All week
SUMMER HOLIDAYS: Parents:How many times have you heard "I'm bored" in recent weeks? Fear not, our team has put together a guide to things to do in London in the summer holidays, spanning family-friendly exhibitions, theatre shows, events and days out. And because we know budgets can be tight, we've also got some suggestions for free things to do with kids in London this summer — bet there are at least one or two things on the list that you didn't know about.
CHRISTMAS VARIETY SHOW: Do not adjust your set. Comedian and actor Peter Serafinowicz offers a look at his current work-in-progress show, Christmas Magic with Elvis and Friends, at Soho Theatre. He uses deep-fake technology to bring Elvis back to life in a festive variety show. 19-24 August
EARTH PHOTO 2024: You've only got until Wednesday to view this year's Earth Photo exhibition at the Royal Geographical Society, showcasing photos and videos spanning the categories of people, place, nature, changing forests and a climate of change. FREE, until 21 August
BEYOND THE BASSLINE: The British Library's Beyond The Bassline exhibition — a whistlestop tour through the history of Black music in Britain, from 1511 to the present day — is now in its final week. Until 26 August
ASTRONOMY PHOTOGRAPHY: Another one closing this week: Reach for the stars at the Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, where you can ogle 100+ stunning photos of stars, galaxies, suns and moons. Until 27 August
THE 39 STEPS: Four fearless actors take on 139 (!) roles in just 100 minutes in this hilariously inventive adaptation of the Alfred Hitchcock classic. This enormously popular production — it’s been seen by over three million people in 39 countries and previously enjoyed a 10-year West End stint — is a playful take on the spy thriller, feat. dastardly murders, double-crossing agents, and a stiff upper-lipped, pencil-moustachioed hero. Hurry - it’s at Trafalgar Theatre for a strictly limited season. 16 August-28 September. (sponsor)
EAT OF THE WEEK: Gasoline Grill — home of Copenhagen's favourite smash burger — has a residency at the Double Standard restaurant in King's Cross until the middle of next month. Try a cheeseburger with crinkle cut fries, and maybe a jalapeno michelada to go with. Until 15 September
DRINK OF THE WEEK: We were recently at Skehan's in Telegraph Hill doing some very important research — and noted the legendary pub's incredible steampunk paddle system wafting back and forth from the ceiling — ideal for the toasty weather we've been having lately. The pub also has a delightfully florid garden. All in all, a smashing spot to sip a frosty Guinness or two. Here's our write-up.
Monday 19 August
BOGGING OFF FROM BLIGHTY: Head to the Lion and Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town for Bogging-Off From Blighty, a comedy show about a group of friends who leave London to establish their own nation on an unclaimed island in the English Channel. Part of Camden Fringe. 19-21 August
IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD: The All Points East festival site in Victoria Park is taken over by free, family-friendly festival In The Neighbourhood, for four days between the headline gigs. Check the schedule for live music performances, free outdoor cinema, sports workshops and other events. FREE, 19-22 August
OPENING DOORS: As part of Westminster's Inside Out Festival, the National Portrait Gallery hosts Opening Doors, a series of free, outdoor art workshops. They're inspired by the building's four-metre high entrance doors, which were designed by Tracey Emin, and feature 45 faces that represent and celebrate ‘every woman’. The workshops, open to all ages and abilities, invite you to drop in and create your own portrait of an inspirational woman in your life. FREE, 19-23 August
POKETHON: Waterstones Kingston holds one of its regular Pokéthon! Pokémon trading card events. It's open to all ages, with expert staff on hand to show you the ropes, and a pack of trading cards is included in your ticket, to get you started. 10am-11.30am
WEREWOLVES OF LONDON: Aptly-named storyteller Vanessa Woolf leads a midnight walk around London under the full moon, with a theme of werewolves. Meet near Charing Cross and hear live music, werewolf folklore, local legends and stories, as well as visiting sights from 1981 film An American Werewolf in London. 11.30pm-1am
Tuesday 20 August
DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR: The Underbelly Festival pop-up in Cavendish Square (near Oxford Circus) hosts a series of Drag Queen Story Hour shows this week. The family-friendly show combines inclusive stories with fabulously dressed drag queens, led by published children's author Aida H Dee. Suitable for age 3+. 20-26 August
HAMPSTEAD WALKING TOUR: Footprints of London guide Marilyn Greene offers a walking tour across the Hampstead Heath Extension, the Hill Garden and Golders Hill Park. The circular route starts and ends at Golders Green station, and you can hear stories of the area's history and famous residents as you go. 2pm-4.30pm
THANYIA MOORE: Comedian and actress Thanyia Moore performs her show August at the Bill Murray in Islington, telling the story of how her Edinburgh Fringe debut, which had been 10 years in the making, didn't quite got to plan. Part of Camden Fringe. 6.30pm
STUDIO GHIBLI: A piano and string ensemble performs the themes and compositions from Studio Ghibli films live, accompanied by an audio-visual display, at the Jazz Cafe in Camden. Grave of the Fireflies, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away are among the films which feature. 7pm
ELEMENTAL: 2023 Pixar film is shown at the free open-air cinema at Summer by the River. Head to The Scoop (between London Bridge and Tower Bridge on the south side of the river) to bag yourself a seat to watch the animation about Element City, where Fire, Water, Earth and Air residents live together. Food stalls and bars are available nearby. FREE, 7pm-8.45pm
Wednesday 21 August
BARBICAN OUTDOOR CINEMA: There's an eclectic range of films on offer at Barbican's Outdoor Cinema this summer, from The Grand Budapest Hotel to An American in Paris, via Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Blur: Live at Wembley. All films are shown on a giant screen in the open-air Sculpture Courtyard, with food and drink available to buy nearby. 21 August-1 September
COMEDY OF ERRORS: The Globe Theatre transforms into a bustling dock for a production of Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors, setting the farcical action about two sets of twins who were separated at birth back in Elizabethan London. 21 August-27 October
CANAL FUN DAY: The fantastic London Canal Museum holds a family fun day, including a craft workshop and a trip on a boat along the canal to St Pancras Lock and back. There's a fish theme to the workshop, which is inspired by wildlife and habitats along the water. Your ticket also includes access to the regular museum displays. 10am-4.30pm
MR PUNCH: The Arcola Theatre in Dalston stages Mr Punch at the Opera for the next few days — a family-friendly twist on La serva padrona, featuring operatic vocals, beautiful melodies and panto-style gags. Until 24 August
PATHOLOGY MUSEUM: Today offers a rare chance to get a look inside Bart’s Pathology Museum, an historic collection of anatomical specimens housed with St Bartholomew’s Hospital in Smithfield. It's normally only open to medical students. 1pm-4pm
TASTE OF BRITAIN: Arrive hungry to the Refuel Bar and Restaurant at the Soho Hotel, which serves a Taste of Britain menu, showcasing produce from the British Isles. The four-course menu makes use of seasonal ingredients, including Portland crab, Poole Bay cockles, girolle mushrooms and Cornish seaweed. 6pm-10pm
BEETHOVEN'S NINTH: The BBC Proms continue apace at the Royal Albert Hall. Tonight, a medley of musicians including the BBC Singers, National Youth Choir and Aurora Orchestra perform Beethover's Ninth by heart. The show is BSL-interpreted and broadcast live on BBC Radio 3. Promming Tickets will be available on the day — and here's the lowdown on how to get those. 7.30pm
Thursday 22 August
MULTI STORY ORCHESTRA: Bottled Up, a show about the feeling of being ready to explode at any moment, is the latest performance by the Multi Story Orchestra. See it performed by choir and orchestra at Bold Tendencies in Peckham. 22-23 August
NAUGHTY VICTORIANS: For good reason the Victorians are often decribed using words like "repressed", "moralistic" and "prudish." But they also had their vices, such as drink, sex and gambling. The London Archives holds a session looking through its records at this seedier side of Victorian life. 12.30pm-1.30pm
BUGS, BUTTERFLIES AND BIRDS: Take the kids along to Forty Hall in Enfield for a look at the bugs, butterflies and birds of the local area. Take part in minibeast-inspired craft activities, and get a closer look at objects from the museum's natural history collection. Suitable for ages 6-11. 2pm-3pm
GARDEN OPEN EVENING: After work, head for the Charterhouse in Clerkenwell and spend the evening exploring its private garden. The Sol Grimshaw Trio provide the soundtrack to the final garden open evening of the summer, playing famous songs from the American Songbook era. There are food trucks and a bar in the garden too. 5.30pm-8.30pm
LONDON CYCLING MAN: Character comedy/drag king show London Cycling Man is at the Bill Murray in Islington, about a middle-aged, lycra-clad man, featuring character monologues, original songs, lipsyncs, powerpoint presentations and more. It's a WIP show, part of Camden Fringe. 6.30pm
UNA MARSON: Southbank Centre hosts a celebration of the work of Jamaican feminist activist, poet and writer Una Marson. See a live performance from interdisciplinary artist Rosa-Johan Uddoh, and view a signed edition of one of Marson's books, as well as hearing about Marson's work as the first Black BBC producer. 8pm
Friday 23 August
CARIBBEAN CULTURE FESTIVAL: Ahead of Notting Hill Carnival this weekend (details below), the London Museum Docklands holds a family-friendly festival of Caribbean culture, open to everyone. Head along to take part in dance workshops, art and craft sessions, food workshops and more. Note that although the event is free, some of the workshops require booking, so do check before you arrive if you've got something specific in mind. FREE, 23-24 August
BEER FESTIVAL: Raise a glass to the Big Swig Beer Fest at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow, which claims to be the world's biggest free entry beer festival (pints are £6 a pop once you're inside). Over 120 keg and 75 cask beers from UK breweries are available, along with wine and spirits too, and it's a family-friendly event until 7pm. 23-24 August
GREENWICH AND DOCKLANDS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL: Free outdoor performing arts festival Greenwich and Docklands International Festival returns, for two weeks of theatre, art, dance and circus in outdoor locations. Highlights include a parkour show through Greenwich Peninsula, choreographed roller skating, and a physical theatre performance marking the 85th anniversary of the Kindertransport. 23 August-8 September
FORMULA 1 EXHIBITION: Get yourself into pole position for the opening of a new exhibition dedicated to Formula 1 racing. The Formula 1 exhibition showcases iconic Formula 1 cars and historic memorabilia, and has state-of-the art racing simulators giving you the chance to experience what it’s like to sit behind the wheel of an F1 car as they race around the Silverstone track. From 23 August
SMITHFIELD MARKET WALK: Join a guide from the London Museum for a guided walk around Smithfield — the area that the museum will call home when it reopens. Hear about medieval and Tudor history, and visit landmarks including the Charterhouse, St Bartholomew-the-Great church, and the meat market. 3pm
SKATE JAM: Get your skates on in Greenwich Park, where there's an evening skate jam. It's free and open to everyone, with free skate hire available on a first come, first served basis, and there are professional skate instructors on hand to help you out. FREE, 5pm-8pm
CHOCOLATE SOIREE: Stay late at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich for Grace Tosier's Chocolate Soiree, an evening of events inspired by local 18th century chocolate maker Grace Tosier. Your ticket includes out-of-hours access to the Painted Hall, entry to the current Chocolate House Greenwich exhibition, a chance to take part in a Baroque-themed dance with professional dancers, and a Q&A with an historical interpreter from History Riot portraying Grace Tosier — as well as plenty of chocolate-themed treats. 7pm-8.30pm
Saturday 24 August
BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND: Good news! It's a three-day bank holiday weekend. Make the most of the extra day with our guide to spending the bank holiday in London, so you're guaranteed a good time... even if good weather isn't guaranteed. 24-26 August
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL: Notting Hill Carnival is back on the streets of west London for three days of Caribbean-style entertainment. Expect the usual heady mix of Caribbean culture, samba, mas, soca and calypso, dazzling costumes... and lots and lots of people. Here's everything you need to know about this year's event, including one part which isn't going ahead this year. 24-26 August
BATTERSEA PARK IN CONCERT: A series of open-air picnic concerts kicks off in Battersea Park tonight. First up is Proms in the Park, which sees the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform pieces by composers as diverse as Mozart, Bach, Tchaikovsky and John Williams. On Sunday, the orchestra returns with special guest singers for A Night at the Musicals. Next week, the baton is passed to Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra for some big band fun. Until 26 August (sponsor)
FOOD FESTIVAL: Feast your eyes on the surroundings of Hampton Court Palace, and your stomach on goodies from the Hampton Court Palace Food Festival, which is held in the palace gardens. Tuck into street food, browse and buy artisan products including wine, rum, cakes, pastries, coffee and cheese. There's also live music at the bandstand, garden games, and face painting and shire horse and cart rides for kids. 24-26 August
CULTURAL CLERKENWELL: Walk in the footsteps of Shakespeare and Dickens and see contemporary art in London's oldest parish church, on Nigel Smith's Cultural Clerkenwell walking tour. 2pm-4pm
SUMMER TERRACE BRUNCH: Electric Shuffle Canary Wharf hosts the Electric Summer Festival Brucnh, with singer-songwriter Lucas Berloff belting out summer classics accompanied by a live saxophonist. A two-hour bottomless brunch session includes a Paloma slushie cocktail on arrival, a bottle of prosecco (or four beers) per person and unlimited sourdough pizza. 2pm-5pm
MIGHTY CROWN BALL: Ballroom collective Vogue Rites presents an open-air Vogue Ball in the courtyard at Somerset House, shining the spotlight on the Voguing community with dance, fashion and music. The event is a celebration of global Vogue culture, so organisers ask that if you are not part of the Ballroom community, you use it as an opportunity to learn about the scene's history and cultural significance. 3pm-10.30pm
HEART OF BRASS: The No Limit Street Band play a brass-heavy take on popular songs and feel-good classics as well as some of their own original songs, at Queen of Hoxton. Elsewhere in the venue, DJs play hiphop, R&B, garage, reggae and grime. 8pm
BRICK LANE BLOCK PARTY: Have a late one at the Brick Lane Block Party, where a clutch of venues — including Werkhaus London, 91 Living Room, JuJu's Bar and Stage, Brick Lane Tap Room and Sleazy Pizza — are keeping it going till the early hours, with a ton of live music, DJs, free pizza and chill zones. 9pm-4am
Sunday 25 August
BEAM ENGINE: Ever been to see Markfield Beam Engine? See this wonderfully ornate piece of Victorian kit, originally built to pump sewage from here in Tottenham all the way to Beckton (though note, today is NOT a steaming day), and learn more about it in the adjoining museum. There's also a cafe and playground. FREE, 10am-3.30pm
BLACK HISTORY TOUR: Join Black History Walks for a tour of the Wallace Collection in Marylebone, focusing on the often-hidden Black presence in the gallery's collections, including works depicting musicians, princesses, slaves, servants and saints. 11am-1pm
BODY MOVEMENTS: Body Movements is a dance music festival, celebrating the full spectrum of Queer club culture. Several artists, including LSDXOXO and Coucou Chloe, take over five stages in Southwark Park for a fully inclusive day of clubbing. 12pm-10.30pm
CLUELESS SILENT DISCO: As if! Rooftop Film Club in Stratford screens nostalgic 1995 film Clueless, followed by a silent disco dance party with a DJ playing tunes from the '90s and '00s, and taking requests. Pizza is available to order to your seat during the filming, with the bar open all night for drinks. 4.45pm
SUNDAY SESSIONS: Every Sunday at Camden's Good Mixer, it's time for new and emerging artists to flex their talents, at Sunday Sessions. If you've got what it takes, sign up for a slot sometime — otherwise order a drink and enjoy. 5pm-9pm
HOLST'S THE PLANETS: Head to the Royal Albert Hall for Prom 46, a performance of Holst's The Planets by musicians from the Royal College of Music Chamber Choir, the Royal College of Music Symphony Orchestra, and the Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra. It's preceded by works from conductor Sakari Oramo’s home country of Finland, including Sibelius’s The Wood Nymph, and Lara Poe’s brand-new work Laulut maaseudulta (Songs from the Countryside), which receives its world premiere here. 7.30pm
JOE TRACINI: Actor and comedian Joe Tracini presents his one-man-show Ten Things I Hate About Me at the Apollo Theatre for one night only. The candid stand-up comedy show is based on his experiences living with Borderline Personality Disorder, a condition he was diagnosed with ten years ago. 7.30pm
