Things To Do This Weekend In London: 22-23 June 2024

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All weekend

It's the first weekend of NAOMI In Fashion at the V&A. Photo: Dave Benett/Getty Images for the Victoria & Albert Museum

WEST END LIVE: Free musical theatre festival West End Live is back in Trafalgar Square, with the casts of current and upcoming shows performing live on stage — for free. The Lion King, Sister Act and Six are among the shows taking part, but be warned: it gets very busy, with spectators often turned away when it reaches capacity. FREE, 22-23 June

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: Ahead of Pride in London next weekend, the Museum of London Docklands hosts Pride and Prejudice, a celebration of queer history through talks, tours and crafts. Hear about lesbian squatters in the 1970s, and queer sailors working out of London's docks, make your own Pride keyring, or take a walking tour tracing the City's queer history, among other events. 22-23 June

WATERLOO WEEKEND: Aspley House, home of the first Duke of Wellington, commemorates the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo with Waterloo Weekend. Across both days, look out for re-enactors giving special talks and demonstrations harking back to the time of the Napoleonic Wars. 22-23 June

NAOMI IN FASHION: After several extremely successful fashion exhibitions in recent years, the V&A opens yet another one. NAOMI In Fashion shines the spotlight on the career of model Naomi Campbell, via the creative output of the many photographers and designers who've worked with her. From 22 June

Pride and Prejudice celebrates queer history © Museum of London

ROMAN ARMY: This weekend is your last chance to see the British Museum's exhibition Legion: Life in the Roman Army, which offers the lowdown on the West's first modern, professional fighting force through the life and service of a real Roman soldier, Claudius Terentianus. Letters written on papyri by soldiers from Roman Egypt and the Vindolanda tablets — some of the oldest surviving handwritten documents in Britain — feature. Until 23 June

DISNEY100: Also closing is Disney100, a huge exhibition celebrating the centenary of the Walt Disney Company at ExCeL. It spans 10 galleries, covering films, theme parks and more. The carousel horse which Dick Van Dyke rode in Mary Poppins (1964) and the crystal glass slipper from Cinderella (2015) are among the exhibits. Until 23 June

WANDSWORTH FRINGE: The eclectic Wandsworth Arts Fringe comes to a close this weekend, with events including (but not limited to) a day of yoga stories for children, a musical performance of Treasure Island, a brass concert and a community circus day. Until 23 June

ROYAL ACADEMY SUMMER EXHIBITION: A highlight of the London art calendar every year, the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition brings together established and rising artists to display their work. Prints, painting, film, photography, architectural works and sculpture all feature among the 1,200 pieces, coordinated this year by sculptor Ann Christopher RA. 18 June-18 August

West End Live takes over Trafalgar Square. Photo: Pamela Raith

FOOTBALL SCREENINGS: You can't have failed to notice that there's a little footie tournament going on at the moment. UEFA 2024 matches are happening across Germany throughout the weekend, and many London venues are screening the matches live. Take a look at our guide on where to watch the football, and get booking your table. Until 14 July

SIX LIVES: The National Portrait Gallery has a new exhibition focusing on Henry VIII's queens. Six Lives features Tudor paintings by Hans Holbein the Younger and contemporary photography by Hiroshi Sugimoto, chronicling the representation of Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard and Katherine Parr throughout history and popular culture in the centuries since they lived. 20 June-8 September

JAPANESE PRINTMAKING: Artistic Japanese dynasty the Yoshida family are the subject of a new exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery. See works by three generations, culminating in a new site-specific installation of cherry blossom by a living member of the family. 19 June-1 November

Saturday 22 June

Club de Fromage, but make it daytime.

GREAT WILD WALK: Sign up to take part in a five- or 10-mile walk through Epping Forest, raising money for the World Wildlife Fund. The Great Wild Walk is a family-friendly event, and dogs are welcome, with a fundraising target of £150 per person, and money raised going to the WWF's conservation projects around the world. From 9.30am

ST PANCRAS TOWER: You'll need to book ahead for today's rare chance to visit the St Pancras Waterpoint Tower, with one-hour tours available, giving you the chance to learn more about the pretty-yet-practical structure, and get inside the building, including up to the viewing platform at the top if you fancy it. FREE, 10am-3pm

DRAWING AROUND TOWER BRIDGE: Join Art Academy tutor Natasha Lien for a day of drawing on location in the area around Tower Bridge, learning and improving different skills as you go. It's open to complete beginners as well as more experienced artists, and begins with introductions to different drawing techniques, followed by a chance to draw whatever inspires you in the urban surroundings. 10am-4.30pm (sponsor)

ROYAL WHARF SUMMER FETE: Celebrate the start of summer at the Royal Wharf Summer Fete, taking place at Royal Wharf Park (near Silvertown), with a line-up of live music performances, family entertainment, fitness classes, kids' workshops, street food stalls and a waterfront craft market. 11am-5pm

PRE-PRIDE ROOFTOP PARTY: Sashay your way to One Hundred Shoreditch for their pre-Pride party with House of Trash, promising an evening serving 'constructed chaos', joy, and inclusivity — open to everybody wanting to celebrate their fabulousness through music, with guest stars including Bimini and Fidel. 5pm-midnight

GIN AND RUM: It's free entry to the Enfield Gin & Rum Festival, taking place at the aptly-named Pymmes Mews, with some of the UK's finest small batch producers exhibiting their tipples and serving up unique cocktails. 11am-11pm

CONSPIRACY CULTURE: London Fortean Society is at Conway Hall for an afternoon delving into conspiracy theory culture. James Ball, Professor Chris French, Professor Karen Douglas, Brent Lee and Jonn Elledge discuss how conspiracy theories became so mainstream, what harm this causes, and how we can move on from this mindset. 12pm-5pm

WINDRUSH BLOCK PARTY: The Bernie Grants Arts Centre in Enfield marks Windrush Day with another of its Windrush Block Parties. The open-air event begins with a family party, followed by performances by local Black talent, and live DJs. Caribbean and African food traders are on site selling their dishes too. 12pm-7.30pm

DAD'S ARMY: Wilton's Music Hall in Limehouse hosts Dad's Army Radio Show, with three episodes of the popular sitcom adapted for radio for the first time. Two actors use two microphones to bring more than 25 characters to life on stage, helped along with vintage music and sound effects. Today's your last chance to see it. 2.30pm/7.30pm

101 Dalmatians opens at the New Wimbledon Theatre today. Image: Oliver Rosser, Feast Creative

DAYTIME PARTY: Regular pop party Club de Fromage holds one of its daytime events, at Scala in King's Cross. It's strictly for over-30s, with the usual mix of pop, rock, indie, power ballads, and disco tunes — plus singalongs, balloons and air guitaring. If that suits your schedule, take a look at our guide to London's daytime parties and clubbing events. 3pm-7pm

QUEST FOR LOVE: As part of the ongoing Queer 80s film festival, Barbican Cinema screens Quest For Love, a 1988 South African film which was banned from its home country on release. It tells the story of a political journalist recently released from prison, waiting to reunite with her lover. 6.20pm

101 DALMATIANS: Puppetry, dancing and songs combine for a musical version of children's book 101 Dalmatians, opening at the New Wimbledon Theatre tonight, and aimed at children age 5+ and their families. Watch as Cruella de Vil attempts to snatch Pongo and Perdi's litter of Dalmatian pups in a bid to make herself a new fur coat. 7pm (and until 29 June)

THE HEROES BAND: Formed to raise funds for the Help For Heroes charity, The Heroes Band marks its 10th anniversary with a special concert at St Paul's Church (AKA the Actors' Church) in Covent Garden. They'll be playing some of their favourite pieces they've performed over the years, as well as premiering new music. 7pm

WIFI WARS: Interactive live comedy game show WiFi Wars is back at the Royal Institution in Mayfair. Take along a fully charged smartphone or tablet and log on to take part in games, quizzes and challenges. 7pm-8.30pm

CHORAL CONCERT: Battersea Choral Society gives a performance of Mendelssohn's St Paul at Holy Trinity Church on Sloane Street. Soloists Carolyn Sampson, Sarah Connolly, James Gilchrist and William Dazeley also take part in the performance. 7.30pm-9.30pm

Sunday 23 June

Update your wardrobe at the Pre-Loved Fashion Market

SUNDAY FUNDAY: Looking for things to do in London today or any other Sunday? We've compiled a guide to things that happen in the capital on a Sunday, so you can find something to keep you busy, whoever you're with and whatever your budget.

BLACK HISTORY WALK: The Black History Walks team are on the South Bank today. Join a guide for a walking tour focusing on Black and Caribbean history in the area, tackling topics including Black British civil rights, Africa before colonisation, gentrification, and second world war links to Windrush. 10am-12pm

PRE-LOVED FASHION MARKET: Stock up on second-hand clothes and accessories at the Pre-Loved Fashion Market, coming to the Prince of Wales in Leyton. Women's men's and kids' clothes are all there for the taking. 11am-3pm

HAYES CANAL FESTIVAL: Boat rides, kayaking and paddle boarding are among activities on offer at the family-friendly Hayes Canal Festival, taking place on the Grand Union Canal near Hayes & Harlington station. There's plenty to do on dry land too, including crafts and face painting. FREE 11am-4pm

FROCK ME!: Splash out on vintage togs, as the Frock Me! Vintage Fair returns to Kensington Town Hall, with 100 dealers selling clothing and jewellery across two floors. 11am-5.30pm

Quest For Love is screening at Barbican Cinema on Saturday.

TAYLOR SWIFT BRUNCH: London will be full of Swifties this weekend, as Taylor Swift performs her first run of shows at Wembley (21-23 June). There are plenty of other themed events going on around town including 100 Wardour Street's Taylor Swift Brunch, consisting of three courses and the option of bottomless brunch, while live musicians perform some of her best-known tunes. 12pm-5pm

WEST LONDON EID FAIR: Celebrate Eid at the West London Eid Fair in Greenford, which includes live entertainment, Halal food and shopping stalls. FREE, 12pm-7pm

COLLYWOBBLERS COMEDY: Ria Lina and Patrick Monahan perform at Collywobblers Comedy at the Railway in Streatham, hosted by Siôn James. Ticketholders get 30% off food before 7pm, so get there early to make a night of it. 7.30pm

UKULELE ORCHESTRA: Spend your Sunday evening in the company of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. They're at Fairfield Halls in Croydon for a programme of new tunes and well-loved classics. 7.30pm