All weekend
BOLLYWOOD MELA WEEKEND: Camden Market marks South Asian Heritage Month with a Bollywood Mela Weekend. Head to Hawley Wharf for traditional and contemporary dance performances, live music, family crafts, a tuk tuk and rickshaw display, giant walkabout puppets, henna and face painting. FREE, 9-10 August
AFRICA FASHION WEEK: Space House in Covent Garden is the venue for Africa Fashion Week London, offering two days of catwalk shows, shopping halls, fashion talks and interviews — all showcasing the work of African designers and creatives in the fashion industry. 9-10 August
STANS: Barbican Cinema screens Stans, a new documentary film about the connection between hip-hop legend Eminem and his devoted fans, known as Stans. Hear the stories of real-life superfans who identify with the themes of his music, and watch a candid new sit-down interview with Eminem himself. 9-10 August
BEACH VOLLEYBALL: This is the final weekend of this year's AFK Beach Volleyball in Canary Wharf, raising money for charity Action For Kids. Hire out the sandy court in Union Square and challenge friends or colleagues to a match during your one-hour slot. Until 10 August
EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN: Compton Mackenzie's 1928 comic novel Extraordinary Women is on stage at Jermyn Street Theatre, set on the Mediterranean island of Sirene, peaceful in the aftermath of the First World War... until a group of extraordinary women arrive. Until 10 August
POWER OF GARDENING: The British Library's current exhibition looks at how centuries of gardening have empowered communities and shaped the natural world. Objects on display in Unearthed: The Power of Gardening include botanical illustrations and the world's oldest mechanised lawnmower. Until 10 August
CAMDEN FRINGE: Performing arts festival Camden Fringe is in full swing at venues around north London. Our picks this weekend include TK's Magic Show (as seen on Britain's Got Talent), improv murder mystery A Curious Demise, musical comedy Tannie Koekie’s Birthday, and Bricking It comedy night, which platforms underrepresented voices. Until 24 August
EARTH PHOTO: Shortlisted images from this year's Earth Photo competition are on display at Syon Park, spotlighting the challenges faced by our planet. This year's winning image, by Lorenzo Poli, is a black-and-white photograph taken at the Chuquicamata mine in Chile, depicting the marks which humanity has made on the natural world. Until 13 September
THE SPELL OR THE DREAM: The latest installation in the courtyard at Somerset House is Tai Shani's The Spell or The Dream. It features a luminous blue figure caught in a suspended state atop a plinth, accompanied by a newly commissioned soundscape, and aims to provoke a discussion around how we can build a better future together. It's one of our art critic's picks for the best exhibitions to see in London this summer. FREE, 7 August-14 September
INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION: The 166th edition of the Royal Photographic Society's International Photography Exhibition is at Chelsea's Saatchi Gallery, showcasing contemporary photography from around the world, on topics including family, identity and environmental issues. FREE, 5 August-18 September
SECRETS OF THE THAMES: The first ever mudlarking exhibition in the UK is open at London Museum Docklands, featuring more than 350 fascinating objects recovered from the foreshore of the River Thames. This treasure trove includes historical relics from every era of London's past, as well as intimate personal items. Secrets of the Thames blends archaeology with digital experiences and contemporary art, culminating in a specially-commissioned illuminated moon created by Luke Jerram. Until 1 March 2026. (sponsor)
Saturday 9 August
SUBVERSIVE STITCHING: Get creative at Bermondsey's Fashion & Textile Museum, as Holly Searle AKA The Subversive Stitcher leads a stitching workshop. All materials are provided as you work on a vintage tea towel to create a slogan or message which means something to you, learning simple hand stitching and applique techniques as you go. 10.45am-12.45pm
NAIRN'S PIMLICO: Join Open City for a walking tour exploring Pimlico, asking whether architectural critic Ian Nairn's description of the area as a 'village' remains accurate today. Begin at Pimlico station and wander past stucco terraces, Dolphin Square, Churchill Gardens and the Lillington Gardens Estate, seeing a variety of architectural styles as you go. 11am
LONDON TACO EXPERIENCE: Foodies: head to Riverside East in Stratford for the London Taco Experience, with eight of the capital's taco traders serving up their top dishes, along with margaritas, mezcal tasting sessions, and spicy condiments galore at the Hot Sauce Showcase. 11am/5pm
LEADENHALL CRAFT MARKET: Solo Craft Fair pitches up in Leadenhall for a craft market featuring over 100 different makers and designers selling everything from fashion to homewares. Also look out for a free craft workshop taking place 12pm-3pm, exact craft TBA. 12pm-5pm
COCKTAILS IN THE CITY: The second and final edition of this year's Cocktails in the City comes to a close in Bedford Square Gardens, opening the usually-private park to ticket holders, with 20 of London's best bars appearing in pop-up form to serve their tipples. There are also street food stalls, live music, a silent disco, ice carving and cocktail making workshops. 12pm/5pm
PLUGGED IN: The park in front of Battersea Power Station hosts a free afternoon of live music. Plugged In at Battersea Power Station showcases six talented local acts spanning indie rock, pop and funk. Bag yourself a deckchair or a spot on the grass to enjoy the performances. FREE, 1pm-7pm
WAR HORSE: The National Theatre's beloved puppetry show War Horse brings its UK tour to the New Wimbledon Theatre from today. Based on Michael Morpurgo's book of the same name, it's the story of a young boy's beloved horse, sold to the Cavalry and shipped to France at the start of the First World War. Age 10+. 2.30pm/7.30pm. Find other family-friendly theatre shows on in the summer holidays.
WINDRUSH WOMEN: Join Black History Walks at the Fellowship Inn right next to Bellingham station, for a screening of Fearless, a film telling the stories of six women from the Windrush generation aged between 78 and 90. Find out what happened when they left their homes in the Caribbean, Ireland and South Asia in the 1950s-60s to answer Britain's call for workers, with archive footage and photography woven into the interviews. FREE, 3pm-5.30pm
THAT BASTARD PUCCINI: A play about a race between two of Italy’s hottest composers, Giacomo Puccini and Ruggero Leoncavallo, to compose an opera about the enchanting love story of La Boheme, this week is your last chance to see That Bastard, Puccini! at Park Theatre. 3pm/7.30pm
SONGS FROM THE SHOWS: An Evening Of Songs From The Shows in King's Cross brings together West End stars for a free live show. Part of the ongoing (free!) Summer Sounds series, Daniel Boys (King George III in the touring version of Hamilton) is one of the main performers, with tunes from 15 different shows featured. It's likely to be popular, so get there in plenty of time if you want a spot near the front. FREE, 6.30pm-8.30pm (arrive earlier to get a space)
SHOOT FROM THE HIP: Improv comedy troupe Shoot From The Hip spend the evening at Underbelly Boulevard Soho, offering their usual blend of chaotic games, epic scenes, and ever-so-slightly unhinged performances, all in the name of laughs. 7pm
THE PLANETS AND STAR WARS: Today's offering from BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall is The Planets and Star Wars, featuring performances by National Youth Orchestra and Farnham Youth Choir, conducted by Dalia Stasevska. They combine Holst's The Planets and John Williams' Star Wars soundtracks, plus Pulitzer Prize-winner Caroline Shaw's piece inspired by sci-fi, for an out-of-this-world evening of live music. 7pm
FREE INDIE GIG: The Shacklewell Arms in Dalston hosts a line-up of free indie music this evening, with sets from Glass Eel, Mildred, Glasshouse Red Spider Mite, and WING! (Their exclamation mark, not ours.) FREE, 7pm
POP TARTS: The ninth instalment of Pop Tarts lands at LGBTQ+ club The Divine, with Violetta J'Adore hosting a night of fun, campery, glamour and drag celebrating all things pop girlie. If your scene is Lady Gaga, Chappell Roan and Charli xcx, this one's for you. Doors 7pm
PAINT MARILYN: Try your hand at recreating Wyland Tondelier's Pop Art-inspired painting of Marilyn Monroe. PopUp Painting at the London Art Bar in Holborn provides you with all art supplies, plus a professional artist on hand to offer help should you need it — though you're equally welcome to follow your own creativity. A drink is included in your ticket, with more available to purchase at the bar. 7.30pm-10pm
GUNS 2 ROSES: Guns N' Roses tribute band Guns 2 Roses have been all over the world — including six US Tours plus gigs in India, Dubai and all over Europe — paying tribute to the legendary rock band, and today they're at live music pub the Half Moon in Putney doing what they do best. 8pm
JENNY'S TRAVELS: Last chance to see comedian Jenny Tian performing her current show Jenny's Travels at the Leicester Square Theatre. Hear her tales of moving to the UK as an Australian, freezing her eggs, re-downloading Hinge and failing to understand the Scottish accent. 9.30pm
Sunday 10 August
MARKFIELD BEAM ENGINE MUSEUM: The now-decomissioned Markfield Beam Engine, dating from Victorian times, still stands in its engine house in a quiet park just off the A10, and can be visited on certain Sundays and bank holidays, including today. Look out for free guided tours and kids' activities while you're there. 10am-3.30pm
SNEAKER FESTIVAL: KicksnCoffee Sneaker Festival is at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow, where you can shop for sneakers and streetwear, and chat to fellow enthusiasts over coffee. The Walthamstow-on-Sea pop-up beach is open at the same venue, if you fancy making a day of it. 11am-5pm
RAVER TOTS: Head to Danson Park in Bexley this afternoon for family-friendly festival Raver Tots. Alongside a funfair, face painting and arts and crafts, there are performances from the likes of So Solid Crew and DJ Luck & MC Neat. Final release tickets now on sale. From 1pm
ART IN THE PARK: T shirt painting, jewellery weaving and paper marbling are among the creative activities available at Art in the Park, taking place in Windmill Gardens outside Brixton Windmill. Guided tours of the windmill are available throughout the day too, but need to be booked in advance. 1pm-5pm
COMEDY: Three shows for you to choose from at the Islington comedy venue today (or do all three). Shit Lawyer (4pm-5pm) has been described as "like the Secret Barrister, but with gags and a face." Charlie Vero-Martin treats you to surreal storytelling with a WIP for her latest show (5.30pm-6.30pm). Then Abby Govinden explains How to Embarrass Your Immigrant Parents (8.30pm-9.30pm). 4pm-5pm, 5.30pm-6.30pm, 8.30pm-9.30pm
SING WTF YOU WANT: Blondies bar in Clapton hands over the mic to you, for their Sing WTF You Want rock karaoke session, open to "legends, screamers, shower singers and chaos gremlins alike." Rock, punk, metal, emo and guilty pleasure songs welcome — and each performer gets a free Jäger shot. 6pm-8pm
HASSAN PHILLS: Comedian Hassan Phills brings a double whammy of his show, This Tour Is Jokes, to Backyard Comedy Club in Bethnal Green. The Canadian performer offers sharp observations about daily life, along with cultural nuances and his own personal mishaps. 6pm/9pm
RHYTHM OF HOPE: The Rhythm of Hope Reggae & Gospel Fundraising Concert takes place at Woolwich Works, raising money for Food for the Poor (FFPJA), the largest charity in the Caribbean. Two-time Grammy-nominated Jamaican singer Etana headlines, joined by singer-songwriter and rapper Teejay, and other acts to be announced. 7pm
NIGHT OF THEATRICS: Cabaret, comedy, burlesque and aerial acts are promised at A Night of Theatrics at the Phoenix Arts Club. Though it's a regular event, no two performances are the same. Cocktails and snacks are available to order while you watch. 7.30pm (doors 6.45pm)
LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA: The London Philharmonic Orchestra headlines this evening's BBC Proms show at the Royal Albert Hall, with Edward Gardner conducting a programme of 20th-century music including Debussy's La mer, Sibelius' The Oceanides and Ravel's song-cycle Shéhérazade, performed — in a Proms debut — by mezzo-soprano Aigul Akhmetshina. 7.30pm
IMPROV COMEDY: Every Sunday evening, the renowned Comedy Store Players switch on their lightning fast brains, and perform an improv show. You, the audience, provide suggestions for characters, locations and themes — and they improvise hilarious scenes in front of you. A classic night of London comedy. Age 18+. 7.30pm
