Gigs in London this weekend

All Points East returns to Vicky Park for its eighth edition in 2026. Since debuting in 2018, the festival has garnered a reputation for building some of the most exciting line-ups in the UK. Its headliners are often indie or dance-focused big-hitters, while its undercards are packed with cult heroes and rising stars you can say you saw first. As well as the ticketed weekend events, look out for All Points East In the Neighbourhood, the festival’s free midweek programme of community activities including film screenings, live sports, theatre, family fun and more.  When is All Points East 2025?  APE will take place across the final two weekends of August. That’s August 21-23 and August 28-30.     How much are tickets? Each show is priced differently, as are the different levels of access on offer. Depending on the day, general admission tickets for the 2026 shows start at £69.95 and go up to £84.95. If you want to beat the crowds to a prime spot, you can nab a primary entry ticket for a little bit extra. There are also payment plans available if you’d prefer not to drop the full ticket price all at once. Really want to go but can’t afford to drop the full ticket price all at once? Payment plans are available. Every year APE also organises a free mid-week programme in collaborating with Tower Hamlets Council for locals called In The Neighbourhood. Details of 2026’s edition haven’t been released yet but previous years have seen free cinema screenings, street food, sports...

Another year, another spectacular line-up of classical music. This year, the orchestral extravaganza will feature 86 concerts across eight weeks, with over 3,000 artists taking to the stage, with the majority of the action taking place inside the grand surroundings of London’s Royal Albert Hall.    There'll be the chance to hear visiting ensembles from all over the world, including The Met Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, Mahler Academy Orchestra and the Spanish National Orchestra, as well as innumerable concerts and recitals from the classic music world's biggest stars. There's also a renewed focus on more modern music styles, with celebrations of musical icons including Miles Davis and Marvin Gaye, the first ever Prog Rock Prom, and psychedelic rock from Grammy-nominated Dutch-Turkish band Altın Gün. Ticket prices start at £10 (with half-price tickets for under-18s ), and Promming day standing tickets are £8. Booking ahead is recommended. All performances will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer, too. 

St Katharine Docks is always worth a visit, with its fascinating line-up of exclusive vessels bobbing on the water, hidden away from the hustle and bustle of central London. Head there this August bank holiday weekend and you'll find a big additional incentive: a summery jazz festival packed with sultry acts to enjoy by the water. The free programme features 15 artists performing over three days, on Marble Dock. This international crew include the docks' artist-in-residence, jazz vocalist Olivia Swann, Brooklyn singer-songwriter Inés Nassara pianist Jamie Safir and more. Pitch up and enjoy a laidback afternoon of new sounds. 

Seasoned London festival-goers have been singing the praises of this 10,000-capacity Southwark Park festival since it debuted in 2023, thanks to its boutique size, community vibe and collaborative line-ups created with help from some of the city’s best culture venues. So we’re pleased to say that Rally is coming back for a fourth edition in 2026, with a very exciting line-up curated by Blood Orange. Dev Hynes – AKA the guy behind Blood Orange – will bring his signature blend of synth funk, experimental beats and emotional depth to Southwark Park. Hynes will headline and has hand-picked the rest of the line-up. Of course, we always knew we could trust his good taste. The rest of the fest’s programme includes Daniel Avery performing with a full band, ethereal electronic pop girlie james K and the legendary Glaswegian DJ duo Optimo (Espacio). Rally 2026 will see the first ever UK performance from Jump Source – the project of Montréal-based DJs and producers Priori and Patrick Holland – alongside sets from GENA, out-there DJ and producer Parris, a special live show from Roman Flügel, and Pitchfork-approved artists like Norwegian slinky poppers Smerz and US experimental rockers YHWH Nailgun.

The Arcola Theatre’s alt-opera festival Grimeborn returns for its 19th year in 2026 and it’s as eclectic as ever. There are, to put it bluntly, a whole lot of operas on, with the most classic surely being a brace of Mozart’s greatest hits in the shape of stripped down takes on Cosi Fan Tutte (Jul 21-25) and The Magic Flute (Aug 25-29). Seeing intimate stagings of these usually enormous cast classics is a thrill, but only part of what Grimeborn’s all about. There’s plenty of new material as well, often in double bills, like brace of new climate operas After My Breath/Eden 2.0 (Jul 15-18) or pairing of murder mysteries Cupboard Love/Three Sisters Who Are Not Sisters (Jul 29-Aug 1). For the full, weeks-long line-up, see the website.