All weekend
AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY: Fourth of July is always a big deal for our American cousins, and even more so this year, as 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. We've put together a guide to special events, as well as some of our favourite all-American restaurants and hot spots around London, so you can celebrate in style this weekend. Around 4 July 2026
EEL PIE ISLAND: The first of this summer's open weekends at Eel Pie Island is this Saturday and Sunday. It's a chance to set foot on the private island off Twickenham, visit the artists who live and work there in their studios — and of course, buy artworks straight from the source. FREE (booking required), 4-5 (and 11-12 July) 2026
LONDON HALLYU FESTIVAL: The London Hallyu Festival brings Korean music, food and culture to Beverley Park in New Malden, with live K‑Pop and traditional performances, a K‑Pop contest, random play dance battles, a K‑Party evening with bands and DJs, plus interactive K‑Food, K‑Beauty and lifestyle zones. 4-5 July 2026
VINTAGE FLEA WEEKENDER: Go East Vintage brings a two-day flea market to Wapping Power Station with more than 70 hand-selected traders selling vintage fashion, mid-century furniture, rare vinyl, antique homeware, lighting and one-off art pieces. Food and coffee stalls are available, and the market is set within the venue's industrial turbine halls. 4-5 July 2026
FREE OUTDOOR CIRCUS: Upswing, the UK’s Black‑led contemporary circus company brings a free, family‑friendly street show to Croydon High Street, inspired by 19th century aerialist Miss La La. Expect aerial displays, walkabout acts and hands‑on workshops (hula‑hooping to beginner acrobatics), as well as creative craft sessions to help decorate the street. 4-5 July 2026
SUMMER SCIENCE EXHIBITION: The Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition is suitable for all ages, and showcases the latest research from across the UK, through hands-on activities, talks and interactive exhibits. The weekend celebrates Sir David Attenborough's centenary, as well as offering a discussion about how the internet hijacked our health, a talk on the history of extinction, and a celebration of 200 year of ZSL, the charity behind London Zoo. FREE, 30 June-5 July 2026
SOUTH ASIAN SOUNDS: Catch the final two days of Southbank Centre's South Asian Sounds, a season showcasing contemporary and classical South Asian music and performance. Highlights this weekend include a show by London-born British-Bengali musician Tara Lily, and a live recording of comedy podcast Making A Husband, hosted by real-life married couple Tez and Shy Ilyas. 1-5 July 2026
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES: London Children's Ballet returns to the Peacock Theatre with a revival of L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables. An all‑child cast aged 9-16, performs to an original classical score played by a live orchestra. 3-5 July 2026
REVEL PUCK CIRCUS: The circus is in town! Revel Puck Circus pitches up at Leyton Jubilee Park, offering a contemporary big top experience with world-class acrobatic performances. The show, A Glimmer Daze Gambit, is about hope, arrival and community, told through teeterboard, aerial cradle, straps, bounce juggling, cloud swing and group acrobatics. Definitely a case of "don't try this at home"... Until 5 July 2026
GENUINE FAKE PREMIUM ECONOMY: It's the final weekend of the ICA's current exhibition, Genuine Fake Premium Economy, where artists including Jenna Bliss, Buck Ellison and Jasmine Gregory use moving image, photography, painting and assemblage to examine class, labour and the relationship between art and money, and how financial precarity and the art market shape value and taste. Until 5 July 2026
FIRST WOMAN: Sam Hickman brings a comedy-harp concert to The Queer Comedy Club as part of the London Queer Fringe Festival. The show blends music and stand-up to explore love, friendship, motherhood, religious trauma and medical transition. 4-7 July 2026
WIMBLEDON 2026: The biggest fortnight in tennis is back. If you can't make it to SW19 yourself, fear not — plenty of places around the capital show the action on big screens, often for free. Here's our guide to where to watch Wimbledon. Want to get closer to the action? Learn all you need to know about joining 'The Queue' for on-the-day tickets. Alternatively, leave the hard work to everybody else and mark the season with a Wimbledon-themed afternoon tea instead. 29 June-12 July 2026
FIFA WORLD CUP: The FIFA World Cup continues, with many bars and venues across London screening matches. As of this week, we're onto the final rounds, with at least two matches each day. At time of writing, we don't know who'll be playing when, but assuming England make it through, you'll want to book your spot at these match screenings asap. Until 19 July 2026
LUMINISCENCE: Westminster Cathedral (note: not Westminster Abbey) gets a glow-up in the form of Luminiscence, a 360° projected light show, bathing the sacred space's windows, walls, pillars and ceiling in remarkable moving colourscapes. The building's never-completed mosaic-adorned domes will also be digitally created, giving us a glance at what might have been. 1 July-27 September 2026
WALDMULLER LANDSCAPES: The National Gallery presents the first UK exhibition devoted to Austrian painter Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller’s landscape paintings. The show gathers views of Vienna’s Prater Park, and the lakes and mountains of the Salzkammergut, as well as scenes from Sicily — highlighting Waldmüller’s use of colour, light and detailed brushwork. FREE, 2 July-20 September 2026
BONSAI TREEHOUSES: An outdoor display in Oxford Square (Paddington) pairs remarkable bonsai specimens with miniature treehouse designs, curated with input from bonsai specialist Peter Warren. The exhibition is by the Museum of Architecture — which hosts the Gingerbread City display each Christmas — and also offers hands-on sessions including a bonsai treehouses workshop. 4 July-31 August 2026
Sponsor message
Yee haw! Country on the Common is back in London
Saddle up, cowboys and cowgirls! An all-out celebration of country, blues and roots returns to south London this weekend, bringing live music, themed food and drink, and heaps of wholesome family fun to Tooting Common.
This is Country on the Common 2026, and if you attended last year’s barnstorming debut edition, you’ll know why this festival needs to be on your radar. If not, there’s still time to wrangle yourself a ticket and find out. Do-si-do on down to enjoy headline performances from blues legend Seasick Steve on Saturday and Nashville's own Cody Pennington on Sunday. There’s also plenty of homegrown talent on display including Kezia Gill, Elles Bailey and Twinnie, plus the live debut of Vernon Kay's Country Jukebox DJ set.
Other highlights include Johnny Cash, Shania Twain and Taylor Swift tribute acts; line dancing with The Country Roses; lasso lessons and even axe-throwing. Kids can get stuck into hands-on crafts, storytelling adventures and delicious campfire s'mores. Speaking of food, there's plenty of BBQ and Tex Mex goodness, plus craft beer, whiskey and cocktails to keep you dancing all day long.
Country on the Common. 4-5 July 2026 at Tooting Common.
Saturday 4 July
COOPERS' CASK RACE: Teams of four compete in Guildhall Yard, rolling full‑size casks across the cobbles in a test of strength, skill and teamwork for the 2026 Coopers' Cask Race. The event begins with the blessing of the casks, followed by teams racing to roll casks, with prize categories for speed, presentation and team spirit. It's free to watch. 9.30am
COMMUNITY ASSEMBLY: Citizens from Croydon and neighbouring boroughs gather at Stanley Arts for a day-long summit focused on climate change, biodiversity and social inequality. It features guest speakers from Croydon Climate Action and Good Food Matters, alongside local campaigners addressing energy efficiency and pollution, as well as creative activities, performances and a free vegetarian lunch — concluding with a networking session in the bar. FREE, 10.30am-4.30pm
MAKE A COMIC STRIP: Artist and educator Chloe Cooper leads a creative workshop at the Lakeside Centre in Thamesmead, focusing on the art of visual storytelling. Explore the centre's garden for inspiration before learning how to make a comic strip that captures everything from gardening tips to horticultural disasters. The session is inspired by the 1990s "Fred’s Gardening Diary" from the Thamesmead Times and is suitable for all ages and skill levels. FREE, 11am-1pm
CAFE OTO SUMMER FAIR: Dalston's experimental music venue opens its doors for a daytime celebration of independent print and sound culture. The Cafe OTO Summer Fair gathers a curated selection of the venue's favourite publishers and labels, including the Syrian Cassette Archive, Burley Fisher Community Press and the Palestinian Sound Archive. Browse rare vinyl, artist books and zines while supporting small-scale creative collectives and local traders. 11am-6pm
MARITIME COMMUNITY DAY: Go behind the scenes at the Prince Philip Maritime Collections Centre in Kidbrooke for a free afternoon of tours, workshops, and live performances. This Community Day offers a rare look at the National Maritime Museum's state-of-the-art conservation studios and hidden archives. Highlights include sea shanties from the Queer History Club, rope-making demos and a chance to explore the onsite community garden. FREE, 12pm-4pm
MARYLEBONE GARDEN PARTY: Attend an all-day garden party in Cambridge Square with live music, pop-up food and drink stalls, free ice cream and family-friendly entertainment. Lawn games and local performances take place across the afternoon too. FREE, 12pm-4pm
HAPPILY EVER AFTER: Timeless stories of wonder and library magic collide at the British Library for the Happily Ever After family festival. This creative takeover features author-illustrator Chris Riddell, poet Joseph Coelho, and mini-musicals from Gareth P. Jones, alongside BSL-interpreted storytelling and a dedicated sensory space. Hone your illustration techniques with Alex T. Smith, join a quest with Wee Movers' dancers or catch a magical concert from the Baby Broadway West End singers. FREE, 12pm-4pm
COCKTAILS IN THE CITY: Catch the final day of boozy festival Cocktails in the City, bringing together some of the most popular bars in London to serve up their concoctions in the private garden of Bedford Square, with entertainment thrown in, from live music and silent discos to cocktail workshops and demonstrations. Can't make it? It's back for three days in August. 12pm-4pm/5pm-10pm
PRIDE IN LONDON: The mahoosive Pride in London festival takes place today, with a parade winding through the centre of London from Hyde Park Corner to Whitehall, and festival stages set up around Soho. Expect to see afterparties and other LGBTQ+ events taking place around this time too. FREE, 12pm-6pm
BRANDON'S BARN DANCE: The USA marks its 250th birthday this Saturday, and Brandon's Barn Dance is throwing a family-friendly hoedown to celebrate. Head to Southwark's Big Belly Bar for line dancing, live country music, karaoke and American stand up. There are corn dogs and sweet tea (plus stronger beverages) to fuel your grapevines, pivot turns and triple steps. 12pm-6pm (sponsor)
PERSIAN SUMMER JOY: Leighton House celebrates the ancient Iranian festival of Tirgan with a family-friendly afternoon of water, poetry and renewal. The legend of Arash the Archer is brought to life through live music and interactive storytelling, alongside playful water activities to mark the arrival of rain. Aimed at children aged 5-10, the event also includes access to the historic house for accompanying adults. 1pm-4pm
RIOJA FESTIVAL: Northern Spain's wine region is celebrated at Bar Rioja Festival, an afternoon of wine and food at the King's Cross venue. Head to the hidden Victorian courtyard to sample a range of vinos (16 tastings are included in your ticket, from crisp whites and elegant rosés to bold reds and sparkling styles), soaked up with paella and accompanied by DJ sets. 1.30pm-6.30pm
COUNTRY BBQ FEST: Craft beers, smokey meat and bucking broncos are promised at Country BBQ Fest, which takes over the open-air terrace at Riverside East (Stratford). Tasty traders include Kansas City style BBQ smokehouse Bodean's, fried chicken masters Gurt's Wings, and Smoking Dreams BBQ. Mouthwatering stuff. 2pm-10pm
EQUUS: Very last chance to catch Peter Shaffer's modern classic Equus, which ends its run at the Menier Chocolate Factory today. The play follows psychiatrist Martin Dysart as he probes why 17‑year‑old Alan Strang blinded six horses, asking whether the cure is worse than the crime. 3pm/7.30pm
SOUL ON THE CANAL: Mucho Soul returns to the sunlit terrace of Grow in Hackney Wick to launch the 2026 summer season. This day-to-night journey transitions from relaxed afternoon grooves to deep house and disco after dark at the canalside venue. Mucho Soul is free before 9pm, with a cover charge for later arrivals. 4pm-2am
UNDER THE STARS: Rapper Tinchy Stryder headlines Under The Stars, a free open-air evening of live music alongside the water at Silverworks Island in Royal Docks. FREE, from 5.30pm
DREAMS AND GHOSTS: Theorists Dominic Pettman and Alfie Bown meet at Housmans Bookshop in King's Cross for a deep dive into the digital realm and contemporary culture. The conversation explores Pettman’s recent works, Dreams and Ghosts, which examine modern phenomena like "ghosting" and the collective psychology of our virtual lives. Bown, a senior lecturer at King's College London, joins to discuss how these digital disconnections reflect our current epoch of social neglect and alienation. FREE, 7pm–8.30pm
CHA CHA HEELS: Dalston queer venue The Divine goes extra-large for its weekly Saturday night dance party with a Pride special, spreading the action across both floors of the space. Expect a high-energy mix of house, electro, disco and acid beats, with pop-up shows starting from 11pm. 9pm-3am
Sunday 5 July
ANTIQUES FAIR: The long‑running Adams Antiques Fair returns to Lindley Hall in Westminster with more than 130 dealers selling jewellery, silver, decorative pieces and collectables. Doors open at 10am and there is often a queue before opening, so arrive early for first dibs. 10am-4.30pm
HAMPSTEAD BIG FAIR: Heath Street in Hampstead goes traffic-free for the Hampstead Big Fair, with 110 stalls selling crafts and food and drink — alongside a funfair, circus school, live music and other entertainment. FREE, 12pm-5pm
NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD LAUNCH: New Acres in Wandsworth hosts the official launch day for its community of independent makers and retailers, with food stalls, taster classes, workshops and a planting zone. Brands taking part include Avo Man, Beringers, Loco Lime, Réme House and Sangha Studios. Collect stickers on a map to enter prize draws as you explore. 12pm-6pm
CALLY FESTIVAL: Islington's Caledonian Road — affectionately known as 'The Cally' — closes to traffic and puts on its party gear for The Cally Festival. The free-entry celebration of local culture offers live music, storytelling, workshops, kids' activities and more. FREE, 12pm-6pm
VINYL MARKET: Far Out Recordings returns to the garden of the Fox and Firkin in Lewisham for a sunny afternoon of crate-digging and Brazilian beats. This Vinyl Market offers a curated selection of record vendors alongside a soundtrack of funk, jazz and world music. The event is family-friendly and offers a relaxed outdoor setting to hunt for rare pressings and global tunes. 12pm-7pm
CARTOON MUSEUM TOURS: Celebrate two decades of the Cartoon Museum with a guided exploration of its 20th anniversary gallery trail. These 45-minute Gallery Tours highlight key objects and hidden stories within the collection, offering a deep dive into the museum's rich history. FREE, 1.30pm/3pm
SLACKER SHAKESPEARE: Baz Luhrmann's modern, stylised adaptation of Romeo & Juliet stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes as the titular lovers, set against rival street gangs and backed by a 1990s‑style soundtrack. It's shown at Dalston's Rio Cinema this afternoon as part of the Slacker Shakespeare season, introduced by season curator Travis Elborough. 2pm
JANE AUSTEN’S LONDON: Trace the novelist's connections to the capital on a guided tour through the streets of Mayfair and St James's. Led by a former Museum of London archaeologist, the tour visits the site of her brother's bank, the location of her original publishers, and the historic shops of Old Bond Street that remain much as they were in the Regency era — as well as real-life settings that inspired the London-based chapters of Sense and Sensibility. 2.30pm-4.30pm
CROUCH END JAZZ: Spend a relaxed afternoon at Downstairs at the King's Head for what is arguably London’s oldest and liveliest weekly jazz jam. Established in 1985, the session invites music lovers to gather in the intimate basement space for three hours, offering a welcoming atmosphere for both long-time regulars and those new to the club's 40-year residency. 4pm-7pm
PIEHOUSE COOP: Stand-up comedy from the Tooting Broads is followed by electronic choons and a lightshow from Phalanx, Azadi J and others — at Deptford's Piehouse Coop this evening. If you like chasing your laughs with a rave, this one's for you. 6pm-11pm
ILLEGAL EAGLES: Tribute band The Illegal Eagles perform their Hotel California Tour at New Wimbledon Theatre, playing the full Hotel California album plus hits such as Life in the Fast Lane and New Kid in Town. 7.30pm
