The best things to do this weekend in London

Between the seasonally on-point rooftop setting, the resumes of the folks involved (the founders of perennial Chelsea fav Medlar and the former head chef of the Michelin-starred Angler), and the praise showered on the restaurant by early-access diners such as acclaimed chef Phil Howard, Cornus in Belgravia is shaping up to be one of the biggest openings of the summer. Don't miss out.

London Wing Fest 2024 at London Stadium in Stratford will feature 45 renowned wing slingers from across the UK, vying for the title of best chicken wings as judged by a panel and public vote. Taking place from Friday to Sunday, the festival will serve an estimated 500,000 wings, alongside live music, games, thrilling rides, and eating competitions. Standard tickets include entry, entertainment, and a branded hat, with wings inside priced at £1.50 each.

The 2024 Summer of Sport has already lived up to expectations thanks to the Euros, Wimbledon, Tour de France, and other major sports events, but the best is yet to come. The Paris Olympic Games kick off this weekend – come for the pageantry of the opening ceremony, stay for the amazing athletic feats and good vibes in fan zones across the city.

Whether you're a Swiftie or an Anti-Hero, there's no denying Taylor Swift is the biggest star in the world these days. As such, it's certainly worth getting to know her a bit better, especially with the upcoming second part of her Eras Tour about to dominate London conversations again. The V&A is launching a free exhibition this weekend, highlighting 16 of the star's iconic looks and featuring unseen archival material, custom outfits, and more.

At the 2024 Battersea Games, attendees can join breaking classes led by experienced instructor Kwan Chan. With breaking debuting at the Paris 2024 Olympics, this class offers a timely chance to learn the dance, covering basic steps and techniques for beginners. Classes run from 27 July to 11 August, and two participants will win a spot in a six-week course at Pineapple Dance Studios.

To celebrate Waltham Forest Pride 2024, storyteller Luke Saydon will lead an interactive session at the William Morris Gallery focusing on self-celebration and individuality. Participants will enjoy a blend of music, storytelling, movement, and colours, featuring the story of Gilbert Baker and the Pride flag. Meanwhile, Waltham Forest Pride will host vendors, activities, and performances in Fellowship Square in the afternoon.

Camden Market marks its 50th anniversary with a summer of  events, running from June 30 to August 28. Highlights include pop-up festivities centred around art, fashion, music, and culture, many free to attend. Events start with South Asian Heritage Month, featuring community arts, health advice, food, kids' activities, and music.

You've probably noticed, but just in case your address for the past couple of years has been “1 Under a Rock Rd” – Barbie has made a major comeback on the back of Greta Gerwig's blockbuster film. The iconic doll is celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2024 and is the star of a major new exhibition at London's Design Museum, exploring her evolution from 1959 to the present. The exhibition offers the chance to see rare and unique items from the Barbie archive in California, thanks to a partnership with Mattel.

Step into the nostalgia of a British seaside town at Walthamstow's Big Penny Social. Until early September, the courtyard of the UK's largest beer hall becomes 'Walthamstow-on-Sea', featuring a sandy cove. Lounge in deck chairs, sip draught beers and frozen cocktails from the beach bar, and snack on traditional treats like fish and chips, soft-serve ice cream, and penny sweets.

The National Theatre's River Stage returns to the South Bank with a month-long celebration of outdoor live music, dance, performances, workshops, and entertainment. Each weekend evening, an exciting lineup will take the stage right in front of the theatre. Look forward to special takeover weekends by The Glory, Rambert dance company, Greenwich+Docklands International Festival, and The National Theatre, featuring glittering drag queens, bold choreography, contemporary arts, and showcases curated by talented young creatives. The best part? It's all free.

Launching at the V&A on Saturday 22 June, “NAOMI: In Fashion” explores the career of Naomi Campbell, showcasing items from her wardrobe alongside designer archives and V&A exhibits. The exhibition, produced in collaboration with Campbell, covers her journey from being scouted as a teenager to her supermodel years, relationships with designers, global fame, and impact on fashion, and is slated to be one of the year's unmissable events.

Celebrated immersive theatre company Punchdrunk has extended the run of its latest success, a retelling of a classic gothic mystery. Narrated by none other than Helena Bonham Carter, “Viola's Room” takes visitors on a chilling sensory adventure lasting one hour. It was originally slated to run for just one month, but has been extended until mid-August thanks to demand.

The opening of the Serpentine Pavilion is a major fixture on London's art scene. The 2024 pavilion, designed by Korean architect Minsuk Cho, opened to the public on 7th June. The unique design includes a number of distinct spaces that connect the South Gallery with the wider park. It's free to visit and will stay open until October.

The exhibition at Tate Modern, running until October 13, spans 400 years and highlights the journeys of women who became professional artists, including pioneers like Mary Beale, Elizabeth Butler, Angelica Kauffman, and Laura Knight. It features over 150 works, exploring how these women challenged societal expectations and stereotypes by pursuing careers in art and tackling subjects typically reserved for male artists, such as history paintings, battle scenes, and nudes. The exhibition delves into the historical challenges and triumphs of women in the art world, from Tudor times to WW1.

The Midnight Apothecary, nestled atop the Brunel Museum, is a secret rooftop garden where award-winning gardener Lottie Muir grows plants and herbs to create seasonal botanical cocktails. Featuring fairy lights and firepits, the pop-up bar offers a unique ambiance for enjoying crafted drinks like the Woodland Martini and toasting s'mores. The bar is open for firepit sessions every Friday and Saturday until 27 July, with tickets including an optional guided tour of the Victorian-era Thames Tunnel Shaft below.

London's Design Museum has opened an exhibition honouring Enzo Mari, one of the most influential Italian designers of the 20th century, renowned for his multifaceted career as an artist, teacher, and theorist and his commitment to socially responsible design. The extensive retrospective spans Mari's 60-year career and features over 300 works, including furniture, children's books, and conceptual installations, complemented by archival insights into his design philosophy and tributes from contemporary London-based designers.

The UK's most extensive exhibition of Yoko Ono's work features over 200 pieces that span her seven-decade career as an artist and activist. The exhibition, in collaboration with Ono's studio, includes a diverse range of works such as instruction pieces, installations, films, and music, delving into themes of peace, feminism, and the everyday, often using the sky as a symbol. This exhibition redefines Ono's legacy beyond her Beatles association, affirming her as a trailblazer in conceptual and participatory art.

“Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” a prequel to the popular Netflix series, is making waves in London's West End as a major theatrical hit. The play, unfolding the backstory of the series' villain Henry Creel, is co-directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin, and has been praised for capturing the essence of “Stranger Things” as well as putting on an astounding visual feast.

Lightroom, an immersive art gallery in King's Cross, has unveiled “The Moonwalkers: A Journey With Tom Hanks”. This immersive experience, narrated by Tom Hanks, uses advanced projection and audio to explore the historic Apollo missions and the current Artemis programme for manned lunar exploration. Co-written by Hanks and Christopher Riley, the experience also features interviews with Artemis astronauts, offering a unique perspective on this new chapter of space exploration.

Head on a Greek journey to the island of Skopelos for an unforgettable evening of dining and dancing at this Mamma Mia-inspired event. As the sun sets, discover yourself at Nikos' family-run taverna, feasting on a tasty four-course Greek meal, including dishes like Greek mezze, salad, confit lamb shoulder, and slow-cooked beef with garlic-roasted potatoes. A live band will play iconic ABBA tracks throughout the night, ensuring the dance floor stays lively with their best hits.