Things To Do This Week In London: 9-15 June 2025

All week

IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD: A community-focused event featuring live music, DJ sets, theatre shows, and various sport and fitness sessions, In The Neighbourhood is a free festival that takes place at the Lido Festival site (Victoria Park) between the big gig weekends. It's family-friendly, with activities including hockey and football sessions, a tea dance, and a chance for kids to have their photos taken sitting on real diggers and tractors. FREE, 9-12 June

SHUCKED: The Regent's Park Open-Air Theatre's first show of the season is Shucked, a Tony Award-winning musical comedy about a woman named Maizy (see what they did there?) who has to save her small American town when the corn it grows starts to die. You've got until the end of this week to see it. Until 14 June

SHANGHAI MINT: The Royal Mint Court near Tower Bridges hosts Coinect, an exhibition featuring a collection of coins and medals from the Shanghai Mint, including interactive displays and discussions about the evolution of money and its future. Many of the objects are on display outside China for the very first time. FREE, until 14 June

STILETTO: Set in 18th century Italy, new musical Stiletto tells the story of boys who were taken from poor families and given the chance to succeed as singers if they kept their youthful voices. One in particular meets and falls in love with a talented young woman and attempts to get her on stage, resulting in a death. See it at Charing Cross Theatre. Until 14 June

PHOTOGRAPHY PRIZE: Last chance to see The Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize 2025 showcasing the work of shortlisted artists, including Lindokuhle Sobekwa, who won for his work, I carry Her photo with Me. The exhibition features a variety of styles, focusing on themes such as migration and community, and is on show at The Photographers' Gallery near Oxford Circus. Until 15 June

EDVARD MUNCH: The National Portrait Gallery's Edvard Munch Portraitsis the first exhibition in the UK to focus on the Norwegian artist's work in the portrait genre, and includes portraits he painted both for commission and for personal reasons. Until 15 June

STARS: "Free your behind and your mind will follow!" Brixton House is currently staging STARS: An Afrofuturist Space Odyssey, in which an old lady ventures into outer space in search of her own orgasm. It's performed with a DJ, animations and music from the ilk of Sun Ra, Jamila Woods and Floating Points. Until 28 June

ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL: The London Festival of Architecture continues all month, celebrating the built environment in the capital. Our picks for this week include pop-up installation Unheard Voices in the City, about people who keep the city going through the night, and Brixton: Off The Beaten Track, a tour looking at how the neighbourhood has changed over the years. Until 30 June

BOOK-INSPIRED AFTERNOON TEA: Treat a friend (or yourself) to an afternoon tea inspired by beloved books and characters. London's best literary afternoon teas including menus inspired by Roald Dahl, Shakespeare, Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland, ideal for book worms and foodies.

DRINK OF THE WEEK: Chelsea speakeasy Barts is cosplaying as a Mexican Agave Garden for the summer months — giving off haciendas vibes, with a sprinkling of cacti, and cocktails like the fruity-spicy 'Sins of Agave', mixed with tequila, Bénédictine D.O.M liqueur, chilli-agave syrup and grapefruit soda.

DAY TRIP OF THE WEEK: Three of the most incredible rooms you'll ever see are among the highlights of a trip to Chatham Historic Dockyard in Kent, which offers classic ships, a submarine you can board, and a narrow-gauge steam railway, all in a former working shipyard. It's also where some of Call The Midwife is filmed, and currently has the Brickwrecks exhibition, depicting sunken ships in Lego form.

Monday 9 June

FREE MUSEUM ENTRY: To celebrate its 100th birthday, the Charles Dickens Museum is offering free entry for one day only — the anniversary of the author's death. Even better, members of his own family are playing the role of museum stewards for the day, including Lucinda Hawksley (his great-great-great-granddaughter) who gives a talk about Dickens' international travels. FREE, 10am-6pm

PARENTS' COMEDY: Parents and carers with babies under 15 months old are welcome to Bring Your Own Baby comedy at the Royal Albert Hall. Carly Smallman, Esther Manito and Matt Stellingwerf perform comedy sets in a relaxed environment, where you're welcome to feed and change your baby as necessary while the show goes on. 11am/1.30pm

FOUR HANDS DINNER: Greek restaurant Krokodilos in Kensington hosts a special Four Hands Dinner, whipped up in a collab between Chef Nikos Liokas from the GB Roof Garden at the Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens, and the restaurant's own Head Chef Angelos Togias. Sample a five-course tasting menu celebrating Greek cuisine and blending traditional flavours with modern techniques. 5.30pm/8pm

END OF THE CENTURY: Coinciding with the release of Ryan Gilbey's book, It Used to be Witches: Under the Spell of Queer Cinema, Barbican Cinema screens End of the Century, a gay romance directed by Lucio Castro. Following the film, Gilbey discusses his book and the film's themes with Barbican cinema curator Alex Davidson. 6.20pm

THE TICKING: Comedy theatre show The Ticking follows four friends who wake up after a night out with a mysterious ticking briefcase. As they navigate a series of tests to their friendships, secrets come to light amidst the chaos. See it at the Drayton Arms Theatre in West Brompton. 7.30pm

TONY SLATTERY: Head to the Phoenix Arts Club for a celebration of Tony Slattery who passed away in January this year. Graham Cole OBE hosts an evening of laughter and music in his memory. 8.30pm

Tuesday 10 June

MHAIRI BLACK: Mhairi Black, the youngest MP in British history, brings her show Politics Isn’t For Me to Soho Theatre, following a sold-out run at Edinburgh Fringe last year. She offers a candid reflection on her time in Westminster and UK politics, inflected with dark humour. 10-14 June

ROMEO AND JULIET: Flabbergast Theatre offers a fresh take on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet at Wilton's Music Hall. The production combines physicality and musicality, featuring live music, clowning, and mask work, with a mix of comedy and tragedy, a modern interpretation that remains true to the spirit of the play. 10-21 June

RACHEL JONES: Gated Canyons is a solo exhibition by contemporary artist Rachel Jones, opening at Dulwich Picture Gallery and featuring large-scale and intimate paintings created with Jones' signature tools of oil stick and oil pastels. 10 June-19 October

FREE LSE TALK: In a time of global uncertainty, how can economics and sustainability come together to build a brighter future? Find out at this inspiring free event hosted by LSE’s new Global School of Sustainability. There’s an incredible line up of speakers – including Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Nobel Prize-winning economist Professor Amartya Sen – and you can attend the event online if you’re unable to make it to the LSE campus. 6.30pm-8pm (sponsor)

BAR BURLESQUE: Bar Burlesque pays tribute to the 1950s and 60s when the Boulevard Theatre (now Underbelly Boulevard Soho) was famous for its 'naughty but nice' entertainment. Expect live music accompanied by burlesque performances from notable names in the scene, including The Diamond Dahlia and Miss Lolly May. 7.30pm

LGBTQ+ COMEDIAN FINALS: See nine finalists go head-to-head to take first place in the LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year final, at Clapham Grand. 2024 winner Marty Gleeson headlines, with Matthew Ali as MC, and Sydney May, Chloe Reynolds and Jack Henry among the finalists. 7.30pm

Wednesday 11 June

GODZ: Storytelling, circus and comedy meet in Godz at the Peacock Theatre. Starring comedy acrobatic troupe Head First Acrobats, it tells the stories of the ancient Gods of Mount Olympus, including Cupid, Dionysus and Hercules. Age 18+. 11-14 June

HAMSTRUNG: Alas poor Yorick! Though he's not dead…? Hamstrung at The Glitch in Waterloo is about the deceased court jester and famous skull in Shakespeare's Hamlet, telling his story through his own eyes, using music, comedy and audience interaction. Transfers to London after a run at Edinburgh Fringe last summer. 11-16 June

HAMPTON COURT PALACE FESTIVAL: It's a music festival, but not as you know it. Hampton Court Palace Festival is an altogether civilised affair, taking place in the palace grounds, with the option of enjoying a picnic before the music starts. Artists performing this year include Tom Jones, Elbow, Chaka Khan, Bananarama and Gary Barlow, beginning with James tonight. 11-21 June

QUEER 70S: Barbican Cinema's Queer 70s series focuses on the rise of Gay Liberation movements and greater queer visibility following the Stonewall Riots of 1969. Watch films depicting LGBTQ+ lives in a way which would have been unthinkable just a decade before, beginning with a programme of shorts by LGBTQ+ cinema pioneer Barbara Hammer tonight. 11 June-16 July

WOMEN'S PRIZE LIVE: An afternoon/evening celebrating the best female talent within and related to the world of books takes over Bedford Square Gardens in central London. Women's Prize Live features talks with famous writers like Kate Mosse and Tayari Jones, creative workshops (most of which incur an extra fee), book signings and prize giving. 12.15pm-9pm

BROADWAY MELODY: Dugdale Arts Centre in Enfield screens Broadway Melody of 1940, starring Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell and George Murphy singing and dancing to the music of Cole Porter. It's a story of mistaken identity, when the wrong partner of a ballroom dance team lands a starring role, and is shown as part of DAC's Silver Spotlight: Marvellous Matinees series. 2pm

WINE WALK: Take an evening stroll through Kew Gardens, enjoying a wine tasting as you go. Begin with a glass of sparkling Blanc de Cabernet, before embarking on a leisurely 2km self-guided walk through the gardens, sampling wines along the way. Soak it all up with food available at the Pavilion Bar & Grill at the end of the walk. 5.30pm-7.30pm

REBEL ARCHIVISTS: Barbican hosts a panel talk exploring how photography, music, and storytelling help preserve London’s cultural history and keep community voices alive for future generations, and what happens to those histories when certain scenes or demographics are marginalised. The panel includes author and music journalist Aniefiok Ekpoudom, and Dr Aleema Gray, curator of 2024 exhibition Beyond The Bassline: 500 Years of Black British Music. 7.30pm

Thursday 12 June

KINGSTON BEER FESTIVAL: Over 100 cask and craft beers, ciders and perries are promised at the Kingston Beer Festival, with Burning Sky, Dark Revolution, Big Trip, Firebird and Five Points among the breweries represented. Takes place at Kingston Workmen's Club. 12-14 June

MUSICAL THEATRE: See rising musical theatre stars in action before they make their debuts in the West End and beyond, at the Royal Academy Musical Theatre Company's summer shows. Opening tonight, Nine sees passion, glamour and turmoil collide in the story of legendary filmmaker Guido Contini's battles with writer's block and a mid-life crisis. It's a musical adaptation of the 1963 film 8½ by Federico Fellini, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston. 12-15 June, 2pm/7pm (sponsor)

LONDON PHOTO SHOW: Hoxton Arches hosts the London Photo Show, an exhibition of shots by photographers from all over the world. Among the exhibitors: Sophie de Serdieu showcasing her photos taken in Odisha on the east coast of India; and social documentary and portrait photographer Joanne Segars' long-term series highlighting our wasteful society and people who are finding new uses for waste products, with the pictures available to buy. FREE, 12-15 June

LITTLE SIMZ' MELTDOWN:Southbank Centre's Meltdown Festival returns from today, with London-based rapper Little Simz curating a stellar line-up of British and international artists, club nights and free events. Highlight gigs include singer-songwriter Mahalia (13 June), 'Queen of Afrobeats' Tiwa Savage (14 June) and rapper and songwriter Ghetts (18 June), with four Meltdown Lates throughout the festival, keeping the party going until the early hours. 12-22 June (sponsor)

MUSICAL BITES: Get a flavour of upcoming musical theatre shows at Musical Bites at The Other Palace. Described as a "tasting menu" of musicals currently in development, it features a 45-minute excerpt performed with script-in-hand, followed by a chance to give feedback to the writers. 12.30pm

LIVE EAST: W London hotel in Leicester Square continues its Amplified Live music series with a gig by east London neo-soul, house and R&B singer Liv East. Takes place in the hotel's Perception Bar, with support acts Juss Jak, KingCrowney and Rio Fredrika. 6.30pm

SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR: Singer and kitchen disco legend Sophie Ellis-Bextor brings her UK tour to the Royal Albert Hall, performing hits including Murder On The Dancefloor, Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love), Take Me Home (A Girl Like Me), and her latest single, Freedom Of The Night. 7.30pm

PINK FLOYD: Dark Side of the Moon is the ultimate concept album. 50 years on, Prof Milton Mermikides explores why the album is so enduring, in a Gresham College talk at Rich Mix in Shoreditch. 7.30pm

QUEER FILM: As part of Netil Market in Hackney's A Celebration of Queer Film season, Cheryl Dunye's 1995 movie The Watermelon Woman is screened in the open air tonight. Plenty of vendors are slinging the likes of burgers, popcorn, frozen treats and booze. FREE, 8pm

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Friday 13 June

CAPITAL CRIME: Love a good crime thriller book? Head to the Leonardo Royal St Paul's for Capital Crime, a lit festival celebrating the genre. Authors Dorothy Koomson, Ruth Ware, Suk Pannu and Linwood Barclay are just some of the 80+ names scheduled to take part in 30 events across two days. 13-14 June

JAIPUR LIT FEST: Authors Sheela Banerjee, Michael Rosen and Diana Darke, playwright Hanif Kureishi and journalist Reeta Chakrabarti are among the speakers on the line-up for the London Jaipur Literature Festival at the British Library, a satellite event of the huge Jaipur Literature Festival which takes place in India each January. 13-15 June

SONGS ON THE STEPS: Free concert series Songs on the Steps is back on alternate Fridays throughout the summer. Take a lunchtime trip to Holland Park to catch a free performance by some of the Opera Holland Park cast, on the steps to the theatre. Pack your lunch and a picnic rug and settle down for the 40-minute, open-air concert. FREE, 1pm

WIFI WARS: Taking place at the Royal Institution, WiFi Wars is an interactive live comedy game show that blends video games, comedy, and technology. Join performers Steve McNeil and Rob Sedgebeer in a range of quizzes and challenges. You'll need a fully-charged smartphone or tablet to take part. Suitable for adults and older teenagers. 7pm-8.30pm

JOHNNY BALL: TV presenter and comedian Johnny Ball is at Artsdepot to share stories from his life, from his first comedy steps as a Butlin Redcoat, to encounters with The Beatles, Dusty Springfield and the Duke of Edinburgh, all to celebrate the recent publication of his autobiography, My Previous Live In Comedy. 7.30pm

RINSE FM: Rinse FM holds a club night celebrating the evolution of UK music, featuring DJs and MCs bridging the original pirate radio era and the contemporary scene. Takes place at Barbican. 11pm-2am

Saturday 14 June

CAMBERWELL ARTS FESTIVAL: We're awaiting details of the programme of this year's Camberwell Arts Festival, but in the past it's consisted of open studios, an art market and a fringe festival. Keep an eye on the website for full details when announced. FREE, 14-22 June

WINDRUSH FILM FESTIVAL: Belonging, Being and Becoming is the theme of the Windrush Caribbean Film Festival, a programme highlighting the journeys, struggles, and triumphs of Caribbean people in Britain. Keep an eye on the website for programme details closer to the time. 14-29 June

M.E.N. LIVE: Apparently London's first and only male strip show tailored for the LGBTQIA+ community, M.E.N. Live combines dance, aerial performances, and a striking bathtub shower finale, in a show described as "Magic Mike, but unapologetically queer". All who appreciate the male form are welcome, though the event is designed for the LGBTQIA+ community. Takes place at Underbelly Boulevard Soho. 14 June-15 July

EVITA THE MUSICAL: The story of Eva Perón — who rose from a life in poverty to become First Lady of Argentina, the most powerful woman in Latin America — plays out in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, Evita, staged through the summer at the London Palladium. 14 June-6 September

NATURE FILMS: Head along to 8 Vyner Street for two days of films about London's natural environment. London Nature Films showcases 22 docs and shorts about nature and greening activities across London; from personal stories and nature conservation to urban gardening, outdoor wellbeing, and campaigning for nature-based solutions. It's part of the wider Grow Urban Festival. 14-15 June

LES MILLS: Forgo the Saturday lie-in and head to The Beams near London City Airport for a series of workout classes courtesy of Les Mills. A £30 tickets gets you access to up to five classes, which include bodystep, bodycombat, Pilates, dance and grit athletic, among many others. From 9.30am

FRUITY WALK: Join a Fruity Walk through south London, where trees tell stories of migration, resilience and community. The walk includes a hidden orchard at the Imperial War Museum, along with many other remarkable fruit trees, often unnoticed in the city's daily rush. Part of the London Festival of Architecture. 10.30am-1pm

KING'S BIRTHDAY PARADE:Trooping the Colour, AKA the King's Birthday Parade, takes place at Horseguards Parade. At time of writing, there are very few tickets left, otherwise, you might catch a free glimpse if you get to The Mall or St James's Park early enough to get a good spot (or it'll be shown on BBC if you can't face the crowds). Either way, be aware of road closures and disruptions in the area on Saturday. Later, at 1pm, a military flypast by the RAF whooshes overhead at The Mall. 10.30am

RIOJA FESTIVAL: Slurp a selection of tasty riojas in King's Cross this afternoon at Bar Rioja's first festival celebrating the Spanish wine. Taste 18 riojas, eat paella and dance along to a live band. From 12pm

WORLD NAKED BIKE RIDE: If you're prudish, you may wish to avert your eyes as the World Naked Bike Ride pedals into town. Cyclists let it all hang out as they ride in a group on one of several pre-agreed routes. FREE, various start times from 1pm

NAVVIES: Join Laura Agustin for a walk around Primrose Hill and the Regent's Canal in search of the area's industrial heritage. The hard-living navvies who built the railways will be at the centre of the story. You'll see railway landmarks as well as the artists' studios and pastel-painted streets that came later. 1pm

BANGERS 'N' CASH: Bangers ‘N’ Cash is a fundraising event hosted at Limehouse Town Hall, featuring DJ Cressup and a line-up of guest DJs including Adela, Mynxie, and Rabbit Hole. Expect eight hours of house and tech house tunes. Fancy dress is optional, with face painting and glow sticks adding to the party vibe. All proceeds support KEEN London and Limehouse Town Hall. 4pm-midnight

Sunday 15 June

FATHER'S DAY: Consider this your reminder to pick up a card, and maybe a box of chocolates or a new book, for your dad on Father's Day. 15 June

BLEAK WEEK: The Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square kicks off Bleak Week, a programme of 'cinema of despair'. Violent 1978 rabbit animation Watership Down, and 1996 cult classic Trainspotting are on today's programme, followed by the likes of There Will Be Blood, Ex Machina, 10 Rillington Place, and Get Carter next week. 15-21 June

CHEESE MARKET: Well, Edam! It's that time of the month again when Chiswick is taken over by a cheese market. Browse and buy 200+ different cheeses by producers from around the UK, along with breads, chutneys, and everything else you need to enjoy cheese at its best. Makes for a rather gouda day out. 9.30am-3pm

THE SPANISH KEATS: Keats House in Hampstead celebrates the little-known Spanish connections to the poet John Keats. Discover the life of Fanny Keats, who married Spanish writer Valentín Llanos, shedding light on how this relationship influenced Keats's legacy. Admission to Keats House is included with your ticket. FREE, 2.15pm

SILENT DISCO SKATE JAM: Cygnet Square in Thamesmead hosts a silent disco skate jam, open to both beginner and experienced skaters. Free skate hire is available on a first come first served basis, and there are free skate lessons, as well as silent disco headsets to borrow once you've got the hang of the moves. FREE, 4pm

CAMDEN CLUB: Two shows for you at the Camden Club in Chalk Farm today. San Franciscan singer-songwriter Holly Penfield is on stage with her band, knocking out all sorts of rock, jazz and cabaret numbers (that one's free). It's followed by an evening performance from eclectic duo The Men Who Knew Too Much. 4pm-6.30pm and 7.30pm-8.30pm

BMW CLASSICS: The London Symphony Orchestra gives a free outdoor concert in Trafalgar Square, performing works by Gioachino Rossini, Giacomo Puccini, Isabella Gellis, Giuseppe Verdi and Victor de Sabata. If the sun's shining on the day it's likely to be very popular, so arrive in plenty of time to get a space. FREE, 5pm

DIDN'T YOU LEAVE?: Aussie comic Sean Corcoran has left London for Sydney... except he's back in London for a belated farewell show, fittingly called Didn’t You Leave? As the tagline goes, "Say goodbye to the guy you already forgot about". At the Queer Comedy Club, Elephant and Castle. 6pm-7pm

Good Cause of the Week

TOUR GUIDES: We have infinite respect for tour guides… they’re always such knowledgeable, enthusiastic people. But guiding takes a lot of skill, which goes way beyond learning the local history. So I want to flag up an initiative that could do with a bit of support. Over the past 15 years, Unseen Tours has trained 29 people with experience of homelessness to become award-winning tour guides. They’ve now welcomed over 30,000 people onto tours. Their approach combines local history with powerful personal stories, challenging stigma and offering a meaningful income to people rebuilding their lives. But they need help. Unseen Tours is looking to raise £25,000 to help with training, growing the number of tours, and improving perceptions of homelessness. Take a look at their appeal, and see if you can help this wonderful cause.

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