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Things To Do This Week In London: 2-8 June 2025
London Rivers Week, a museum late, and Beyoncé takes over Tottenham.
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All week
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JUNE IN LONDON: As a new month gets under way, peruse our team's pick of the very best things to see and do in London this June. It includes LOADS of festivals (including some which are free!), new theatre shows and exhibitions, a nude cycling event, free West End musical performances and loads more. Have a browse, and get your month planned out.
PECKHAM FRINGE: The final week of this year's Peckham Fringe sees three plays and a musical performed by up-and-coming writers and actors. Shhh!: The Musical by Pelumi Adedayo-Bamidele explores how people react to issues which don't affect them directly, and This Too Shall Pass is described as a "romantic dramedy for Londoners". Until 6 June
BROCKLEY MAX: A craft night, a comedy writing workshop, open mic nights and talks by local authors are on the Brockley Max festival programme this week, taking place across Brockley, Ladywell, Crofton Park and Honor Oak — culminating in Max in the Park on Saturday. Until 7 June
LONDON RIVERS WEEK: Take a guided walk through Beckenham Place Park, a tree walk close to Hammersmith Bridge, a plasticblitz litter picking event, a panel debate about river restoration and much more as part of London Rivers Week, celebrating the capital's waterways. Many (though not all) of the events are free. Until 8 June
There are two types of Londoner: those who sign up to our Things To Do listings and those who don’t. And guess who has a better time 😉
MEAN GIRLS THE MUSICAL: This is the final week of Mean Girls the musical at Savoy Theatre. Watch as new girl Cady Heron plots to take down 'the Plastics' group of popular girls in her high school, getting caught in the crossfire along the way. Until 8 June
ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL: London Festival of Architecture is on across the capital until the end of the month. Highlights this week include a talk about how AI can help us with climate change, the creation of a new mural in Fitzrovia, and a Migration Museum walking tour about the generations of migrants who have lived and worked around Aldgate. Until 30 June
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SABRAGE: A raunchy pillow fight of a cabaret show, Sabrage — in residence at Lafayette in King's Cross — stirs up saucy pants-dropping Francophile humour with swinging-from-the-ceiling acrobatics that'll simultaneously have you cackling and holding your breath (if that's at all physically possible). We saw it the other day, and had a hoot — plus at time of writing there's a summer sale on. ★★★★☆ Until 6 July
SUMMER BY THE RIVER: Now in full swing, Summer by the River is a programme of free entertainment taking place on the south side of the Thames, between London Bridge and Tower Bridge. Live music and dance performances, film and sports screenings and karaoke nights are all on the programme. FREE, throughout summer
ART FOR FREE: Keen to get cultural but on a tight budget? We've put together a guide to where to see art for free in London, featuring free-entry museums and galleries spanning historic and modern artworks, as well as special collections. It even includes a painting so big that the building which houses it was designed around it.
MUSEUM OF THE WEEK: It's the first full week of opening for V&A East Storehouse, a jaw-droppingly impressive open access archive in Hackney Wick, brimming with half a million eclectic artefacts, of which you can arrange to see any that you wish. We were bowled over when we visited, awarding it an unquestionable ★★★★★ FREE
SURVEY OF THE WEEK: Want to have your two cents' worth on the future of London's nightlife? Then you'll want to click on this survey, set up by the Mayor of London's Nightlife Taskforce, and urging Londoners and visitors alike to share their opinions on how things could be done better after dark.
DAY TRIP OF THE WEEK: We've already shared our pick of day trips to take from the capital this month (including a book festival and a flower show this week). But we're heading into peak garden season, which is why it's the ideal time to visit Beth Chatto Gardens near Colchester in Essex. The charming garden is home to over 2,000 plant species, and located in its own microclimate, which allowed a former wasteland to be transformed into something rather special.
Monday 2 June
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STUART LAWS: Stuart Laws returns to the stage with a new show, following critical acclaim and a UK tour. He blends personal experiences with comedy, creating a performance that's both funny and thought-provoking in Stuart Laws Has To Be Joking at Soho Theatre. 2-3 June
THE SEXUAL EVOLUTION: Nathan Lents, evolutionary biologist and author of The Sexual Evolution is at Waterstones Gower Street to discuss the book, about how 500 million years of sex, gender, and mating shape modern relationships. He's joined by Lucy Cooke, author of Bitch, to discuss how gender is being uncoupled from sex, and traditional labels of sexual attraction are being supplanted. 6.30pm
ROMEO & JULIET: Peckham's Rooftop Film Club screens Romeo + Juliet, Baz Luhrmann's 1996 take on Shakespeare's tragi-romance, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes as the couple caught in the middle of a family feud. The film transplants the action to Verona Beach, California. Watch in on the roof of the Bussey Building as the sun sets, with pizza and drinks available to buy onsite. 6.45pm
GREEN MOUNTAINS: Join author Caroline Eden at Stanfords Covent Garden for a talk about her latest work, Green Mountains. Delve into the stories and landscapes of Armenia and Georgia, exploring the region's rich history and culture, via insights from Eden's own travel experiences. 7pm-8.30pm
FOLK AND ROOTS: Combining the rich traditions of the Isle of Man with the varied sounds of synth pop and Eurofolk, Elizabeth Davidson-Blythe and Daniel Quayle present an evening of live music at the Green Note in Camden. 8.30pm
Tuesday 3 June
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LONDON CONCOURS: Luxury cars meet garden party at the London Concours, taking place at the Honourable Artillery Company in the City. The classic car show brings together dozens of the world's most beautiful motors, with a day each dedicated to Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz and supercars. 3-5 June
LOST MUSIC OF AUSCHWITZ: A new opera-ballet to commemorate 80 years since the liberation of the concentration camp, The Lost Music of Auschwitz features music created from a collection of music manuscripts which were written, arranged and performed by the prisoner orchestras, and remained hidden in archives until recently. It's on at Bloomsbury Theatre from today. 3-7 June
FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY: See photographs shortlisted for the World Food Photography Awards on display at the Museum of the Home from today. The pictures come from all over the world, and showcase all of the ways food affects our lives, from growing, harvesting and cooking, to eating, celebrating and surviving. 3 June-7 September
SWIMMING AND THE CITY: As part of London Festival of Architecture, and tying in with the current Splash! exhibition, the Design Museum hosts a panel discussion about the history of the public swimming pool and its place in civic life, from the lidos of the 1930s to the present day. Architect Chris Romer-Lee, author and architectural historian Kathryn Ferry, co-founder of Swim Dem Crew Peigh Asante and author and keen swimmer Christopher Beanland participate. 7pm-8.30pm
SPEAKEASY PO'JAM: Organised by community arts organisation Black Lives Natter, SpeakEasy Po'JaM is a bi-monthly Black and Global Majority music and spoken word open-mic night at Theatre Deli Cafe/Bar. Eljai Morais hosts, with performances by Franco-Malagasy singer Stephane Harivelo, singer-songwriter Josh Olusanya and spoken word artist Sizterly Lov. 7.30pm-9.30pm
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All signals green for London Transport Museum’s June Depot open days
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Green is the colour at London Transport Museum's upcoming Depot open days this weekend, which celebrate how sustainability has shaped the transport network we use every day.
Across three days, enjoy green-themed transport entertainment, including expert talks, fun demonstrations and STEM-based activities suitable for all ages. Learn how London's buses have evolved from being powered by horses to hydrogen. Find out how disused stations and tracks are being transformed into wildlife corridors in the capital. And test your knowledge of moquette seat patterns, past and present.
You can also view some of the staggering 320,000 transport-related objects stored at the Depot, spanning vehicles, posters and signs, ticket machines and more. It's your second of only three chances to visit the usually off-limits treasure trove this year, so don't miss out. Tickets are on sale now.
London Transport Museum’s June Depot open days take place 6-8 June 2025 in Acton.
Wednesday 4 June
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ABBEY LATE: Westminster Abbey continues the VE Day 80 celebrations with a 'beyond victory' themed late opening. Keeping the doors ajar past the usual daytime hours, the Abbey hosts swing dancing classes, Windrush storytelling, poetry writing, and crafts including origami. 5.30pm-8.30pm
TINA KNOWLES: While Beyoncé takes over Tottenham (see Thursday, below), she's not the only member of her family in town. Her mother, Tina Knowles, is at Southbank Centre talking with Stella McCartney about her new book, Matriarch, and her journey from girlhood to motherhood. 7pm
INDIAN BBQ FEAST: Butcher/chef duo Tuner & George teams up with supper club The Homie's Kitchen for a one-night-only Indian BBQ pop-up at Gladwells in Camberwell. Tuck into a three-course feasting menu served family-style, featuring dishes including tandoori lamb chops and butter chicken wings. 7pm
DANSE MACABRE: 17th century pieces, composed by the likes of John Danyel and Henry Purcell, are performed in the unique setting of London Bridge's Old Operating Theatre, in a musical exploration of the chaos leading up to the English Civil War, Danse Macabre - the 1600s and Chaos. 7pm-8pm
LITVINENKO POISONING: Join journalist Luke Harding as he recounts the dramatic story of the Litvinenko poisoning, when Alexander Litvinenko was brazenly poisoned with polonium in central London, and its implications for Russia's relations with the West. This event, part of the MI5: Official Secrets collection at the National Archives, draws from a decade of investigative reporting and exclusive interviews. Online event — watch via livestream. 7.30pm
VIDEO GAMES IN CONCERT: The Royal Albert Hall hosts award-winning composer and conductor Eímear Noone and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performing the scores, sounds and signature themes from video games including Halo Trilogy, World of Warcraft, Fortnite, Sea of Thieves and Hades. 7.30pm
Thursday 5 June
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BEYONCE: COWBOY CARTER: Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter world tour has six dates at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this month, and to the surprise of many, tickets haven't yet sold out (though at time of writing, prices start at £115). Expect to see plenty of Beyoncé-themed parties, brunches and other events taking place this week too. 5-16 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. It's set in 1950s America, with acrobats, magicians, musicians and clowns from all over the world taking part. 5-22 June
MUSEUM LATE: The monthly Horniman Museum Late focuses on coral, with activities including a virtual reality experience celebrating the birth of coral, a weaving workshop on coral bleaching, and immersive sound installations that engage with marine ecosystems. It's also a chance to visit the usual galleries and exhibitions after hours. FREE, 5.30pm-9.30pm
SKYLINE SKETCHING: Lift 109 — the viewing platform atop one of Battersea Power Station's iconic chimneys — hosts special skyline sketching sessions. Under the guidance of a tutor, spend an hour drawing the panoramic London skyline, with drawing materials and a drink included in your ticket. 6pm-7pm/7pm-8pm
IAIN MCGREGOR: Join Iain MacGregor at the Imperial War Museum for an insightful discussion on his book, The Hiroshima Men, which delves into the narrative around the first atomic attack on Hiroshima. The talk is followed by a book signing, and after-hours access to the IWM's Second World War Galleries. 6.30pm-8.30pm
CARTIER STYLE: Tying in with the recently-opened Cartier exhibition, the V&A Museum hosts Pierre Rainero, Cartier's Image, Style, and Heritage Director, in discussion with V&A Senior Curator of Jewellery Helen Molesworth about the brand's enduring style and history. Watch in person at the museum, or online via livestream. 7pm
TRANS COMEDY GALA: Trans folk and allies take to the stage at Pleasance Theatre in Islington for SUGAR: The Trans Comedy Gala, raising money for the Trans Legal Clinic. Jordan Gray, Kemah Bob, Dee Allum and Alex Franklin are on the line-up. 7.30pm
Friday 6 June
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WANDSWORTH ARTS FRINGE: Queer cabaret, a launch party at a church, Bulgarian singing workshops, boozy brunch and a Shakespeare play reimagined to rave music are among items on the eclectic Wandsworth Arts Fringe programme this year, launching today. It's a special one, as Wandsworth is London Borough of Culture 2025-6. 6-22 June
ZOO NIGHTS: London Zoo stays open later than usual almost every Friday in June and July for Zoo Nights, an adults-only event, with tours, games, street food stalls, and a chance to see the animals at a time when the zoo is usually closed. New for this year: See cast members from The Lion King in the West End putting on short performances. 6 June-25 July
SERPENTINE PAVILION: The 2025 Serpentine Pavilion is unveiled in Kensington Gardens, designed by Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum and taking the form of a curving, lozenge-like structure. The temporary building remains in situ throughout the summer. FREE, from 6 June
HERCULES: Go from Zero to Hero in the eyes of your kids, with a trip to see Disney's Hercules in musical form at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, following the story of the 1997 animated film, itself based on a Greek myth. It's one of our picks of family-friendly theatre shows to book in London this summer. 6 June-10 January
NIGHT GARDEN PARTY: The British Library stays open late for an evening event in its Piazza, inspired by current exhibition Unearthed: The Power Of Gardening. Singer-songwriter Beth Orton headlines the entertainment, surrounded by plants and lights, with gardening-themed stalls to browse. 6.30pm-10.30pm
OLD DIRTY BRASSTARDS: Sing and dance along to ABBA hits as raucous 10-piece brass band Dirty Old Brasstards perform live at Between The Bridges. Hear hits like Mamma Mia, Take A Chance On Me and — aptly given the location — Waterloo. 7pm-11pm
RON'S HONKY TONK: More into country music? Ron's Honky Tonk takes over Kindred in Hammersmith for an evening of live country tunes, with performances by Owen Morton, Brooke Law, Jonny Morgan and Chanel Yates. 7pm-11pm
Saturday 7 June
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DESIGN AND DISABILITY: Described as both a celebration and a call to action, the V&A's new exhibition, Design and Disability, looks at where and how disabled, Deaf, and neurodiverse people and communities have contributed to design history and contemporary culture. Find out how disabled people have designed everyday objects through their own experience and expertise, and get an insight into how design can be made more equitable and accessible for all. From 7 June
OCEAN COURT: After a year-long roof refurb, the National Maritime Museum's Ocean Court reopens, with a brand new floor map. The Spilhaus Projection is a map of the world according to fish, showing one, interconnected ocean. Objects on display include technical instruments from Greenpeace's first ship in 1978. Look out for a series of events to celebrate the reopening. FREE, from 7 June
LAMBETH COUNTRY SHOW: The annual two-day Lambeth Country Show pitches up in its usual spot in Brockwell Park for all manner of entertainment spanning sheep shearing, vegetable sculptures, live music, chocolate making, and... a wall of death, featuring daring motorbike stunts. FREE ENTRY, 7-8 June
GREAT EXHIBITION ROAD FESTIVAL: South Kensington institutions including the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Imperial College, Royal Geographical Society and V&A come together for the Great Exhibition Road Festival, a weekend celebrating science and the arts. In past years, we've been seriously impressed by how much there is to see and do, and this year we're promised insect yoga and a butterfly carnival among many, many other activities. FREE, 7-8 June
LONDON OPEN GARDENS: London Open Gardens Weekend is a chance to explore the city's green spaces via open days, tours and talks. They range from allotments, to small private gardens, to the likes of Eaton Square Garden, usually only accessible to residents with a key. In all, over 100 places take part this year. 7-8 June
BARNET MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL: See re-enactments of the Battles of Barnet 1471 and the Second Battle of St Albans 1461, as well as displays by the gunners, archers and mounted knights at this year's Barnet Medieval Festival. There's also a medieval market, craft displays and an exhibition of medieval art. Note there's a new venue for 2025: Lewis of London ice cream farm, just north of Barnet. 7-8 June
LONDON MAP FAIR: The largest antique map fair in Europe, London Map Fair unfolds at the Royal Geographical Society in South Ken today, with cartography ranging from the 15th-20th centuries, and costing between £10 and £100,000. Whether you're looking for something to transform your living room, or just want a free nosey around, everyone's welcome. It's on again tomorrow. FREE ENTRY, 7-8 June
SECRET CANAL: Discover canalside gems on a Living London wander from Warwick Avenue to Portobello Road Market. Along the way, visit London’s oldest gardening centre, pass through the whimsical Meanwhile Community Gardens and take in Erno Goldfinger’s iconic Trellick Tower, as well as various other hidden spaces. Learn about the people and communities who make these places special. Also, check out the Book Lovers Wander tomorrow, on the same link. 11.30am-1pm
FOLK FESTIVAL: Treat your lugholes to an afternoon of folk and roots music at Magpie's Nest Festival, happening at Master Shipwright's Palace in Deptford. Wander from stage to stage in the gardens, with an unplugged stage inside the house itself, listening to performers from all over the world including Malawian band Gasper Nali, Canadian songwriter Dana Sipos, and Balkan vocal trio Alkanna Greaca. Sounds like a very chilled afternoon/evening. 3pm-11pm
DUMPLINGS: Chubby Dumpling pops up at Good as Gold in Brockley for an evening of delicious dumplings (think lobster, crab, chicken satay) served alongside other Chinese and Hong Kong-inspired family dishes including fresh steamed scallops, and slow cooked ox cheeks.You'll need to book tickets for this set menu. 7.30pm-10pm
Sunday 8 June
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CROSSNESS LIVE HISTORY: Visit Crossness Pumping Station in Abbey Wood for an interactive mystery theatre event. The family-friendly immersive adventure is set in 1865, when London's brand new sewage system was about to be unveiled, and it's up to you to solve puzzles, learning about the building's history as you go. 10am/12pm
FOOTBALL SHIRT FAIR: The Retro Football Fair is at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow, taking the form of a dedicated vintage football fair with a vast array of retro shirts and football merchandise to browse and buy. 10am-4pm
ANTIQUES FAIR: The Adams Antiques Fair takes place at the Royal Horticultural Halls in Westminster, with over 130 exhibitors selling antique jewellery, silver, decorative pieces and collectables. If you're keen to be first in, get there early as a queue usually forms before opening. 10am-4.30pm
HERITAGE BUSES: London Bus Museum's semi-regular heritage day sees buses dating from the 1950s-70s ply the 418 route between Epsom and Kingston. Just turn up along the route and wait for a RT-Type or original Routemaster to come along. You can board for free, and might even get a facsimile ticket to keep if there's a conductor on board. FREE, 10am-5pm
BBQ: The summer season sees STK Steakhouse in Stratford launch its Sunday BBQ series, offering brisket sliders, prawn skewers, tandoori cauliflower and suchlike served alongside vibrant cocktails, rooftop views and DJs. From 12pm
JAZZ AND BLUES: Croydon's esteemed Oval Tavern hosts a double bill of free music goodness today. Things get cracking from 1pm with Jazz in the Afternoon, followed by the blistering Blues at the Oval from 6pm. Just buy a pint and settle in. FREE, 1pm and 6pm
NOSFERATU: The Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square screens 1922 silent film Nosferatu, an adaptation of Dracula which some recognise as the first ever horror film. Musician Hugo Max accompanies the screening with live scoring. 8pm
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