All weekend
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE FESTIVAL: What is apparently the UK's largest children's literature festival pitches up in Barnes for a weekend of talks and workshops. Hear from big names in the world of kids' books including Axel Scheffler, Michael Rosen and Lauren Child; take part in Aardman model-making sessions; or have a go at Manga illustration, among many other events and activities. 27-28 June 2026
JAPANESE FEMALE PHOTOGRAPHERS: The Photographers' Gallery's summer exhibition displays the work of 27 Japanese women photographers, from the 1950s to present day. More than 200 photographs, videos, installations and rare photobooks are on show, in a bid to rebalance a history too often told through a single, male-dominated lens. 24 June-27 September 2026
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY: The English National Ballet is at the Royal Albert Hall for Sir Kenneth MacMillan's production of The Sleeping Beauty — the first time it's been performed at this venue. The classic fairy tale of the cursed Princess Aurora, from her christening to her wedding celebrations, is brought to life with Tchaikovsky's score, as performed by the English National Ballet Philharmonic. 25-28 June 2026
PORTRAIT AWARD: The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award opens at the National Portrait Gallery, celebrating the best in contemporary portraiture. This year's four shortlisted pieces were chosen from over 1,400 entries from artists across 63 countries. FREE, 25 June-7 October 2026
FRIDA KAHLO: Mexican artist Frida Kahlo is the subject of a new exhibition at Tate Modern, featuring over 30 of her works, to delve into how she became one of the most influential artists of all time — not to mention a cultural phenomenon. Kahlo's garments, jewellery, photographs and memorabilia also feature, along with 200 works by her contemporaries. 25 June 2026-3 January 2027
FUSE INTERNATIONAL: Performing arts festival FUSE International takes over Kingston, with a programme of music, theatre, dance, comedy, visual arts, spoken word, circus and more. Highlights include a Pride in Kingston weekend celebrating the local LGBTQIA+ community, and a Battle of the Bands highlighting local musical talent. 26 June-5 July 2026
SPITALFIELDS MUSIC FESTIVAL: The 50th anniversary edition of Spitalfields Music Festival presents contemporary music, opera, choral works, walking tours and community projects across London's East End. Highlights in the programme include soprano Carolyn Sampson, the New European Ensemble's Seasonal Quartet with writer Ali Smith, the Carice Singers, and concerts at venues ranging from neighbourhood spaces to the Tower of London. 26 June-8 July 2026
BST HYDE PARK: Maroon 5, Mumford and Sons, Pitbull and Lewis Capaldi are among the headliners at this year's BST Hyde Park, commandeering a corner of Hyde Park for a fortnight (though Saturday's Garth Brooks headline show is sold out). On non-gig days, the Open House programme takes place (unrelated to Open House London), with free entertainment spanning live music, film and sports screenings, and more. 27 June-12 July 2026
VANBRUGH: Closing this weekend, a major exhibition at Sir John Soane's Museum brings together drawings and objects including Vanbrugh's plans for Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard, including never-before-exhibited material from the V&A. FREE, until 28 June 2026
LINE DRAWINGS: The Heath Robinson Museum's current exhibition brings together single line drawings and large-scale works by artists including Mr Doodle, Damien Hirst, Glenn Brown, Jake Chapman, Frank Auerbach, Alberto Giacometti, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. Sounds like quite the draw. Until 28 June 2026
TOY STORY BRUNCH: To celebrate the new Toy Story 5 film, Dotty's Teahouse in Carshalton transforms into Dotty's Toyhouse for a themed brunch this week, with sweet and savoury menu items inspired by Pixar's latest. Until 28 June 2026
MAKE A MESS: Anna, newly bereaved and estranged from her mother, immerses herself in Nigella Lawson's How To Eat and summons an imagined Nigella as a guide. Theatre show How To Make A Mess explores grief and comfort through recipes and memory, taking place Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate. Until 28 June 2026
WORLD CUP: England play Panama on Saturday in their final Group Stage match in the World Cup. These London bars and venues are all screening World Cup matches live — expect them to be veeeery busy for England games!
Saturday 27 June
CORDON BLEU FESTIVAL: Le Cordon Bleu's Summer Festival in Bloomsbury offers 18 hands-on culinary workshops, wine and beverage tastings, and eight guest-chef demonstrations. Workshops are led by Le Cordon Bleu Master Chefs and visiting chefs including Michael Kwan and Masaki Sugisaki, with tastings from brands such as the Peruvian Embassy Pisco Bar, Brindisa and Lauden Chocolate. 9.30am-6pm
SUMMER FETE: Community event Royal Wharf Summer Fete is a family-friendly waterfront celebration, open to everyone. The programme includes live music and DJ sets, fitness classes, a craft market with independent traders, street food, garden games and children's workshops. FREE, 11am-5pm
DIRTY DANCING BRUNCH: Have the time of your life singing and dancing to live versions of songs from the 1987 film, at the Dirty Dancing brunch at Between the Bridges on South Bank. Staged dance scenes, singalongs, audience challenges and a DJ keep things lively, with an hour of bottomless bubbles included in your ticket. Note that food isn't part of the deal, but there are plenty of traders open on site throughout the event. 11.30am-3pm
HORNIMAN BIRTHDAY PARTY: Forest Hill's Horniman Museum celebrates its 125th birthday with a free (but ticketed) day of events. Watch local and young musicians and DJs across three stages, plus arts and crafts, Smallympics, object handling, a storytelling tent, tours and trails, and street food stalls — all with top-notch views of the London skyline. FREE, 12pm-5pm
PRIDE IN SOUTHWARK: Ahead of the big Pride in London festival next week, Pride in Southwark keeps the celebrations local. It begins with a protest march from the London LGBTQ+ Centre to Mint Street Park to defend and promote LGBTQIA+ rights, followed by a community event with music, spoken word and other entertainment in the park all afternoon. FREE, 12pm-6pm
ELIF SHAFAK: Renowned British-Turkish writer and activist Elif Shafak gives the inaugural Counterpoints Lecture at Southbank Centre, exploring whether creativity can help heal our divided world. Hear her thoughts on how creativity can open paths to belonging and collaboration in times of conflict and division. 2pm
CROWLEY CRAWL: Guide Marco Visconti leads a walking tour that traces the London of occultist Aleister Crowley. Today's West End Arcana route calls at clandestine corners of the Strand, legal quarters and Atlantis Bookshop. 2pm
RUGBY DOUBLE HEADER: Rugby team Barbarians play Wales in a double-header match day at Twickenham. One ticket covers both the men's (KO 2pm) and women's (KO 5pm) fixtures — each runs for 80 minutes. KO 2pm
CHOCOLATE SOLDIER: Oscar Straus' 1908 opéra bouffe The Chocolate Soldier comes to Wilton's Music Hall, staged by Opera della Luna which is known for its productions of comic opera and operetta. It's the first time the show — based on George Bernard Shaw's anti-war play Arms and the Man — has been staged in the UK since 1940, when its run at the Shaftesbury Theatre was cut short when the theatre was bombed. 2pm/7pm
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD: Aaron Sorkin’s stage adaptation of Harper Lee's novel To Kill A Mockingbird returns to the West End, opening at Wyndham's Theatre and starring Richard Coyle as Atticus Finch. 2pm/7pm (and until 12 September 2026)
WHODUNNIT UNREHEARSED: Park Theatre stages a Wild West murder‑mystery in which a different celebrity becomes the unrehearsed sheriff each night. Guest sheriffs so far this run have included Anne‑Marie Duff, Toby Jones, Katherine Parkinson and Simon Pegg. Not too shoddy! 2.30pm/7.30pm
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Directed by Alan Berliner, documentary Letter to the Editor reworks thousands of photographs clipped from the New York Times over 40 years into a personal filmic essay about photojournalism, memory and ageing. See it at Bertha DocHouse in Bloomsbury. 3.30pm
JAPAN NIGHT: Experience an atmospheric evening of Japanese calligraphy, tsugaru shamisen, and premium sake at Japan Night, at the Church of St Katharine Cree (Leadenhall Street). Setsuhi Shiraishi demonstrates calligraphy, while Hibiki Ichikawa performs on the three-stringed traditional Japanese instrument, with sake, beer and a selection of snacks also available. 6.30pm-8pm
KIDNAP: Based on the true story of actor and writer Samia Rida's own kidnap to Saudi Arabia as a child, Kidnap at the Drayton Arms Theatre is a dark comedy exploring multiculturalism, domestic abuse, having a disabled sibling... and how kidnap can involve a swimming pool. 7.30pm
BALLAST: Contemporary dancer and choreographer Sol Picó brings a powerful new solo performance to Bell Square in Hounslow. LASTRE (BALLAST) serves as the first chapter of a trilogy exploring themes of vital renewal and healing, blending Picó’s signature precision and strength with music by Judit Farrés. The 25-minute outdoor piece features four accompanying dancers. FREE, 8pm
MYSTERY MOVIE MARATHON: Expect the unexpected at the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square. Five surprise films are shown back-to-back, with no clues given to the line-up — just five random picks from various directors. It's a long session, running through the night and ending around 9am. Phew! 11.45pm
Sunday 28 June
ART & PRINT MARKET: Painters, sculptors and illustrators take over the Sculpture Garden at Dulwich Picture Gallery for the launch of a brand new curated market. Browse original works and prints while enjoying floral displays, alongside a selection of local food and drink traders. Meet independent makers and hear the stories behind their vision in a relaxed outdoor setting. FREE, 10am-3pm
BUS MUSEUM FESTIVAL: Venture a smidge beyond the London border into Surrey for the Summer Festival at the London Bus Museum. View a range of heritage vehicles, take tours of the local area in a 1950s/1960s RT or Routemaster bus, and shop for books, models, old uniforms, badges and memorabilia. 10am-5pm
LAZY FLEA: The Lazy Flea returns to Chiswick House & Gardens for a one-day vintage market on the House forecourt, with 60+ traders offering vintage homeware, furniture, clothing and jewellery alongside street food and coffee. The event is family-friendly and dogs are welcome. 10.30am
DRAG QUEEN STORYTIME: Sashay your way over to Woolwich Works for Drag Queen Storytime, a family-friendly event in which drag queen Topsie Redfern hosts stories, songs and activities celebrating diversity. 11am
SOBER RAVE: Swing by Embargo Republica in Chelsea for a sober daytime rave hosted by Morning Gloryville. Enjoy yoga and other wellness activities, along with live acts and DJs, open mics and a mocktail menu. 11am-4pm
TUDOR POWER STRUGGLE: Tour guide David Charnick leads a guided walk exploring the challenge for supremacy in 1522, in which Henry VIII, desperate for a male heir, began to question his previous marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Visit sites around Blackfriars and Clerkenwell linked to the struggle between King and Pope to secure the loyalty of the English people. 2pm
ARAB FILM CLUB: Short films spotlighting refugee narratives and stories of migration are shown at Southbank Centre, curated by actor and writer Sarah Agha. The theme for the Refugee Week screening is courage, with three films shown followed by a Q&A with Agha. 3pm
MOZART'S JUPITER: The Aurora Orchestra, conducted by Nicholas Collon, performs Mozart's Symphony No.41 'Jupiter' from memory at the Royal Festival Hall. The company removes music stands and invites audiences onto and around the stage for an intimate, immersive experience. 4pm/6.30pm
QUARTET CONCRÈTE: The summer season at Conway Hall in Holborn concludes with a performance of Schubert's masterpiece, the Death and the Maiden Quartet. Quartet Concrète presents a programme that also includes Haydn's Quartet in E flat and Britten's 3 Divertimenti. 6.30pm-8.30pm
OPEN MIC NIGHT: Head to The London Art Bar for a mixed-arts evening featuring performances of music, poetry, art and stand-up. It's open to both emerging artists, and pros who want to try something new. 7pm-8pm
BOLLYWOOD MAGIC: Spend your Sunday evening immersed in the sounds of Bollywood at Leicester Square Theatre. Marking 25 years since the release of one of Bollywood's most iconic films, Say Shava Shava is a concert-style live vocal and dance celebration inspired by its unforgettable soundtrack and cultural impact. 7pm
BETWEEN THE HEARTBEATS: "A fierce, glitter-soaked, soul-bearing uprising of Black queer brilliance" is how Between The Heartbeats describes itself. The evening of live music and storytelling takes place at the King's Head theatre, reclaiming space in an industry that has historically profited from Black creativity while marginalising Black queer bodies. 7pm
