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SUMMER HOLIDAYS: Running out of ways to keep the kids occupied already? Our guide to the summer holidays in London has everything from exhibitions and theatre shows to special events for all ages. We've also got a guide on free things to do in London in the summer holidays — ideal if you're on a budget.

OLYMPICS: This is the final week of the 2024 Olympics in Paris (though fear not, the Paralympics take place 30 August-8 September). Make sure you keep up with all the action, including who's winning all the medals, at these Olympic screenings around the capital. Until 11 August

SOUVENIR SHOP: If you're passing through Granary Square anytime in the next month, you'll probably spot a vibrant beach hut with a huge ice cream on the roof. This is the King's Cross Souvenir Shop — and it's selling gifts created by some of London's coolest artists and designers, including Real Hackney Dave, MaxMadeMe and Lucy Loves This. Until 8 September

BOUNCE HOUSE: One for anyone with children to entertain: Big Penny Social has a bounce house, a series of massive inflatables, including an obstacle course. It's there for five days — check the schedule for specific sessions for under-3s, and for relaxed sessions too. 5-9 August

SUE PERKINS: Most of London's comedy scene has headed north for the Edinburgh Fringe, but you can still catch TV and radio host Sue Perkins trying out her work in progress show at Soho Theatre this week. The show is inspired by her inability to concentrate on anything for long, and her lack of personal boundaries. 5-10 August

CAMDEN FRINGE: Theatre, stand-up, comedy, dance and spoken word performances are on the programme at the ongoing Camden Fringe, taking place at 20 venues across Camden. The choice is huuuge, so have a good scroll through the programme and get booking. Until 25 August

BBC PROMS: Proms 22-31 on this year's BBC Proms programme take place this week, including a Relaxed Prom offering an informal environment to listen to music, a performance by the National Youth Orchestra, and an interpretation of Purcell’s The Fairy Queen. Until 14 September

DRINK OF THE WEEK: Vietnamese restaurant Cay Tre, which can be found in both Soho and Hoxton, has launched a summery new cocktail menu just in time for the heatwave. Cool off with a Mandarin Orchards, made with dry gin, mandarin, Campari, sweet vermouth and Thai basil; or a Tea Chaser, infused with yuzu, jasmine tea and orange blossom. If you're going for one of their hot prawn curries, better play it safe and order a couple of cocktails.

COSTA DEL CROYDON: And if things continue to be super warm this week, consider a trip to Costa Del Croydon, a rooftop beach which has popped up on top of a car park in the centre of town, complete with a giant sandpit, beach hut seats, bungee trampolines and a water splash zone. It's open daily throughout August, and is FREE

Monday 5 August

JURASSIC ENCOUNTERS: The Natural History Museum offers an animal handling show, where you can meet the modern-day relatives of the animals that lived alongside the dinosaurs. Children and their families can get up close to snakes, lizards and tarantulas, while learning all about them. 11am/12pm/1pm

10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU: Catch a screening of legendary 1999 rom-com film 10 Things I Hate About You at Rooftop Film Club's Peckham venue. Head upstairs at the Bussey Building to watch Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the high school reworking of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. 5.45pm

GHOST SIGNS: Intrigued by ghost signs, those faded, painted adverts from yesteryear that still cling to London's older buildings? Join tour guide Jane Parker for an evening's historical walk around some of Southwark's finest. 6pm

HIP HOP HISTORY: Take a whistlestop tour through the history of hip-hop at the Jazz Cafe, which hosts Re:imagine Orchestra performing tracks by the likes of Run DMC, LL Cool J, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Lauryn Hill, Drake, Nicki Minaj and Kendrick Lamar, along with an immersive visual experience. 7pm

HAPPY MONDAYS COMEDY: Comedians Matt Green and Fatiha El-Ghorri team up for a double bill of Fringe preview/work in progress shows at this week's Happy Mondays Comedy at the Amersham Arms in New Cross. 8pm

Tuesday 6 August

TUESDAYS IN LONDON: Lunchtime concerts, live comedy and pub quizzes are just some of the regular events taking place in London most Tuesdays — take a look, and bookmark our guide to Tuesdays in London, for today, or another Tuesday when you might be in need of some entertainment. Future you will be grateful.

FAMILY ROLLER DISCO: Several afternoons in the summer holidays, Rollernation in Tottenham hosts School's Out, a family skate session (minimum age 5), with skate hire included in your ticket. The indoor roller rink also has a diner, seated booths and a garden area. 1pm-5pm

GIG IN A GARDEN: The lovely Dalston Eastern Curve Garden hosts singer-songwriter B-ahwe for an al fresco gig tonight; B-ahwe is known for her lush arrangements and poetic lyricism exploring themes of femininity and mental health. Support comes from Sunkissed Child. 7pm-10pm

PUB QUIZ: Every Tuesday, the Prince of Wales in Brixton hosts a pub quiz. It's £2.50 per person to enter, and prizes include cash, free drinks, and a bar tab. Worth getting there a bit early, as happy hour runs 4pm-8pm. Quiz starts at 8pm

KARAOKE: Kevin Walsh hosts a night of karaoke extravaganza, Backing the Stars at Clapham LGBTQ+ pub the Two Brewers. It's free entry if you arrive before the 10pm kick-off. 10pm-1.30pm

Wednesday 7 August

YEOMEN OF THE GUARD: The latest production to grace the stage at Opera Holland Park is Gilbert and Sullivan's The Yeomen of the Guard, a comedy set in the Tower of London as a colonel awaits execution, accused of sorcery. Opera Holland Park, Charles Court Opera and the City of London Sinfonia join forces for the production. 7-10 August

HOMELESSNESS REFRAMED: Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea opens a new exhibition with Prince William’s Homewards programme and Eleven Eleven Foundation. Homelessness: Reframed explores the complexities of homelessness through artworks by artists in the UK and beyond, inspired by their own or others' experiences of homelessness. FREE, 7 August-20 September

FAMILY 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. 10.15am-3pm

BOOKFEST: Waterstones Piccadilly is taken over by BookFest, a day of merch giveaways, quizzes, photobooth opportunities, collaging craft activities and workshops, and a chance to meet authors and get your books signed. It's free to attend, though there are some panel debates and talks which come with a charge and require booking. 11am-7pm

CITY MARKETS: Hear stories about the markets of the City of London, which have kept locals fed for centuries. This Guildhall Library talk covers how the markets evolved, as well as how they survived war, fire and pestilence. Watch in person at Guildhall Library, or online. FREE, 2pm-3pm

ONE ARMED JACK: Attend the book launch of One-Armed Jack, a new publication by Sarah Bax Horton which uses original research and completely new analysis to name a suspect in the Jack the Ripper serial killer case. She argues that the suggested perpetrator had a broken left arm, which left him unable to work and was one of his triggers to kill as part of a serious physical and mental decline. Hear from the author at London Archives (formerly London Metropolitan Archives). FREE, 5.30pm-7pm

Thursday 8 August

COCKTAILS IN THE CITY: The second edition of this year's Cocktails in the City takes place at Bedford Square Gardens, opening the usually-private park to ticket holders, with 20 of London's best bars appearing in pop-up form to serve their tipples. There are also street food stalls, live music, a silent disco, ice carving, and cocktail making workshops. 8-10 August

ADVENTURE CINEMA: Roving movie theatre Adventure Cinema pitches up at Osterley Park and House for four days of open-air film screenings. Pretty Woman, The Greatest Showman, Mamma Mia and Back to the Future are all shown right in front of the mansion. Take a picnic along, or buy food at the venue. 8-11 August

FREE FILM SCREENINGS: Another option for cinephiles today is Lower Marsh in Waterloo, which holds a day of free open-air film screenings. Napoleon Dynamite, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Back to the Future are screened throughout the afternoon — get down there early to bag yourself a chair. FREE, 12pm-8pm

SLAYSTATION LATE: Barbican Centre's Our Street summer pop-up hosts a late, a "night breathing life into video games and queering them up". Expect interactive games, drag performances, tarot reading, board games and more, as queer collectives SlayStation and Sappho Events take over the space. Age 18+. 6.30pm

NT LIVE: Riverside Studios in Hammersmith hosts an NT Live screening of Present Laughter, filmed at the Old Vic in 2019, starring Andrew Scott as an actor whose personal life is spiralling out of control. 7.30pm

ELIF SHAFAK: Author Elif Shafak celebrates the publication of her new book, There Are Rivers In The Sky at Southbank Centre. It's the story of three lives, all connected by a single drop of water, and much of it is set on the bank of the Thames. Shafak talks to journalist Alev Scott about the book at this event. 7.45pm

Friday 9 August

LONDON CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL: The same weekend as the cocktail celebration (above), London Craft Beer Festival is back at Wapping's Tobacco Dock, with 800+ beers from 100 breweries available to sample. Tickets include a festival tasting glass, all the beer, and live entertainment as you sup. 9-10 August

TAYLOR SWIFT TALK: With the Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail in full swing at the V&A, hear from designer Tom Piper and V&A Senior Curator of Theatre and Performance Kate Bailey about how they put the trail together, including the thought process behind each installation. Tickets to attend the talk in person have sold out, but you can still watch online. 6.30pm-7.30pm

WILDLIFE DRAWING: Head to the Florence Nightingale Museum for Wild Life Drawing, a live sketching event with British lupine wolf dogs as your subject. Capture the essence of the wolf-like animals with pencil and paper, while also gaining an insight into the species and their conservation. 7pm

CHAMPAGNE AND SUNSET LATES: London's highest viewing platform, Horizon 22, stays open late for special champagne and sunset evenings, every Friday in August. Head 254 metres up and enjoy a glass of champagne or non-alcoholic sparkling wine as you watch the sun set over the city at golden hour. 7pm/7.30pm/8pm

SIMPSONS NIGHT: Attend a night out in Springfield at VFD in Stoke Newington, which hosts a Simpsons-themed club night. Steamed Jams features throwback dance anthems and feel-good tunes from 1990 to now. Simpsons character costumes very much encouraged (minus the yellow body paint). 10pm

FUTURE BOUNCE: DJ and broadcaster Jamz Supernova brings her Future Bounce label to Barbican, featuring a curated line-up of global dance music and UK bass. Afro-Portuguese electronic producer DJ Nídia headlines, joined by composer and experimental producer Yaw Evans; Indian artist-producer Kiss Nuka; and mother of Afro Rave, Toya Delazy. 11pm-3am

Saturday 10 August

MOCO MUSEUM: The Modern Contemporary (Moco) Museum — which already has locations in Amsterdam and Barcelona — opens a London outpost in Marble Arch today. Across three floors, view works by the likes of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Yayoi Kusama, Andy Warhol, Banksy, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Daniel Arsham and KAWS. From 10 August

FAMILY FESTIVAL: Dulwich Picture Gallery offers a Family Festival inspired by the current exhibition, Yoshida: Three Generations of Japanese Printmaking. Take part in origami, Manga and printmaking workshops, follow an art trail around the gallery, and get your face painted. 11am-4pm

THAMESMEAD FESTIVAL: South-east London is the place to be today — in addition to Turning Tides (below), the free Thamesmead Festival returns to Southmere Park. Several stages pop up, allowing local performers to showcase their talents, spanning R&B, soul and rap music, Bollywood dancing and more. FREE, 12pm-7.30pm

MUSIC, JERK N TINGS: Celebrate Caribbean culture in a day of food and live music in the gardens at Horniman Museum. Music, Jerk 'n Tings centres around the bandstand, with music and dancing, plus jerk, vegan and vegetarian food served up by some of the UK's top Caribbean and African chefs. 1pm-6pm

TURNING TIDES: UK and international music artists take to the stage at Turning Tides, a free music festival at Greenwich Peninsula, culminating in a headline performance by north London rock band Girl Ray. FREE, 1.30pm-late

UKRAINIAN A CAPELLA: Ukrainian Vocalist Project DZVIN.CO — consisting of  seven professional adult singers from different regions of Ukraine affected by the war — gives an a capella performance of Ukrainian folk music at the Foundling Museum. 2pm

WELLING UNITED: Watch some football deep in south London this afternoon, as Welling United take on Aveley at home. For pre- and post-match pints we highly recommend the Door Hinge micropub, a few minutes' walk away. 3pm KO

EVENING WITH THE MOON: It's all eyes on the moon at the Royal Observatory, which hosts a family-friendly evening focusing on our nearest neighbour. Get a close-up look at the moon from the Planetarium before learning how to use one of the Observatory's modern telescopes, and meeting astronomers and asking them your questions. 5.45pm-8pm

Sunday 11 August

FESTIVAL OF FAIRYTALES: Pop-up performances, creative arts workshops, live storytelling and theatrical performances are all part of the Festival of Fairtytales at the Garden Museum, aimed at 4-11 year olds and their families. The event takes place throughout the museum — a medieval church building — and fancy dress is encouraged. 10am-4pm

FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT: Fancy watching some five-a-side footy in aid of a good cause? Sister Midnight — who are on a mission to open Lewisham’s first community owned live music venue — are hosting a day of fundraising matches today. Team slots are full, but you can watch all day for a fiver, which includes entry to the afterparty. 10am-10pm (inc afterparty)

EMBROIDERY WORKSHOP: Continuing its celebration of Ukrainian culture, the Foundling Museum offers an embroidery workshop, beginning with a short talk on the history of Ukrainian embroidery, followed by your own chance to recreate motifs and images from Ukrainian folklore. 12pm

ART IN THE PARK: It's the annual Art in the Park afternoon at Brixton Windmill, with free drop-in crafting workshops suitable for all ages. The workshops are: pop up cards with Penny; junk plants with recycled materials with Joanna; natural cord bracelets with Kim; drawing diversity with Angela; t-shirt painting with Lamonte; and grow a flower with Ching Yee. There's also a chance for a guided tour of Brixton Windmill (small fee applies). (Note, there's also a windmill open day on Saturday 10 Aug.)  FREE, 1pm-5pm

ARGENTINE TANGO: Today's entertainment at free festival Summer by the River is an afternoon and evening of Argentine tango dance. Watch performances accompanied by live music, or have a go yourself at classes that are open to everyone. FREE, 4pm-9pm

SUNDAY CABARET: Drag With No Name and Snow White Trash are the headliners at today's Sunday Cabaret at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, with DJ Simon Le Vans on the decks. 4pm-11pm

UK REGGAE: ANotting Hill legend, Lovers Rock star, and more homegrown legends take to the stage for Sounds of UK Reggae, a live show at the Jazz Cafe celebrating the reggae scene in this country, all curated by UK dancehall legend, Tippa Irie. 7pm

BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE: Continuing with the reggae theme, tonight's film at the free Screen on the Canal outdoor cinema in King's Cross is Bob Marley: One Love. Released early this year, it tells the story of Marley's rise to fame. FREE, 7.30pm