MARKET: Independent makers, designers and vintage collectors selling ceramics, jewellery, illustrations, homewares, candles and other handmade goods come together at the Craft & Flea Market at Canada Water over the weekend. Browse a curated selection of stalls from across the UK and speak to the people behind the products. 25-26 July 2026
ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL: Free open-air performance festival Certain Blacks Ensemble takes over Royal Victoria Docks for two days of circus, dance and theatre for all ages. Certain Blacks is an arts organisation known for championing artists from different socioeconomic, ethnic, gender and neurodiverse identities. FREE, 25-26 July 2026
LAVENDER HARVEST: For one weekend, Carshalton Lavender invites the public to descend on its allotment, and pick their own lavender. Remember to bring secateurs or scissors to do your snipping with. 25-26 July 2026
SUMMER SPLASH: A free lido opens in east London's docks for the summer holidays, complete with lifeguards, kids' lessons and floating platforms to pen swimmers in and keep them safe. Just bear in mind that Summer Splash in Royal Docks is unheated. FREE, 24 July-16 August 2026. Find other urban beaches and outdoor swimming spots to enjoy in London this summer.
THE ART OF MINI GOLF: A playable exhibition of nine mini golf holes by female artists including Miranda July, Kaylene Whiskey, Danielle Brathwaite‑Shirley and Soda Jerk is installed at Battersea Arts Centre until this weekend. Menacing cartoons and swamp flowers are among the obstacles on the course. Until 26 July 2026
BHARTI KHER: British Indian artist Bharti Kher's sculptural works — which explore the body, womanhood, mythology and cultural identity — are brought into conversation with objects from the V&A's historic collections, in a new free display at the South Kensington museum. FREE, from 20 July 2026
THE ENGLISH CATHEDRAL: A new, free display at Southwark Cathedral, The English Cathedral brings together Peter Marlow's photographs of the naves of all 42 Anglican cathedrals in the country. Shot on large‑format film using only natural light and taken from a consistent east‑facing viewpoint, the images emphasise architectural detail as dawn light streams through the windows. FREE, 21 July-31 August 2026
TRENT PARK MUSEUM: North London gets a brand new museum, as the Trent Park House of Secrets opens to the public on Tuesday. Find out how the Enfield building was used as a state-of-the-art surveillance centre during the Second World War, with bugging devices hidden around the house to listen in on German generals who were being held there. From 21 July 2026
IMMERSIVE GREASE: Don your best 1950s attire for an immersive staging of the 1978 musical Grease. Battersea Park transforms into Rydell High, as a 30-strong cast perform across multiple screens and sets. 22 July-13 September 2026
SUMMER HOLIDAYS: Kids off school for the break? Keep them entertained with our pick of things to do in London in the summer holidays. We've also compiled a guide to free summer holiday entertainment — ideal if you're on a budget — as well as the best family theatre shows on in London right now.
Saturday 25 July
MUDLARKING FESTIVAL: Southwark Cathedral hosts a day of heritage crafts and mudlarking with demonstrations, craft stalls, talks, family drop-in activities and an exhibition of finds from the Thames. Meet mudlarks, archaeologists, conservators and craftspeople, and handle selected artefacts. 10am-4pm
CARIBBEAN TAKEOVER: The Caribbean Social Forum returns to Greenwich for a vibrant, family-friendly celebration across the National Maritime Museum and Queen’s House. This fifth-anniversary edition of Caribbean Takeover also honours 60 years of the Notting Hill Carnival with a packed programme of steel pan music, African drumming and calypso dance. Join carnival headwear workshops, watch a screening of the film Milestone: Streets Paved with Gold or challenge experts to a game of dominoes. FREE, 10am-5pm
GLOBAL SHUFFLE DAY: Discover thrilling new games, compete for prizes and enjoy 2-for-1 margs all day long this Saturday at Electric Shuffle. The beloved shuffleboard-slash-cocktail bar is celebrating the first-ever Global Shuffle Day — part of its wonderfully absurd mission to make shuffleboard the world's #1 sport. Seriously, though, shuffleboard is way more high octane than novices might think. Treat yourself to a game of the blackjack-inspired Studio 21 or nerve-shredder The Edge and you'll soon find out. From 11am (sponsor)
WOOLWICH ARSENAL TO ART DECO: Explore the eclectic riverside history of Woolwich on a guided walk from Footprints of London. Woolwich: Arsenal to Art Deco visits 18th century gun factories and palatial Victorian municipal buildings, while revealing the origin story of Arsenal FC. You'll also see the area's recent regeneration projects, starting from the Woolwich Elizabeth line station. 11am-1pm
WINE CAR BOOT: Independent wine retailers, importers and producers take part in the Wine Car Boot in Coal Drops Yard (King’s Cross), offering wines to taste and buy alongside cider, vermouth, beer, food stalls and music. Entry is free, with tasting via purchased tokens. 12pm-8pm
SWANA SUMMER PARTY: Community production house Hekayyatna takes over the gardens of the Horniman Museum in Forest Hill for Haflah at the Horniman. This family-friendly celebration of South-West Asian and North African cultures features live music at the bandstand, a "souq" market selling Palestinian fair-trade produce and Yemeni silver, and food trucks serving Syrian burgers and Lebanese street food. Plus, join a dabke dance tutorial, listen to a retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh, or try your hand at Arabic calligraphy. 1pm-5pm
BIG BANG PROM: The legendary BBC Proms are now underway, with dozens of shows scheduled for the next couple of months. Today's performances at the Royal Albert Hall include matinee and evening shows of Horrible Science: The Big Bang Proms Experiment, a live version of CBBC's hit comedy sketch show of the same name, featuring characters including Albert Einstein and Marie Curie, accompanied by some recognisable live music. 2pm/6pm
SECRET GREEK THEATRE: Did you know about Walthamstow's 'Greek' amphitheatre? Tucked away in the grounds of a school, the theatre — built in the 1920s — opens to the public for just a few days every year for performances of a Shakespeare play. This year it's The Merry Wives of Windsor, and today's your last chance to see it. 2.30pm/7.30pm
SOUTH ASIAN CULTURE: Bell Square in Hounslow welcomes the return of ANHAD, a vibrant outdoor celebration of cutting-edge South Asian art and music. The programme features a diverse sonic landscape ranging from Bollywood samples and dream pop to garage and deep club cuts. Live performances from artists including nikhil, Misbah, and Amna Askari are paired with a DJ line-up featuring Manara and Zaleel, showcasing some of the best South Asian talent from across the UK. FREE, 3pm-10pm
RAVE BEYOND REALITY: Taking place in Wapping, Rave Beyond Reality is a daytime medieval-fantasy rave. Expect a live "Wizard" DJ playing fantasy-inspired rave remixes, immersive visuals, themed cocktails, live performers and costume prizes. 4pm-8pm
ARCHDUKE: Catch the final performance of the European premiere of theatre show Archduke, at the Royal Court Theatre. It follows three young men in Belgrade in 1914 who are offered the chance to change history. Their mission: kill Archduke Franz Ferdinand. 6.30pm
BAD BUNNY PARTY: Puerto Rican musician and Superbowl half-timer Benito — better-known as Bad Bunny — is the subject of a club night at Between the Bridges on South Bank. Though the man himself isn't present, DJs spin his tunes, interspersed with reggaetón and Latin trap all night. 7pm-11pm
PERSIAN SOUL: Tehran-born New York-based musician Rana Farhan brings a blend of Persian poetry and American blues, soul and jazz to World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens in Nine Elms. She performs material from her 2025 album, Persian Soul, which sets poet Rumi's words to original compositions. 7.30pm
VIDEO GAME ORCHESTRA: Revisit the 1990s as the London Video Game Orchestra gives a live concert of music from Super Mario 64, Donkey Kong Country, Monkey Island, Theme Hospital, Myst and more. It's performed by a full 60-piece ensemble at Questors Theatre's Playhouse in Ealing, accompanied by gaming visuals. 7.30pm
Sunday 26 July
BRAINIAC LIVE: Keep little minds ticking over during the summer holidays with family science show Brainiac Live at the Garrick Theatre. In the space of just an hour, delve into several mysteries of science, and witness a series of experiments which are definitely not to be repeated at home. 26 July-30 August 2026
CERAMICS MARKET: The Sculpture Garden at Dulwich Picture Gallery hosts its inaugural Ceramics Market, bringing together a curated selection of local potters and special guests. Browse a diverse range of handmade wares, from functional mugs and vessels to intricate sculptural pieces, while meeting the makers to discuss their techniques. 10am-3pm
PHOTOGRAPHY WALK: Professional photographer David G leads a three-hour journey through the capital’s most photogenic landmarks. Get expert advice on manual settings, creative framing and street photography techniques while visiting the London Eye, St Paul's Cathedral and the Millennium Bridge, and learn how to capture high-impact cityscapes and discover hidden architectural oddities along the South Bank before finishing at Tower Bridge. 10.45am-1.15pm
DRINK, DEATH & DEBAUCHERY: Join a Foundling Museum guide for a walking tour tracing 18th century London's boozy and often brutal past around St Giles, Seven Dials and Covent Garden. The walk covers the gin craze, Hogarth's Gin Lane, gallows, plague pits and prostitution — beginning ay the Dominion Theatre and finishing at the Foundling Museum. 11am
BOW FAMILIES: Artist Nicola McEvoy leads a creative workshop at the Nunnery Gallery in Bow, teaching children how to craft hand-sewn drawstring bags and pouches. Using a mix of felt, polycotton and scrap store materials, participants can take inspiration from modern fandoms or ancient cultures to design their own unique accessories. FREE, 11am-1pm
FAMILY BEACH PARTY: Richie Rich Parties brings high-energy entertainment to the sand at JW3 in Finchley Road to celebrate the start of the summer holidays. This Family Beach Party features professional bubble displays, circus skills, and interactive games designed to keep children engaged. Dance and kick back by the water in a vibrant, seaside-inspired atmosphere. 2pm-3.30pm
CHURCH TEA: Islington's Union Chapel puts a global spin on a British classic with Church Tea with a Modern Twist. This community gathering swaps standard fare for a spread of baklava, samosas and scones, celebrating food heritage through shared memories and international flavours. Once you've had your fill, the house band leads a transition from traditional foxtrots to salsa lessons on the dance floor. FREE, 2pm-6pm
WEMBLEY PARK LIVE: Olympic Way transforms into a festival ground for Wembley Park Live, a free afternoon of music staged directly with the stadium arch as a backdrop. The eclectic line-up features eight acts spanning soul, funk and pop, including a special appearance by a string quartet from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Visitors can browse summer market stalls or visit the Feed The Yak mobile bar while catching sets from performers like Scarlette Fever and the Wembley Park Live All Stars. FREE, 2.30pm-8pm
PADDINGTON 2: Everyone's favourite fluffy Peruvian gets the big-screen treatment, as Rooftop Cinema Club's Stratford outpost screens Paddington 2. The marmalade-loving bear, now living with the Brown family, tries to buy a present for Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday only for it to be stolen, in the family-friendly screening. 2pm
BRAZILIAN SESSION: Rachel Haytor (from the band Alvorada) and Jonathan Preiss (Choro Matiz and Caratinga) host the Rodo do Harrison — a free Brazilian music session at the Harrison in King's Cross. Instrumentalists are welcome to join in. FREE, 7.45pm
