Things to do in London this week
Discover the biggest and best things to do in London over the next seven days
Is the week ahead looking quiet? Not any more. Head out in to the city and get a load of the hottest happenings taking place right now. You’ll be begging for a night off by Sunday, trust us. Here's our pick of the newest restaurant openings, the best new museum shows and the latest art exhibitions, plus out-of-the-way events and gigs you really won't want to miss. Let us be your social lifesaver for the next seven days. And if you’ve got a tip for something fun going on in London, tweet us your suggestion and help spread the word.
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Event of the week: National Park City Festival
Wimbledon is done and dusted for another year and you’ve already binge-watched the whole of ‘Stranger Things’, so it’s time to turn off the TV, head outside and celebrate London becoming a National Park City – a world first. There are hundreds of events on offer to mark the occasion, from urban wildlife walks to bucolic bike rides. And who knows? You might learn how to not kill your houseplants.
Lambeth Country Show
Never been to the Lambeth Country Show? Better clear your diary this weekend, then! Expect humorous veg-carving, owl displays and sheep-shearing as a slice of country life comes to south London. And with free entry all weekend, what are you waiting for?
Restaurant of the week: Sushisamba Covent Garden
Serving up the wackiest sushi in town, this second branch of Sushisamba lives up to expectations. The space has buckets of atmosphere, while the Japanese-Peruvian-Brazilian fusion menu is a lot better than it sounds.
Defy Gravity
Get involved in free trapeze, tightwire, wall-climbing and skateboarding workshops, tour the beautiful Crystal Palace Subway and hear about Victorian acrobatics at this day of high-flying thrills.
Green Rooms Market
Got a house full of drooping herbs? Join gardening workshops at this leafy market and pick up armfuls of pot plants and succulents. You’ll have a thriving horticultural homestead in no time.
The Moon Festival
A whole week of art, poetry and street parties dedicated to the moon is coming to London to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s giant leap for mankind. Look out for a keynote speech by author Margaret Atwood or dance the night away at a lunar fiesta.
Nocturnal Creatures
A celebration of visual art is coming to various venues across the East End for one night only. Highlights include Turner Prize winner Laure Prouvost’s opera-singing performer taking up residence at iconic boozer The Golden Heart and the opportunity to hear bongs from around the world inside the Whitechapel Bell Foundry.
Show of the week: Olafur Eliasson: ‘In Real Life’
Eliasson is a twenty-first-century master of the sublime, and his latest show will scare you, elate you and make you recycle. The Danish-Icelandic artist has brought 40 works based on nature, light and the elements to Tate Modern, and the whole collection is simply awe-inspiring.
Bar of the week: Murder Inc
A spin-off from Shoreditch’s Cocktail Trading Company, this central London spot goes big on New York gangsters. And while making light of criminals is kind of questionable, the one thing that isn’t is the creative cocktails served here – which come without a killer price tag.
Craft Beer Cares
Sip on suds from more than 30 international craft breweries at this charity beer festival. The ticket price includes five half-pint servings and all proceeds go to Hackney Winter Night Shelter. Hoppy days!
Show of the week: ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Midnight Matinée
The booziest, Bardiest night in London theatre is back for the summer, with ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ getting the full Midnight Matinée treatment. Grab a ticket, bring some cans and prepare yourself for a sodden evening of Shakespeare.
Carbonara Day
The pasta-bilities are endless at this day dedicated to the silky, cheesy dish. Slurp up variations of carbonara from six international chefs and browse local goods from food producers. Kids can take part in fun activities too. Pasta la vista, baby! (Sorry.)
Mile End Floating Market
Everything is better alfresco – even shopping. Push the boat out by heading down to Mile End this weekend and see what wares the area’s best floating shops have to offer.
Film of the week: ‘The Lion King’
‘The Lion King’ is the latest Disney classic to get the live-action-remake treatment. You know the story, so there’s nothing new there. But it’s the (still) magical songs that are worth the entry price alone, with cast members Donald Glover and Beyoncé belting out the classics.
Ichiba’s First Birthday
Europe’s biggest Japanese food hall is turning one and is throwing a big bash to celebrate. Expect sake tastings, taiko drummers, origami workshops, shamisen music and Bon Odori dancers.
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