All weekend
UPDATE: As of Friday afternoon, we've had notification of some events on Saturday being cancelled or postponed due to high wind forecast. We've updated these below, but do check other events are still going ahead before you travel.
WIMBLEDON: It's the second and final weekend of the Wimbledon tennis tournament 2023, with screenings taking place all over town for those of us who can't make it down to SW19 itself. Canary Wharf, King's Cross and Mayfair are just some of the areas offering free open-air screenings — see our full guide to Wimbledon screenings in London this year. Many are FREE, until 16 July
KEW THE MUSIC: A stage is set up in Kew Gardens for the final two nights of music festival Kew The Music — it's Haçienda Classical on Saturday night, while Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra bring the festival to a close on Sunday. Take your own picnic chair or blanket, pack some sarnies or buy food and drink on site, and enjoy live music in a relaxed and (hopefully) sunny setting. Until 16 July
FASHION DISTRICT: Fashion District Festival takes over Spitalfields for 40 events celebrating fashion, sustainability, innovation, and community across six days. Pick up tips at styling masterclasses and upcycling workshops, and visit pop-ups and swap shops to refresh your wardrobe. Weekend highlights include a knitting workshop and a garment restoration session. 11-16 July
BBC PROMS: The BBC Proms 2023 kick off on Friday night, paving the way for a weekend of music including Northern Soul at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening, and Vivaldi's The Four Seasons at the same venue on Sunday. For all your info on tickets, highlights, promming and the like, peruse our guide to the BBC Proms 2023. 14 July-9 September
GORILLA TRAIL: 15 life-sized gorilla sculptures appear around Covent Garden on Friday, each individually designed and decorated by well-known people including Ronnie Wood, Rankin, and Chila Kumari Singh Burman. The Tusk Gorilla Trail raises awareness of the plight of African wildlife, particularly gorillas, and though it's free, you can make a donation towards conservation if you wish. When the event ends, the gorillas will be auctioned off to raise more money for charity. FREE, 14 July-October
MARKETPLACE PECKHAM: Indoor street food restaurant and bar brand Market Place opens its new Peckham branch — on Rye Lane — on Saturday. It's home to 10 street food vendors including traditional Nigerian street food specialists Suya Lobster, Mexican brand Los Tacos, and Hawaiian street food brand Huli Huli. It's a wheelchair accessible, family-friendly venue with five different seating areas. Opens 15 July
CANALSIDE WIMBLEDON SCREENINGS: It's the final weekend of Wimbledon, and you’re invited to see out the championships in style for free at Camden Market Hawley Wharf! Grab some street food from the neighbourhood's globe-trotting traders, pull up a deck chair and watch the battle for ultimate tennis glory on the big screen. FREE ENTRY, 14-16 July (sponsor)
CROYDON FESTIVALS: Central London's isn't the only Pride festival in London — the second-largest is Croydon Pride, taking place in Wandle Park on Saturday after a parade through the centre of town. Browse stalls and enjoy live performances by acts including Abbalicious and local drag queen Asifa Lahore. The park has a quick turn around for Croydon Mela on Sunday — a free celebration of the borough's Asian communities. FREE ENTRY, 15-16 July
WHITECROSS STREET PARTY: Though it hosts a lively street food market most week days, Whitecross Street near Barbican really comes alive for the annual Whitecross Street Party. The theme this year is Art Not War, with live painting and street art, a music and words stage, family activities, food stalls and more. FREE, 15-16 July **Due to high wind forecasts, this event will now only take place on Sunday, not Saturday**
FOOD FESTIVAL: Eat your way around the world at the National Geographic Traveller Food Festival, at the Business Design Centre in Islington. Hear from cookbook authors, and watch live cooking demos and masterclasses, so you can attempt to recreate your favourite dishes at home. 15-16 July
REGINA SPEKTOR: Singer, songwriter and pianist Regina Spektor plays her first London shows for six years, on Saturday and Sunday. Expect to hear songs from all eight of her albums performed in these gigs at Royal Festival Hall. 15-16 July
EEL PIE ISLAND: The first of two summer open weekends at Eel Pie Island takes place this weekend. It's a chance to set foot on the mysterious and private island in the Thames and visit the artists who live and work here in their studios — and of course, buy artworks straight from the source. Read about our visit to the island a few years ago. FREE, 15-16 and 22-23 July
BUCKINGHAM PALACE: If all the Coronation hullaballoo has piqued your interest in Buckingham Palace, take the opportunity to go inside at the annual summer opening of the State Rooms, from Saturday. The Throne Room, Ballroom Grand Staircase and Palace Gardens are among the areas open to the public for just a few weeks — we've been inside before, and it is spectacular. 15 July-24 September
Saturday 15 July
STORIES OF LONDON: Southwark Cathedral hosts a day of talks all about London. Find out about St Paul's Churchyard, painter Turner's links to the Thames, the history of Piccadilly Circus, the Great North Wood and more, with experts in each subject giving the talks. From 10am
KALEIDOSCOPE FESTIVAL: Hot Chip, George Fitzgerald, and comedians Nina Conti and Joe Lycett are all on the eclectic line-up at Kaleidoscope Festival. The one-day event takes over Alexandra Palace with live music, DJ sets, comedy and spoken word performances, plus magicians, games and workshops for families — all with incredible views over London. From 1pm This event has been cancelled due to high wind forecasts
KIDS COMEDY: Take your whole family along to OSO Arts Centre in Barnes for Comedy Club 4 Kids. It's aimed at those age 6+ and their families, and is just like a regular comedy club — with the rude bits taken out. 2pm
FAMILY RAVE: Master of the family-friendly party vibes, Big Fish Little Fish hold one of their famous raves in the Horniman Museum Gardens in Forest Hill. As well as music and DJs, the event has crafts, face painting, quizzes and other events to keep all generations of the family happy. 2pm-6pm This event has been postponed due to the weather forecast
MONSTER JAM: Usually home to football, the London Stadium has some rather different visitors in the form of Monster Jam, featuring 12,000lb behemoths on wheels taking part in stunts (including backflips!) — and there are new Marvel-themed trucks for this year. They're going to ruin that pitch... 3pm
FLAMENCO FESTIVAL: Today's the final day of this year's Flamenco Festival at Sadler's Wells, a celebration of the Spanish dance and music style. Shows to choose from are the all-male Gala Flamenca, flamenco guitarists José Maria Gallardo and Miguel Angel Cortés, and Yeli Yeli, a DJ night featuring a collective of artists. Performances 3pm-9.30pm
NORTH LONDON LATES: The first edition of new, free festival North London Lates takes place in North Tottenham and Upper Edmonton. Buildings on the stretch of the high street running between Bruce Grove and Silver Street will host art, live music, performances, scran and more, including a photo exhibition in Collins Carpets, circus performances in Tottenham Community Sports Centre, and an after-hours takeover at Coombes Croft Library. FREE, from 5pm
BALHAM COMEDY FESTIVAL: The Balham Comedy Festival comes to a close tonight, with a Best of Banana Cabaret show starring Kerry Godliman, Kae Kurd, Andy Askins, Kelly Convey and Finlay Christie. Seated tickets are sold out but there are still some standing tickets available at time of writing. 8.30pm
LOLLY ADEFOPE: Comedian and actor Lolly Adefope is the guest DJ at regular club night Scared to Dance. Head to the Shacklewell Arms in Dalston for an evening of post-punk, indiepop, new wave and art rock music. 11pm-3am
Sunday 16 July
ANTIQUES FAIR: It's that time of month again — Westminster's Royal Horticultural Halls are taken over by the Adams Antiques Fair, bringing together 120 antiques dealers from across the UK selling antique jewellery, silver, decorative pieces and collectables. 10am-4.30pm
ELSYNG PALACE: Ever heard of Elsyng Palace? We'd hazard a guess that not many Londoners have, not least because it was demolished almost 400 years ago. Learn about it, at a free family day held at Forty Hall in Enfield — close to where the palace was located — with quizzes, craft activities. and a chance to meet archaeologists. FREE, 11am-4pm
CHESS FEST: Trafalgar Square hosts a free chess festival, open to all, whether you're a seasoned player or want to learn the game. This year's Chess Fest includes a living chess set with 32 actors taking on the role of the pieces. How very Alice in Wonderland. FREE, 11am-6pm
JAZZY LUNCH: Tuck into a two-course meal as you enjoy live music at OSO Arts Centre's Jazzy Lunch. Singers Diane Slater and Susan Kande perform, with the backing of a full band in a relaxed environment. The menu includes honey mustard chicken or stuffed peppers, followed by homemade chocolate and coffee cake. 12pm
COMIC AND ZINE FAIR: Browse and buy work by cartoonists, self-publishers, small press, zine makers and book artists, at the South London Comic & Zine Fair in Croydon. In addition to the main stalls, there's a library and quiet space where you can take some time out to read. FREE, 12pm-6pm
SOHO VILLAGE FETE: A tug of war between the police and fire brigade, a spaghetti-scoffing contest, a best in show where pooches must dress like royalty, and a music stage are all part of the Soho Village Fete. But surely the highlight is the Soho Waiters' Race, which sees serving staff from different restaurants legging it around the area while balancing a bottle of fizz, wine glass and ashtray on their tray. FREE, 12pm-6pm
RAMBERT DANCE DAY: Performers from the renowned Rambert Dance Company host a day of free dance workshops at Wembley Park. Learn the steps to Caribbean, Disco, Robot, K-Pop, Rock and Roll and Hip Hop dance styles, along with the history behind some of the moves. FREE, 12pm-6pm
OKLAHOMA: Barbican Cinema hosts a screening of a recording of the National Theatre's 1998 production of Oklahoma! The Musical. See Hugh Jackman playing Curly, alongside Maureen Lipman, Josefina Gabrielle and Shuler Hensley. 2pm
ÀVUÀ: Brazilian musical duo ÀVUÀ — consisting of singers Bruna Black and Jota.pê — are tonight's headliners at the Jazz Cafe in Camden, playing their uplifting and soulful style. You can book either standing tickets for the show, or a table at the restaurant to enjoy it as you dine. 7pm
