31 fantastically fun things to do in London this weekend (July 24-26)

The perfect artist to provide a genre-blending soundtrack to the sun-soaked season, it seems only fitting that there is a Bad Bunny summer party unfolding at Between the Bridges this weekend. You can enjoy a vibrant evening of dance-inducing anthems, golden hour cocktails and infectiously fun reggaeton energy as a DJ treats you to much-loved hits such as Tití Me Preguntó, DtMF, Safaera, Moscow Mule and many more. The riverside spot also makes it an ideal spot to grab some atmospheric sunset shots across the rippling waters.

You can now travel back in time through the annals of human history to unearth the rise and fall of ancient civilisations at this compelling new exhibition, opening at ImmerseLDN this Thursday. The Timewalk Exhibition features five immersive rooms which shine a light on the culture, beliefs and innovation of civilisations including Göbeklitepe, Babylon, Ancient Egypt, Maya and Rapa Nui. You’ll not only discover the enduring role that nature and the cosmos play in civilisations throughout the years, but you’ll also witness these lost worlds being brought to life with cinematic, 360-degree visuals, atmospheric soundscapes and interactive technology. It’s an enlightening, multi-sensory journey that will captivate all ages.

Soak up Tokyo’s tastes, sounds and styles at this vibrant three-day celebration of Japanese culture. HYPER JAPAN is the UK’s largest Japanese food and culture festival, returning to Olympia London this weekend with over 500 artists and exhibitors, live music, traditional activities, cosplay, and plentiful street food.

Make sure to don some stretchy trousers, as you will not be able to resist feasting on the array of authentic delicacies and mouthwatering cuisine (onigiri, donburi, bao, mochi, sake, sushi and more can all be found at the food stalls). In between scoffing scrumptious food, you can admire the wondrous art, cheer on a fashion show or get stuck into a self-defence workshop as you learn the skills of Shorinji Kempo.

Savour the taste of Greece on this culinary journey through the Cyclades at Fenix Mayfair, with the distinctive flavours, culture and landscapes brought to gastronomical life with creative, seasonal dishes and expertly-paired wines. Whether you’re fresh off a watch of Christopher Nolan’s take on the Ancient Greek epic The Odyssey, or dreaming of a sun-drenched holiday to an idyllic island, this five-chapter tasting menu will whisk you away with fresh ingredients and traditional touches in courses such as the Mykonos-inspired Halloumi cheese tempura served with yuzu hollandaise and shiso vinaigrette. The menu, named The Summer Edit, is now available for lunch and dinner.

Grosvenor Square opens its gates this week after a 13-month, £25 million transformation into a climate-resilient urban garden. Its biodiversity-focused glow-up has turned it into a home for over 150,000 plants, bulbs and trees, with new woodlands and wetlands introduced in an effort to encourage more wildlife into the square. It has also added 300 more seats so you can sit, disconnect from the buzz of the city and connect with nature for a little while. There’s even an education centre with the London Wildlife Trust and a café kiosk for those feeling curious – or peckish.

What better way to celebrate World Tequila Day than with a delicious deep dive into the history, heritage and traditions of the agave-based spirit – with tastings, of course. This Friday, tequila fans can toast to Mexico’s most iconic spirit at an agave masterclass unfolding at Cantina Libre in Mercato Metropolitano. The event will take you on a guided journey through its storied past and give attendees an exclusive tasting of traditional pulque, a fermented agave drink that actually predates tequila. You’ll also get to try a selection of mezcal-infused cocktails, which can be enjoyed with Latin American-inspired bites and live music from a mariachi band; just make sure to book asap if you don’t want to miss out.

An exploration of the regional flavours of India, atmospheric new cocktail bar Tryst has now opened its doors in the heart of Mayfair. You can find the modern speakeasy secreted away beneath Trèsind on Hanover Street, serving up cocktails which use intriguing contemporary techniques – think fermentation, clarification, milk washing, carbonation and sous-vide infusion – to showcase the extraordinary regional ingredients of India.

Their debut collection of concoctions features a tart highball called Konkan, which comprises kokum, Chopin Vodka, chaat masala, apricot, fino sherry, and toasted coconut. As well as a slow-clarified sour, the Bikaner, with kumquat, Johnnie Walker Blue Label, aamchoor, cognac, Amaro Montenegro, peppercorn and buttermilk.

Seize the chance to take a trip into history and experience the iconic 1938 Stock trains —renowned for their Art Deco design and historical significance – on this rare heritage journey on the Metropolitan Line. This weekend, they are offering a limited-time opportunity to hop aboard a beautifully restored vintage tube train, plonk yourself down on the classic moquette seating and soak up every detail of the lovingly restored Art Deco vehicle. Each ride departs from the historic market town of Amersham and promises a nostalgic trip with passionate stewards, a souvenir guide packed with stories and fun activity sheets for the younger travellers.

Escape the city for an exciting, comic-worthy adventure in a storied venue. If you’re looking to entertain the kids this summer and you fancy venturing outside the concrete labyrinth of London, you can always head to the historic grounds of Hampton Court Palace to help Dennis, Gnasher and other Beano characters fix their malfunctioning time machine.

This new Beano Havoc trail adds a fun-filled dash of comic book chaos to the palace, with a time-travelling escapade that sees iconic Beano characters team up with historical palace residents such as Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, Sophia Duleep Singh, and more. All the family can help hunt for the missing pieces, uncovering clues, exploring the stunning grounds and finding out intriguing facts along the way.

Once upon a time, there was a hit film about a big green ogre, his true love and some fairytale friends that took the world by storm and became an animated classic. Four sequel films later, that beloved story was brought to life with Shrek’s Adventure in London, inviting fans to step inside the screen and journey through a series of live shows that immerse you in that fantastical faraway land. Tasked with finding Shrek, you’ll get to board a magical flying bus, explore his swamp (if you dare), venture through a mind-bending mirror maze and save the day as you cook up a spell with the muffin man – yes, the Muffin Man! That lives on Drury Lane! Grab your tickets here.

A stunning replica of a historic ship has sailed into the city. Parked Docked at St. Katharine Docks, the Nao Victoria is a replica of one of the ships from Magellan’s journey to circumnavigate the world in the early 1500s. And you can step aboard!  It’s a floating museum, and guests can explore to find out what life was like on the momentous voyage.

Strike a pose with your favourite London celebrities, be it a GRAMMY award winner or an inspiring national treasure. Madame Tussauds is home to countless household names who were born in the city or built a glittering career here, whether they’ve been immortalised for their powerful vocals, environmental wisdom, or nifty ball-bending skills. Head over to the waxwork red carpet to strike a pose with them this summer.

It’s not every day you can stroll through a fairytale forest, dive into a giant pink ball pit and swing among the clouds, but with the opening of the new House of Dreamers experience, this could all be on the cards this weekend. There are 16 vibrant rooms to discover on this interactive journey, where one moment you could find yourself falling under the spell of a light-projected waterfall, the next you can witness your animal sketches being brought to life to roam among enchanted nature.

A colourful concoction of art, technology and imagination, the experience has already welcomed over 2 million visitors worldwide, and now you can follow in their footsteps.

Been dreaming of a blissful beach day? Make the most of the sunnier months and swap wandering the concrete city streets for golden sands, windswept dunes and a cooling dip in the sea. There are plenty of beaches less than a two-hour trip from London, from Botany Bay with its Instagrammable white cliffs to Camber Sands, regularly voted one of the best beaches in England. If you’re looking to treat your pooch to a salty swim, head to Isle of Grain beach in Kent, which is dog-friendly year-round and surrounded by open fields and meadows if you fancy a longer wander.

Leave behind London’s concrete streets and step into an aquatic world where you can gaze at the UK’s longest coral reef display and learn about the captivating creatures that live in our waters. The SEA LIFE London Aquarium has over 500 species that you can discover in 14 themed zones, inviting you on an underwater exploration where you’ll see sharks weave through cinematically-crafted shipwrecks and a vibrant variety of tropical fish swim overhead in a glass tunnel. Grab your tickets here.

When in doubt, go to the cinema. That’s my motto anyway, and, handily, there’s plenty to see on the big screen this July. Regardless of what you’re in the mood for, you’re sure to find something to tempt you into the cinema – even if it’s just an excuse to scoff some popcorn.

Moco Museum, which sits a stone’s throw from Marble Arch station, showcases the world’s best in modern and contemporary art; you can see original pieces by Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Yayoi Kusama, and more with your own eyes here. What’s more, the exhibition by the Robbie Williams, entitled Radical Honesty, is sure to be one you cannot miss. The museum aims to provide an inclusive, accessible, and inspiring space for visitors and artists alike, whether you’re an art aficionado or just have a passing interest.

Need an escape from reality this weekend? Make a beeline for Knightbridge’s Paradox Museum for over 50 optical illusions that are sure to have you questioning your own perception. From the simple and fun to the outright wacky, some illusions are there for you to observe, while others you can step into and become part of. This museum offers insights into the science behind some of its illusions too, if you’re inquisitive like us, Secret London bunch.

Experience the thrill of the hit TV show with Race Across The World: The Experience as it brings a high-stakes adventure to London’s labyrinthine streets. Working in teams, you can choose from either a West End route or City of London route, each one sending you on a foot chase through the city as you solve puzzles, hunt for clues and manage a virtual budget while racing toward a secret guestbook.

Whether you are facing off against friends or just looking to explore the city differently, this is a fun-filled way to discover London’s hidden gems, unearth some historic secrets and feast your eyes on some spectacular landmarks.

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).

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 Hampstead does seem a little far-fetched…)

You can discover the world beyond the battlefield and uncover the extraordinary legacy of Queen Kráka at this fascinating new experience, which opens at Canada Water’s Dock X this Thursday (March 12). Vikings: The Immersive Experience plunges you back into a time of conquest, legacy, and death using a captivating combination of immersive storytelling, digital artistry and storied artefacts. You’ll be able to explore a mysterious moss-cloaked forest and find the intriguing Yggdrasil tree, uncover the saga of Aslaug (Queen Kráka) on a virtual reality experience and witness a 360-degree show from a majestic longship.

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.

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.

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.

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.