The best things to do this weekend in London

Plenty of hype has surrounded the opening of Appalachia, a Southern-American style, open-flame love letter to the mountainous region of the American South. It's an intimate affair with the focus falling primarily on the chef's counter where they'll be serving comforting yet elevated classics like duck heart tacos and grilled poussin with grits. For those in the mood for exciting and fulfilling fodder, Appalachia is a great shout. Make a booking here.

The London atmosphere is thick with BBQ smoke as the sun shines down on our sizzling burgers, hot dogs and summers-day delicacies. If you're looking for something a little different, but still craving that fire-grilled goodness; Junsei should be next on your list. The team here grill up traditional yaiktori skewers, accompanied by hi-fi mixing that can easily lull your early dinner into a late night.  

Conveniently for commuters, The White Haus is a three-storey, Alpine-themed pub located within walking distance of several major transport hubs. Featuring unique ski decor and versatile spaces ranging from a mezzanine living room to a rustic chalet, the modern venue caters to both intimate drinks and large office groups. Its daily menu offers a unique blend of traditional pub classics alongside a dedicated selection of fresh Indian dishes, complemented by a full range of drinks. Unlike many City pubs, it stays open on Saturdays as well, providing a relaxing destination for anyone stuck on the weekend shift at work.

Bringing Euro-summer to London is as easy as booking a table at Frame. Here, Mediterranean cooking traditions from Greece, Spain and Italy are brought harmoniously around one table. A tapas-style service is used is ensure you get to sample the best of each country's culinary spirit, from lemony cod-stuffed peppers and sautéed prawns in garlic butter, to corn ribs and slow cooked oxtail. This is a Mediterranean sanctuary suited to everyone looking for a Euro-summer in the heart of Notting Hill. 

This year Hurlingham Park will play host to Chestertons Polo in the Park tournament, an iconic event in the British summer sports calendar. High-stakes action starts right away as England and South Africa battle it out for the Olympic trophy on Friday. From there, Ladies Day takes place on Saturday and the weekend ends with the Finals Day competition and the legendary Polo Day Party. As well as the sporting action, there are plenty of retail stands to check out and the Fulham Food Festival to enjoy. Unmissable highlights include the Champagne Pommery Garden and Pimm's Bus. You can find out more and book tickets here.

Thanks to the London Open Gardens event, this weekend you have the opportunity to snoop in London's most secret gardens. More than 120 green spaces will unlock their gates for public viewing, from community allotments brimming with fresh veg to hidden rose gardens and green rooftops, there is so much to explore. Grab a ticket and plan your route across the city to see London though a new, much greener lens.

Anya Hindmarch has a reputation for epic pop-ups and brand collaborations for iconic British brands, think last year's Snoopy pop-up and the Hindmarch x Boots tote bag collab. This year, the much-loved high summer concept store, the Ice Cream Project is back for a fifth year in a row. From this Friday, they will be serving out a line of delicious, unexpected and nostalgic British flavours. Prepare for OXO, Lurpak, Mini Cheddars and so many other cult favourites to be reimagined for the cone. 

Written by Joel Horwood and directed by Sean Holmes, this chaotic, exciting portrayal of Holmes and Watson is loaded with all the finest Conan-Doyle clichés like razor sharp deduction, dramatic revelations and a mischievous Sherlock flitting along the knife-edge of discovery and madness. Sit outside and get stuck into the throes of this critically-acclaimed adventure at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. 

1536, by playwright Ava Pickett has been showered with praise since its debut performance at the Almeida Theatre. Now, it's showing in the West End at the Ambassadors Theatre. The story follows the lives of three women in rural Essex, whose world begins to change in an increasingly frightening manner following the death of Anne Boleyn. It is both historical and eerily relevant, you won't stop thinking about this play once you've seen it.  

Tate Britain is hosting the first major European retrospective of the influential American artist James McNeill Whistler in 30 years. The comprehensive exhibition spans his entire career, from his formative teenage years in Russia to his ground-breaking later periods, showcasing both world-famous masterpieces and lesser-known works. A central highlight of the exhibition is his seminal 1871 portrait, "Whistler's Mother," a legendary piece of painting history that remains a global pop-culture fixture.

The hit Broadway musical adaptation of Tim Burton's classic comedy-horror film "Beetlejuice" is heading to London's West End for a limited-time run at the Prince Edward Theatre. The production brings the eccentric world-building and quirky characters of the original story to life on stage, utilising striking sets and an experienced cast. Given the enduring popularity of the franchise, this highly anticipated theatrical run is expected to sell out quickly.

Beloved Mayfair haunt Sketch has brought a touch of the childhood magic of Winnie the Pooh right to our doorstop in a grand celebration of 100 years since the books were first published. Book in for drinks or dinner and allow the flowers, leaves and beehives, complete with buzzing sound effects, to transport you to a honey-pot world far removed from the streets of London. At Sketch things don't happen by halves; a special programme of food, drink and workshops will run throughout the installation period.

If you are suffering the post-Met-Gala blues, visit the V&A's exhibition entitled 'Fashion becomes Art' to discover the weird, wonderful and utterly surrealist world of Elsa Schiaparelli. Elsa was inspired by Salvador Dalí's work and often created in collaboration with him. These collaborations produced some of her most iconic works such as the lobster dress and the shoe hat. To honour such an important career in the world of fashion, the V&A has pulled together an impressive 200+ object display to celebrate this formidable artist. 

Black Lines has returned to the National Theatre's riverside terrace, offering a range of their bottled cocktails on tap. Situated next to the KERB street-food market, the venue provides a spacious setting for outdoor drinks in the sun, if the latter is willing, complemented by beautiful views of the Thames.

Ten years after his death, the Lightroom venue has debuted a ground-breaking immersive exhibition that celebrates David Bowie's legendary creative legacy and iconic personas. By utilising the David Bowie Archive in New York, the production uses massive projection walls and spatial audio to surround visitors with rare footage and personal items, narrated solely by the artist's own voice.

A brand-new museum in East London, V&A East Museum (not to be confused with the nearby V&A East Storehouse) highlights creativity as a driving force for change around the world across five storeys of fascinating exhibits from the V&A's vast collection. It's one of the most significant new additions to London culture in years, and its inaugural exhibition, “The Music is Black: A British Story,” is dedicated to the influence of Black British music on UK and global culture. Memorable exhibits include Jme's Super Nintendo, outfits by Little Simz, Seal, and Skin, and more.

Hackney Flea Market hosts some of the capital's most popular flea markets, attracting a diverse crowd of bargain hunters and collectors in search of unique finds. The wide-ranging inventory, from affordable trinkets to high-end statement pieces, fosters a vibrant and energetic atmosphere. This weekend, the market heads to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park for the Giant London Flea, the largest indoor flea market in the city.

The River Walk Market has resumed its weekly residency at Battersea Power Station, featuring a diverse array of independent food, drink, and craft traders every Sunday until late August. The riverside event showcases a mix of established favourites and new vendors, ranging from artisan cheese and vermouth producers to specialist pet brands. Set against the backdrop of the iconic historic landmark, the market provides a rotating shopping experience that complements the area's permanent retail and dining offerings.

Head to the National Maritime Museum, where “Astronomers Take Over” brings a hands-on space twist to your usual museum visit. You can try landing a Mars rover, experiment with light and chat to experts from the Royal Observatory Greenwich. With the main planetarium closed, there's also a smaller alternative experience that's worth a look.

A new immersive exhibition uses 360° projections and life-size replicas to bring 9th-century Viking history and mythology to life. Visitors of all ages can engage with interactive displays, including ceremonial sword handling, the legendary Yggdrasil World Tree, and VR experiences, during the 90-minute tour. The unique display combines historical education with modern entertainment.

One of the landmark exhibitions of the year, “Tracey Emin: A Life in Art” has launched at Tate Modern. Offering a major retrospective of the ground-breaking artist's four-decade career, it brings together iconic works like “My Bed” alongside rarely seen pieces across painting, neon, textiles, film, and installation, as well as newer works. The show charts Emin's confessional practice and deeply personal approach to art, exploring how she has continually transformed her own experiences into powerful reflections on love, trauma, and healing.

Marking 50 years of Aardman, the Young V&A in East London is hosting “Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends”, a major exhibition celebrating the studio's stop-motion legacy. Featuring more than 150 items – including original puppets, props, sketches, and concept art – it lifts the lid on the craft behind the beloved characters while tracing the wider history of stop-motion through pieces from the V&A collection. Designed with families in mind, the exhibition also includes hands-on activities.

The Mundo Pixar Experience has landed in Wembley. Set inside a purpose-built space the size of a small aircraft hangar, the immersive exhibition brings 14 Pixar worlds to life – from shrinking down in Andy's Room in “Toy Story” to stepping onto the “Monsters, Inc.” Scare Floor and grabbing a snap with Lightning McQueen at Flo's Café. Expect scenes from “Inside Out 2”, “Up”, “Coco”, and more, complete with cinematic soundtracks and themed scents.

With country music's growing mainstream appeal, line dancing has become a fun and social way to let loose, and Lil' Nashville has established itself as the home of line dancing in London. Weekly one-hour beginner classes take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays for ages 12+, while Sunday sessions cater to intermediate dancers looking to refine technique and tackle more dynamic choreography. After each class, the dance floor stays open for social dancing, with food and drinks rounding out the full Lil' Nashville experience.

The Royal Air Force Museum has launched a series of hands-on, family-friendly workshops where children can build models of iconic aircraft like the Supermarine Spitfire and the infamous Messerschmitt. The Airfix Model Club runs across ten weekends in 2026, guiding young engineers through each project. Participants receive an engineer's licence to track their progress, unlock a mystery model, and enjoy discounts on Airfix kits in the museum shop.

Over at the British Museum, you can dive into “Hawai'i: a kingdom crossing oceans” – the museum's first major exhibition of 2026. At its core is the tragic 1824 London journey of King Liholiho and Queen Kamāmalu, retold through objects, artworks, and first-hand accounts. By pairing historic pieces with contemporary Kānaka ʻŌiwi voices, the show balances beauty with critical reflection on how and why these objects now reside in a London gallery.

On every second Sunday of the month, the Vagina Museum in Bethnal Green hosts the Writer's Gym, a meetup for budding storytellers. Taking place in the museum café, the workshop offers a chilled, supportive environment with fresh prompts each session to encourage playful experimentation and creativity. Open to all genres and abilities, it welcomes anyone from complete beginners to more seasoned writers.

Wes Anderson fans have a solid reason to swing by the Design Museum, as the director's archive of around 600 props, costumes, and sketches is on show. The big draw is the three-metre-wide model of the Grand Budapest Hotel, which looks just as sweet in person as it does on screen. You can also check out the “Asteroid City” vending machines, Margot Tenenbaum's fur coat from “The Royal Tenenbaums” and plenty of tiny stop motion pieces from “Fantastic Mr Fox” and “Isle of Dogs”. Booking ahead is advised.

“Dark Secrets: The Esoteric Exhibition” is an immersive exploration of the occult, folklore, and the supernatural, featuring over 1,000 rare artefacts across 27 themed rooms. From cursed dolls and voodoo fetishes to the “Malleus Maleficarum” and Jimi Hendrix's jacket, the display weaves together history, myth, and pop culture. Set in the atmospheric tunnels of The Vaults beneath Waterloo Station, it offers a theatrical deep dive into humanity's enduring fascination with the unknown.

Paddington Bear has taken to the stage in a brand-new musical at London's Savoy Theatre. Featuring original songs by Tom Fletcher of McFly and directed by Luke Sheppard of “& Juliet” fame, the show brings the beloved story of the marmalade-loving bear from Peru to life. Suitable for audiences aged four and up, “Paddington the Musical” promises a heart-warming adventure for everyone.

The David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse is the permanent home of the music icon's vast archive, featuring over 90,000 items covering his lengthy career, including costumes, instruments, diaries, lyrics, and photographs. Visitors can access a working archive through the V&A's Order an Object service and enjoy curated displays, film screenings, and installations celebrating Bowie's cultural legacy.

On the third Sunday of each month, Chiswick transforms into Cheesewick for London's only dedicated cheese market. Held at Old Market Place, it features over 200 cheeses and gourmet treats from UK cheesemongers, with seasonal specials and new traders keeping the selection fresh. Run by local women, the market champions community spirit and supports charities through regular donations.

“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.

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.

Our event calendar highlights the top things to do in London.