Things To Do This Weekend In London: 2-3 July 2022

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Things to do this weekend is sponsored by London Transport Museum.

All weekend

It's the first weekend of In The Black Fantastic at Hayward Gallery. Artwork by Lina Iris Viktor © 2018. Courtesy the Artist

WIMBLEDON: 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 on where to watch Wimbledon 2022. 27 June-10 July

IN THE BLACK FANTASTIC: Hayward Gallery's new exhibition, In the Black Fantastic, brings together myth, science fiction, spiritual traditions and the legacy of Afrofuturism. See works by 11 contemporary artists from the African diaspora, which question our knowledge of the world. Southbank Centre, £13.50, book ahead, 29 June-18 September

OTHER ART FAIR: Head to King's Cross for The Other Art Fair, which aims to be accessible, include everyone, and ditch the elitist nature which is often seen in the art world. Around 100 artists are already confirmed for the event, giving you a chance to buy direct from painters, sculptors and more. West Handyside Canopy, from £11, book ahead, 30 June-3 July

FERIA DE LONDRES: Celebration of Spanish food and culture Feria de Londres takes over Guildhall Yard. Expect Spanish music and flamenco performances and workshops, food and drink stalls and other family fun. If that's your sort of thing, check out the Flamenco Festival at Sadlers Wells running until 2 July. Guildhall Yard, £10, book ahead, 1-3 July

Adventure Cinema comes to Osterley Park and House

WIRELESS: Taking place across two sites in London (plus one in Birmingham) across two weekends, it's fair to say that Wireless Festival is back with a bang. It kicks off this weekend, with the likes of A$AP Rocky and The Kid Laroi headlining Crystal Palace, with Cardi B, SZA and Nicki Minaj taking over Finsbury Park next weekend. 1-3 July (and 8-10 July)

ADVENTURE CINEMA: For three days, Adventure Cinema takes over the grounds of Isleworth's Osterley Park and House, screening three films that music fans will love, in the open air. Book tonight for West Side Story, tomorrow for Mamma Mia!, or Sunday for The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Check out the other outdoor cinemas in London this summer too. Osterley Park, £14.50, book ahead, 1-3 July

AFRICA FASHION: The V&A opens a new exhibition, Africa Fashion, on Saturday, looking at the global impact of the African fashion scene through photos, textiles, music and visual arts. V&A Museum, £16, book ahead, from 2 July

Head for one of London's urban beaches

THE GREAT GATSBY: Get dressed up to the nines and travel back to the roaring twenties at Gatsby's Mansion. Enjoy red hot rhythms, bootleg liquor and pure jazz age hedonism, as you immerse yourself in F. Scott Fitzgerald's famous novel. Use code 'CHAMPAGNE' when you book for a free glass of bubbly — or receive a whole bottle of champagne when booking for a group of four or more. Immersive LDN (Mayfair), from £39.95, book ahead, until October 2022 (sponsor)

URBAN BEACHES: Dreaming of kicking back on a deckchair on a sandy beach somewhere warm? Well we can't guarantee the decent weather, but for the rest, check out London's pop-up urban beaches, including one which is great for kids, and a couple of rather exclusive venues.

BOATING: Cool yourself down by taking to the water on one of London's oarsome boating lakes. Rowing boats and pedalos are available at lakes, ponds and even a canal, from Hyde Park's Serpentine to the waterways of the Olympic Park.


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A green day out at London Transport Museum's Depot

Ever been to London Transport Museum's Acton Depot? It's packed with historic London vehicles (tubes, trams, buses), heritage signage and posters (you'll love the vintage roundels!) and unique exhibits (like part of a spiral escalator!).

On the weekend of 2-3 July, there's even more to get excited about, with the Depot's 'Act-on it!' weekend. You and your family will have the chance to learn how London's transport tech is becoming greener, with entertaining environmental activities.

Visit 'Green Street' to create your own vehicles using recycled materials. Don your explorer hats for the Family Depot Sustainability Trail. And look out for one of the new electric Abellio buses. Now that's what we call a fun (and educational) family day out!

'Act-on it!'. London Transport Museum Depot, Acton, £15/£7.50, book ahead, 2-3 July (sponsor)


Saturday 2 July

Photo: Carlos Calika/Pride in London

DRAGON GUARDIANS: There is a Dragon hidden in South Norwood Country Park that's been asleep for thousands of years — and it's the job of you and your kids (aged 4-8) to take care of her. Interactive show The Dragon Guardians features storytelling, song and puppetry, and takes place every Saturday and Sunday in July — starting today. South Norwood Park, £11, book ahead, 10am-11.30am

CLIMATE FORWARD LONDON: The New York Times' three-day event, Climate Forward, wraps up today. Science, culture, policy, storytelling and debate are all on the programme, looking at how the world is doing on the Cop26 climate promises. Urban planning, social media use and curbing plastic use are all on the bill. The Conduit (Covent Garden) £100, or online for free, book ahead,10am-3.15pm

CRAFTY FOX MARKET: Jewellery, ceramics, greeting cards, colouring books, ungendered clothing, and leather goods are among the items available at this month's Crafty Fox Market. Have a browse, meet the makers, and maybe treat yourself to an item or two. Plus, it takes place in a food market, so that's lunch sorted. Mercato Metropolitano (Elephant & Castle), free entry, just turn up, 11am-5pm

Head to Greenwich for the Outdoor Film Festival

SOUL BRUNCH: Don your brightest gladrags, and boogie down to the Got Soul Brunch & Day Party. They'll be blasting out tunes from Erykah Badu, Wizkid, Jill Scott, Focalistic, Beyonce et al — dished up with rum punch, 60 minutes of bottomless prosecco, veggie food, plus games and competitions. The Gable (Moorgate), £43.71, book ahead, 12pm-5pm

PRIDE IN LONDON: The Pride in London Parade is going big this year, as 2022 marks 50 years since the first ever Pride in London. The parade will take the same route as it did in 1972, marching from Hyde Park to Whitehall to commemorate the occasion, with celebrations also taking place in Golden Square, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square and other locations — full details on the Pride in London website. There are plenty of Pride after-parties happening today too. Parade runs 12pm-6pm

OUTDOOR FILM FESTIVAL: Another of London's outdoor cinemas is now open too. The Outdoor Film Festival screens 11 films over seven weekends, including a double bill today. Spend the afternoon watching King Richard, about the father of Venus and Serena Williams, or head over in the evening to catch Pedro Almodóvar film Parallel Mothers. Greenwich Peninsula (North Greenwich), from £6, book ahead, 2pm/6pm, until 27 August

Sunday 3 July

Celebrate Pride at Wembley Park

FLOWER MARKET: Lots of Londoners know about Columbia Road Flower Market — but did you know there's one on the first Sunday of each month in Chiswick? Browse the blooms, and pick out a bunch or two to add some seasonal colour to your home. Old Market Place (Chiswick), free entry, just turn up, 9am-3.30pm

CROYDON AIPORT: The first Sunday of the month is open day at Croydon Airport — where you'll learn all about the glitzy age when Hollywood film stars, politicians and flying aces all made use of London's first airport. Croydon Airport, free, book ahead, various times 10am-2.15pm

MORNING GLORYVILLE: Celebrate the arrival of summer with Morning Gloryville's Here Comes The Sun sober rave. Enjoy yoga sessions, live DJs, open mic slots, art workshops for adults and children, plant-based food and drink including superfood smoothies, all with a dress code of golden, sparkly and shiny. Studio 9294 (Hackney Wick), £20-£25, book ahead, 10am-4pm

TURKISH FESTIVAL: Everyone's welcome at the West London Turkish Festival, which celebrates Turkish culture, cuisine and hospitality. Expect live music, stage performances, a football tournament, funfair rides for the kiddies, and food stalls serving Turkish dishes including lots of lovely kebab. Springwest Academy (Feltham), free, book ahead, 10am-8pm

The Red Bull Soapbox Race is at Alexandra Palace

LONDON GAMING MARKET: Browse and buy retro video games, board games and merchandise all in one place at the London Gaming Market. More than 20 traders are confirmed, selling computers, consoles, handhelds, artwork, apparel, import games, arcade machines and more. Royal National Hotel (Russell Square), £5, book ahead, 11am-4pm

WALTHAMSTOW FLEA MARKET: Over 60 hand-picked flea and vintage traders are present at Walthamstow Flea Market, giving you a chance to peruse and purchase furniture, reclaimed industrial fixtures, salvaged electricals and lighting, homewares, textiles and vintage clothes, curiosities, collectables, and unexpected oddities. Truman's Social Club, £1 entry, just turn up, 11am-5pm

WEMBLEY PARK PRIDE: The main Pride in London celebrations are on Saturday, but the fun continues out west today with Wembley Park Pride 2022. The free event is open to all, with live performances, DJs, dance workshops, art classes, and face painting taking place around the area, followed by a free after-party at Boxpark. Wembley Park, free, just turn up (though booking is required for some classes), 11am-10pm

Vinegar Strokes is one of the headliners at Wembley Park Pride

RED BULL SOAPBOX FESTIVAL: Watch teams of amateur drivers go head to head in their own homemade cars at the Red Bull Soapbox Race. It's like Wacky Races come to life. Alexandra Palace. £29.99, book ahead, 12pm-5pm

SUNDAY PAPERS LIVE: Arts & crafts, pub quizzes, market stalls, and live music are all part of Sunday Papers Live, which has an expert speaker to present each section of today's Sunday papers. It takes place in an oversized living room set-up, with food and drink available throughout the day. Cecil Sharp House (Camden), £39.50/£20 evening only, book ahead, 12.30pm-10pm

BETWEEN TWO BARS: Go on a guided tour Temple Bar monument and the original Temple Bar, taking in the cornucopia of architectural styles in this part of the City, and discovering the various signs, reliefs and sculptures that reveal the stories behind the buildings. Temple, £12, book ahead, 2pm