All week

SUMMER HOLIDAYS: With schools in London and beyond closing for their summer break, parents and carers will be looking for ways to keep youngsters occupied. Our guide to spending the summer holidays in London includes exhibitions and theatre shows for younger kids through to teenagers, as well as family days out, free things to do and more. Even if you've got the first couple of weeks sorted, bookmark it now — in five weeks time, you might need it!

THE PROMS: Classical musical festival BBC Proms is ongoing at the Royal Albert Hall and occasional other venues, with at least one event each day this week. Highlights include a celebration of singer-songwriter Nick Drake, and a pair of CBeebies Proms for younger visitors on Saturday. See our full guide to the Proms for everything you need to know. Until 14 September

GRAYSON PERRY: Six large-scale tapestries by the Turner Prize-winning Grayson Perry — titled The Vanity of Small Differences — provide a contemporary take on William Hogarth's A Rake’s Progress. They're in situ at Pitzhanger Manor in Ealing until December, and you can see them with general admission to the gallery. Until 8 December

HISTORIC ROOMS: Step back (and forwards) in time with Museum of the Home's new interactive gallery exploring migration, belonging and home life. Visit a 1878 townhouse, a 1950s upstairs room, and the Innovo Room of the Future. It's an enthralling, hands-on way to discover the lives of Londoners through time. Tues-Sun (sponsor)

OUTDOOR CINEMA: A reminder that several outdoor cinemas are open across London, with screenings of classic and cult films and new releases this week. Rooftop cinemas in Peckham and Stratford, a canalside screen in King's Cross and free screenings in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens are among the options for cinephiles. Read our full guide to outdoor cinema in London this summer for the lowdown.

FAMILY BOAT RIDE: Ahoy there! Fancy captaining your own "ship"? GoBoat lets you hire out an eight-seat electric vessel to explore parts of the Thames and inland waterways (Paddington, Canary Wharf, Kingston and Thames Ditton). Imagine the look on your kids' faces when you launch off on a floating picnic. Or simply enjoy the experience with a few friends. Book ahead. (Sponsor)

MICHELANGELO: On at the British Museum, Michelangelo: the last decades focuses on the last 30 years of the artist's life, when he'd left Florence to live in Rome. The exhibition features preparatory drawings for the Last Judgment as well as the recently conserved Epifania — one of only two surviving cartoons by the artist — and this is your last week to see it. Until 28 July

PUB OF THE WEEK: Clarified milk punch cocktails, and chargrilled squid skewers in ponzu sauce await at newish Canada Water/Surrey Quays establishment the Pacific Tavern, where the food's cooked over open flame (very delicious it is, too), and the craft beer game is strong. Regular funk and soul sets — both live and DJed — in the sizeable garden add to the sunshiney vibes. This is a pub doing things right; a wonderful place to hang out over the summer months and beyond.

EAT OF THE WEEK: Laphet Larder has landed in Bermondsey, dishing up authentic Burmese cooking — think coconut noodles, yellow peas, delta style steamed fish and frosted paratha. And if your meal inspires you — well this is a larder after all, and you can also purchase ingredients to take home.

DAY TRIP OF THE WEEK: Keen to get the whole family out of London for a day or two this summer? How about a trip to Winnie the Pooh's home, secreted away in a bucolic village in Sussex? Play Pooh Sticks on Pooh Sticks Bridge, hunt out the Heffalump Trap and the Lone Pine Tree, and finish up with AA Milne-themed snacks at museum, shop and tea room Pooh Corner.

Monday 22 July

BRING YOUR OWN BARS: Poetry night Bring Your Own Bars returns to Boxpark Wembley, hosted by poet Rohan Samuel. Sign up for your own open mic slot on the door, or kick back and watch others working their magic. 6pm-10pm

QUIZ NIGHT: Head to the Fence in Farringdon for their weekly Monday quiz, featuring themed rounds, silly games and the top prize of a £50 bar tab — plus the chance to win a cash prize of at least £100. 6.30pm

LONDON'S ROYAL CITY: Historic London Tours offers the final event in their series of virtual tours raising money for the Air Ambulance appeal. Get to know the Royal side of Westminster, through palaces — including some you might not have known existed — along with the Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, Winston Churchill's secret underground bunker, and a Royal Park. Takes place over Zoom. 7pm

GOLDEN ERA OF R&B: Tonight's show at Camden's Jazz Cafe is a celebration of the golden era of R&B music. Sing along to soul and R&B classics, with hits by Destiny’s Child, TLC, Jill Scott, Ne-Yo, Alicia Keys, Usher, and more. 7pm-10.30pm

HAPPY MONDAYS COMEDY: Comedians Mark Thomas and Ria Lina both offer previews of their work-in-progress shows for this year's Edinburgh Fringe, at Happy Mondays Comedy tonight. Takes place at the Amersham Arms in New Cross, with Sion James hosting. 8pm

Tuesday 23 July

QUEER TANGO CLASSES: The Place in Euston offers a four-week Queer Tango course, aimed at over-50s who are part of the LGBTQ community, or allies of the community. The classes are for absolute beginners so no prior knowledge or experience is necessary. FREE, 23 July-13 August

LOOKING FOR LEONARDO: When the founders of Dulwich Picture Gallery began assembling the collection in the 19th century, they were determined to find a masterpiece by the artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci. It proved difficult, a story that is told in new display, Looking for Leonardo: The Quest for a Renaissance Masterpiece, which opens today. 23 July-26 January

FASHION WATERCOLOURS: Try your hand at creating watercolour fashion portraits at a workshop led by professional watercolour artist Martine Spencer. Begin by exploring the pages and covers of Vogue for inspiration, before creating your own portrait, step by step, learning the techniques as you go. Takes place at the Fashion & Textile Museum in Bermondsey. 11.30am-3.30pm

WHY WE TRAVEL: Travel writers Ben Aitken and Ash Bhardwaj are at Stanfords in Covent Garden to talk about their latest books, and to discuss why we feel the need to travel and how it can enrich our lives. Aitken's Here Comes The Fun looks into how he eradicated boredom and stress from his life, while Bhardwaj's Why We Travel looks at 12 different motivations for exploring other parts of the world. 7pm-8.30pm

AN ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE THING: Six convention-busting female gardeners in the years before the first world war are the topic of Fiona Davison's new book, An Almost Impossible Thing. She's at the Garden Museum to discuss the book, and the stories of trailblazing female gardeners who paved the way for other women to break into the industry. 7pm-8pm

BINGO WITH IDA BARR:  "Missy Elliot meets Marie Lloyd" is how The Guardian described entertainer Ida Barr, who hosts a bingo evening at Wilton's Music Hall tonight. Listen out for your numbers (Ida has her own unique bingo calls) and compete to win top prizes. 7.30pm

Wednesday 24 July

OPERA IN A BREWERY: Embark on a musical journey through the forgotten history of women and beer in one of London’s finest craft brewery taprooms. Besse: Water, Rye, Hops is a new black comedy by Infinite Opera about a fictional medieval brewster living through the threat of plague, witchcraft accusations and the commercialisation of her trade. It’s at Signature Brew Blackhorse Road for three days only. 24-26 July. (sponsor)

AFRIQUE EN CIRQUE: As part of Southbank Centre's You Belong With Me summer series, Afrique en Cirque launches today. Inspired by life in Guinea, expect a blend of acrobatics, artistry and Afro-jazz rhythms. Age 8+. 24-28 July

SUMMER PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION: The Hampstead Photographic Society holds its summer exhibition at Burgh House, showcasing 60 works spanning a range of topics including creative imagery, portraiture, wildlife, landscapes, urban scenes, abstracts, travel, and the natural world. FREE, 24 July-11 August

LOST PAINTING: Italian artist Guido Reni’s painting Bacchus and Ariadne — commissioned for the ceiling of the Queen's House in Greenwich — is the topic of discussion at an event at that same building. Curator of Art Vittoria Cervini delves into the story of the painting, which, after being sent to Rome in 1640, never actually made it to England. It became untraceable, though there are theories about what happened to it. FREE, 1pm-1.30pm

ROTHERHITHE TO LONDON BRIDGE: Guildhall Library offers a guided walk from Rotherhithe to London Bridge, along the river. Meet at Rotherhithe station, and hear about a prince’s tomb, the site of a king’s forgotten palace, a pub that flies the Stars and Stripes, an execution site and a fish called Wanda as you go. 2pm-4pm

JOHN GRANT FILM NIGHT: Watch 1987 romantic fantasy film Wings of Desire, which was inspired by art depicting angels visible around West Berlin at the time. There's also a pre-film Q&A with musician John Grant and host Paul Richards. Takes place at Hackney Picturehouse. 7pm

Thursday 25 July

SUMMER FLYING THEATRE: Experience the little-known stories of aviation history at the RAF Museum, told through an aerial theatre performance. Trailblazers! unveils the stories of obscure pioneers like brave Bessie Coleman, as well as well-known figures such as Amelia Earhart. The immersive experience celebrates resilience, courage and innovation, while performers soar and glide through the air above you. Suitable for age 4+. Every Wednesday-Sunday, 25 July-1 September (sponsor)

SUMMER POSTCARD TRAIL: From today, visitors to the London Wetland Centre in Barnes can take part in the summer postcard trail. Seek out nine lost postcards dotted around the centre and work out who wrote them, and where various creatures are spending their summer holidays. Included in admission, with trail maps available at the entrance. 25 July-1 September

RUBBER DUCK RACE: 3,000 rubber ducks are released into Paddington Basin... all for a good cause. The annual rubber duck race raises money for local charity Cosmic (Children of St Mary’s Intensive Care), by allowing the public to sponsor a duck. Later, a dragon boat race takes place along the same stretch of water, also for charity. 12pm

QUEENS IN CONTEXT: As part of the National Portrait Gallery's Queens in Context lecture series, hear about Queen Marguerite de Navarre, also known as Marguerite d’Angoulême, sister of the French king François I, and an influential figure in the French royal court during the years that Anne Boleyn lived there as lady-in-waiting. The lecture is given by Emily Butterworth, author of Marguerite de Navarre: A Critical Companion. 1pm-2pm

CURATOR TOUR: The William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow offers a tour of its current exhibition, Art Without Heroes: Mingei, led by one of the exhibition's curators. It's the largest ever exhibition in the UK dedicated to Japanese folk-craft movement Mingei, and the tour is a chance to get a bit more background info. FREE, 2pm-2.45pm

MARVEL COSPLAY: Celebrate the release of the first official Marvel cosplay book, Cosplay the Marvel Way, at the Cartoon Museum. Author Judy Stephens is present, signing copies of the book, and there's also a chance to view the current exhibition, HEROES: The British invasion of American comics. Turning up in cosplay is encouraged, naturally. 6pm-8pm

SILENT DISCO: The Natural History Museum celebrates the recent opening of its newly transformed gardens, inviting the public for an evening viewing of the outdoor space, including live music and a chance to talk to the team responsible for the transformation. That's followed by a silent disco inside the museum's Hintze Hall, with three different music channels to choose from. 7pm-midnight

Friday 26 July

OLYMPICS: The summer of sport reaches a crescendo, as the Paris Olympics warm up with the Opening Ceremony this evening. As Paris is only one hour ahead of the UK, the events are scheduled at a decent hour for us Londoners, with many venues in the capital broadcasting the latest action on large screens throughout the competition. From 26 July

WING FEST: Arrive hungry at the London Stadium for Wing Fest, apparently the world's largest chicken wing festival, with 45 different street food traders, restaurants and BBQ teams serving up their best chicken wings. Tickets include live music, DJs, bands, entertainment, rides, games, axe throwing and eating competitions. 26-28 July

RIVER STAGE: This weekend sees the final incarnation of this year's River Stage, a programme of free performances on a pop-up stage on South Bank outside the National Theatre. It's the NT itself curating this weekend's programme, so expect family-friendly theatre, dance performances, live music, workshops for all ages, an NT Live screening of Dear England, and backstage tours of the building. FREE, 26-28 July

PAINTED HALL YOGA: Can you imagine a more splendid setting for a yoga session that Greenwich Naval College's Painted Hall? This morning, there's a chance to begin your day in a truly memorable way, with help from Kindred Yoga Studio. 7.45am-8.45am

SIX THE MUSICAL: The National Portrait Gallery stays open late for an evening celebrating new exhibition, Six Lives: The Stories of Henry VIII’s Queens. The event begins with a live performance by the six queens from West End show SIX the Musical, followed by DJ sets, life drawing sessions and creative workshops, historical talks, and other entertainment. FREE, 6pm-8.30pm

ZOO NIGHTS: The final Zoo Nights of the summer takes place tonight, when London Zoo stays open later than normal, for an adults-only event featuring special talks and performances, pop-up bars and food stalls, and a chance to see the animals at a time when the zoo is usually closed for visitors. It's worth trying to get a glimpse of the three lion cubs born a few months ago! 6pm-10pm

SEVERNDROOG LATES: Another venue open late tonight is Severndroog Castle, which hosts live music and dancing, including a band covering songs by The Cure, The Clash, David Bowie and the Rolling Stones. There's a bar, and food available in the courtyard, and if you buy a premium ticket you'll be given access to the rooftop viewing platform to enjoy the sunset. 6.30pm-9.45pm

DRAG COMEDY CABARET: Drag comedian Lady Bushra headlines Drag Comedy Cabaret, a theatre-style show, at the Queen of Hoxton. The character offers humorous insights into life from a British South Asian perspective. 7pm

Saturday 27 July

24 HOUR TOUR: Over the weekend, tour guide Bowl of Chalk (Jonnie Fielding) will attempt 24 hours of guided walking, over 16 separate, bookable walks, to raise money for London's Air Ambulance. It's a chance to donate to this wonderful cause AND experience one or more of Jonnie's popular walks. 27-28 July

LAVENDER HARVEST: For one weekend, Carshalton Lavender invites the public to descend on its allotment, and pick their own lavender — just remember to bring some secateurs or scissors with which to do your snipping. 27-28 July

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF: Classic musical Fiddler on the Roof returns to the London stage, for a summer run at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. This new production features the classic songs including If I Were A Rich Man, Tradition, and Matchmaker. 27 July-21 September

DRAG BRUNCH: Winner of the fourth series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Danny Beard hosts today's drag brunch at Between the Bridges on South Bank. Ticket includes an hour of bottomless bubbly, and food is available to buy from food trucks on site. 11.30am-3pm

SUNDAES IN THE PARK: Ben & Jerry’s Sundaes In The Park Festival returns to London for the first time in over a decade, pitching up at Chiswick House and Gardens for a day of live music headlined by Shingai (from the Noisettes), along with vintage theatre acts and cabaret performances and other entertainment. Despite the festival's name, it takes place on a Saturday. 12pm-10pm

METALBREW: Heavy metal music and craft beer combine to form Metalbrew — a festival that's been shaking Hendon to the core for two decades now. Bands on the bill include Leaf Hound, Heavy Sentence and Parish, while among the beers being poured is a specially-brewed MetalBrew beer by the East London Brewing Company. 12pm-10.30pm

WOMEN'S CYCLING: Herne Hill Velodrome hosts Women's League cycling today — come cheer on racers while enjoying Volcano coffee and local craft beers from Jan's Cafe. 5.30pm-9pm

GRIEF COMEDY: Alison Larkin offers a preview of her show Grief... A Comedy, before she takes it north to Edinburgh. It's the story of how she found true love for the first time in her 50s, with an Indian climate scientist who had also immigrated to the US. Then he died. 6.45pm

Sunday 28 July

VIETNAMESE BRUNCH: Shoreditch's Viet Grill recently started doing a Sunday brunch, featuring the likes of Hanoi steamed rolls or beef pho, served with a Vietnamese iced coffee or freshly-pressed sugar cane drink for £18. It's weekly, and runs 11am-7pm

HOT AIR BALLOONS: Today's the final standby date for this year's balloon regatta, which sees up to 50 balloons of all shapes and sizes taking off from Battersea Park at dawn. Whether it goes ahead depends on weather conditions. There's no public access to the launch site, but if you're awake early, turn your eyes to the skies over London to try to get a glimpse. From 5am

STRAWBERRY HILL TOUR: Twice a month, there are Sunday morning tours of Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham, a Georgian Gothic building designed by Horace Walpole. Take the tour to learn about its history, view its interiors, and hear stories of some of the people who have lived there. 10am

MINDFUL CRAFTERNOON: Colour expert and Londonist contributor Momtaz Begum-Hossain hosts a special edition of her monthly mindful crafting workshop to celebrate the event's first birthday, at the Well Bean Co cafe in Royal Docks. Go along to learn a new crafting skills (each session covers a different craft) and spend a couple of hours in a relaxed environment. All materials are provided, and sessions are donations-based, with money raised going to suicide-prevention charity CALM. 3pm-6pm

MARTINI SUNDAYS: Fancy rounding off the weekend with an expertly made martini? You could do a lot worse than a Martini Sunday in the swanky surroundings of the Library Bar at the Lanesborough Hotel in Mayfair, where £19 gets you a bespoke martini made with Edinburgh Gin Cannonball Navy Strength, plus live music from pianist Kwaku. From 6pm

CUTTY SARK COMEDY: Head to the lower hold of the Cutty Sark in Greenwich for an evening of comedy in an unexpected venue. Lebanese-American comedian Janine Harouni headlines, with Will Rowland and Neil O'Rourke also on the bill. 6.30pm-8.30pm

OUTDOOR THEATRE: Cycling theatre troupe the Handlebards seem to be ubiquitous in London this summer. Tonight, it's the turn of Dulwich Picture Gallery to host them, for an open-air performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream in the gardens. Take along your own chair or blanket, and a picnic to tuck into as you watch. 7pm-9pm