Things To Do This Week In London: 16-22 June 2025

All week

MAGDALENA: "You want to f**k me? That’s okay. I want to f**k me too sometimes." Lily Sinko is Magdalena, Woman of Joy, in her outrageous comic one-person show, on at Playhouse East in Haggerston right now. Until 28 June

YOSHIMITO NARA: Comical, yet somewhat unnerving child-like figures and animals with bulbous heads and wide eyes: the works of Yoshimito Nara have taken over the Hayward Gallery on the South Bank, at what is the Japanese artist's first UK solo exhibition. Until 31 August

LSE FESTIVAL: How will AI shape our society? How will we tackle issues of climate change and inequality? The LSE Festival runs all week, open to everyone, exploring the threats and opportunities of the future through a programme of free events. Nobel Laureate Daron Acemoglu, broadcaster Anthony Scaramucci, and COO of Google DeepMind Lila Ibrahim are among the speakers, and Saturday is family day, with hands-on activities for ages four+. FREE, 16-21 June (sponsor)

LONDON CLOWN FESTIVAL: Forget clowns in a Mini. How many can you fit into Soho Theatre or Jacksons Lane? They're the two venues for the London Clown Festival, showing that there's far more to the art than a red nose and a squirting flower. Book tickets for Monday's opening cabaret to see a smorgasbord of performers in one night, or see Lachlan Werner, Jessica Barton or Fred Strangebone, among others this week. 16 June-4 July

DITA VON TEESE: Burlesque star Dita Von Teese presents the world premiere of her new show Diamonds & Dust at brand new venue the Emerald Theatre near Temple. Set in a hazy saloon, the show is the story of a notorious card dealer in the Wild West, featuring top West End performers, burlesque stars and cirque artists. Note that Von Teese herself doesn't feature in every performance — check ticket details when booking. 16 June-28 September

LITTLE BROTHER: Last chance to see Little Brother, a moving stage adaptation of Amets Arzallus Antia‘s award-winning memoir, at Jermyn Street Theatre. Set in Guinea, West Africa, it's the story of Ibrahima who drops everything to follow his little brother when he learns he's left to follow one of the migrant routes to Europe. Until 21 June

HAMPTON COURT PALACE FESTIVAL: 10CC, Chaka Khan, Gary Barlow and Elbow are on the schedule for the second and final week of this year's Hampton Court Palace Festival. It takes place in front of the magnificent palace facade, and is a rather civilised affair, with the option of enjoying a picnic in the grounds before the music starts. Until 21 June

GIFFORD'S CIRCUS: Roll up, roll up! The circus is in west London. Gifford's Circus brings its new show Laguna Bay to the gardens at Chiswick House until the end of this week. It's set in 1950s America, with acrobats, magicians, musicians and clowns from all over the world taking part. Until 22 June

WANDSWORTH ARTS FRINGE: Now in full swing, the Wandsworth Arts Fringe programme offers a varied final week, including a talk and tour about the history of the Clapham Grand, comedy by Sophie Duker and Rob Copeland, an exhibition about the heritage of St George's Hospital, a summery concert at St John's Church in Earlsfield and the Wandsworth Masquerade on Tooting Broadway, among many other events. Until 22 June

CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN: This hidden gem is a delight at any time of year, but the historic botanical gardens are at their blooming best over the summer. Not just for the epic range of plants (more than 4,500) but also for some of London's most chilled events. Look out for Sunday Lawn Sessions with live music, or relax after work on August Tuesdays, when the gardens and cafe stay open late. Throw in supper clubs, evening yoga, sound-baths and family theatre, and you have one very magical day (or evening) out. Open Sunday-Friday, with events on selected days. (sponsor)

WORLD PRESS PHOTO EXHIBITION: This leading exhibition of photojournalism and documentary photography is now open at Here East, on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The photographs offer compelling imagery, thought-provoking narratives, and extraordinary storytelling, and celebrates the power of photography to inform, inspire, and connect us to the world around us. Until 25 August

MELTDOWN FESTIVAL: The 20th edition of the UK's longest-running artist-curated music festival, Meltdown, is underway at Southbank Centre with London rapper Little Simz at the helm. Canadian instrumental ensemble BADBADNOTGOOD, singer Kara Jackson and saxophonist Nubya Garcia are among those performing this week. Until 22 June

VINTAGE TRAM POSTERS: Time's running out to see London's Tramway Posters, a free exhibition of 40 vintage London tram posters on show at the London Archives, dating from 1922-1933. The designs encouraged Londoners of a century ago to use the tram network for leisure purposes, including days out at Hampstead Heath and the British Museum. FREE, until 26 June

KICKSTARTER OF THE WEEK: Max Roberts — who created this beaut of the circular Tube map — has launched a Kickstarter campaign to create a completely new concentric circles map of all London's railways. Have a look at the plans here and consider making a pledge.

BAR OF THE WEEK: Electric Shuffle has just opened in King's Cross, offering high-tech shuffleboard, summery cocktails, wall-mounted turn tables and all-you-can-eat pizza weekend brunches.

DAY TRIP OF THE WEEK: We're approaching peak lavender season, so start planning your lilac-hued days out with our guide to lavender fields and farms close to London which open to the public this year. Wander among the purple plant, soaking in its scent and snapping photos — and in some cases, snipping some to take home with you. Also worth knowing about: a lavender garden close to a Tube station, and an annual lavender harvest in south London next month.

Monday 16 June

JOJO MOYES: Authors Kate Weinberg and Jojo Moyes are at Waterstones Kensington for a special event marking the paperback publication of Weinberg's novel, There's Nothing Wrong With Her. Hear them discuss the role that fiction plays in tackling difficult subjects, the relationship between sisters, intergenerational friendships, hidden secrets and family trauma. 6.30pm

MUSIC TALK: Legendary Mayfair restaurant Sketch hosts a music workshop featuring artist anaiis. She discusses her journey and the transformative power of music, in a conversation with WePresent’s Online Editor Alex Kahl. 6.30pm-8pm

PINTS OF KNOWLEDGE: A series of events bringing experts to London pubs to discuss their specialist subjects, Pints of Knowledge pops up at The Green Note in Camden for an evening looking at the future of surgery. Will robotic tools replace humans? Find out in a series of talks lasting about 40 minutes, followed by an audience Q&A. 7pm

COMEDY SHOWCASE: The ITG x PARKAS Comedy Showcase features a lineup of talented comedians including Josh Glanc, Rob Copland, Alison Spittle, and Ayoade Bamgboye. Takes place at Underbelly Boulevard Soho, with more acts to be announced. 7pm

GROW A HOUSE: Could it be possible? Could it solve the housing crisis? Join Martyn Dade-Robertson as he explores the advances in biotechnology that offer new opportunities for construction, and the new range of materials being developed to grow buildings. From fungus that could produce bricks grown on Mars, to soil that can strengthen in response to loads, and even bacteria that make concrete able to heal itself. This one's at the marvellous Royal Institution. 7pm-8.30pm

SUMMER JAZZ SERIES: International jazz superstars take to the stage at Barbican throughout June and July for the Summer Jazz Series. American pianist Tigran Hamasyan kicks things off tonight blending potent jazz improv and progressive rock with rich American folkloric music, with singer, multi-instrumentalistand composer Alice Zawadzki opening the evening. 7.30pm

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Tuesday 17 June

96 FESTIVAL: A celebration of the Pride party which took place on Clapham Common in 1996, 96 Festival is a combined celebration of queerness and theatre. Head to Omnibus Theatre for a programme of theatre, comedy, cabaret, music, art and activism — including some rehearsed readings and first public performances of new works. 17 June-12 July

ROYAL ACADEMY SUMMER EXHIBITION: A highlight of the London art calendar every year, the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition opens today, bringing together established and rising artists to display their work. Prints, painting, film, photography, architectural works and sculpture all feature among the pieces, coordinated this year by architect Farshid Moussavi RA. 17 June-17 August

QUEER UK: As part of its Pride Month event series, City Lit holds a one-off event delving into queer broadcasting history in the UK. Find out about the role of television in shaping perceptions of gender and sexuality, including specific series, episodes and events, as well as how news such as Section 28 was covered. 5.30pm-7.30pm

OPTICAL ILLUSIONS: Gresham College in Holborn has a free lecture about the science behind optical illusions. Prof Alain Goriely explores how geometry can trick the brain. FREE, 6pm

MOZART MASS: The Choir of Westminster Abbey and the Britten Sinfonia team up for a performance of Mozart’s Mass in C Minor, taking place inside the Abbey. Soprano Ailish Tynan and mezzo soprano Katie Coventry sing the solo parts in the two-hour performance, which has a 20-minute interval. 7pm-9pm

GERIATRIC MUMS: Award-winning comedy double act Shirley & Shirley perform their current show, Geriatric Mums, at Brasserie Zedel. Hear about the highs and lows of motherhood through a blend of cabaret, sketch and song. 7pm

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London’s free festival of ideas returns

Calling all enquiring minds… The British Academy Summer Showcase is back! This free festival of ideas from the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences is absolutely stuffed with engaging exhibits, creative workshops and fascinating discussions that just might reshape how you understand today’s world.

It all takes place 20-21 June at The British Academy’s central London HQ (a magnificent Georgian townhouse close to St James’s Park). The Friday Late is already fully booked (join the waitlist here), but you’ve still got time to snap up a spot at Saturday’s family-friendly event. Here, you’re invited to discover the importance of linguistic diversity with headline speaker Ross Perlin, delve into the study of laughter, and explore the historical significance of the humble cowrie shell — just some of the talks on the agenda.

There’s a ton of interactive fun too, including activities that are suitable for all ages. Explore an accessible sensory room, compare your skills to a bumble bee’s or have go writing nature-inspired activities. And don’t forget those exhibits we mentioned — they run all festival long and include a history of fancy dress, a VR reimagining of a Baroque chapel and an Aurora Australis ‘story cube’ that you can help build. Get your free tickets while you can here.

Wednesday 18 June

MARTINI FITTING: You've made it to Wednesday, time for a martini. But not any old martini; the No.3 Martini Bar is serving up bespoke drinks made to please your taste buds, and yours alone, courtesy of their 'Martini Tailors'. It's a ritzy way to spend the evening, but also cheaper than getting a bespoke suit made in this neck of the woods... 18-21 June

TASTE OF LONDON: Foodies will want to head to Regent's Park for Taste of London, the huge, food-based festival which brings dozens of London's best-known restaurants together to feed hungry visitors. It's also a chance to discover up-and-coming London chefs and food businesses, take part in tastings and watch masterclasses on topics including firepit cooking and cheese-infused dishes. 18-22 June

MUSIC IN CHURCHES: 12 concerts of classical, choral, chamber and jazz music take place at churches around the Square Mile, including St Giles Cripplegate and St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate. This year's Summer Music in City Churches has a theme of Eternal Light, and some of the concerts take place at lunchtime, so worth bookmarking if you work in the area. Begins tonight with a performance of Fauré Requiem at St Giles Cripplegate. 18-27 June

TALKING BUILDINGS: The work of late architect Richard Rogers is the subject of the latest exhibition at Sir John Soane's Museum. Talking Buildings showcases him as a thinker, campaigner, humanist and activist, as well as the designer of iconic buildings including Lloyd's of London, the O2 dome, and Paris's Pompidou Centre. 18 June-21 September

BIKE MARKET: Cycling social enterprise Peddle My Wheels aims to get Londoners cycling by repurposing old bikes, making them affordable for new owners. Today it brings a pop-up bike market to Croydon Hospital. Head to the foyer to buy a serviced, affordable, used bike, or donate your old bike, with proceeds going to Croydon Health Charity. 10am-4pm

PRIDE MONTH QUIZ: The London Art Bar in Holborn holds a Pride Month quiz night, raising money for Stonewall. Turn up by yourself to be added to a team, or bring along a ready-made team (maximum six people). 7.30pm-10pm

Thursday 19 June

WOMEN IN ART FAIR: A new initiative set up to address the gender imbalance in the art industry, Women in Art holds an art fair in gallery@oxo, at the base of the OXO Tower. As well as showcasing atrworks, the fair includes talks and panel discussions, such as a look at why female-made artworks are still valued lower in the resale market. 19-21 June

DREAM BALLETS: The scores of Rodgers & Hammerstein's dream ballets provide the soundtrack to new dance pieces created by three of the UK's leading musical theatre choreographers. The 26-piece orchestra of the Sinfonia Smith Square perform the score for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Dream Ballets: A Triple Bill at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. 19-22 June

CHEF'S FLAMING FEAST: Expect a fire-fuelled dining experience with views of the London skyline at JOIA Battersea. The Chef's Flaming Feast brings together four of London’s finest open-fire chefs for an evening of smoke, flavour and music. JOIA’s concept chef, Henrique Sá Pessoa, Robbie Jameson (head chef at HUMO), Jack Godik (executive chef at Sucre) and Luca Mastrantoni (head chef of Ekstedt at The Yard) each whip up their own signature dish, including Iberian pork sandwich, and chicken heart skewers. 5pm-10pm

MUSIC LATE: Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham stays open late for a summer live music evening. Apollo’s Cabinet perform the music of 18th-century singer and comedienne Kitty Clive, who was a friend of Strawberry Hill owner Horace Walpole. Performances begin in the garden and continue through the evening in the historic rooms, which you're free to explore at your own pace. Picnics in the garden are welcome. From 6pm

STAND UP FOR REFUGEES: Comedians Jen Brister, Ali Woods, Tadiwa Mahlunge, Olga Koch, Milo Edwards, Esther Manito, Mark Watson, Sikisa, Rajiv Karia and Kiri Pritchard-McLean are on the bill for Stand Up For Refugees, a charity comedy night at the Clapham Grand raising money for Refugee Action. 6.30pm

SHAPPI KHORSANDI: Another comedy night supporting refugees, Big Penny Social in Walthamstow hosts Laff-ucino, headlined by Shappi Khorsandi, along with Selam Amare, Ed Night, Ania Magliano and John Kearns. There's also a raffle with a chance to win prizes. 8pm-10pm

Friday 20 June

VIA CRITERIUM: Two wheels is the way forward at Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross, as the VIA Criterium and The London Cycle Festival return for the weekend. The VIA Criterium is a closed-roads racing circuit, with plenty of places for spectators to watch along the route. New for 2025 is the VIA Gravel Race, a 70km or 120km loop out into the Hertfordshire countryside. Alongside it all, the London Cycle Festival has stalls and demos aimed at cyclists of all abilities. 20-22 June

MUSIC IDEAS: Gresham College today runs a drop-in 'Festival of Musical Ideas'. Charting an evolution of musical ideas, the day begins with the biology and co-evolution of human language and music, then moves through the neuroscience behind the brain's love of music, before tracing the Ancient Greek philosophies on music’s place in society, education and virtue. You can drop in at any time. FREE, 12.45-6.45

ZOO NIGHTS: London Zoo stays open late for adults only every Friday until the end of July. Zoo Nights is a chance to visit the animals at a time when the zoo is usually closed, and hear talks to learn more about them, as well as enjoying food and drink from street food stalls and pop-up bars, with live performances from the West End cast of The Lion King. Our tip: head for the street food market early, before the queues build, then head to the lawn to enjoy the festival atmosphere as the sun sets. 6pm-10pm

FFLUR DAFYDD: The London Welsh Centre in Bloomsbury hosts award-winning author and screenwriter Fflur Dafydd for a special evening celebrating the release of her new psychological crime novel, The House of Water, set in a flood-stricken Welsh town. She chats to writer, producer and BBC Radio 4 Commissioning Editor Sioned Wiliam about the themes behind the novel including identity and memory, climate, culture, and the darker side of family legacy. 7pm

CAMPFIRE CLUB: Folk musicians Lunatraktors, Patch & The Giant, and TVOYA perform at tonight's Campfire Club at Cody Dock in Bow, one of a series of outdoor concerts organised by the Nest Collective over the summer. Kick back and enjoy live music with the glow of a campfire, on one of the lightest days of the year. 7pm-10.30pm

FLIPPERS: Fast-paced, character-driven comedy play Flippers comes to Canal Cafe Theatre in Little Venice, telling the story of two lodgers given the opportunity to renovate their London home, sell it on, and split the profit, navigating big dreams, bad decisions and an unexpected friendship as they go. 7.30pm

HELLRAISER: It's been almost 15 years since someone started leaving VHS tapes of the classic horror film Hellraiser on top of a bus stop on the Old Kent Road. Marking this strange phenomenon of what's now known as the "Hellmonument", Peckham Experimental Prototype Cinema of Tomorrow is screening the movie at the Old Library Bar in New Cross. A copy of the VHS will also be placed on top of the nearest bus stop afterwards. 7.30pm

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Saturday 21 June

WEST END LIVE: Musical theatre fans: Dance over to Trafalgar Square for West End Live, a free, two-day festival starring the cast of all manner of West End shows. Exact details are due to be announced this week in the lead up to the event, but in the past, cast members from the likes of Jersey Boys, The Lion King, Mary Poppins and Tina The Musical have strutted their stuff. Best get there very early if you want to get in: long queues have formed in previous years, and note that there are new accessible viewing areas and procedures for using them this year. FREE, 21-22 June

GREAT WILD WALK: Sign up to take part in a five- or 10-mile walk through Epping Forest, raising money for the World Wildlife Fund. The Great Wild Walk is a family-friendly event, and dogs are welcome, with a fundraising target of £150 per person, and money raised going to the WWF's conservation projects around the world. 10am

WINDRUSH DAY: The National Maritime Museum marks Windrush Day 2025 with a day of creative workshops, talks and discussions, about the legacy and significance of the Windrush generation. The Caribbean Social Forum leads board games, the Migration Museum pops up to collect and share people's stories, and a model of the Almanzora, which travelled from Caribbean to Southampton in 1947, before the Empire Windrush, is on display.FREE, 11am-4pm

A WOMAN'S WORLD: Women’s history is highlighted through an afternoon of talks at Conway Hall, spanning topics including murderous early modern women, traitorous wives, greedy mistresses and spiteful witches. Paula Akpan discusses the queens and warriors who ruled vast swathes of the African continent, Blessin Adams talks about female killers in early modern Britain, and Sarah Lonsdale delves into how women reclaimed their place on expeditions to remote parts of the planet. 1pm-5pm

MAHLER: Can't wait for the Proms to start? Mahler's Symphony No. 7 gets an airing at Westminster's Smith Square Hall, courtesy of the Fulham Symphony Orchestra. There's also music from Roxanna Panufnik. 7.30pm

BEXUAL HEALING: Comedian Bex Turner flits between four awkward females from the 1920s-1990s, all struggling to find love, in her show Bexual Healing, on at Canal Cafe Theatre near Warwick Avenue. 7.30pm

SUMMER SOLSTICE PARTY: Mark the Summer Solstice at a rooftop party at Madison at One New Change. Soul artist Zoe Kypri gives a live DJ set, accompanied by golden hour light, and views across London. 8pm-1am

Sunday 22 June

BRIDGES OF LONDON WALK: Sign up to walk seven miles across 10 London bridges in aid of charity Lymphoma Action. Join the route in person and walk from Vauxhall Bridge to Tower Bridge, or sign up to walk a similar distance remotely, in your own local area. 10am-4pm

BUS MUSEUM FESTIVAL: Venture a smidge beyond the London border into Surrey for Summer Festival at the London Bus Museum. View a range of heritage vehicles, take tours of the local area in a 1950s/1960s RT or Routemaster bus, and shop for books, models, old uniforms, badges and memorabilia. 10am-5pm

GROOVE ONTO THE MOON: ArtsDepot in North Finchley has two showings of kids' show Groove onto the Moon today. You and the kids (aged three-seven) are invited to follow three intrepid astronauts on a mission to discover the first lunar footprint left by a certain Neil Armstrong. 11am and 2pm

SUMMER IN THE PARK: Danson House in Bexleyheath hosts Summer in the Park, a free-entry fun family day out with live performances on a main stage, craft tents and stalls, games and a tombola. FREE, 11am-4pm

MITCHAM CARNIVAL: For the first time in 12 years, a parade takes place as part of Mitcham Carnival. The mile-long route starts in the town centre and finishes at Three Kings Piece, where you'll find live performances, wrestling demos and funfair rides. 11am-6pm

THE STORY OF CYMANDE: As part of the Windrush Caribbean Film Festival, Picturehouse Hackney screens Getting It Back: The Story of Cymande, a documentary about the rise of the British funk band and their cultural significance as Black British pioneers in music. A programme of short films is also shown. 2pm

SMITHFIELD: This area on the edge of the City will soon change radically, with the coming of the London Museum and the closure of the meat market. Catch up on its bloody history with a London on the Ground tour, taking in martyrs, public executions, body snatchers, crime and punishment, and butchery. 2.30pm

LIVE JAZZ: A double bill of jazz is going down at 59 De Ville and WestSideJazz this afternoon, courtesy of bebop and blues quartet 59 De Ville, and mellow takes on swing, blues, ballads and Latin from WestSideJazz. 3pm

LIVE DJS: For an afternoon and early evening of eclectic tunes, head to Selecta's Corner at The BBE Store (London Fields) with DJs Uncle Drew, Lauren Thompson, Lindsay Wesker and Edward Adoo. FREE ENTRY, 3pm-10pm

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