Things To Do This Week In London: 21-27 August 2023

Things to do this week is sponsored by Beavertown.

All week

CROYDON STANDS TALL: 30 giraffe sculptures appear in south London from Monday for Croydon Stands Tall, a free art trail with works decorated by local artists. In addition, a litter of 30 baby giraffe sculptures, decorated by local schools and community groups, will appear in Croydon shops. FREE, 21 August-27 October

IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD: With All Points East festival in full flow, its midweek free festival In The Neighbourhood is also up and running. Head to the festival site until Wednesday this week for free theatre shows, open-air cinema, live music, talks and workshops — much of the programme is suitable for kids as well as adults. FREE, until 23 August

THE ARC: Tickets for The Arc: A Trilogy of New Jewish Plays at Soho Theatre are selling fast (a couple of days this week are already sold out) — better grab yours for this string of three short plays by Ryan Craig, Amy Rosenthal and Alexis Zegerman asap. Until 26 August

SPITTING IMAGE: Fans of satire, get yourselves to the Phoenix Theatre for the final week of Spitting Image: The Musical, featuring over 100 puppet celebrity look-a-likes. Until 26 August

WE WILL ROCK YOU: Admittedly the opening reviews were... mixed. But if you're keen to see the 21st anniversary revival of Queen musical We Will Rock You, you've only got until this Saturday to catch it. Until 26 August

SPONGEBOB MUSICAL: Looking for a treat to end the summer holidays? The SpongeBob Musical at Southbank Centre stars Ru-Paul’s Drag Race legend Divina De Campo. It features the same citizens of Bikini Bottom as the TV show, who find out that their home is in danger of being destroyed by a volcano. Age 6+. Until 27 August

CAMDEN FRINGE: We're into the last week of this year's Camden Fringe, a performing arts festival taking place in venues all around the Borough of Camden. For one last hurrah, how about Katie Norris' WIP comedy show Farm Fatale, wanderlust-inspired spoken word show Wish You Were Here, or children's music show Cricket & The Freebugs. Until 27 August

ANIMALS: We loved current exhibition Animals: Art, Science and Sound at the British Library, and highly recommend you see it before it closes this weekend. It uses the Library's vast archive of books, magazines, video, ephemera and sound recordings to look at how different animal species have been recorded throughout history, with a few charming surprises thrown in. Until 28 August

BBC PROMS: Yep, classical musical festival BBC Proms is still going on, with events taking place most days, predominantly at the Royal Albert Hall. Highlights this week include a celebration of the work of Stevie Wonder, the Academy of Ancient Music in Handel’s moving oratorio Samson, and Late Night Bach on Friday evening. Until 9 September

SUMMER HOLIDAYS: Running out of ways to keep children and teenagers occupied? Take a look at our guide to things to do in London in the summer holidays. Tour a royal palace, play free mini golf, follow free art trails, or catch the latest stage shows or exhibitions for all ages.

DRINK OF THE WEEK: This being Carnival weekend and all, how about a drop of rum? Funnily enough, one of London's tippety-toppest rum bars, Trailer Happiness, is in Notting Hill itself, pouring a lip-smacking array of daiquiris, mai thais and various other tiki potions in a 1970s lounge setting. If you plan on drinking here on Carnival weekend itself, you're best off booking.

EAT OF THE WEEK: Tongues at the ready for Covent Garden's annual Frozen Festival, which kicks licks off on Thursday — a veritable orgy of ice creams, gelato, frozen drinks and more from the likes of Kocktail, Bubble Bros, Pan'n'Ice, Anita Gelato and Avobar. 24 August-3 September

DAY TRIP OF THE WEEK: There's a bank holiday approaching, and bank holiday weekends in the UK mean seaside trips, regardless of whether it's glorious sunshine or pouring with rain. How about Clacton-on-Sea, or perhaps Brighton? Alternatively, browse our favourite seaside towns in Kent, Essex and Sussex. Or prehistory fans might even try Happisburgh in Norfolk. Our Beyond London section has plenty more ideas for days out and weekends away.

Monday 21 August

DEATH NOTE: For two nights, Death Note The Musical comes to the London Palladium in concert — the show's English language premiere. It's based on the best-selling Japanese manga series of the same name, telling the story of a bright but dissatisfied high school student in Tokyo who comes across a notebook belonging to Ryuk, a mythological god of death. 21-22 August

ROYAL FLYING: Squadron Leader Graham Laurie is at the RAF Museum in Colindale to give a talk about the history of royal flying, from the early days to the present. Hear about aircraft The King’s Flight and The Queen’s Flight, and step inside a Westland Wessex HCC4 — the model used to fly the Royal Family until 1998. 6.30pm-8.30pm

HAPPY MONDAYS COMEDY: Clinton Baptiste headlines tonight's Happy Mondays comedy show at the Amersham Arms in New Cross, with a work-in-progress set. Jenny Zigrino, Saban Kazim, Joe Alex, Iffy, and another special guest TBC also make appearances. 8pm

BUBBLING: It's the penultimate chance to catch Bubbling — a new-writing play derived from real stories and verbal interviews of immigrants in the UK — at the Hen & Chickens in Highbury tonight. The last performance is tomorrow. 9pm

NO SUCH THING: Their shows usually sell out way in advance, but at time of writing there's still a chance to get tickets to No Such Thing As A Fish Live at Soho Theatre. The fact-based comedy podcast features each member sharing the most fascinating fact they've learnt in the last week — it's highly unpredictable and never dull. 9.45pm

MONDAYS IN LONDON: Looking for something else to do, today or any other week? Take a look at our guide to things to do in London on a Monday — we've gathered together live music venues, comedy and cabaret clubs which keep going on what is usually the quietest day of the week, along with guided walks and tours scheduled on a Monday, and a few special offers too.

Tuesday 22 August

ZQUENDA: New play Xquenda features three performers of different nationalities teaming up to tell (and sing) the story of a young woman and her search for justice after the disappearance and murder of her best friend in southern Mexico. See it at the Bread & Roses Theatre in Clapham. 22-26 August

PASTA MAKING: Borough Market's Tasty Tuesdays school holiday activities continue with pasta making. Book your family into a masterclass led by La Tua Pasta, and learn how to make the foodie favourite from scratch. 10am/11.30am

ALICE IN AERIALAND: Aerial theatre company The Dot Collective bring their current show, Alice's Adventures in Aerialand to the outdoor space at Dulwich Picture Gallery. Look up to the skies as they tell a story of wonder and nonsense. Remember to take a blanket along for your family to sit on. FREE, 4pm

QUEER FOOTPRINTS: Celebrate the launch of Queer Footprints, a new book about London's LGBTQIA+ history, at Waterstones Gower Street. Author Dan Glass chats to co-founder of Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners, Mike Jackson, about the scandalous, hilarious and empowering events of London's queerstory. 6.30pm-7.45pm

ISLE OF DOGS: The final free Movie Night of the year takes place at Canada Square Park in Canary Wharf — the ideal location for a screening of Isle of Dogs, a 2018 animated comedy by Wes Anderson. Alas, it's not about this district of London, but rather an outbreak of dog flu in a Japanese city, which leads to all of the dogs being sent to an isolated island. FREE, 7pm

Sponsor message

Free tattoos, fresh threads and brand new Beavertown beer on the house

Big news for beer lovers: Beavertown’s first ever pop-up shop has arrived! Head to 11 Dray Walk (part of vibey arts quarter The Truman Brewery, just off Brick Lane) between now and 1 September to snag limited edition clothing, get your hands on bespoke wearable art, and maybe even hear the most beautiful phrase in the English language: “have a free can of beer”.

Yep, the fine folk from Beavertown are celebrating the launch of their brand new beer, Satellite, by giving it away for free. If one can isn’t quite enough to quench your thirst, fret not - it’s also available to buy at the bar, alongside the rest of Beavertown’s core range. Plus, there's Solo Coffee Co. cold brew for any non-drinkers/under-caffeinated visitors who swing by.

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All in all, it’s a great big, beer-y party, with wall-to-wall tunes and plenty of Beavertown-themed goodies. It’s open every day - plan your visit now.

Wednesday 23 August

FAMILY COMEDY: Comedy's not just for adults at Museum of London Docklands, which hosts Barrel of Laughs, a show of family-friendly comedy and East End Entertainment. Recommended age 5+. FREE, 11.30am

EVENING MUSEUM TOUR: The Charles Dickens Museum in Bloomsbury stays open late for an intimate tour in a small group, led by a knowledgeable guide. Tour the author's former family home, hearing stories of events which took place here, and find out how he and his family lived. 6pm

1001 DAYS: Union Chapel hosts a screening of 1001 Days, a film about a group of women — mothers and survivors of abuse — who take on the role of health workers in their local neighbourhood on the outskirts of Johannesburg. Directors Kethiwe Ngcobo and Chloe White, producer Rose Palmer, and executive producer Katharine Round take part in a discussion and Q&A post-screening. 6.30pm

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY: Head to Forty Hall in Enfield for an open-air production of Jane Austen novel Sense and Sensibility, about the romantic relationships of high society sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. Take along your own picnic and a blanket to sit on while you enjoy the show. 7pm

COMEDY CLOSING GALA: The first Roundhouse Comedy Festival comes to an end with a Closing Gala, hosted by Ed Gamble and featuring comedians Mawaan, Fern Brady, Sophie Duker and Two Hearts. 7.30pm

TURANDOT: The classic Giacomo Puccini opera Turando gets a modern makeover, at the Arcola theatre — with creatives and artists from the Asian diaspora challenging the original story, with the the Far East recast as a modern, technological superpower. 7.30pm (on till 26 August)

Thursday 24 August

INTO THE DEEP: TheMulti-Story Orchestra's Young Creatives perform their last Peckham shows of the year, debuting their brand new performance, Into The Deep, at Bold Tendencies. The piece follows the journey of water, with music led by singer-songwriters Fran Lobo and Abimaro Gunnell, composer Kate Whitley and percussionists Joe Richards and Elsa Bradley, with a chamber choir and a brass and percussion ensemble. 24-25 August

ROLLER DISCO: Strap on your skates (or hire some when you get there) and head to Fairfield Halls in Croydon for a good old-fashioned roller disco, complete with lights, colours and tunes. Each day, the earlier session (3pm-4.30pm) is aimed at families, beginners, and anyone who's a bit wobbly, while the later session (5pm-6.30pm) is for more confident teenage and adult skaters. 24-28 August

TASTING MENU: Spitalfields restaurant som saa hosts American chef and cookbook author Andy Ricker for a one-off evening of vibrant Thai cooking. Enjoy a three-course set menu that draws inspiration from the regional cooking styles and ingredients of Northern Thailand, with a cocktail to start the evening off. 5pm-10.15pm

GRAND HOTELS: Take a tour of the West End's grandest hotels, and discover "what Lord Byron’s butler did that was so revolutionary, how two embezzlers founded one of the world’s grandest hotels, and which hotel turned into a refuge for deposed European monarchs". Richard Wintle is your guide. 6.30pm-8.30pm

MONSTERS: Professor of Victorian Literature and Medical Humanities Andrew Mangham is at the Royal Institution to talk about the development of the idea of monsters from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein onwards, and how monsters in literature and science fiction have helped scientists to understand some of the mysteries of life. 7pm-8.30pm

MEAT: Barbican Cinema ends its Eat The Screen series of films focusing on the food industry with a screening of Meat. The 1976 documentary took viewers inside one of American's largest meat processing factories in Colorado, tracing each animal's entire journey from farm to plate. Today's screening begins with an introduction by Rob Percival, Head of Food Policy at the Soil Association, and author of The Meat Paradox: Eating, Empathy and the Future of Meat. 8.35pm

Friday 25 August

ROMAN FAMILY QUEST: Take your family time travelling back to Roman Londonium, via the Roman London Family Quest in the City. Follow a map highlighting Roman points of interest between the Mithraeum temple at Bloomberg Space and the Roman Amphitheatre, with child-friendly activities and quests along the way. FREE, 25-26 August

GREENWICH AND DOCKLANDS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL: Free outdoor performing arts festival Greenwich and Docklands International Festival returns, for two weeks of theatre, art, dance and circus in outdoor locations. Highlights include tightrope walking — taking place at tonight's launch event — along with aerial dancing, and dance performances on the roof of a house which is submerged in Royal Docks. Most events FREE, 25 August-10 September

SUNRISE YOGA: Start your Friday on the roof of Battersea Power Station, taking part in a sunrise vinyasa flow yoga class, against the backdrop of those iconic chimneys. After the 60-minute session, tuck into a healthy breakfast at TOZI Grand Cafe. 7am-9am

OLIVER CROMWELL: What caused Oliver Cromwell to become more successful than those who served alongside him? Hear fromProfessor Martyn Bennett, an expert in Early Modern History, about the rise of Cromwell — who had a distinct lack of military experience, and was one of more than 200 men who became general officers in his time in the military. Hear the talk in person at Chelsea's National Army Museum, or online. FREE, 12pm

PIÑA COLADA: If you like piña coladas... get yourself to Peckham Arches, where MOTH's 70s-vibe-ice-cream-turned-cocktail van is serving up the tropical drinks. There's also sunny music, and pizza. 4pm-12am (also 12pm-12am Saturday and 12pm-10pm Sunday)

BRIDGERTON LATE: Dearest reader, you are cordially invited to let loose, Regency-style at the Old Royal Naval College’s Bridgerton Late. Parts of this enormously popular period drama were filmed in grounds of this baroque masterpiece, so it’s about as close to stepping into the show as you can get. Explore the filming locations on a guided tour, or head inside the Painted Hall where there’s a live string quartet playing pop classics, live watercolour painting, era-appropriate dancing, and Bridgerton-themed cocktails. Book ahead. (sponsor)

THE JABBERWOCKY: Head to Alexandra Palace for an outdoor performance of a new adaptation of Lewis Carroll's nonsensical poem, The Jabberwocky. Theatre company Calf 2 Cow promise "kicks and trips, live floor-stamping rock n roll, water buckets, sweaty actors, and a giant dragon puppet, breathing actual fire" in a performance suitable for all ages. 5.30pm

MAMMA MIA!: 'Tis the season for outdoor culture, and you can start your week with another outdoor film screening — this time musical film Mamma Mia!, on the Riverside Terrace at Watermans Arts Centre in Brentford. Chairs are provided, but bring your own blanket — west London isn't quite as warm as a dreamy Greek island. 8pm

Saturday 26 August

BANK HOLIDAY: It's a bank holiday weekend — the last one until Christmas (booooo!). Make the most of it with our guide to spending the bank holiday weekend in London, whether you're up for walks or cycle rides, heading to the cinema, taking part in sporting pursuits, or simply after a good pub.

NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL: The August bank holiday weekend goes hand in hand with Notting Hill Carnival, Europe's biggest street festival celebrating Caribbean culture. The celebrations begin on Saturday with a steel pan band competition (£), followed by children's day at Carnival on Sunday, and the main event on Monday. Here's everything you need to know about Notting Hill Carnival, from how to get there and when to go, to what to do, see, eat and drink while you're there. FREE, 26-28 August

DOG FESTIVAL: Celebrate International Dog Day at The Big Woof, a free, dog-friendly festival in King's Cross. Take Rover and Fido along for dog shows, a fun zone, dog tarot card reading (yes, really), animal communication workshops and more, plus an array of stalls selling dog-centric food and fashion. FREE, 26-27 August

FOOD FESTIVAL: Feast your eyes on the surroundings of Hampton Court Palace, and your stomach on goodies from the Hampton Court Palace Food Festival, which is held in the palace gardens. Tuck into street food, browse and buy artisan products including wine, rum, cakes, pastries, coffee and cheese. There's also live music at the bandstand, and face painting and shire horse and cart rides for kids. 26-28 August

BATTERSEA PARK IN CONCERT: Battersea Park hosts three evenings of open-air picnic concerts. Saturday is A Night At The Musicals and Sunday is Proms in the Park, both performed by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, while Gabrielle headlines Monday night, with support from Yolanda Brown and the Ronnie Scott's All Stars. 26-28 August

CHAMBER CONCERT: Mozart, Bruch, Alan Richardson and Paul Harris are among the composers whose work features in a lunchtime chamber concert at St Marylebone Parish Church, in aid of charity Lymphoma Action. 1.30pm

VICTORIAN VAUXHALL: A free fair pops up at the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, designed to resemble the park's former Victorian glory. Entertainment includes circus acts and a circus school, dance and music classes, crafts for children, vintage games and a static hot air balloon. FREE, 2pm-7pm

COMEDY CARNIVAL: Get your giggles from a gaggle of comedians tonight — Abigoliah Schamaun, Imran Yusuf and Dave Fulton are on at Comedy Carnival in Leicester Square, and again half an hour later in Covent Garden. Pete Gionis MCs both shows. 8pm-10pm (Leicester Square), 8.30pm-10.30pm (Covent Garden)

Sunday 27 August

HOUSE TOUR: On the last Sunday of each month — including this bank holiday weekend — guided tours are offered of Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham. Explore the Georgian Gothic building, learning about its history and interiors, and hear stories of the people who have lived there. 10am

PECKHAM SALVAGE YARD: Browse 70+ stalls at Peckham Salvage Yard, taking place at Copeland Park. Traders are selling 20th century furniture and homewares, lighting, industrial fixtures and more, with plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby. 11am-5pm

BRUNCHIN' IN VEGAS: Live music venue 100 Wardour Street hosts a Las Vegas and R&B themed brunch. Choose either two or three dishes, and add bottomless bubbles if you like, and tuck in while a DJ spins R&B tunes. The venue's had a makeover too, with a replica of the iconic Las Vegas sign, and a Little Wardour Chapel for photo opportunities. 12pm-5pm

GOOD TIMES: Legendary DJ Norman Jay MBE parks up his Good Times soundsystem bus at The Terrace at Alexandra Palace for an open-air, all-day bank holiday party. Beer and cocktail bars and street food stalls pop up at the venue too. 2pm

MINDFUL CRAFTS: Colour therapist and Londonist contributor Momtaz Begum-Hossain hosts a session of mindful crafts for adults. Take a break from the stresses of life and enjoy the pleasure of creating something with your own hands. Projects vary each session and could include anything from painting and collage to mindful sewing and embroidery. Takes place at Well Bean Co Café in Royal Docks. Age 16+. 4pm-6pm

IRISH TRAD: Every Sunday evening at Tooting's Ramble Inn, a group of folk musicians convene to play Irish trad around the table. If you play or sing, you're welcome to join in too. 6pm

Good cause of the week

It's a stark fact that about 1 in 50 Londoners are homeless. The Glass Door homeless charity continues its good work, finding ways to get people out of homelessness. On 6 October 2023, they're organising an annual Sleep Out to raise funds for the cause. Those taking part will spend the night in Duke of York Square, Chelsea. You can join them there, or participate from anywhere in the world. Funds raised will go towards the charity's emergency winter shelters as well as year-round casework. Find out more and book your place here.

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