![a woman does a yoga pose with her leg in the air under the striking frescoes of The Painted Hall](https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/secretldn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/22163707/Feel-Good-Friday-Yoga-1024x712.jpg)
Not sure what’s on in London this weekend? Whatever the weather, we’ve got you covered. From cocktails, to brunches, markets to gigs, there’s something for everyone on our list of things to do in London this weekend!
1. Witness the ultimate chicken wing showdown at Wingfest
Prep your stomach, give your tastebuds a pep talk and get ready for a day of devouring at Wingfest. Also known as the largest chicken festival in the world, the tempting aromas of smoking barbecues and succulent meat will be floating from London Stadium in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from July 26 to 28. It’s not just an endless carousel of sauce-smothered chicken wings (not that I’d mind), tickets include live music, rides, axe-throwing and, if you fancy seeing the professionals at work, eating competitions.
Keep an eye out for our Secret London writer, Tamsin, and Secret London videographer, Louis, on Saturday, July 27, as they’ll be part of the official judging panel, deciphering the best wings in different categories.
2. Revel in the alpine wünders of Albert’s Schloss
Prost! Self-proclaimed Bavarian pleasure palace Albert’s Schloss has made its way to London following their raging success in Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham. Just follow the sound of raucous revelry and live music to Shaftesbury Avenue and prepare to lose yourself in a buzzy haven of Alpine-inspired delights. One moment you’ll be gulping down Europe’s finest beer from steins by a roaring fire, the next you’ll be witnessing the dark delights of cabaret while digging into the likes of fondue, bratwurst and schnitzel. There’s even a Bavarian bakery for all you sweet tooths.
3. Indulge in Sundaes in the Park with Ben & Jerry’s
You had me at Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. We’ve got the scoop on their Sundaes in the Park festival, returning to London on Saturday, July 27 with a mind-melting lineup of live music, cabaret and unlimited ice cream at Chiswick House & Gardens. The cherry on top of all these summer delights? All the proceeds from ticket sales go towards their charity partners who are advocating for refugee rights. Don’t miss the likes of Shingai from the Noisettes, Guilty Pleasures, Cuban Brothers and ADMT taking to the stage.
4. Explore the treasures of a brand-new Taylor Swift exhibit
Ok, Swifties you need to calm down. It turns out summer isn’t being as cruel as expected, with a free Taylor Swift songbook trail coming to the V&A this Saturday, July 27. The temporary exhibition will feature a selection of objects from the singer-songwriter’s personal archive – think costumes, accessories, storyboards, music awards and more – all of which will be spread across 13 stops, each one reflecting a chapter of Taylor Swift’s incredible music career. So shuck on your cardigan, slip on your friendship bracelets and head on over for a journey beyond your Wildest Dreams…are you ready for it?
5. Embark on an art-filled journey at Sculpture in the City
The annual sculpture park – aptly named Sculpture in the City – is back to transform the ‘urban realm into a rotating gallery space’. You can feast your eyes on 17 artworks created by a selection of emerging and internationally acclaimed artists, each one cutting a striking image among the looming architecture of the insurance district and adding a splash of creativity to a business-minded bubble in the city. The park is free to visit and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
6. Delight in a unique yoga experience at the Old Royal Naval College
It’s not every day you can say you’ve done the downward dog under the Arcadian frescoes of a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site. But, if you fancy adding a phrase like that to your roster of ice-breaker lines, then you can flex your yoga poses at Feel Good Friday Yoga at the Old Royal Naval College. Taking place on the last Friday of every month, the 45-minute yoga classes will be overlooked by kings, queens and even mythological creatures as they unfold among the incredible masterpieces of the Painted Hall. Find out more and book your spot here.
7. Swing by the Rough Trade pop-up to add to your record collection
While you may be used to cruising through Rough Trade in Soho, Notting Hill, and Brick Lane, they’ve just opened up a brand new record pop-up store for more perusing opportunities. A meeting of musical minds comes in the form of a Rough Trade x Barbican setting, which is open until the end of the year. The store, which you’ll find at a curated section of the Barbican Shop, features their usual diverse range of influential and upcoming musicians – plus a section showing off the past and present artists that have headlined the Barbican. Find out more about the Rough Trade pop-up at the Barbican here.
8. Get the party going with brunch at the Little Violet Door
What better way to kick off your weekend (and line your stomach) than a brunch feast at The Little Violet Door? The house party bar and restaurant in Soho invites you into their homely haven for drool-worthy dishes, free-flowing drinks and all-around good times – there’s even a fancy dress box and board games. You can dig into brunch favourites starting from £9.50, including a crumpet stack slathered in cheesy chorizo beans, bacon and fried egg, and a vegan halloumi breakfast bun. If you really want to get the party in full swing, there’s the option for 90 minutes of bottomless bevvies for an additional £25pp. Book your table here.
9. Journey into the world of Hampton Court Palace
The summer holidays may have just begun but it won’t be long before the kids are itching for an adventure. Luckily, Hampton Court Palace has just the thing. Now with special summer opening hours, it’s the perfect chance to book a visit to explore the centuries-old palace and its 60 acres of manicured gardens. The former regal dwelling of Henry VIII, this historic gem is not only home to elegant apartments and frozen-in-time Tudor kitchens, but also has its very own maze and adventure playground. I dare the kids not to be entertained here.
10. Celebrate the upcoming Olympic games at Bacchanalia
On your marks, get set, eat. Not all of us can be elite Olympic athletes, but we can pay homage to where it all began with a trip to Bacchanalia this summer. The iconic London restaurant will get you in the spirit of the games with their delicious new Olympia Menu, featuring seasonal Greek dishes that stick to traditional sharing style feasting. You can tuck into the likes of oven-baked feta, lamb chops with paprika sauce and fregola with grilled artichoke. Plus, there’s even a special Olympia cocktail menu, with concoctions named after the Greek gods and goddesses. Book your table here.
11. Nab a free kebab from the UK’s biggest kebab house for one night only
If you plan to be out on the town this Saturday night (July 27), we’ve got some good news. Kebhouze, the UK’s largest kebab house, is offering their new Monster kebab for free for one night only. The kebab, which is usually £9.99, combines beef kebab, fries, jalapeños, lettuce, and sauce. All you have to do is say “Monster Midnight Feast” to secure the freebie; head over to Oxford Street from midnight (well, 11.59pm on Saturday night).
12. Live it up at our Apple Hideaway with Jack Daniel’s Apple
Summer in London is for squeezing in as much rooftop action as possible, so you need to get yourself down to our Apple Hideaway with Jack Daniel’s. Taking over Dalston Roofpark until September 26, our hot new summer hangout is offering you an idyllic spot to enjoy live DJs and games, delicious cocktails and stunning city views as far as the eye can see. Why not join us this Friday 19 for an evening of great tunes from Mas Que Nada and immaculate vibes? You’ll even get a Jack Daniel’s Apple cocktail included in your £5 ticket. Choose from a Frozen Jack Appletini, a Jack Apple and lemonade, Jack Honey shots and other mouth watering serves.
13. Be transported to another world by a London cocktail bar
Avora is an out-of-this-world cocktail experience in Hoxton, with impressive set design, cool cocktails, and a fun (and important) storyline. It’s made by the team behind London’s famous Alcatraz cocktail experience. During the immersive adventure, you’ll be able to mix your drinks after ‘foraging’ for ingredients, and come face to face with the other-worldly Avorians as you try to protect their planet.
14. Enter a rootin’ tootin’ Wild West saloon this International Cowboy Day
It’s International Cowboy Day this Saturday (July 27) and we have just the event for you to check out, in honour of the occasion. Another London cocktail experience to enjoy is Moonshine Saloon – consequently from the same team behind Avora and Alcatraz. Moonshine Saloon will transport you from Aldgate to the Wild West for a storyline of illicit booze smuggling (it’s BYOB), sheriffs, and gambling. It’ll all come to a dramatic conclusion towards the end of your visit – will the sheriff get you?
15. Be transported to the streets of Seoul at a multi-media exhibition
If a plane to South Korea is out of the question this weekend (pretty likely, eh), make your way to Borough Yards instead. Following the success of Delight: Media Art Exhibition, the team has launched PULSE: Beyond Delight.
You’ll find 13 multi-media zones, where the myths, reality, tradition, and innovation of Seoul come together – and put you into the floor-to-ceiling artworks. PULSE is billed as an even deeper, more introspective exploration of Seoul, compared to the former exhibition, this time drawing on evolving trends.
16. Live through a Martain invasion in the capital
Ever wondered what it would be like to survive a merciless Martian invasion in Victorian England? Haven’t we all? Luckily, Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience is here to help. A multisensory adventure with holograms, virtual reality, special effects, time-warping sets and live theatrics, the eerie experience brings Jeff Wayne’s multi-platinum album to life.
17. Be wowed by a world-famous LEGO® art exhibition in London
Following success in over 100 cities, Art Of The Brick: The Exhibition is now open on Brick Lane (lol); be wowed by the works when taking a visit this weekend.
At this exhibition, you’ll find over 150 works of art, each created out of individual LEGO® bricks. Some pieces reimagine the world’s most famous artworks – Klimt’s The Kiss and Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, for example – while there is also a 20-foot dinosaur skeleton, again, made purely out of LEGO® bricks.
18. Admire photography shot in the style of Wes Anderson
Are you a fan of Wes Anderson’s distinctive visual style? If so, then it’s high time you take a visit to Accidentally Wes Anderson: The Exhibition – if you haven’t already. The exhibition in South Kensington shines a spotlight on over 200 places worldwide that could be straight out of the iconic director and producer’s masterpieces, taken by many photographers.
19. Immerse yourself in a historical live experience
The Gunpowder Plot Experience in Tower Hill Vaults brings the pivotal events of 1605 to life; immersing you in the story of Guy Fawkes and the conspiracy that sparked our annual Bonfire Night. Using a combination of virtual reality, live actors, and themed cocktails, you’ll truly feel you’ve stepped back in time for a couple of hours.
20. Embark on one of the most efficient sightseeing tours of London
Fancy being a tourist in our beloved capital this weekend but short on time? Redditor ‘magulagie’ has created the ultimate London sightseeing map for those in a hurry. Spanning just over five miles long, his route will take you past a ton of London’s most iconic landmarks, and will take you around two hours (if you avoid going inside any of the places you pass, that is).
21. Grab a pint at one of the oldest pubs in London
Bored of your local? Drink in some of the capital’s history alongside your beer this weekend at one of London’s oldest pubs. Better yet, if you’re up to it, you can even make a historic bar crawl out of our handy list (though traipsing from Holborn to Hampsted does seem a little far-fetched…)
22. Scoff scones and sip champers at an awesome afternoon tea
A “weekend afternoon tea” encompasses everything from a flamboyantly fancy day out to a simple natter over scones and sweet treats. Grab a pal, and a glass of bubbles, and indulge in one of London’s wonderful afternoon teas this weekend.
23. Save some money and still get outside with some of London’s free things to do
Pinching the pennies this weekend? Considering it feels like 50 quid evaporates from our bank account the minute we step outside, we don’t blame you. We’ve compiled a handy list of 200(!!) of the best free things to do in London, and they’re not all ‘go for a walk in the park’ – promise.
24. Enjoy a feast for the eyes and stomach at one of the capital’s prettiest restaurants
Treat yourself to a meal out in one of London’s prettiest restaurants this weekend – you’ve worked hard all week, you deserve it! From muted pastel tones or wildly OTT décor, we’ve compiled a handy list of the prettiest restaurants in London to save you the research time.
25. Browse one of London’s many other thought-provoking art exhibitions
From its major galleries to its museums, London is bursting at the seams with art exhibitions. Take a leisurely stroll around the likes of the Tate Britain, the V&A or the National Gallery this weekend. We’ve compiled a list that encompasses everything from classic works to cutting-edge modern pieces and even free exhibits.
26. Grab the little ones and enjoy some family-friendly activities
In a city of nine million people, you can guarantee that you’ll find something for everyone to enjoy, no matter how old you are. If you need to entertain the kids this weekend, check out some of the best family-friendly activities in London this weekend.