All week
JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS: After months of hype, the Platinum Jubilee week is finally here, with the official celebrations taking place over the four-day weekend. Looking for somewhere to celebrate? Our Jubilee events guide includes exhibitions, family activities and other special events — or you could treat yourself to a limited edition Royal-themed afternoon tea.
BANK HOLIDAY: Keen to make the most of the four-day weekend, but not keen on all that flag-waving. Take a look at these things to do over the bank holiday weekend, covering everything from walking tours to green spaces, boating, visiting pubs, and having a mooch around London's craft or book shops — not a cardboard corgi in sight.
HALF TERM: As if there wasn't enough going on this week, it's also half term, with most London schools off for the week. Dippy, the Gruffalo and Peter Rabbit all make an appearance in our half term events guide, which has plenty to keep the whole family entertained, whatever their age and whatever your budget. Also, we've got the ultimate map of central London playgrounds.
DIPPY: Guess who's back, back again, Dippy's back, tell a friend. The Natural History Museum's famous replica diplodocus skeleton is now reinstalled in the South Kensington building — albeit temporarily — after going on a nationwide tour. Temporary exhibition Dippy Returns is a chance to see the skeleton again, learn about its history and the tour. Natural History Museum, free, book ahead, until December
SUMMER SCREENS: Canary Wharf's free outdoor screenings Summer Screens launch on Monday, offering the public somewhere to kick back and watch the biggest sporting fixtures of the summer, as well as films on selected evenings. Swing by on Wednesday night to watch Pride. Canada Square Park (Canary Wharf), free, first come first served, from 11am daily until 22 September
BRITISH BLUES: Barbican's latest display, The British Blues Exhibition, charts the rise of the musical genre, through Radio Caroline, The Rolling Stones, The Animals, Cream, and Jools Holland. Objects on display include instruments, sheet music, posters and more. Barbican Music Library, until 19 September
Monday 30 May
INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM: Today's Gresham College lecture looks at how investigative journalism has changed, particularly over the last decade, due to improved digital communication tools. Professor Hugo De Burgh discusses how brave people in many countries have become whistleblowers, exposing problems and holding those in power to account. Barnard's Inn Hall (Holborn) or online, free, book ahead, 6pm
CRAP FILM CLUB: 1986 release Never Too Young To Die is this month's choice at Crap Film Club, which does exactly what it says — screens films which aren't exactly of the highest quality. NTYTD stars John Stamos as Lance Stargrove, a high school gymnast who must avenge the death of his estranged secret-agent father (George Lazenby) at the hands of the evil bisexual hermaphrodite Velvet Von Ragner (Gene Simmons). The Old Queen's Head (Islington), £5, book ahead, 7pm
ART DECO THEATRELAND: Footprints of London guide Jane Parker hosts a virtual tour around the Art Deco architecture of London's theatre district, to be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home. Photos and maps are used to show you some of the more interesting architectural details, including eight new theatres which were completed within 13 months in 1929-1930. Online event, £8 per person/£16 group, book ahead, 7pm-8pm
JESTER JESTERS: Jonathan Hearn, Patrick Hearn, Chantal Feduchin-Pate and Chris Timoney are among the comedians trying out new material and honing their acts at this week's Jester Jesters Comedy Club — and as we approach Edinburgh Fringe season, WIP shows tend to be of a very high standard. The Betsey Trotwood (Farringdon), £2, book ahead, 8pm-10pm
NASHVILLE: You can always find something a bit different on the programme at the delightful Prince Charles Cinema which is showing Nashville tonight. The 1975 film is set in the Tennessee capital with Delbert, a lawyer and political organiser, who has an unsteady marriage with Linnea, a gospel vocalist. Meanwhile, country singers Barbara and Connie compete against each other in Nashville's music scene. Warning, it's part of the PCC's 'Long-Ass Movies' season, weighing in at 160 minutes — so maybe have a loo break before it begins. Prince Charles Cinema (Leicester Square), £14, book ahead, 8.15pm
Tuesday 31 May
QUIRKY LAMBETH: Join tour guide Chris Burton for one of her ‘First and quirky’ walks, exploring the unusual sights of the area between Waterloo and Lambeth Bridge. It includes the place where a very famous supermarket started, the Necropolis railway, lots of street art, medical firsts and much more. A quirky take on the Lambeth walk! Waterloo station, £12, book ahead, 10.30am-1.30pm
FAMILY GADGETRY FAIR: It’s the 150th birthday of illustrator Heath Robinson today, and the Heath Robinson Museum in Pinner has a family-friendly fair to celebrate. “This will be a whacky fair, where in true Gadget King fashion, art meets science, with an exhibition of Heath Robinson’s best humorous work, a display of Meccano models, art & design activities alongside all sorts of zany engineering challenges”. Plus, they’ve got Joseph Herscher of Joseph's Machines fame. Heath Robinson Museum (Pinner), free, just turn up, 12pm-4pm
SCIENCE OF SURGERY: UCL hosts a free, open-to-all afternoon of interactive activities and demonstrations exploring how research is being used to improve surgery, including imaging, robotics and sensors. Learn from UCL experts in these fields, and find out what it’s like to plan and do surgery through hands-on activities. Charles Bell House (Fitzrovia), free, just turn up, 1pm-4pm
THE FEMALE ANIMAL: Broadcaster and filmmaker Lucy Cooke discusses her new book, Bitch: A Revolutionary Guide to Sex, Evolution and the Female Animal. It looks at how the female animal has been misunderstood and misrepresented by the scientific patriarchy, and how sexism has distorted our understanding of animal behaviour. Ticket includes a free drink, and entry into the new Dippy Returns exhibition. Age 18+. Natural History Museum (South Kensington), £20, book ahead, 6.30pm-9.30pm
LOST FOOTBALL GROUNDS: Take a virtual tour of some of London's lost football grounds, including well-known former stadiums such as West Ham United's Boleyn Ground and Arsenal's Highbury, as well as some of London's earliest grounds, home to the likes of Wanderers and Thames Ironworks. Tour guide Rob Smith tells their stories through images, and gives you info on how to visit the sites yourself. Online event, £8 per person/£16 group, book ahead, 8pm-9pm
Wednesday 1 June
LONDON FESTIVAL OF ARCHITECTURE: A celebration of architecture and 'city-making', the London Festival of Architecture programme is packed with more than 400 events throughout the month, from public installations to talks, tours, debates and performances — including some family-friendly events too. Highlights include pop-up bike parking, a rocking bench and a full-size recreation of a Lebanese house. It begins tonight with an architecture late at the Royal College of Physicians. 1-30 June
LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE: Professor of Astronomy Katherine Blundell hosts a free Gresham College lecture about life in the universe. She covers how life can form in the universe and what is needed for it to do so, and whether or not we can expect to find life elsewhere in the solar system. Museum of London or online, free, book ahead, 6pm
CELEBRATION OF ROYALTY: City of London Guides have teamed up with Leadenhall Market to offer special walking tours around the Jubilee. Take a walk around the market and surrounding area in the City of London, learning about links to the monarchy, and how the area has changed in the 70 years of our Queen's reign. Leadenhall Market, £8.14, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm
BRITISH ASIAN MUSICIANS: Treat your ears to an evening of music by classically trained, young British Asian musicians. Performances include brothers Ali Hashim and Kayam Hussain who have both been trained in the ‘Punjab Gharana’ of Tabla style and technique performing a tabla solo (a tabla is a small pair of drums used in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh). Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £15, book ahead, 7pm
ROYALTY ON SCREEN: BBC Radio 2, the BBC Concert Orchestra and soprano Carly Paoli present an evening of majestic music. The programme includes music from regally-inclined films such as The Madness of King George, The King's Speech, Shakespeare in Love and Camelot, as well as Walton’s Crown Imperial, the march written for George VI’s coronation and later performed at Elizabeth II’s, the first televised coronation. Southbank Centre, £15-£30, book ahead, 7pm
Thursday 2 June
THE QUEEN'S PORTRAIT: The life and work of sculptor Mary Gillick is the subject of a new display at the British Museum. It's timely as Gillick was the artist who created the new Queen Elizabeth II's profile to be featured on our currency at the start of her reign, 70 years ago. The exhibition covers the whole of Gillick's career, from training in sculpture at London's Royal College of Art in the early 1900s, through her specialisation in medallic art, to her 1952 success and beyond. The British Museum, free, just turn up, 2 June-31 July
APPEARING ROOMS: Parents, pack a towel and spare clothes — Jeppe Hein's Appearing Rooms is back outside Southbank Centre from today. The interactive fountain creates 'rooms' which appear and disappear, and kids love trying to catch them. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 2 June-28 August
TROOPING THE COLOUR:The Queen's Birthday Parade, AKA Trooping The Colour takes place today, in a slight change to the normal Saturday event due to the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Though tickets to watch from the stands are long gone, you've still got a chance of catching a glimpse of the pageantry from The Mall or the edge of St James's Park — though you'll want to get there very early to get a good spot. Horseguards Parade, free, just turn up, 10am-12.15pm (9am is the recommended arrival time).
TOGETHER 22: Greenwich is a Royal Borough, so of course it's going all out for the Jubilee celebrations. Together 22 is an outdoor, family-friendly event with sports activities, kids' workshops, a live music stage, a marketplace and food and drink stalls. Charlton Park, free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm
FOOD FOREVER: Head to the Temperate House at Kew Gardens for a look at the future of food. Journalist Dan Saladino and food design specialist Maria Fuentenebro discuss what our grandchildren will likely be eating, given the rate at which crops are changing and developing. Kew Gardens, £9, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
Friday 3 June
FOODIES FESTIVAL: Head to Syon Park for Foodies Festival, the only London stop on the national tour this year. Live music comes courtesy of Scouting For Girls, East 17, Liberty X and others, alongside live chef demos, a Cake & Bake Theatre, plenty of street food to keep you energised, and bars to ensure you don't go thirsty. Syon Park, from £23, book ahead, 3-5 June
PLATINUM PICNIC: The Royal Borough of Greenwich continues its Jubilee celebrations with Platinum Picnic in the Park. Take your picnic along and tuck in as you enjoy performances including the Citizens on the World Choir, a Royal Ceilidh by Greenwich Dance, as well as a UK Latin Community Fiesta, a plus stilt walkers, an Air Cadets band, and more. Charlton Park, free just turn up, 12pm-4pm
EVENING WITH THE MOON: The Royal Observatory stays open late for one of its Evening With The Moon events, a chance to see the moon through the Victorian era Great Equatorial Telescope, as well as enjoying a Planetarium show. Age 7+. Royal Observatory (Greenwich), £16/£8, book ahead, 5.40pm
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY LIVE: Looking for somewhere to get away from all the Royal-themed celebrations? Strap in for a screening of 1968 Stanley Kubrick film 2001: A Space Odyssey, with the Philharmonia Orchestra and London Voices performing its soundtrack live. (Just be aware that even this film has a subtle Jubilee connection!) Southbank Centre, £20-£55, book ahead, 7pm
Saturday 4 June
CAMBERWELL ARTS FESTIVAL: A Platinum Party on Camberwell Green (today, 12pm-3pm) is the launch party for this year's Camberwell Arts Festival, which also includes an arts market, artists' open studios and a Camberwell Corgi trail of 70 cutout dogs through the local area. Camberwell, various locations and prices, 4-12 June
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 ahead, 2pm-6pm
BATON RELAY: Enjoy an afternoon of sport-themed family fun as the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay visits Paternoster Square as part of its tour through all 72 Commonwealth countries. Take part in Commonwealth Games sports, including basketball, with the London Lions and table tennis, with sports charity Greenhouse Sports, or if that's too energetic for you, pose for a photo with the baton. Paternoster Square (St Paul's), free, just turn up, 12pm-3pm
WORLD CIDER DAY: 3 June is World Cider Day, and London's first urban Cidery, Hawkes, celebrates with a special festival. They host 16 guest cidermakers from around the world, with guided cider tasting, freshly made pizza and DJ sets. Hawkes Cidery (Bermondsey), free entry (or £5 for a guided tasting), book ahead, 12pm-10pm
PARTY AT THE PALACE: Today's big Jubilee event is Platinum Party at the Palace, a live concert featuring (big breath...) Queen + Adam Lambert, Alicia Keys, Hans Zimmer, Ella Eyre, Craig David, Mabel, Elbow and George Ezra, Duran Duran, Andrea Bocelli, Mimi Webb, Sam Ryder, Jax Jones, Celeste, Nile Rodgers, Sigala and Diversity, plus Sir David Attenborough, Emma Raducanu, David Beckham, Stephen Fry, Dame Julie Andrews, The Royal Ballet, Ellie Simmonds, Sir Elton John and Sam Ryder. Some appear via video, others in person. Alas, it's a ticketed event and tickets have all gone, but it'll be shown live on TV — and we reckon a few pubs and the like will be screening it so check your local. From 1pm
PROUD AND LOUD: Celebrate 50 years of UK Pride at a special concert presented by Pride in London. LGBT+ icons including Calum Scott, Hayley Kiyoko, Cat Burns and ariōn all perform, at an event which celebrates the past 50 years of Pride held in the UK and looks at what the future holds for the LGBT+ community. Royal Albert Hall, book ahead, 7.30pm
Sunday 5 June
HOT AIR BALLOONS: After 22 May was scuppered due to unfavourable wind conditions, today's the first reserve date for this year's Lord Mayor's Hot Air Balloon Regatta. If the weather is right, dozens of hot air balloons will float across London's sky as the sun rises, all raising money for charity. You'll have to be up early to see it though — from 5.30am
PLATINUM JUBILEE PAGEANT: The official royal celebrations culminate today in the Platinum Jubilee Pageant, a procession and performance featuring many different people, including professional artists, schoolchildren, and other members of the public. Even if you're not attending the pageant itself, be aware of road closures, large crowds, and public transport being very busy in central London. The Mall and surrounding areas, free, just turn up, 2pm-5pm (though you'll want to get there much earlier to get a spot).
QUEEN'S BATON RELAY: Following its parade through Paternoster Square on Saturday, the Commonwealth Games Baton Relay arrives at the Royal Docks today (its final London stop), with an afternoon of events to celebrate. Look out for live performances including the English National Ballet’s Youth Company, West Ham women’s team and Grime Group Ruff Squad Academy, as well as live music, puppeteering, food, drink and more. Royal Docks, free, just turn up, from 2.30pm
JAPANESE ANIMATION: Want to escape the royal hullabaloo today? Head to Barbican and watch a selection of rare animated Japanese silent films, accompanied by electro-acoustic music and Benshi narration (Benshi were Japanese performers who provided live narration for silent films). Very few of the earliest Japanese animation films survive, so this is a rare treat for cinephiles. Barbican Cinema, £13.50, book ahead, 3pm
GHARANA FESTIVAL: Enjoy an Indian classical music concert in all its complexity, performed by UK-based artists including Kirit Singh, Jasdeep Singh, Mehboob Nadeem, and Chiranjeeb Chakraborty. That's followed by a lighter performance by local artists, finished up with compositions by Bengali composers. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £20, book ahead, 4pm
DANNY BOYLE: As part of Southbank Centre's Jubilee celebrations, respected film director Danny Boyle discusses his new six-part series, Pistol, which is about the rock and roll revolution and particularly the Sex Pistols. He also discusses the punk revolution with director Julien Temple, writer Celeste Bell, actress Maisie Williams, poet John Cooper Clarke and writer Andrew O'Hagan. Southbank Centre, book ahead, 7.30pm
Urban oddity of the week
This week's oddity could only be something with a regal bent. It's a huge EIIR crown made up from many individual tiles... not pretty, but certainly a curiosity. The august footpath enhancement is part of the Jubilee Greenway, a walking route commissioned as part of the Diamond Jubilee and Olympic celebrations. You'll find it in Stratford, where the Greenway crosses the Waterworks River.
Good cause of the week
Meet our close cousins. One of the more arresting spectacles this summer is the 28 sculptures of chimpanzees, now in place throughout the More London area. The sculptures show our close relatives in a number of natural poses, which remind us how similar to us humans they really are. The sculptures, known as Chimps are Family, are part of a WWF effort to raise awareness of the great apes, and the threats to their ways of life. If you enjoy the display, or simply want to help protect the apes, then here's a WWF Just Giving page where you can contribute. The sculptures will remain in place until 21 October.
