What to do in London this weekend: 26 top recommendations for days out
Looking for something to do in the capital this weekend? Luckily, there's endless amounts on, from theatre shows and sporting events to workshops and exhibits.
Whether you're with family, friends, or heading out on a solo trip, you can never run out of things to do in London.
This year, the city was named as Resonance Europe's best city for the second time in a row, and we reckon that might have a little something to do with the over 15,000 restaurants, 280 markets, 192 museums, 39 zoos, and countless experiences within its walls.
But with all that glitz, glamour and excitement at your fingertips there is a drawback: what should you actually do this weekend?
Here at RadioTimes.com we're experts at cultivating London days out and experiences, from the best immersive experiences to the best art exhibitions, and we know how overwhelming picking your next adventure can be.
So we've made a definitive list of the best things to do in London right now. Whatever your vibe, group size or price limit, we've got an experience here to suit you.
Speaking of London, here's the best London experience gifts and the best West End shows. Plus we spoke to the Operation Mincemeat cast about Broadway conversations.
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Top 10 things to do in London this weekend at a glance:
- The Art of Banksy, from £19.25
- The Moonwalkers, from £15
- F1 Grand Prix watch party, £80
- ABBA Voyage, from £67
- Paint in the Dark, £39
- The Art of the Brick, from £13.90
- The Paddington Experience, from £25
- Twist Museum, from £15
- Fawlty Towers West End, from £18
- Cabaret, from £30
Jump to:
- Things on in London this weekend only (16th to 18th August)
- Ongoing things to do in London this weekend
Things on in London this weekend only: 16th to 18th August
Celebrate Afternoon Tea Week with a feast
The 12th to the 18th of August is Afternoon Tea Week, so why not celebrate with a boujee, and very tasty, afternoon in one of London's many restaurants? There are hundreds of afternoon teas on offer, some with sci-fi themes or Asian-fusion twists, but wherever you go you're guaranteed a plate of scones with heaps of jam and cream (in that order!)
For more inspiration, here's Good Food's list of best afternoon teas London.
Shop London afternoon teas at Virgin Experience Days
Ratatouille at Rooftop Cinema
- Saturday 17th August — Bussey Building, Peckham
Watch the classic Pixar cartoon Ratatouille on top of Peckham's iconic Bussey Building. In case you aren't familiar, the movie follows a rat with a dream to be the greatest chef in the world, so he journeys off to the heart of culinary art... Paris.
Buy Ratatouille tickets from £17.95 at Rooftop Film Club
Want to make the outdoor cinema experience even more special? Indytute has some great packages available which include Prosecco and popcorn.
- Rooftop Film Club with prosecco for two for £60 at Indytute
- Rooftop Film Club with popcorn for two for £55 at Indytute
Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift
- Friday 16th August — Central Hall, Westminster
Missed the Eras Tour? This is the next best thing, enjoy the orchestral renditions of Taylor Swift's best tracks while sitting in the gorgeous glow of candlelight.
Buy Candlelight tickets from £20 at Fever
This Wizard of Oz with Aston Merrygold
- Thursday 15th August – 8th September – Gillian Lynne Theatre, Central
Don't miss the opening weekend of the Wizard of Oz, now running for a limited time in London's West End. Starring Aston Merrygold as the Tin Man and The Vivienne as the Wicked Witch, you'll be saying 'Oh my!' before you know it.
Buy The Wizard of Oz tickets at LW Theatres
The Friends Experience
- Thursday 15th August – 2nd February – Immerse LDN, Royal Victoria Dock
The Friends Experience officially opens in London this weekend and could we BE any more excited? Explore sets, costumes, props and more from this beloved sitcom, while posing for plenty of photos ad quoting as much as you can.
Buy the Friends Experience tickets at Ticketmaster
Ongoing things to do in London this weekend
The Saturday Supershow at The Phoenix Club
- Ongoing – The Phoenix Arts Club, Central
Every weekend, you can catch the best of drag, comedy, musical theatre, and more at the Phoenix Club's Saturday Supershow. No two nights at this grassroots entertainment venue are the same, except the hosting by legendary cabaret host Michael Twaits.
Buy The Saturday Supershow tickets for £20 at Fever
The Art of Banksy exhibition
- Until 5th Jan 2025 – 100 Charing Cross Road, Central
World-renowned exhibition The Art of Banksy, has extended its London run into 2025, so there's plenty of time to see some of the artists' era-defining works like Girl With Balloon’, in three colour variations, ‘Flower Thrower’ and ‘Rude Copper.’
Buy The Art of Banksy tickets from £19.25 at Ticketmaster
And don't forget to read our Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder review.
The Moonwalkers experience with Tom Hanks
- Until October 2024 – Light Room, Central
Take a journey to the stars with none other than Tom Hanks, who will be talking all things space race. From those first steps on the moon to the future of human space travel, this experience is out of this world.
Buy The Moonwalkers tickets from £15 at Ticketmaster
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Dark Comedy on the Battersea Boat
- Ongoing – The Battersea Barge, Battersea
On the Battersea Boat, it's dark in every sense. As you take a night time trip along the Thames – getting stunning views of Battersea Power Station in the meantime – you'll sit through a wild ride of crowd roasts, relationship humour, and more.
Buy Dark Comedy on Battersea Boat tickets from £9 at Fever
Cabaret starring Rhea Norwood and Layton Williams
- Until May 2025 – Kit Kat Club at Playhouse Theatre, Central
Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club has some amazing stars coming in to play the Emcee and Sally Bowles. The latest: Rhea Norwood and Layton Williams.
Buy Cabaret Tickets from £30 at ATG Tickets
The Paddington Experience
- Until 30th Mar 2025 – County Hall, Central
The Paddington Bear Experience is now open, which means it's time to immerse yourself in red wellies and marmalade sandwiches.
Buy The Paddington Experience from £25 at See Tickets
Paint in the Dark workshop
- Until 28th Jul 2024 – Old Brompton Road, South Kensington
Catalyse your creativity with this paint in the dark workshop – you'll be able to create something beautiful and fluorescent!
Buy Paint in the Dark tickets for £39 at Fever
London Zoo Nights
- Until 26th Jul 2024 – London Zoo, Central
London Zoo is now open for its late adult-only evenings. Featuring four hours of zoo time for just £21.50 (plus drinks!).
- Get London Zoo tickets with the London Pass at GoCity
- Get London Zoo tickets at Virgin Experience Days
Glasshouse Yoga at Ravenscourt Park's Secret Garden
- Until Dec 2025 – Ravenscourt Park, Hammersmith
Every Saturday, you can attend a yoga class at the beautiful Secret Garden in Ravenscourt Park. Trust us, a peaceful yoga class surrounded by nature is the perfect way to start your weekend.
Buy Glasshouse Yoga tickets for £14 at Fever
Horrible Histories Terrible Thames tour
- Until 1st Sep 2024 – Tower Bridge, Central
Combining a tranquil London boat tour with the very un-tranquil world of Roman battles, beheaded Tudors and evil rulers is this Horrible Histories experience. Featuring stories, re-enactments and songs, it's perfect for history buffs and kids alike.
Buy Terrible Thames tickets for £30 at Ticketmaster
Get lunch on the Fish and Chip Barge
- Ongoing – Paddington Basin, Central
Want a unique lunch idea? Why not try the Fish and Chip barge at Paddington Basin? Whether you're looking for a great date idea, or a meal with the family, you can't go wrong with fish and chips.
Buy Fish and Chip Barge tickets from £98 at Indytute
The Art of the Brick LEGO Exhibition
- Until 14th Jul 2024 – The Boiler House, Shoreditch
You can find the full details of The Art of the Brick here, but for now all you need to know is that it features 150 sculptures and over one million bricks, from dinosaurs to the luminous kinetic skulls installation.
Buy The Art of the Brick tickets from £13.90 at Fever
Turn it Up: The Power of Music at Science Museum
- Until 1st Sep 2024 – Science Museum, Central
Dive into the Science Museum's latest exhibit all about music and the hold it has on us. You can explore how we use music to create, perform, feel and connect with others, and so much more.
Buy Turn it Up exhibit tickets from £10 at Science Museum
The Enchanted Mirror Immersive Experience by HiddenCity
- Until Oct 2024 – The Coal Hole, Central
This immersive experience takes you on a quest to find The Enchanted Mirror. Challenge yourself in teams of 2-5 to uncover a wealth of secrets from this fairy-tale world.
Buy The Enchanted Mirror tickets from £25 at Fever
Life Chronicles VR experience in Stratford
- Until 31st Jul 2024 – Westfield, Stratford City
Among many other VR experiences in London, you can try Life Chronicles, which takes you back to the dawn of time to discover how life was made.
Buy Life Chronicles tickets from £18 at Fever
Beyond the Bassline at the British Library
- Until 26th Aug 2024 – British Library, Central London
Right now at the British Library you can catch Beyond the Baseline, an exhibit devoted to 500 Years of Black British Music. This exhibit is the first of its kind and brings to life feelings of community, resistance, culture and joy.
Buy Beyond the Baseline at the British Library tickets from £15 at See Tickets
Fawlty Towers at the West End
- Until 28th Sep 2024 – Apollo Theatre, Central
If you're a Fawlty Towers fan, you'll pleased to know that writer John Cleese has kept "all the best bits" from the original series in the new stage play.
Buy Fawlty Towers tickets from £18 at Love Theatre
F1 Arcade Grand Prix Watch Party with Simulator Racing for Two
- Until 8th Dec 2024 – St Paul's, Central
Not only can you use the F1 Arcade for games, races and an afternoon of fun, but now, you can join a special Grand Prix watch party each weekend. For more, here's the best F1 experiences.
Buy F1 Grand Prix watch party tickets from £80 at Virgin Experience Days
Dare Skywalk at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Fancy combining your a love of football with a healthy bit of danger? If so, take the Dare Skywalk at Tottenham Hotspur stadium!
Buy The Dare Skywalk at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for £43 at Virgin Experience Days
The Twist Museum
- Until 30th Jun 2024 – Oxford Street, Central
London's best illusion is still going strong. The Twist Museum has a huge of mind-altering immersive rooms and optical tricks, making for a brilliant day out.
Buy Twist Museum tickets from £15 at See Tickets
ABBA Voyage
- Until 25th Nov 2024 – St Paul's, Central
What is ABBA Voyage? It's dancing, disco and so much more. This London concert has been going strong for years, so get out your money, money, money and buy yourself a ticket.
Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £67 at London Theatre Direct
Buy ABBA Voyage tickets from £77 at Ticketmaster
Hungry for more? Here's our definitive lists of the best kids theatre shows, best musicals on tour UK and the best London walking tours.
For more West End news, here's the best ballets London and the longest-running West End shows.
