Things To Do This Week In London: 28 August-3 September 2023

All week

ULEZ EXPANSION: A quick reminder that as of Tuesday this week, the expanded ULEZ kicks in. Find out everything you need to know here, including where it covers, who it applies to, and how to pay the charges. From 29 August

WORLD POPULATION: As Southbank Centre's Planet Summer series focusing on climate change winds down, theatre company Stan's Cafe commandeers the Clore Ballroom in Royal Festival Hall for a simple but incredibly effective performance installation. Of All The People In All The World has one grain of rice representing every person in the world, and over the course of six days, they are carefully weighed and placed in different piles to represent different statistics about the human population. FREE, 28 August-2 September

GDIF: If you go down to Royal Docks this weekend, you'll be faced with the sight of a full-sized house submerged in the water, only the roof visible. It's the set-up for Sliding Slope, one of the performances at this year's Greenwich + Docklands International Festival. This week, also look out for Cygnus, a flotilla of 12 glowing swans in Royal Victoria Dock, among other events. Many events FREE, until 10 September

MARY BEALE: This is the final week of Dulwich Picture Gallery's current exhibition, Mary Beale: Experimental Secrets, which shares the results of new research into the 17th century painter's work, revealing her to be technically innovative. Until 3 September

WIZARD OF OZ: We're off to see the Wizard... but only until Sunday when the current production of the Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium — starring Jason Manford as the cowardly lion — ends. Until 3 September

BBC PROMS: Only a couple more weeks remain to soak up the goodness from this year's BBC Proms. See the Chineke! Orchestra – Europe’s first majority Black and ethnically diverse ensemble – perform Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony, or the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, making its Proms debut with a programme of Rachmaninov’s Symphony No. 3, Thomas Adès’s Piano Concerto and Weill’s Kleine Dreigroschenmusik, among other concerts this week. Until 9 September

SEPTEMBER EVENTS: As August gives way to September, the London events calendar is as packed as ever. We've selected 70+ ways to amuse yourself in London in September, from book festivals to Open House, to a seriously high-adrenaline zipwire challenge.

EAT OF THE WEEK: Covent Garden's Frozen Festival is already in full swing, keeping Londoners deliciously cool with frozen negronis from a vending machine, vegan avocado soft serve, lashings of gelato — and heaps more. Check out our preview. Until 3 September

TAPROOM OF THE WEEK: How about, oh I don't know, ALL OF THEM? We've just published our roundup of every brewery taproom in the city — so whether you're looking for a foamy cask beer in Bermondsey, fresh tank IPA in Hackney, or some scrummy grassroots brew in Muswell Hill, dive in and explore!

DAY TRIP OF THE WEEK: There are certain areas of England where you can't swing a sword without hitting several pieces of Tudor history, and if that's your thing, how about visiting a manor house with links to both Henry VIII and Harry Potter? Penshurst Place is situated in a deliciously quaint Kent village, with its own beautiful gardens and grounds — and as a bonus, the original Leicester Square is right next door.

Bank holiday Monday 28 August

BANK HOLIDAY: Today's the last bank holiday of the summer. Make the most of it with our guide to spending the bank holiday weekend in London, whether you're up for walks or cycle rides, heading to the cinema, taking part in sporting pursuits, or simply heading down the pub.

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 — and today's the final day. 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, and face painting and shire horse and cart rides for kids. From 10am

FAMILY FESTIVAL: As part of the summer opening of the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace, there's a family festival for anyone visiting today. Head to the Family Pavilion for storytelling, or out into the Palace Garden for arts and crafts, as well as visiting the seriously impressive rooms which are open to the public. 11am-3pm

BACK TO THE FUTURE: The wonderful Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square comes up trumps every bank holiday. Today, it's screening the whole Back to the Future trilogy back-to-back, so strap in to travel back to the 1950s with Doc Brown and Marty McFly, via a Delorean. 11am-5.29pm

NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL: The August bank holiday weekend goes hand in hand with Notting Hill Carnival, Europe's biggest street festival, celebrating Caribbean culture. Sunday is children's day at Carnival, but today's the main event. Here's everything you need to know about Notting Hill Carnival, from how to get there and when to go, to what to do, see, eat and drink while you're there. FREE, from 12pm

FREE CRAZY GOLF: Indoor crazy golf club Swingers celebrates the 7th birthday of its City branch — located right next to the Gherkin — with free crazy golf all afternoon and evening. Up to four people can play together, but it's walk-ins only, so it's worth getting there early if you're keen to secure a freebie slot. 12pm-10pm

DOG SHOW: Take your dog over to Walthamstow, where Big Penny Social holds a Pooches & Pints Dog Show, raising money for charity All Dogs Matter. Even if you don't have a dog yourself, you're welcome to head down and watch the fun over a drink or two. 1.30pm-4pm

Tuesday 29 August

MUSICAL THEATRE: I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical comes to Wilton's Music Hall, straight from its third run at Edinburgh Fringe. It's a comedic musical revue with West End and musical theatre stars, looking at what it's like to work in musical theatre, from awful auditions to mid-show mishaps. 29 August-9 September

SHAKESPEARE: The Fleet Street Quarter celebrates the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s First Folio with a series of free lunchtime performances by Troubadour Stageworks, the latest of which takes place at Apex Temple Court Hotel today. FREE, 12.15pm

ELGIN MARBLES: The Parthenon Sculptures at the British Museum — also known as the Elgin Marbles — have been the subject of much debate and controversy in recent years. Dr William Sterling gives a free online talk, via Guildhall Library, about how they came to be in this country, and the museum, in the first place, and what happened to Lord Elgin, the British Ambassador from whom the sculptures get their nickname. FREE, 2pm-3pm

ARCHITECTS' HOUSES: Sir John Soane's Museum hosts a free online talk covering two of the houses featured in current exhibition, Architects’ Houses. Experts Jan Marsh, Alan Powers and Dr Elizabeth Darling discuss William Morris' Red House, and 1-3 Willow Road, a modernist terrace of houses designed by Ernő Goldfinger. FREE, 6.30pm-7.30pm

LAZY EYES: Australian psych-rockers The Lazy Eyes are at Dingwalls in Camden, spouting forth their "psychedelic ooze" (not our words) of impulse driven riffs, hypnotic drums and bass and pedalboards galore. Sounds gloriously trippy. 7pm

Wednesday 30 August

NEW BEGINNING: Queen's Theatre Hornchurch hosts the world premiere of New Beginning, a performance which uses projections, a newly composed score and soundscape, poetic text and natural materials to show what the future or our planet could look like due to the effects of climate change. Not an easy watch, but an important one. 30 August-2 September

VINTAGE POP-UP: Female-owned brands Goose Glitters and Sorrell Jewels team up for a vintage pop-up shop, complete with creative workshops and personal shopping sessions. Better Things in Forest Hill is the venue for Vintage Rings and Collage Things. 30 August-3 September

KEW THE MOVIES: Kew Gardens' annual outdoor cinema season Kew The Movies starts today, with three films shown each day for the next five days. It's kids' specials such as Frozen, Moana and Matilda the Musical during the day, while the evenings are reserved for more grown-up films (Star Wars, Avatar, Top Gun). See which other outdoor cinemas are still open in London this summer. 30 August-3 September

QUIRKY KING'S CROSS: Tour guide Chris Burton leads another "First and Quirky" tour of the King's Cross and St Pancras area. See some of the historical highlights of the recently rejuvenated railway lands, and dip into the historic St Pancras churchyard with its many peculiar connections. 11am-1.30pm

ANATOMY OF A NATION: Dominic Selwood, author of Anatomy of a Nation: A History of British Identity in 50 Documents, is at Waterstones Islington to discuss the book. Hear about 50 documents that tell the story of what makes Britain unique from Anglo-Saxon poetry, to Hitler's kill list of prominent Britons and the Brexit referendum ballot paper. 6.30pm

ONAM SUPPER CLUB: Celebrate the Indian harvest festival of Onam at a special supper club at Sri Lankan and South Indian restaurant Karapincha in Spitalfields. Dine on a seasonal, vegetarian menu including dahls, Sri Lankan curries and stews, served banquet-style on a banana leaf. 6.30pm-9pm

Thursday 31 August

CAPITAL CRIME: Armchair sleuths, make space in your diary for Capital Crime, a literary festival focusing exclusively on the crime and thriller genre, taking place at the Leonardo Royal Hotel St Paul's. Louise Candlish, Dorothy Koomson, Kate Atkinson, Lisa Jewell and Adele Parks are among the authors scheduled to appear at various events across the weekend. 31 August-2 September

MEATOPIA: Carnivores will be drooling as Meatopia takes over Tobacco Dock for four days of live cooking and exclusive dishes celebrating cooking over fire, plus a TAPtopia beer hall and live music to get the party swinging. 31 August-3 September

BARTHOLOMEW FAIR: The Bartholomew Fair last took place in 1855 — at the time it was considered too raucous, and was banned. But now it's back, taking place around the City over three weeks, with family-friendly events — the highlight of which is an aerial dance performance on top of St Paul's Cathedral, starting tonight. FREE, 31 August-16 September

BLOODIED VICTORIANS: The Old Operating Theatre Museum in London Bridge stays open late for a Bloodied Victorians themed evening. View the exhibitions after hours, take part in a couple of mystery interactive experiments, and hear a talk in the operating theatre itself. The Apothecary Bar serves themed cocktails throughout the evening. 6pm-8.30pm

CARTOON MUSEUM LATE: Also keeping its doors open late is Bloomsbury's Cartoon Museum, with a focus on sustainability. Hear from the Green Grads — a group of recent graduates in design and engineering — about solutions to ecological and sustainability issues. Then enjoy a relaxed evening of sketching, chatting and drinking, no artistic experience necessary. 6pm-10pm

Friday 1 September

BACK TO HOGWARTS DAY: Every year on 1 September, Harry Potter fans gather at King's Cross station to hear the once-a-year announcement of the Hogwarts Express departing from Platform 9 3/4. Witches and wizards in full costume gather just before 11am to countdown to the announcement. FREE, countdown to 11am

PUB IN THE PARK: Making its final London stop this summer, Pub in the Park comes to Chiswick for three days of food, drink and live music. McFly, Ronan Keating, Hoosiers and Squeeze are on the music line-up, with Tom Kerridge, Si King from the Hairy Bikers, and Andi Oliver among the chefs doing live demos. 1-3 September

BRENTFORD ART TRAIL: Over three days, the one-mile Brentford Art Trail takes you to 14 venues, where you can view the work of more than 70 artists, from painters to printmakers, hatmakers to ironworks, ceramicists to sculptors. The theme of this year's event is a celebration of water, celebrating the first year that Totally Thames (below) has come to the area. FREE, 1-3 September

TOTALLY THAMES: An annual celebration of London's river, Totally Thames Festival returns for a month of tours and river cruises, music performances, talks, art installations, theatre shows and guided walks. It's a huge programme, so we've selected a few highlights to help you plan your month. 1 September-1 October

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN: Warm up your singing voice and head to Watermans in Brentford for an open-air singalong screening of musical The Greatest Showman, starring Hugh Jackman and Michelle Williams. Takes place on the Riverside Terrace, and chairs are provided, though dress warm or bring a blanket as it can get chilly when the sun sets. 7.45pm

Saturday 2 September

QUEEN'S PARK BOOK FESTIVAL: The annual Queen's Park Book Festival is back, with more than 20 events across literature and comedy. Pick up cooking tips from Michel Roux, hear respected author Sebastian Faulks discussing his latest book, and local novelist Zadie Smith discussing her new work, her first historical novel. 2-3 September

CAMDEN INSPIRE: Celebrate the borough of Camden, both past and present, at Camden Inspire. This year's festival has a theme of 'storytelling', with local artists, musicians, comedians, thought leaders and more hosting performances, talks and workshops across Buck Street and Stucley Place. 2-3 September

CAMBERWELL FAIR: It started in 1279 and ran until 1855, so it's fair to say there's a decent bit of history to Camberwell Fair. The event was restarted in 2015, and runs again this year, with live music and DJs, a market, mask-making workshops and other entertainment on Camberwell Green. FREE, 12pm-8.30pm

CREEKSIDE FESTIVAL: Grassroots music station and event space AAJA launches brand new, multi-venue music festival Creekside Festival. It takes place across 10 independent music venues around Deptford, including Buster Mantis, Villages and Isla Ray. Creekside champions neighbourhood crews and DIY radio, with a line-up including Threads Radio, Cheeky Soundsystem and Rat Face Records. 12pm-3am

BI PRIDE UK: The People's Palace in Mile End hosts Bi Pride UK, a celebration for anyone who experiences attraction beyond gender. Expect two stages of live entertainment, a community hub, a book fair selling books by multisexual authors, food and drink stalls and more. FREE, 2pm-10pm

RAHUL DUA: Bloomsbury Theatre is graced by one of India's top comedians, Rahul Dua (he's touring over 40 cities in India alone this year). There are two chances to catch him today, with shows at 4pm and 7.30pm

Sunday 3 September

CRAFT FAIR: 60 makers and designers based in London showcase and sell their products at the Solo Craft Fair at Between The Bridges on South Bank. Peruse art, jewellery, plants, fashion and other items, with drinks available from the bar. 12pm-5pm

WEMBA'S DREAM: Head to Wembley Park for family-friendly festival and performance Wemba's Dream, celebrating the Anglo-Saxon Wemba after whom the area is named, and everyone who has since journeyed to Brent to make it their home. Music, dance, poetry and carnival performances take place throughout the day, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra taking part. FREE, 1.15pm-4.30pm

UKRAINIAN FREEDOM ORCHESTRA: Hear music by a range of Ukrainian composers, Yevhen Stankovych and Myroslav Skoryk, as well as Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony, all performed by the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra at Barbican. 2pm

GENDERED EMOTIONS: Award-winning behavioural and data scientist Dr Pragya Agarwal is at Conway Hall giving a talk about why some emotions are usually attributed to men, and others to women. Gendered emotions date as far back as Ancient Greek and Roman times, but is there any truth in it 3pm

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM: Cycling theatre troupe The Handlebards wheel into the grounds of Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham for a fast-paced performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Take your own chair or blanket, as well as a picnic to tuck into while the magical forest unfolds around you. 7pm

SHOOT FROM THE HIP: Comedy improvers Shoot From the Hip are making things up as they go along at 2Northdown in King's Cross tonight. Expect unscripted scenes, silly games, epic stories and witty one-liners. 7.30pm-9.30pm

Good cause of the week

Got an old sign with a local connection? The Museum of London might like to hear from you. One of the museum's new galleries, when it reopens in 2025, will heavily feature hanging signs, and it's after new acquisitions. "The museum is looking for signs from places where people gather including sports venues, pubs, nightclubs and music venues, community centres, restaurants and takeaways, nail bars and barbers, to name just a few," it says. If you think you've got something that fits the bill, email ourtime@museumoflondon.org.uk with details.

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