Things To Do This Weekend In London: 28-29 May 2022

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All weekend

The Rosé Festival is at Fulham Palace all weekend

ROAD CLOSURES: There's been a bit of a change to this year's RideLondon — instead of veering into the Surrey countryside, the 100-mile bike ride is routed through Essex, beginning at Victoria Embankment and heading out to Braintree, before retuning to the finish line at Tower Bridge. That means road closures at various times, so check your route before you set out, whatever you're up to this weekend. 27-29 May

ROSÉ FESTIVAL: Celebrate everyone's fave pink tipple at the Rosé Festival, which brings together rosé wine producers for a weekend of food and drink in the grounds of Fulham Palace. Stay well watered at the Rosé Spritz bar, and enjoy live music, and food and wine pairings. Fulham Palace, £25, book ahead, 27-29 May

PUB IN THE PARK: Rosé not doing it for you? There's all manner of other drinks (plus food and live music) at Pub in the Park. Try dishes from award-winning restaurants, pick up tips at live cooking demos, drink your way around pop-up pubs, and soak up live music and DJ sets from the likes of Faithless, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Basement Jaxx. Wimbledon Park, from £40 adult/£25 child, book ahead, 27-29 May

CANCER REVOLUTION: Get an insight into how cancer is detected, prevented and treated, at the first weekend of Science Museum's new Cancer Revolution exhibition. It features objects and personal accounts, and aims to dispel myths about the disease, as well as highlighting the progress that's been made towards tackling it. Science Museum (South Kensington), free, book ahead, 25 May-January 2023

A child in a Spiderman costume poses with Ninja Warrior Turtle characters
MCM Comic Con is in town

MCM COMIC CON: Dust off your cape — MCM Comic Con is back. Highlights include a replica of the Stranger Things set (just as season four launches); a chance to get a photo with stormtroopers; become a Jedi Knight with the Silver Sabres combat academy; or try your hand at Quidditch. Plus there are the usual guest stars, author talks, costume competitions and more. Excel London, from £17.50, book ahead, 27-29 May

LORD OF THE RINGS: The epic The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring becomes even more epic, accompanied by a score performed live by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and Crouch End Festival Chorus. Royal Albert Hall, from £41.50, book ahead, 27-29 May

DIPPY RETURNS: One of London's most famous museum exhibitions, Dippy the (replica) diplodocus is back at the Natural History Museum after its national tour, starring in a special exhibition. The ersatz diplodocid sauropod is only here until December, so be quick if you want to welcome it back. Natural History Museum (South Kensington), free, book ahead, from 27 May

HALF TERM: As of Saturday, most schools in London are on half term, but fear not — we've put together some suggestions for things to do with the whole family this week, including theatre shows, exhibitions, and family-friendly Jubilee events.

Superbloom Afternoon Tea at Pan Pacific London, one of the current regal menus on offer

ELEPHANT & CASTLE TOUR: Learn about the history and heritage of the ever-changing Elephant & Castle area, with one of these free tours taking place this weekend. As you walk, actors bring the stories you're hearing to life. Castle Square, free, book ahead, 28-29 May

ENFIELD PAGEANT OF MOTORING: Start your engines! The Enfield Pageant of Motoring roars into town for the first time in three years. Head here to see hundreds of classic cars, bikes and other vehicles. Entertainment includes demonstrations, a fairground, live music, food stalls and a bar. St George's Playing Fields (Enfield), £10 adult, just turn up, 28-29 May

JUBILEE AFTERNOON TEAS: Getting ready for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations next week? Start the party early by tucking into one of these Jubilee themed afternoon teas being served around town. Crunch on a corgi, or have a bite of Her Majesty's hat.

Saturday 28 May

Two Chelsea pensioners in their red uniforms - one with a plant pot, the other a wheelbarrow full of flowers
It's the final day of Chelsea Flower Show. Image: RHS

CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW: A calendar highlight for any green-fingered Londoner, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show takes over the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea this week, with gardeners from all over the country showing off their work; stalls where you can buy flowers and plants to take home; and a chance to pick up tips from gardening experts. Today's the final day, when many of the plants and flowers get sold off. Royal Hospital Chelsea, from £85.85, book ahead, 8am-5.30pm

ENCANTO: Recent Disney animated film Encanto is the pick for this week's Family Film Club, offering families a budget-friendly way to see the Colombian-set hit movie — be warned, you'll have We Don't Talk About Bruno in your head for the rest of the day. Plus, turn up before the film to take part in a free creative workshop led by Colombian artist Ivonne Vargas. Barbican Cinema, adults £3.50/kids £2.50, book ahead, 11am

SOAPBOX SCIENCE: Gabriel's Wharf transforms into a hub of scientific learning and discussion, as some of London's leading scientists take to their soapboxes to showcase their knowledge to the general public. The focus of this year's Soapbox Science is on game-changing women and non-binary people. Gabriel's Wharf, free, just turn up, 2pm-5pm

BRAZILIAN RESISTANCE FESTIVAL: Rich Mix hosts a day of exploring and celebrating Brazilian resistance through art. Catch the world premiere of a new documentary about four Brazilians fighting for democracy while living in exile, and then enjoy a concert with a very political message. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), book ahead, from 3pm

We don't talk about Bruno... except at Barbican Cinema

BORDERS: Theatre show Borders is the story of two men — one in Israel, the other in Lebanon— who meet on Grindr. Despite several obstacles against them, they travel to Berlin to meet, but the border between the countries heats up, and they’re forced to make difficult decisions. OSO Arts Centre (Barnes), £16, book ahead, 4.30pm/8pm

ESSEX ROAD: Join Footprints of London guide Jane Parker for a walking tour along the Essex Road, an often overlooked thoroughfare in Islington. Over the course of about a mile, learn about some of the area's historic buildings which show how the road has changed, including an innovative market and an early care home. Essex Road (Islington), £12/£9, book ahead, 5pm-7pm

BEETHOVEN'S NINTH: The Philharmonia Orchestra and the Bach Choir team up to perform Beethoven's Ninth. It's a rare chance to hear the composer's final symphony performed live, with works by Mendelssohn and Grieg also featuring. Southbank Centre, £16.50-£56.50, book ahead, 7.30pm

ED MACARTHUR: Comedian Ed MacArthur performs a work-in-progress show, testing out new material. The Launch is described as "a madcap, multi-instrumental rollercoaster of razor-sharp wit, original songs and stunning musicianship". Battersea Arts Centre, pay what you can (suggested donation £12), book ahead, 8pm

Sunday 29 May

Image: Horniman Museum

BABY BROADWAY: Take the kids along to a family-friendly concert featuring tracks from film and West End musicals. Sing along to songs from Mary Poppins, Grease, The Sound of Music and Frozen — with puppets, bubbles and dance moves thrown in. Poplar Union, £9/£7/£5, book ahead, 10am-10.45am/11.15am-12pm

HORNIMAN MARKET: Did you know a farmer's market takes place in the gardens of Horniman Museum in Forest Hill every Sunday? We reckon it's got the best view of any market in the capital, with views of the central London skyline. Stalls sell goods include fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, bread, cake, meat and street food, as well as jewellery, clothes and more. Horniman Museum, free entry, just turn up, 10am-3pm

PECKHAM SALVAGE YARD: Search for treasures at Peckham Salvage Yard where over 50 handpicked traders and locals are selling their wares including clothes, furniture and homewares. The event is from the people behind Hackney Flea Market. Bussey Building (Peckham), £1 entry, just turn up, 11am-6pm

You never know what you'll pick up at Peckham Salvage Yard

GOSPEL BRUNCH: Get stuck into a gospel-themed brunch in a bar in a former church, with a live choir. The Gospel Bottomless Brunch at Amazing Grace features brunch dishes including crispy fried chicken waffles, to be enjoyed while a gospel choir serenades you with Motown hits. Amazing Grace (London Bridge), £10 (or £25 for bottomless booze), book ahead, 11.30am-4pm

DRURY LANE: Immersive walks don't come much better than those hosted by Minimum Labyrinth. Their Drury Lane tour (a guided walk with plenty of street theatre) repeats this week, and it's brilliant. Expect a "bawdy, boozy bacchanal," yet bursting with "obscure factlets, dramatic sweeps of history, dark mysteriousness, musical protrusions and theatrical surprises". Trust us, it's worth it. Drury Lane, from £19.50, book ahead11.30am-5pm

HALF PRICE BURGERS: Today's the last day you can get 50% off the bill at the newly-opened Black Bear Burger in Exmouth Market (it's their fourth and biggest location yet). They've got some smashing looking cheese burgers, bourbon BBQ wings and brisket spring rolls. Black Bear Burger (Exmouth Market), 50% off your menu, book ahead, 12pm-11pm

ADA SALTER: How much do you know about Ada Salter? Learn more about the first female mayor in London on this Footprints of London guided walk. Guide Sue McCarthy cover the impact she had on health, housing and employment for local people, along with her husband, local doctor and MP Dr Alfred Salter. Bermondsey station, £12/£9, book ahead, 2pm

Learn about the life of Ada Salter

BECKET: "Turbulent priest" Thomas Becket is most famous for being slain in Canterbury Cathedral, but much of his life was spent in London. Join Jonathan from London On The Ground to follow in Becket's footsteps, from his well-marked birthplace on Cheapside to other sites of importance. The walk supports the Becket Pageant, coming to Guildhall Yard on 17-18 June. Barbican station, £15, book ahead, 2.30pm-4.30pm

MAKROOH: Enjoy an evening of spoken word and music performed by British Muslim artists at Soho Theatre. Makrooh also has an open mic section, for anyone in the audience who has something to share. Soho Theatre, from £12, book ahead, 5.15pm

COLLYWOBBLERS COMEDY: See out the weekend with a laugh at Collywobblers Comedy. Acts on the bill this week include Babatunde Aléshé, Kuan-wen, Ben Clover, Sonia Aste, Jo Phaure, Ro Dodgson, and MC Siôn James. The Railway (Streatham), £7, book ahead, 8pm