31 best things to do in London this weekend: 19 - 21 July 2024
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When searching for the best things to do in London each weekend, it’s hard not to end up more confused and indecisive than when you started. While it’s never a bad idea to secure a booking at one of the best restaurants in the capital, spend an evening in one of the latest innovative bars on the scene, or even explore an iconic London attraction, we’re always on the lookout for new, exciting pop-ups, openings and events. Each week, we get the inside track on exciting things to do in London for the upcoming weekend to help us discover a new area of the city or explore a new address in a neighbourhood we (thought) we’d already uncovered.
31 best things to do in London this weekend
1. Savour South Asian flavours
The Basmaash Brothers are in town, having flown in from Los Angeles to cook up a storm to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month. Nakul and Arjun Mahendro’s style of Indian cooking has gained them fans on both sides of the pond, with their pop-up at The Standard, the latest in a line of exciting events. Tuck into tandoori chicken wings with serrano whip, and chow on grilled tofu kebabs this Saturday before returning to sample Cue Point Kitchen’s dishes next weekend.
Address: The Standard, 10 Argyle Street, London WC1H 8EG
Website: standardhotels.com
Dates: Basmaash Brothers, Saturday 20 July; Cue Point Kitchen, Saturday 27 July
2. Celebrate half a century of Camden Market
Camden Market’s 50th anniversary is a summer-long affair – and everyone’s invited. Art, music and culture collide over the coming months in a series of exciting pop-ups, many of which are free to attend. Mark the start of South Asian Heritage Month this Saturday thanks to a programme of community activities before trying some of the special drinks and dishes created to mark the celebrations. Join London City Voices for a ‘Sunday Songs’ afternoon, or pencil in the family Lego workshop in association with The Toy Project next weekend.
Address: Camden Market, London
Website: camdenmarket.com
Dates: Events running throughout the summer
3. Sip on free Palomas
Swing by Patrón Tequila’s latest pop-up in Covent Garden for complimentary palomas this week. Catch up with friends over free, fruity cocktails between 5pm and 7pm from Wednesday to Friday, ahead of International Tequila Day on Wednesday 24 July.
Address: Covent Garden, London
Website: patrontequila.com
Dates: Wednesday 17 - Friday 19 July
4. Check out a new nightlife spot
Entertainment-led Nikkei restaurant Piraña opens this week, and it’s sure to be the West End’s hottest party hideout this summer. Strongarm Hospitality is behind the concept following the success of venues including The London Reign and Tabū (London and Mykonos), so night owls are certainly in safe hands. Tuck into Peruvian and Japanese fusion dishes and dance late into the night – or round up your fellow foodies and take over the immersive 12-seat private dining room.
Address: Piraña, 7-9 St James's Street, London SW1A 1EE
Website: piranalondon.com
Dates: Bookings available from Thursday 18 July
5. Head to a free summer festival
Savour a taste of New Orleans and sway to jazzy hits at Design District’s Rhythm & Taste: Jazz & Food Festival this Saturday. Tuck into sweetcorn fritters and Jambalaya hot dogs, sip on cherry rum punch, and check out the weekly Greenwich Peninsula Market nearby, where artisan food traders and designers pop up alongside food stalls and bars.
Address: Greenwich Peninsula, London
Website: greenwichpeninsula.co.uk
Dates: Saturday 20 July
6. See a ghoulish family-friendly show
Rosemarie Akwafo and Janet Etuk lead a stellar cast in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse’s family-friendly summer performance of Rough Magic. In Shakespearean England, we catch up with the three witches following the unfortunate events unfolding in Macbeth. A mere mortal joins Ghosts, fairies and monsters in the new show – which is where the trouble begins.
Address: Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT
Website: shakespearesglobe.com
Price: Tickets from £15
Dates: Saturday 20 July - Saturday 24 August
7. Dance through festival season
DJ Hannah Wants, performance artist Danny Beard and Glasgow Underground founder and musician Kevin McKay take to the stage for As One in the Park Festival in Walpole Park this Sunday. Expect drag shows, live comedy, an eclectic line-up of entertainment, and a colourful celebration of the LGBTQ+ community across four stages. Final release tickets cost less than £20, while VIP tickets grant free access to the afterparty in Fire, Vauxhall.
Address: Walpole Park, Mattock Lane, London W5 5EQ
Website: skiddle.com
Dates: Sunday 21 July
8. Get your pasta fix
Italophiles, rejoice – London’s first and only pasta festival is back. Secure a spot at Emilia’s Crafted Pasta in Canary Wharf this Sunday, where the outdoor terrace and riverside bank are transformed into the tastiest summer festival site in town. Join pasta masterclasses, let little ones loose on kid’s activities, and bop along to live music from the Party Professors and various DJ sets throughout the day.
Address: Emilia's Crafted Pasta, 12 George Street, Wood Wharf, London E14 9QG
Website: emiliaspasta.com
Price: Free
Dates: Sunday 21 July; 12pm - 7pm
9. Secure a table at the new Holy Carrot
Holy Carrot has a brand-new site in the leafy suburbs of Notting Hill, much to the delight of the original’s devoted following. The new 50-cover restaurant and cocktail bar on 156 Portobello Road sees a ground-floor dining room flow into a space designed for sipping fruity concoctions, plus a 12-cover terrace. Daniel Watkins’ plant-first menu is focused on ‘fire and ferments’, so expect creative dishes using the freshest ingredients. Menu highlights include turnip schnitzel, grilled watermelon with cucumber and seaweed, and crispy oyster mushrooms in a buffalo butter sauce.
Address: Holy Carrot, 156 Portobello Road, London W11 2EB
Website: holycarrot.co.uk
Dates: Open from Tuesday 16 July
10. Feast at London's largest Italian hideout
Indulge in Italy’s most delicious fare at this weekend’s Taste of Eataly Festival. Tickets include tokens to spend at stalls and bars dotted around the sprawling haven as suppliers deck their stalls in all manner of treats. Pick up pizza slices, nibble on olives, and slurp on classic pasta dishes washed down with Italian wines, cocktails, and bubbles.
Address: Eataly London, 135 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3YD
Website: eataly.co.uk
Price: Tickets from £25
Dates: Friday 19 - Sunday 21 July
11. Tuck in at a supper club
There's certainly no shortage of new restaurant openings in the capital right now. However, London's most discerning of foodies often crave something with a little more community feel from time to time. Look no further than the city's supper club scene. Food markets and event spaces fill up every week with hungry Londoners as chefs take residence in kitchens to cook up a storm. Sign up to all the relevant newsletters to stay in the loop – these events sell out at breakneck speed.
Getty Images12. Savour street food favourites
For every Michelin-starred hotspot in London, there are a dozen delicious street food stalls selling their wares. After days of exploring London’s attractions or visiting the latest exciting pop-up, head to Seven Dials Market for slices of pepperoni drizzled in honey from Bad Boy Pizza Society or indulgent burgers from Truffle. Alternatively, explore all Camden Market offers, or pick up picnic treats from Borough Market and lounge by the river. Other honourable street food menus from our team include Juma Kitchen, Duck Frites, and Gyoza Guys.
13. Rate London's roast dinners
The French have haute cuisine; the Japanese embrace Omakase – in London, it’s all about the battle of the Sunday roast. Securing a coveted spot in one of the city’s best restaurants for a hearty plateful is one of our favourite pastimes. Head to The Midland Grand Dining Room in King's Cross for an opulent dining experience, tuck into truffle cauliflower cheese at The Laundry in Brixton or unwind over a glass of red at Hicce Hart Islington. Roasts aren't just for winter, so head to one of London's leafy boroughs, such as Richmond or Hampstead, for a meaty feast al-fresco after a sunny stroll through a local park.
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Rebecca Hope14. Reach for the rooftops
Rejoice – it's rooftop bar season once again. South of the river, eye up the glitzy Battersea Power Station development from all angles at Joia Rooftop Bar, where live entertainment and events are flavoured by Portuguese tipples and smokey flavours. Heading East? Boundary Shoreditch is an oasis far from the hustle and bustle on the streets below, and an ideal hideout for crisp glasses of rosé and tasty sharing plates.
15. Sample London's lastest cocktails
Competition on London's cocktail bar scene is fierce, as beloved speakeasies compete with a constant flurry of new openings. Unique concoctions are a surefire way to keep clientele engaged. Soma, the sleek subterranean bar below Soho's Indian restaurant Kricket, is one spot for a special tipple or two. New takes include ‘Peas’, a sweet and tangy muddle of Santa Teresa 1796 Rum, Disaronno Velvet, garden peas yoghurt and mint, and ‘Shallot’, made with Hapusa Gin and pickled shallot.
Will Pryce16. Have a nose around London’s new hotels
In true Traveller style, one of our favourite hobbies is exploring the hot new hotels opening their doors in the capital. Best of all, there’s no need to stump up the eye-watering fee for a dazzling suite. The Peninsula is home to myriad bars and restaurants, from Cantonese restaurant Canton Blue to Brooklands, the Modern British hideout with fabulous views. The BoTree is now open on Marylebone Lane: step inside for supper at the brasserie or enjoy a mixologist-led evening at the teal-marble bar, which curves across the space, while trying out the bar menu curated by chef Stefano.
17. Go ABBA-crazy
It may be party season up and down the land, but there’s one that is never short on RSVPs – and it’s a kaleidoscopic extravaganza featuring all the ABBA classics. Mamma Mia! The Party sees the sell-out West End tale given a new lease of life, performed in a Greek courtyard complete with a pyrotechnic water fountain and restaurant tables that performers must navigate. While the four-course dinner is truly delicious, the focus is the immersive show, which works its way around the taverna between courses. It’s an unforgettable evening of napkin-waving, feet-stomping and, of course, lots of singing. Elsewhere, ABBA Voyage continues its run thanks to unprecedented popularity; see life-like avatars perform all the greatest hits at what could be one of the best parties in the city.
18. Cook up a storm
Cooking classes are ideal for groups of friends or a date night idea, and there’s always something special sizzling away in London. Pasta Evangelists’ Pasta Academy is best for hungry Italophiles, where passionate chefs instruct clueless cooks on the dos and don’ts of homemade pasta making. Many events have a theme, so check the website and decide whether you want to learn the Roman methods, try a taste of Tuscany, or see how Puglia does it. For something a little more in-depth, head to Sauce by The Langham, where leading chefs such as Michel Roux Jr. lead the way – cocktail masterclasses and kid-friendly courses are also regularly held.
19. Dine al-fresco
Dining in the city's prettiest outdoor restaurants is one of our favourite pastimes come spring and summer. Savour intense Portuguese flavours on one of Casa do Frango's terraces from Picadilly to Victoria or dream of La Dolce Vita over pizza and arancini at Daroco Soho following the launch of their heated terrace. Other honourable mentions for London's prettiest outdoor dining spots include Petersham Nurseries Café in Richmond, Seabird in Southwark, and The Orangery in Kensington, which has just opened following an extensive renovation.
20. Get zen at a sound bath
First, there was yoga, then came acupuncture, reiki, breathwork, cryotherapy and the Headspace app. But now, busy Londoners are seeking respite from city life over sound baths. The different frequencies emitted by gongs, chimes and Tibetan bowls work to soothe the mind and heal the body, stimulating the brainwave frequencies associated with total relaxation and switching on the nervous system's repair mode. Clementina Jackson
Getty Images21. Pick a park for an adventure
The best way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city is to embark on a stroll through one of the many parks, commons, and other green spaces London has to offer. Head for the southwest and amble through Wimbledon Common, picking up iced coffees and sweet treats at the Windmill Cafe; extend the walk into Richmond Park and the leafy suburbs of Richmond-upon-Thames if time permits. North of the river, head for Hampstead Heath and the swimming ponds, or scout out pretty views and planetariums in Greenwich Park before an al fresco lunch in one of the historic pubs nearby.
22. Let loose in a live music venue
London’s live music scene is one of the most eclectic in Europe, and there’s always a superstar act or up-and-coming performer to be found. Soho’s notorious music venues, such as Ronnie Scott's and 100 Wardour Street, host musicians and singers that span endless genres, while Camden’s pubs hosted artists, including Adele and Amy Winehouse, before their names became known worldwide. Check out the recently renovated Koko Camden for evenings of live music and late nights of dancing, or discover something new at a Sofar Sounds gig – where rising stars take to the stage in unique venues announced just before the event.
23. Treat yourself to something sweet
We Londoners like a sweet treat, so it’s a good thing there are so many bakeries in the capital to choose from. There’s nothing better than picking up freshly-baked almond croissants from Pophams on a Sunday or popping into Fabrique for brunch-ready sourdough. Bakery-mania is evolving, though, and the most exquisite bites can be found in patisseries such as The Connaught Patisserie by Nicolas Rouzaud and Maison Bertaux. Lastly, a moment for doughnuts – cast your eyes on the designer desserts at Donutelier and consider yourself a convert.
Richard Davenport24. Try and escape
If being locked in a room with a ticking clock and dozens of clues is your idea of fun, you’re in luck in London. The escape room craze continues, and there are many places to chase an adrenaline fix. See gory scenarios from the SAW movies played out by live actors under flickering lights and the gaze of Jigsaw at Saw: Escape Experience – make it out alive and sip themed cocktails in the cosy cocktail bar. Control Room B in Battersea Power Station is another fun adventure: solve mind-bending puzzles, decipher cryptic clues and unveil the mysteries that lie in wait.
Getty Images25. Get theatrical
Think of London, and any culture vulture’s mind instantly wanders to the theatrical opportunities across the West End. Bop to ABBA classics at Mamma Mia!, or get all the family involved at Matilda: The Musical. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it in one of the historic theatres – and sometimes for less than you’d expect. Fully-grown thespians, check out TodayTix for discounted last-minute tickets to the classics and fringe shows.
Getty Images26. Buff up on your London history
London’s history dates back more than 2,000 years, and there are London attractions detailing everything the capital’s ancient riverbanks have witnessed. Uncover gruesome details of how prisoners were treated in the Clink Prison close to London Bridge, or take a tour of the Tower of London, guided by a beefeater, as they surprise and delight with fascinating nuggets of the royal residence’s history. Go even further back in time at the London Mithraeum – the ancient Roman temple dedicated to the god Mithras, found under the Bloomberg headquarters.
MARCEL27. Sweat it out
Whether you’re an early riser or a night owl, there’s always a unique way to get sweaty in the capital. Start the day by stretching towards the sunrise at Sky Garden, where yoga and pilates sessions occur throughout the summer. Joining the likes of Boom Cycle and SoulCycle recently is the Psycle site in Victoria, complete with a 50-bike ride studio and state-of-the-art barre and yoga space.
Sarah K Marr28. Build up the book collection
No, we’re not talking about the bookstores everyone knows and has on their high streets – but no judgment for picking up those holiday reads on the go. London is full of charming independent bookstores worth exploring on those drizzly summer afternoons. Gay's The Word on Marchmont Street is the UK's oldest LGBTQ+ bookshop, set up in January 1979 by gay socialists as a community space that funnelled all profits back into the business. Alternatively, hodophiles feel most at home in Stanfords, the world’s largest map and travel book retailer in Covent Garden.
Alvaro Castano and Yuuki Obata29. Check out an exhibition
There's no shortage of captivating exhibitions in London right now. Whether you're into fine art, contemporary design or history, the capital's galleries have something for everyone. Hello Brain! at The Francis Crick Institute explains the mind-bending complexity of the brain, and runs until December, while Tropical Modernism: Architecture and Independence is a fascinating showcase at the V&A South Kensington. For something more under-the-radar, gallery hop around arty East London neighbourhoods, stopping off for a street food fill along the way.
30. Unwind at a spa
While we're a fan of spa weekends, nothing beats a visit to one of the capital's most sumptuous spas. Restore your glow with a facial at Claridge's Spa, do some lengths in one of the city's best pools (Bulgari Hotel London to Dorchester Collection's 45 Park Lane among them) or ease aching muscles at one of the more affordable spots across the city.
Alamy31. Escape (for a few hours)
One of the best things about living in London is how easy it is to explore nearby cities and coastal towns. Hop on a train from one of London's largest rail hubs such as Paddington or King's Cross St Pancras and you'll be picnicking on a sandy stretch or licking ice creams in a nature reserve in no time. Our favourite spring and summer hideouts include the historic city of Canterbury, the lush plains of the New Forest, and the seaside revelry along Brighton and Hove's coast. For more inspiration, see our guide to the best day trips from London.