Things to do this week is sponsored by City Cruises.
All week
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM: The summer season at Shakespeare's Globe continues with a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, featuring four rebellious young lovers, a band of ambitious artisan players, and a feuding Fairy King and Queen who all cross paths on Midsummer's eve. 31 July-12 August
ASTRONOMY PHOTOGRAPHY: Reach for the stars at the final weeks of 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 13 August
PERSIA TO GREECE: Also closing soon is blockbuster British Museum exhibition Luxury and Power: Persia to Greece, which uses blinging objects to tell the story of how Greeks saw Persians as decadent, but after defeating them in battle happily co-opted their luxurious items. Until 13 August
BBC PROMS: Huge music festival BBC Proms rumbles on at the Royal Albert Hall and other venues. Highlights this week include the National Youth Jazz Orchestra performing a collection of jazz standards and big-band classics, and a short, relaxed performance with British Sign Language-interpretation, featuring Mozart’s Concerto No. 4. Browse the full programme. Until 9 September
HOME IS NOT A PLACE: "Perhaps home is not a place, but simply an irrevocable condition" wrote James Baldwin. Inspired by this, photographer Johny Pitts and poet Roger Robinson travelled around the UK, in a bid to answer the question 'What is Black Britain?'. They came up with this exhibition, on at The Photographers' Gallery. Until 24 September
AUGUST PLANS: As the new month kicks off this week, plan ahead with our guide to 40+ summery things to do in London in August 2023, featuring festivals, comedy, beer, dinosaurs, giraffes, anime and, of course, Notting Hill Carnival.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: Already running out of ways to keep the kids and teenagers entertained while school's out? Have a read of our guide to things to do in London in the summer holidays, which includes family-friendly theatre shows, exhibitions and events.
CAMDEN FRINGE: Camden's the place to be from Monday, as this year's Camden Fringe gets underway. The performing arts festival began 17 years ago as an alternative to Edinburgh Fringe, and has grown to nearly 300 performances taking place across 17 venues this year. Overwhelmed by choice? Have a look at our Camden Fringe 2023 recommendations. 31 July-27 August
BE GAY DO CRIME: BFI Southbank launches a month-long season of queer crime movies: Dog Day Afternoon, The Devil Queen, Chocolate Babies and Female Trouble are among films being screened as part of Be Gay Do Crime. 1-31 August
EAT OF THE WEEK: As if it didn't have enough for gastronomes to drool over already, Peckham has just opened Market Place Peckham, a foliage and neon-enveloped assemblage of street food vendors, featuring Suya and Lobster, Los Tacos, Dum Dum Donutterie and loads more. Turn up ravenous.
PUBS OF THE WEEK: Whenever you're getting a thirst on around the South Bank and Waterloo this summer, we'd gently steer you towards our guide to the best pubs in the area, featuring a drinking hole on one of London's prettiest residential streets, a taproom with its own slide, and one of the barmiest boozers anywhere.
DAY TRIP OF THE WEEK: Heading to the coast for a day, or perhaps a little longer? Visit Swanage and you'll feel like you're never left London at all. The Dorset seaside town is home to bollards, buildings, obelisks, memorials, arches, columns, statues, tiles and even weather vanes salvaged from the capital.
Monday 31 July
ANALYSING ASTEROIDS: The Natural History Museum launches a new series of talks, Dig Deeper, with an appearance by Sir Brian May (yes, that one). He teams up with Professors Dante Lauretta and Sara Russell to discuss the current mission to collect a sample from an asteroid and analyse it. Spaces to attend in person have sold out, but you can still get a ticket to watch online. 6.30pm-9pm
THE SHINING: Foyles Charing Cross Road celebrates Craig Oldham's recent book of essays about 1980 film The Shining with a panel discussion about its lasting legacy. Oldham takes part, along with author John Grindrod, artist and musician Cosey Fanni Tutti, and art critic Hettie Judah. 7pm-8.30pm
EVITA IN CONCERT: Theatre Royal Drury Lane hosts a cast of West End stars for a concert of music from Evita, accompanied by the 30-piece London Musical Theatre Orchestra. Performers include Auli’i Cravalho — the voice of Disney’s Moana — along with Matt Rawle, Jeremy Secomb, Nathan Amzi and Emily Lane. 7.30pm (repeated tomorrow)
HAPPY MONDAYS COMEDY: The Amersham Arms in New Cross hosts a double bill of Edinburgh comedy previews. Dane Baptiste and Tom Houghton warm up for Edinburgh, hosted by Sion James. 8pm
SIMON BRODKIN: Comedian Simon Brodkin is at JW3 in North Finchley for a preview of his own Edinburgh show, Xavier, about God, guns, Matt Hancock, Ayatollah Khamenei and a man called Xavier. 8pm
MONDAYS IN LONDON: Looking for something else to do, today or any other week? Take a look at our guide to things to do in London on a Monday — we've gathered together live music venues, comedy and cabaret clubs which keep going on what is usually the quietest day of the week, along with guided walks and tours scheduled on a Monday, and a few special offers too.
Tuesday 1 August
SUMMER ON THE SQUARE: After the success of the inaugural event last year,The National Gallery has extended this year's Summer on the Square, a free festival of art taking place just outside the gallery in Trafalgar Square, launching today. It offers the public a chance to get involved in activities such as sketching and painting through daily creative sessions and masterclasses. FREE, 1-28 August
SUMMER IN THE COURTYARD: Somerset House launches Summer in the Courtyard in its Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court today. On weekdays throughout August it's full of food and drink pop-ups for anyone who want to go along for lunch, with the fountains working on some days. Various events take place at the weekends too. 1-28 August
THE EFFECT: A new production of Lucy Prebble's play The Effect opens at the National Theatre. It stars Paapa Essiedu and Taylor Russell as two young volunteers in an illicit romance while taking part in a clinical drug trial, who don't know if their chemistry is real or a side effect of the drugs. 1 August-7 October
QUIRKY VAUXHALL: Few areas are changing as rapidly as Vauxhall/Nine Elms. Tour guide Chris Burton leads a "first and quirky" walk, taking in everything from the leafy back streets, to the skyscrapers along the Thames, parks, gardens, model villages and famous film sets, while spotting unusual "firsts" in the neighbourhood. 11am-2pm
WIZARD OF OZ: Take the kids along to Morden Hall Park for an outdoor performance of the Wizard of Oz, located in the Rose Garden. It tells the story of Dorothy's adventure to the Emerald City, in a production suitable for age 4+. 2pm/5pm
MILK TOUR: The Wellcome Collection offers a free tour of current exhibition, Milk, led by Welsh dairy farm worker Anthony Manrique, who offers their own perspective on the content, and discusses topics including animal death and far-right extremism. FREE, 3pm-4pm
Sponsor message
Bring the whole family to explore London by boat this summer
Planning some school holiday sightseeing? You need to know about City Cruises' 24 Hour Hop-On Hop-Off River Pass! This little beauty lets you travel up and down the Thames — passing London’s most iconic riverside landmarks — as many times as you like in one day. What’s more, with a family pass, your little sailors go free!
City Cruises' sightseeing expeditions stop at four fantastic locations: at Westminster, the London Eye, Tower Hill and Greenwich. You can really choose your own adventure here — if you’re up for it, hop off at every pier to explore world-famous attractions like the Houses of Parliament, Tate Modern, the Tower of London, and the Cutty Sark (to name but a few). Or, take it easier and save little legs from getting tired by simply taking in the views from your boat’s open air upper deck.
A 24 Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Family Pass costs £49 and can be used for two adults and up to three children. Commentary is included in the ticket price — making it an educational and entertaining excursion. Plus, refreshments are available to purchase onboard, so you can easily make a day of it.
Wednesday 2 August
BUSTER KEATON: The Lucky Dog Picturehouse takes over Wilton's Music Hall for three nights, for screenings of silent comedy films starring Buster Keaton accompanied by a live score. Tonight it's 1924 release The Navigator, followed by Sherlock Jr tomorrow and Battling Butler on Friday, all shown along with comedy shorts. 2-4 August
AUSTRALIAN BALLET: The Australian Ballet brings its first international tour under the leadership of Artistic Director David Hallberg to the Royal Opera House — the company's first time at the venue in 35 years. Across four days, catch a performance of one of George Balanchine’s most loved works, Jewels. 2-5 August
HENRY VIII'S JOUST: Hampton Court Palace embraces its Tudor history with a five-day jousting event, a recreation of those which King Henry VIII himself would have taken part in. Pick your favourite knight and cheer them on in the tournament, in between falconry displays, and visiting the rest of the palace and grounds. 2-6 August
FAST FASHION: Why don't I have anything to wear? A familiar question, but also the title of Andrea Cheong's new book, which she discusses at Stanfords in Battersea Power Station tonight. She chats to digital creator Klaudia Kedziora, Sustainibility Influenced founder Bianca Foley, and journalist Sophie Benson about how to move away from fast fashion and meaningless consumption, and build a sustainable wardrobe that works for you. 6.30pm-8pm
MIDDLE EASTERN SUPPER CLUB: Traditional lamb soup, Iraqi casserole, and Persian pistachio baklava are all on the menu at the Middle Eastern Supper Club at the Physic Garden Cafe, part of Chelsea Physic Garden's 350th anniversary celebrations. 6.30pm-10pm
CATHEDRAL PHOTOGRAPHY: Southwark Cathedral keeps its doors open late for one of its photography evenings, an event which happens a few times each year, allowing both amateur and professional photographers to snap away inside the building. Bring your own equipment — tripods welcome — and capture the cathedral on a summer's evening, without the usual crowds. 7pm-8.30pm
Thursday 3 August
PALACE CINEMA: One of our picks of outdoor cinemas in London this summer, The Luna Cinema pitches up at Hampton Court Palace for four evenings of screenings with the majestic building as a backdrop. It kicks off with Elvis tonight, followed by Moulin Rouge, Top Gun: Maverick and The Great Gatsby on subsequent evenings. 3-6 August
STAGES AND CELLS: Did you know that the Royal Opera House runs regular Stages and Cells of Covent Garden guided tours, in collaboration with the nearby Bow Street Police Museum? Discover the relationship between theatre and crime in the local area, dating back to the arrival of the theatres, which created a new era of bustling crowds, pickpockets, highwaymen, murderers and the like, leading to the formation of London’s first police force, the Bow Street Runners. 11am (and various other dates)
KERB+ FLEET: Street food market KERB opens a new venue today, at Fleet Place, close to Blackfriars station and St Paul's Cathedral. Six traders, rotating every week, appear at Kerb+ Fleet Place which takes place every Thursday lunchtime, including Hank BBQ and Thin and Crispy Turkish Pizza — and 100 lunches are being given out for free on a first come first served basis for today's launch. 11.30am-2.30pm
ABSURDOCLES: Improvised comedy show Absurdocles takes the form of a Greek tragedy, with love, loss, pride, power, gods and mortals — with an altogether more amusing edge than your average tragedy. No need to be an expert in Classics to enjoy it, and you can catch it at Woolwich Works. 7pm
OPEN-AIR CABARET: West End drag star Topsie Redfern and cabaret performerTim Mcarthur join forces for an open-air show at Lauderdale House in Highgate. Take your own chair or blanket (or book a table or bench for your group), pack a picnic, and enjoy drinks from the bar as you watch the show. 7.30pm
Friday 4 August
TREES TOUR: Arboriculturist and London tree expert Greg Packman leads a guided tour around Chelsea Physic Garden, focusing on trees and the habitats within them, allowing invertebrates, bats, birds, and fungi to exist side by side. 11am-1pm
PECKHAM PELICAN: Having hosted in excess of one hundred exhibitions, the popular arts cafe is now curating its own show to celebrate 10 Years of Pelican. The exhibition is split into two parts — the first a retrospective and the second a collection of brand new works. Opens today until 2 September
PALACE GARDEN: The monthly open day at Lambeth Palace Gardens takes place today — a rare chance to see inside the private garden of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Wander among the plants before enjoying refreshments in the marquee, with proceeds going to local charities. Read about our visit to Lambeth Palace Gardens, or find out about the history of the 1000 year-old garden. 12pm-3pm
MALL WALK: Guildhall Library offers a guided walk along the Mall — the north bank of the Thames through Hammersmith and Chiswick. Guide Pete Smith leads you along a route passing a bridge opened by a Jack the Ripper suspect, William Morris’s London home, and England’s smallest public bar, while looking out for waterfowl along the way. 2pm-4pm
PRIMAL SCREAM: Seasoned rockers Primal Scream headline at Crystal Palace Park tonight, with the fabled alt-rockers Jesus and Mary Chain in support. It's part of this summer's South Facing Festival. Doors 4pm
KARAOKE: Catford Mews holds its first ever karaoke night, with everyone welcome to hop up on stage and share their vocal talent with the world — powered on by two-for-one cocktails at the bar. FREE ENTRY, 8pm
ICE DISCO: Alexandra Palace, home to one of London's year-round ice rinks, offers Friday night ice discos for a few weeks this summer. Take to the rink and make like Torvill and Dean (or Bambi, depending on your personal style), to a music soundtrack, with colourful lights. Age 14+. 8pm-10pm
Saturday 5 August
FAMILY FUN WEEKEND: It's the monthly Family Fun Weekend on board Cutty Sark in Greenwich, with activities and workshops in which to take part, in addition to the usual fun when visiting the vessel. Actors dressed as characters from Cutty Sark's past roam the decks interacting with visitors, and you can dress up, or join in with a sea shanty choir. 5-6 August
ROUNDHOUSE COMEDY FESTIVAL: Traditionally, the London comedy scene quietens down a bit in August, as comedians head north of the border for Edinburgh Festival. But the laughs keep coming in Camden at Roundhouse Comedy Festival, which launches today and already has Sophie Duker, Jen Ives, Helen Bauer, Sukh Ojla, Kojo Anim and Dylan Moran, among others, on the programme, with more to be announced at time of writing. 5-23 August
BRUSHSTROKES TO BRANDS: Ladbroke Grove's Museum of Brands opens a new display, Brushstrokes to Brands, putting the spotlight on still-life oil paintings of big-brand products. Confectionery wrappers, nostalgic items and heritage brands all feature. 5 August-25 November
MUSEUM OF NOSTALGIA: Ever heard of the Museum of Nostalgia? You'll find it in a barn on the London-Essex border, and though it began as an agricultural museum, it now houses domestic items too, including old vacuum cleaners, TVs and record players, children’s toys, typewriters, woodworking tools and more. It opens to the public twice a month — including today. FREE (donations welcome), 10.30am-4pm
FAMILY SILENT DISCO: Kids got a lot of energy to burn in the school holidays? Take them along to Museum of London Docklands for a family silent disco. Each person gets their own set of headphones, so you can sing and dance to songs from the past and present as a family, or all do your own thing. Parents: this is your chance to embarrass your offspring like never before. 12pm-3.30pm
LATINO LIFE: The UK's largest Latin music festival, Latino Life takes in Walpole Park in Ealing for a day celebrating UK-based Latin-American, Spanish and Portuguese performers. Singer Lucy Calcines headlines. 12pm-10pm
CORK STREET CARNIVAL: Cuban music promoter Ruben Cordero directs the Cork Street Carnival in Mayfair, featuring an afternoon of music from the West African and Latin-American diasporas. Acts include the London Lucumi Choir, the Dave Pattman Afro-Cuban trio featuring Randy Lester, and Bangladeshi-British pianist Kishon Khan. Cuban food will be in the offing too. 12.30pm-6pm
BIG BELLY COMEDY: Six comedians grace the stage at Vauxhall's Big Belly comedy club tonight, namely: Adam Coumas, Andrew Mensah, Jeff Innocent, Red Richardson, Dane Buckley and Romina Puma. 7pm-10pm
Sunday 6 August
FLOWER PHOTO WALK: Expert photography tutor Marissa Roth leads a photo walk around Columbia Road Flower Market, allowing you to hone your photography skills in a beautiful environment, with an expert on hand to guide you. 10am-12pm
STYLE AND SCANDAL: Footprints of London guide Michael Duncan leads a walking tour around the St James area, focusing on its scandalous and bohemian history. Hear stories of courtiers, courtesans, poets and politicians who tried — and often failed — to climb the social ladder in this part of town. 11am-12.30pm
FREE JAZZ: Social London Orchestra rock up (or should that be jazz up?) at the cavernous Clapham Grand, to perform Skip Martin's Scheherajazz — a golden Hollywood take on Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade. FREE, 2.45pm-5pm
PAINTING & PROSECCO: Unleash your creativity at London Art Bar in Holborn, where today's Painting & Prosecco session is inspired by Banksy's Flying Balloon Girl. Create your own version of the artwork, under the guidance of a professional artist, with a drink to help you along. All art supplies are included and no painting experience is needed. 3pm-5.30pm
WIFE MATERIAL: Married couple Heleana and Sophia Blackwell are at Angel's Bill Murray, looking back on their relationship, by way of comedy, poetry, song and dance in Wife Material, a show covering everything from being slut-shamed by your bank, to the similarities between Italian and West Indian mothers. 3.30pm
SUMMER SOUNDS: Finish off your weekend with a picnic concert in the grounds of Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham. Live music comes courtesy of 1940s Swing/1950s Rockabilly trio The Polka Dots, and you can bring your own picnic, pre-order one to collect on site, or buy snacks from the cafe when you arrive. 4pm-7.30pm
Museum treasure of the week
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich contains any number of nautical treasures, but our favourites have always been the display of ships' figureheads in the main building (with more on show at the Cutty Sark). We particularly love this one, carved in 1845 in the shape of a bulldog from... HMS Bulldog. The mutt's collar carries the Latin inscription Cave Canem (not pictured), which means "Beware of the dog".
Good cause of the week
Seen the Mayor's "Say maaate to a mate" campaign? It reminds guys to call out their mates when their behaviour or language towards women goes too far.
"Say maaate to a mate shows how a simple, familiar word can be all you need to interrupt when a friend is going too far without making things awkward, ruining the moment or putting your friendship at risk."
The campaign points out that sexist, misogynistic language can "contribute towards a culture of abuse against women and girls, and can often legitimise the behaviour of others who may end up committing serious acts of violence".
The campaign is backed by Romesh Ranganathan, who says "we can no longer allow sexism and misogyny to be dismissed as 'banter.' By asking men and boys to say 'maaate' to a mate we can be better friends to each other and better allies to women and girls."
