London is bursting at the seams with incredible experiences and things to see and do, from galleries and museums to street food markets and pop-up events. Whether you're looking for the next best foodie event or want to hit up an art exhibition, there's bound to be something happening in the city to suit what you're looking for. Here are the top things to do in London this weekend, and don't forget to check back every week for a fresh batch of weekend highlights!
The best things to do this weekend in London
In this guide
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Things to do in London this weekend
- See a show at Peckham Fringe festival – South London comedy at its best
- Sip on wild cocktails around a campfire – Discover one of London's best pop-up bars
- See pieces by one of Italy's greatest designers – An exhibition spanning Mari's 60-year career
- Explore Yoko Ono's Music of the Mind – A massive Yoko Ono retrospective
- Go back to ancient Egyptian times – Travel through time with the help of VR
- See Stranger Things: The First Shadow – A blockbuster adventure in the Upside Down
- Boogie at Mamma Mia! The Party – An ABBA-filled night
- Take a walk on the moon with Tom Hanks – An immersive trip to the moon
Things to do in London this weekend
Here's what's on in London this weekend.
South London comedy at its best
While Edinburgh's fringe festival may be renowned, Peckham Fringe offers a local alternative bursting with innovative performances. From May 1st to June 8th, Theatre Peckham is hosting a variety of shows across the area, showcasing local talent and diverse themes. With plays, comedy, monologues, and performances for children, there's something for everyone. Check out the Theatre Peckham website for the full lineup and ticket information.
- Date: 1 May-8 June
- Price: varies
Discover one of London's best pop-up bars
The Midnight Apothecary, nestled atop the Brunel Museum, is a secret rooftop garden where award-winning gardener Lottie Muir grows plants and herbs to create seasonal botanical cocktails. Featuring fairy lights and firepits, the pop-up bar offers a unique ambiance for enjoying crafted drinks like the Woodland Martini and toasting s'mores. The bar is open for firepit sessions every Friday and Saturday until 27 July, with tickets including an optional guided tour of the Victorian-era Thames Tunnel Shaft below.
- Date: 19 Apr-27 Jul
- Price: £8
An exhibition spanning Mari's 60-year career
London's Design Museum has opened an exhibition honouring Enzo Mari, one of the most influential Italian designers of the 20th century, renowned for his multifaceted career as an artist, teacher, and theorist and his commitment to socially responsible design. The extensive retrospective spans Mari's 60-year career and features over 300 works, including furniture, children's books, and conceptual installations, complemented by archival insights into his design philosophy and tributes from contemporary London-based designers.
- Date: 29 Mar-9 Sep
- Price: From £8.16
A massive Yoko Ono retrospective
The UK's most extensive exhibition of Yoko Ono's work features over 200 pieces that span her seven-decade career as an artist and activist. The exhibition, in collaboration with Ono's studio, includes a diverse range of works such as instruction pieces, installations, films, and music, delving into themes of peace, feminism, and the everyday, often using the sky as a symbol. This exhibition redefines Ono's legacy beyond her Beatles association, affirming her as a trailblazer in conceptual and participatory art.
- Date: 15 Feb-1 Sep
- Price: £22
Travel through time with the help of VR
Embark on a time-travelling journey without having to leave London with "The Horizon of Khufu" virtual reality adventure. Transporting you back 4,500 years to Ancient Egypt, delve into the mysteries of the Great Pyramid of Giza at this unique AI event in Stratford. Led by renowned Egyptologist Peter Der Manuelian, experience mummification ceremonies, Nile voyages, and Pharaoh Khufu's funeral rites.
- Date: 21 Feb-28 May
- Price: from £18
A blockbuster adventure in the Upside Down
“Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” a prequel to the popular Netflix series, is making waves in London's West End as a major theatrical hit. The play, unfolding the backstory of the series' villain Henry Creel, is co-directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin, and has been praised for capturing the essence of “Stranger Things” as well as putting on an astounding visual feast.
- Date: 14 Dec-25 Aug
- Price: From £20
An ABBA-filled night
Head on a Greek journey to the island of Skopelos for an unforgettable evening of dining and dancing at this Mamma Mia-inspired event. As the sun sets, discover yourself at Nikos' family-run taverna, feasting on a tasty four-course Greek meal, including dishes like Greek mezze, salad, confit lamb shoulder, and slow-cooked beef with garlic-roasted potatoes. A live band will play iconic ABBA tracks throughout the night, ensuring the dance floor stays lively with their best hits.
- Date: Ongoing
- Price: From £99
An immersive trip to the moon
Lightroom, an immersive art gallery in King's Cross, has unveiled “The Moonwalkers: A Journey With Tom Hanks”. This immersive experience, narrated by Tom Hanks, uses advanced projection and audio to explore the historic Apollo missions and the current Artemis programme for manned lunar exploration. Co-written by Hanks and Christopher Riley, the experience also features interviews with Artemis astronauts, offering a unique perspective on this new chapter of space exploration.
- Date: 6 Dec-9 Jun
- Price: From £15