Evita comes to the Open Air Theatre, summer favourites like the Notting Hill Carnival and Kids Week return and Mamma Mia! The Party previews at The O2 in August 2019.
A truly inspired summer treat for families, Kids Week makes West End hits available to youngsters for free - as long as an adult pays the full price. For the whole of August, a child aged between 5 and 16 can go to any of the 43 participating shows for free and they get some top shows taking part. The line up always includes some top shows like School of Rock, Disney's Aladdin, Wicked, The Lion King, Mamma Mia! and more. There are options for under-fives with a programme of shows and activities specifically for the very young. Tickets for Kids Week go on sale in June and adults can also buy up to two extra children's tickets at half price while paying no booking fees. Bargain!
British Airways celebrates 100 years of flying this summer with its major new exhibition, BA 2119: Flight of the Future. Taking place at the Saatchi Gallery and created in partnership with the Royal College of Art, the exhibition is the first-of-its-kind and will explore the future of aviation based on in-depth global research commissioned by the airline. Just what will flying look like in 20 to 60 years with advanced jet propulsion, hyper personalisation, automation and AI? An immersive, full motion VR experience will chart the history of aviation while 40 postgraduate students from the Royal College of Art present a new project that imagines the future of flying in both digital and physical form.
Jamie Lloyd directs Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita as the musical comes to Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, concluding the 2019 season. The musical premiered in the West End in 1978 and features a chart-topping score including Don't Cry For Me Argentina, Oh! What A Circus, Another Suitcase in Another Hall, and the Academy Award-winning You Must Love Me, originally performed by Madonna in the Oscar-winning 1996 film. As Artistic Director of The Jamie Lloyd Company, Jamie recently produced and directed the starry Pinter at the Pinter, a season of Harold Pinter's short plays in the West End with Tom Hiddleston, Lee Evans and a string of celebrities among the cast.
A celebration of cycling, with more than 100,000 cyclists expected to take part, the annual two-day Prudential RideLondon encompasses several separate events for top level pros, keen cyclists and fund-raising, fun-loving two-wheelers. The festival includes the Prudential RideLondon Grand Prix at the Lee Valley VeloPark, the Brompton World Championship, the pro level Prudential RideLondon Classic and the open-to-all Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 which sees 25,000 riders race 100 miles from Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to The Mall, finishing in front of Buckingham Palace. If 100 miles sounds too far, there are the 46 and 19 mile challenges for new, young or less experienced cyclists, both finishing on The Mall. The whole family can get involved in FreeCycle, an eight-mile inner city circuit giving you the chance to cycle through central London over traffic-free roads.
The annual Brompton World Championship comes to central London this summer, tying in with the Prudential RideLondon cycling festival. The London event takes the form of a Le Mans style start as 550 smartly-dressed competitors (strictly no Lycra) make a mad dash to unfold their bikes before setting off on the 16km circuit which starts on The Mall and covers eight laps around St James' Park, past Buckingham Palace before finishing back on The Mall. Given the cult-like nature of these much loved folding British Brompton bikes, it's no surprise that this has become a hugely enjoyable, somewhat eccentric event with prizes for fastest team, best veteran riders and the best dressed cyclists.
Britain's biggest bike festival, Prudential RideLondon, gets under way with the RideLondon FreeCycle, a family friendly event in which around 70,000 riders typically take part. An eight-mile loop through the traffic-free streets of central London - with bands, music bikes and stilt bicycles along the way - the route takes in some of London's most iconic sights, with participants free to stop and start, take photos and experience the fun and freedom of riding without worrying about cars, lorries and buses. From Tower Bridge to Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament, London's greatest sights will create an inspiring backdrop for a memorable day of cycling - and if you finish and want some more, then simply ride the route a second time. The FreeCycle is part of a weekend of cycling which includes the Brompton World Championship, RideLondon GrandPrix, the RideLondon 100 and RideLondon Classic for the pros.
Returning to Morden Park, Eastern Electrics is a weekend rave with a pool party run by Ibiza Rocks and a VIP area by Ministry Of Sound. Expect an Ibiza summer vibe, lasers and smoke cannons, upfront house and techno, big beats and a crowd of around 17,000 people up for a party. This year's festival welcomes London boy Skream who brings his fresh 'I Feel' brand to the Big Top. Defected, step up to host another EE mainstay, The Switchyard - the industrial stage, made up of shipping containers. New for 2019 is The Plant House, a summery arena filled with lush, leafy plants and a see-through roof letting the sun stream through at this summer weekender, filled with hip-hop, bass, garage, top-spec production and pyrotechnics.
Grammy Award-winning record producer Nile Rodgers curates this year's Meltdown festival. Returning for its 26th year, the festival of contemporary music and culture is the longest-running artist-curated festival in the world, and this year will welcome a line-up of exclusive collaborations, world-wide one-offs and unmissable opportunities all curated by Nile Rodgers, who joins a long list of illustrious Meltdown curators including David Bowie, James Lavelle and Yoko Ono, Morrissey, Elvis Costello and Jarvis Cocker. The musician himself will open the festival on 3rd August with a massive disco all-nighter followed by a night of partying in the Southbank's recreation of notorious New York nightclub Studio 54. Also on the line-up this year are Thundercat, Kokoroko, Anitta, Alfa Mist and Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein, who will perform the music of cult hit Stranger Things.
A brand-new festival curated by broadcaster and best-selling author Fearne Cotton, Happy Place Festival comes to Chiswick House this summer. With a star-studded line-up of guest speakers, the festival is themed around all things that make us happy, from a clear mind, body and soul to joyful and nourishing food. Comedian Russell Brand, fitness guru Joe Wicks, presenter Rylan Clark-Neal, personal trainer and Instagram personality Alice Living, and Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes are just a few of the stars taking part. A number of themed tepees will play host to workshops and events designed to encourage mindfulness and creativity, including the Slow Down & Relax Tepee, offering complimentary workshops and massages; the Creative Workshop Tepee, where a number of notonthehighstreet creative businesses will teach activities such as watercolour painting, embroidery and paper cutting; and the Yoga and Stretch Tepee, with scented pilates, barre and more.
Violinist Pekka Kuusisto who so memorably got the entire Proms audience singing a Finnish folk song in 2016 returns to the Royal Albert Hall. This time he's joined by fellow Finnish folk musicians and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Thomas Dausgaard, to perform Sibelius's Violin Concerto In D Minor and Symphony No 5 In E Flat.
The playful works of Dora Maurer come to Tate Modern this summer in what will be the first UK survey of the Hungarian artist. Part of a new generation of avant garde Hungarian artists in the 1960s, Maurer is well-known for her experimental films, colourful graphic works and striking geometric prints. This year-long, free exhibition spans her five-decade career, putting 35 works on display across five rooms of the gallery. Five of the artist's abstract films, including Triolets 1981 and Timing 1973/1980, go on display alongside documentation of a bold site-specific commission at Schloss Buchberg, near Vienna, and several dynamic paintings from the 1980s and '90s.
This summer, Tate Modern explores the beautiful game with Who Are Ya? Exploring Art, Identity and Football. A week-long event, it looks at football through the eyes of artists, creators and community leaders, tackling topics like the impact of the new White Hart Lane on the local community, the political battles on the terraces moved to online gaming forums, and the relationship between football Casuals culture and British art. There will also be the chance to design your own knit with artist Jessie McLaughlin, learn about the impact of stadium-led regeneration with Tottenham's Trojan Horse group, and have a kick about with coaching from the young players of Athenlay FC.
Over 66,000 people flock to this massive celebration of our national drink, which features over 1,000 real ales, ciders, perries and beers from around the world. There are over 400 different British breweries featured at the Great British Beer Festival, from Loch Lomond in Scotland to Salcombe in Cornwall as well as local London brewers like Gorgeous Brewer in Highgate. New for 2019 is the Pioneer Pavilion, introducing live craft keg beer for the first time with craft beers by Tiny Rebel, Magic Rock, Wild Beer Co and Siren serving their favourite beers from recyclable KeyKeg containers. Although it sounds like a fun event, don't be surprised to see a lot of very serious faces and concentration; some real ale experts are genuinely obsessive - and for them this isn't merely an occasion to get sozzled. Tutored tastings are on offer for anyone who wants to learn the subtleties of what makes a great beer. For the rest of us, though, this is a jolly day out with some delicious brewed drinks. Besides the amber nectar, there's a load of activities to keep you interested, including traditional pub games, live music and, to soak it all up, some hearty traditional pub snacks.
This August, Mr Black's Espresso Martini Festival returns for its third year. London's first-ever festival dedicated to the espresso martini, it sees bars all across London serve their take on the caffeinated boozy tipple, with each of them serving their variations for £6. This year's line-up includes Opium, 68 and Boston, The Ten Bells, TT Liquor and El Camion in Soho - the birthplace of the espresso martini after a punter allegedly asked for something to 'wake me up then f*** me up'. A line-up of masterclasses with Mr Black's global ambassador and coffee aficionado, Martin Hudak, provides an insight into creating the perfect espresso martini while Shoreditch bar Callooh Callay will play host to a series of special events.
The most famous of all the open air film events in London, Film4 Summer Screen returns to Somerset House to bring cinema lovers a truly eclectic mix of outdoor movies. This year's line-up includes the Oscar-nominated Black Panther, '90s comedy Clueless, love story God's Own Country and Shane Meadows' This is England. As well as the evening's feature film, there are DJ sets inspired by the main event, al fresco picnics and a fabulous summer vibe. Additionally, Behind the Screen presents panel discussions and conversations from industry insiders who are shaping the world of cinema today.
The London Craft Beer Festival returns for its seventh year in 2019 returning to Tobacco Dock with a bolstered line up of 80 breweries (much bigger than last year's 50), close to 500 different beers on tap, talented chefs and hot DJs for three days of fun. New York based breweries and new European breweries, including Brasserie Popihn from central France and Cerveja Letra from Portugal, join UK craft beer makers Northern Monk, Pressure Drop and Kings Cross based Two Tribes and Bohem. This year's festival sees the debut of the world renowned Copenhagen restaurant Amass as Matt Orlando and his team showcase beers from their new brewery Broaden & Build. Topping off the weekend will be the festival's curated selection of food and music. Luca, Pitt Cue and Gunpowder have appeared at the festival before with Two Door Cinema Club and Toddla T previously playing. This year's lineup will be revealed later.
John Wilson conducts the John Wilson Orchestra and Maida Vale Singers to perform scores from the Golden Age of Hollywood cinema, with excerpts from famous Warner Brothers films like My Fair Lady, A Streetcar Named Desire and Romance On The High Seas, among others. Soloists include Mikaela Bennett who last year played the role of Maria in a Proms performance of West Side Story, Louise Dearman, best known for playing the roles of Glinda and Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked, and mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey. The Warner Brothers Story is sure to be a highlight of the Proms so, sensibly, they're repeating the concert at the Royal Albert Hall in the evening so you have two chances to get tickets.
Celebrate the history of youth clubs this summer with Carnaby Street's free exhibition, Forever Young: 150 Years of Youth Clubs, created as a collaboration between the Young Westminster Foundation and Positive View Foundation. Recognising the fact that Westminster is home to the world's oldest youth club, St Andrews, which opened in 1866, the photography exhibition delves into the borough's youth club culture, showcasing how the venues have provided a safe place for everyone from the mods and rockers of the swinging '60s to the rebellious punks of the '70s and even those in the grime and rap scene today. Alongside the photographs will be a physical installation that's recreated the feel of a youth club. The event is taking place at 3 Carnaby Street.
For the second year in a row, Art's House takes over Three Mills, a lovely patch of greenery between Bow and Stratford, for an all-day party soundtracked by two London DJs, Artwork and DJ Harvey - "A libertine Englishman turned California surfer dude," says Rolling Stone who named him one of the world's 'Top 25 DJs that Rule The Earth'. Set in an industrial area enclosed by the Lee Valley river, it's the ultimate East London spot to throw a big ol' party. Festival-goers can expect Art's vivacious troupe of dancers, mouth-watering street food, cold craft beers, summer-inspired cocktails and a horde of home comforts (Artwork's front room sofa among them). DJ Harvey says "It's like the best house party ever but with 10,000 people in the garden. Having a right kneesup."
Families can enjoy films in the open air thanks to Luna Kids Cinema who put up the big screen at Dulwich Park and Hampton Court Palace this spring and summer. Screenings kick off with a special May half term run in Dulwich Park, on the East Lawns next to the bowling green, where Moana, Mary Poppins Returns and new film release Dumbo are among the 27 screenings. Just released this year, popular children's films include The Lego Movie 2, Disney's remake of Aladdin and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. There will also be exclusive screenings of The Gruffalo, The Highway Rat, Zog and the brand new Peppa Pig movie - Peppa Pig: Festival of Fun. Later in the summer, from 14th to 18th August, the projector moves to Hampton Court for 15 screenings including high flying adventure How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World and computer caper Ralph Breaks the Internet.
At this five-day event, from Wednesday 14th to Sunday 18th August, barges along The Grand Union Canal in Paddington open their doors to local vendors to become a picturesque Floating Market. Visitors can browse beautiful handmade Italian bags from Rosamund, Turkish towels from Pur and handmade terrariums, planters and home-wares from Deterra London. You can also enjoy fresh seafood, wine tastings and refreshing aperitifs from local restaurants London Shell Co., Vagabond and Darcie and May. Bread Winners, the bakery that empowers refugees into employment, will be also there alongside chocolate connoisseur NearyNogs. Browse among the bustling hub of market stalls and boat traders whilst listening to live music from Mandolin Monday, Wandering Hands, Camili Music and Jazz Mino.
As part of Chihuly at Kew: Reflections on nature, Kew Gardens presents Chihuly Nights, providing the chance to experience a series of exclusive events at sundown. Running across 33 nights, the events showcase the striking glass artworks by Dale Chihuly in an entirely different light. As the sun goes down, the lights come up and Chihuly's works are beautifully illuminated and framed by the sun as it starts to set. As visitors make their way through the exhibition, they will be able to enjoy uplifting music that's been specially curated to accompany the exhibition. There will also be food and drink available and the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art will be open for visitors to explore artwork from Chihuly's 50-year career.
Inspired by extracts from Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure and Back to the Future, ZooNation Youth Company brings the world premiere of their street dance piece Tales of the Turntable to Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall. Featuring some of the best young hip-hop dancers from the ZooNation Youth Company, this new show takes audiences through the early origins of hip-hop, funk and soul. The story follows budding young DJ Eric and his grandfather George as they wind back the clock through George's gramophone only to find out they have more in common than they once thought. Written by Olivier Award nominated Carrie-Anne Ingrouille (choreographer for Six the Musical and resident choreographer on Hamilton), the show features a dance track of disco, house and rap with music mixed by DJ Walde.
After wowing audiences with The Octoroon at the National Theatre, American writer Branden Jacobs-Jenkins returns to London with the UK premiere of Appropriate at the Donmar Warehouse. A look at America's relationship with race, the play follows the Lafayette family as they come together at their late father's home in Arkansas to prepare the former slave plantation for an Estate Sale. Olivier Award-winning Monica Dolan, known for All About Eve at the Noel Coward Theatre and ITV's Appropriate adult, takes the role of Toni Lafayette while other cast members include Jaimi Barbakoff, Charles Furness, Edward Hogg and Steven Mackintosh.
Skin care brand Dermalogica invites Londoners to learn all about their skin this summer with their first-ever pop-up, Destination Dermalogica. Offering a multi-sensory experience, the free event will touch on the brand's key principals: Education, Personalisation and Human Touch. Visitors will be able to explore two large floors and enjoy complimentary face mapping skin analysis, skin solver treatments and access to Dermalogica favourites at the skin health shop. All visitors will receive a complimentary drink from the juice bar while VIP ticket holders will be able to redeem their £15 ticket against and product and will also receive a goody bag worth £40.
Calling all sweet tooths: the first London Dessert Festival comes to the Truman Brewery this August. Presenting the best desserts from across the UK, the multi-sensory festival will be full of experimental ways to celebrate and enjoy the sweet treats. Visitors can expect a number of interactive features such as themed rooms and Instagrammable walls along with indulgent treats like Macaron ice cream sandwiches, Frozen S'mores, Cookie Shots, Cereal cocktails and more.
After two successful years at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park elrow Town moves to Trent Park, in north London, on Saturday 17th August 2019 for a bigger, one-day-only party. In the vast, lush green setting, there's space for forest parties, queer dance troupe, wonky races, town trains snaking across the fields and all round elrow extravagance. Promising to add the wackiest town to the London map, this is a party populated by over dressed up 200 characters while more than 50 DJs deliver the phat house and techno anthems, ensuring that elrow Town London ranks as one of the capital's most vibrant summer music festivals. Last year, Fatboy Slim, Paul Kalkbrenner and Idris Elba were on the bill so you can expect a strong line-up from a festival that's grown from being a club in Barcelona into a moveable club event with residencies in Ibiza, Madrid and Amsterdam.
The Mighty Hoopla organisers and Sink The Pink - the LGBTQ collective aiming to change UK club culture - return to Finsbury Park this summer for the Sink The Pink Street Party. Following its sell-out debut in 2018, the one-day party offers a line-up of over 40 drag artists and performers from across the UK while Sink The Pink and Savage Disco will bring the party vibes along with DJs playing fan-favourites and forgotten gems. Bringing the best of Mighty Hoopla and Sink The Pink together, it's ideal for anyone who's looking for the festival experience but wants to wear heels instead of wellies.
Dinosaurs, sci-fi and romcom classics are shown in the open air at Guildhall Yard this summer with Jurassic Park, Back to the Future and 500 Days of Summer projected onto the big screen under the stars. Grab a deckchair and settle in for top films like Good Will Hunting, First Man and WALL-E. As well as the film there's everything you'd expect from a good outdoor cinema - food, popcorn and a fully stocked bar - and guests are also welcome to bring their own picnic. Pop Up Screens are cropping up all of the city this summer, find them in Coram's Fields, Fulham, Hammersmith, Greenwich and Hither Green plus they're popping up in Hornsey, Kingston and South Park in Parsons Green for the first time.
After making the nation cry with laughter and sadness with the critically-acclaimed season two on BBC Three, Phoebe Waller-Bridge brings her much-loved Fleabag back to its origins with a strictly-limited West End season of the one-woman show. Taking to the stage at the Wyndham's Theatre for just four weeks, the homecoming run will be the last time that Waller-Bridge will perform the piece. Having originally previewed at Soho Theatre, the production then premiered at Edinburgh Festival in 2013 and went on to tour the UK, South Korea and Australia before being given an off-Broadway run in New York. The stage production was nominated for an Olivier Award and Evening Standard Award while the BBC Three adaptation earned Waller-Bridge a BAFTA for Best Female Comedy Performance. Taking audiences on a journey through one woman's tumultuous life and sexual antics, Fleabag is an emotional rollercoaster, and Phoebe has perfected the art of transitioning from laugh-out-loud moments to tear-jerking scenes in the blink of an eye.
Grammy award-winning, pioneering conductor, curator and musical maverick Jules Buckley, best known for collaborating on the Ibiza Prom with Pete Tong, presents Mississippi Goddam: A Homage to Nina Simone at this year's Proms. It's one of two Proms concerts he's doing this summer and is followed by The Breaks, a spin on the music of breakdancing. But before that he gives us this bold, fresh look at the life and work of Nina Simone, celebrated here in all her guises. Buckley presents innovative reworkings of some of her most well known songs including, 'My Baby Just Cares For Me' and 'Feelin' Good', alongside some lesser known gems. Buckley leads the Metropole Orkest with special guest, American contemporary R&B and jazz vocalist Ledisi whose gospel vocals and trademark swagger make her the perfect artist to bring the music of Nina Simone to life.
Kate Grenville's novel, The Secret River, is adapted for the National Theatre stage by Andrew Bovell with direction from Neil Armfield and live music composed by Iain Grandage. The story offers an unflinching journey into Australia's dark history, following two families divided by culture and land. When William Thornhill, a convict from the slums in London, arrives in New South Wales, he discovers that the new world offers something he never thought he could have: a place to call his own. In this new production from Sydney Theatre Company, an ensemble cast of 22 perform.
A new play by Simon Woods, Hansard is a witty and devastating portrait of the governing class. Set on a summer's morning in 1988, it sees Tory politician Robin Hesketh return home to what should be an idyllic Cotswold house only to find his wife of 30 years, Diana, digging up secrets. Soon the day-to-day life of a marital couple turns into a blood sport. Three-time Olivier Award-winning actor Alex Jennings stars as Robin while Lindsay Duncan takes the role of Diana.
This August Bank Holiday they're bringing The Monster back and this time you can also enjoy drag queen karaoke, boozy bingo, mega beer pong and the wheel of glitter at the party playground for adults. Arriving at Alexandra Palace for six days including the Bank Holiday, the popular inflatable assault course proves that bouncy castles aren't just for kids. The Monster is over 300 metres long with 40 obstacles including an 18 metre mega slide, the exterminator and the house of hell. Added to that there's street food, cocktails, craft beers, DJs, giant adult ball pits and other crazy, fun activities plus this year there will also be special summer holiday sessions for kids and families when the experience will include the ultimate NERF battle. Teams of four to six people are tasked with taking on the Monster inflatable obstacle course with the NERF blasters. Plus there's a themed zone for trick shots and challenges as well as an inflatable sports arena where kids can play with the latest NERF sports kit including footballs, howlers and basket balls.
A firm favourite on the London festival calendar after 15 successful years, South West Four is back on Clapham Common for two days of dance music and big names over the late August Bank Holiday weekend. Martin Garrix, Craig David and Chase and Status headline the two-day electronic music extravaganza. On Saturday Martin Garrix and Tinie Tempah are the main stage headliners while Craig David presents TS5 Takeover at the indoor tent. They're supported by a strong lineup of Basement Jaxx (doing a DJ set), UK House star James Hype, highly popular songstress Mabel, and Heldeep Records head honcho Oliver Heldens. South London rap star Yungen, and Sigma, returning after mesmerising 30,000 fans at the festival last year, also put in an appearance. Sunday sees Plan B on the main stage outside while Ms Dynamite sings live and Chase & Status presents RTRN II JUNGLE indoors. Expect many stars of the global dance scene, filling Clapham Common with revellers united in the knowledge that they don't have to get up for work the next day. The festival finishes around 11pm but there are after-parties for those keen on all-night revelry.
Held since 1966, the Notting Hill Carnival was originally a local affair for west London's homesick Caribbean community, this has evolved into Europe's biggest street party. Carnival sets London on fire in a blaze of Caribbean spirit as extravagantly costumed dancers, calypso and soca musicians, giant sound-systems and steel bands are joined by over a million revellers of all ages. Sunday is officially children's day, but there are loads of kids on both days enjoying the bright colours of the floats and the dancers' feathered costumes. Adults can shake their booty at dozens of stages and there are tunes for all tastes, from house to hip-hop. It's a huge area and can get very crowded, so be prepared for an exhausting day out, but for anyone who loves a party, carnival remains the absolute highlight of the London summer.
Taking place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, the Hampton Court Palace Food Festivalcomes to Hampton Court Palace giving visitors a great selection of food to sample and expert tips from well-known cooks and chefs. Top chefs including Michel Roux Jr and Bake Off champion Nadiya Hussain are joined by nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert and TV presenter Chris Bavin as four of the food experts and celebrity speakers in the kitchen. The festival also offers tastings and masterclasses, pop-up restaurants, book signing opportunities and over 100 producers of speciality foods. Feast on street food, enjoy afternoon tea, sip on cocktails, quaff Champagne from pop-up bars and leave time to visit Hampton Court Palace - all tickets include free entry into the beautiful home of King Henry VIII.
A pin-point accurate insight into the mind of a troubled teen, Florian Zeller's The Son delivers an uneasy portrayal of mental health that can, at times, be hard to watch. But watch it you should. The Times reviewer gave this sensitively handled drama five stars when the production was originally shown at The Kiln. The original cast, which includes Laurie Kynaston as Nicolas and Amanda Abbington and John Light as Anne and Pierre, his divorced parents, comes to the Duke of Yorks Theatre. Michael Longhurst directs, "creating a rhythm that keeps you on the edge of your seat" (The Times), as the third part of the Florian trilogy, which includes The Father and The Mother, follows parts one and two into the West End.
The Luna Cinema returns to the Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park with three evenings of outdoor cinema. First up is Mary Poppins Returns, the sequel to the 1964 original in which the magical nanny endears herself to a whole new generation of children. It's the perfect family film and you can sing-along to this one on a summer's evening 'underneath the lovely London sky' plus there are reduced price tickets available for under 16s. In September, the hit musical movie A Star is Born, starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, is up on the big screen. It's followed by Monty Python's Life of Brian which is back with a cast which includes original Pythons John Cleese, Michael Palin and Eric Idle. If this doesn't make you look on the bright side of life nothing will.
Providing Londoners with an August bank holiday to remember, Love Parties Group - famed for creating epic brunch concepts across the UAE - is bringing its Hidden Brunch to the capital. Taking place at McQueen in Shoreditch, the one-day event will combine party tunes with free-flowing booze for the ultimate bottomless brunch experience. A set food tasting menu will be served alongside either unlimited prosecco or prosecco, house spirits, beer and wine, depending on which package you choose, for a period of two hours, and the likes of CJ Sax Live, Billy Cocks, Sam Lashmar and Nana B will provide soulful, deep, commercial and house music across three rooms. An After Party will keep the occasion going until the early hours.
Be immersed in the world of sunshine and ABBA songs as Mamma Mia! The Party comes to town, co-produced by Bjorn Ulvaeus himself. Set on a Greek island, you'll sit at tables in the taverna's courtyard, enjoying Mediterranean food and drink while seeing the theatre - which follows a script by Sandi Toksvig - unfold. It's as if you've been invited to the afterparty for Mamma Mia! so you'll get the chance to dance along to ABBA songs. The immersive experience takes place in one of the venues within The O2 which has been transformed into Nikos' Taverna, designed by Steve Tompkins of Haworth Tompkins architects. You'll certainly feel as if you've been whisked away to the island of Skopelos, amongst olive trees and bougainvillea. It's already proved a huge hit in Stockholm where it first opened in January 2016 and is now in its third sold-out year.
Created in 1996 as a reaction to the state of the British Film industry, the Portobello Film Festival was set up with the aim of providing a platform for exciting new filmmakers and to this day gives daring and ground-breaking directors a chance to get their films seen. The programme features around 500 new films split into numerous categories, including art, music movies, documentary and world film, screening films from different countries across the globe. With annual premieres of shorts, documentaries and animations, plus lots of talks and workshops with top film directors, the Portobello Film Festival is an exciting event in any film fanatic's diary. The theme for 2019 is Music and will feature live performances and film screenings from JC of punk pioneers The Members as well as films featuring Stiv Bators by rock and roll documentary legend Danny Garcia. Further highlights include the latest in world cinema with a particular focus on German, Spanish and American films and there will also be a street art public exhibition.
Smokestak, Gunpowder and Breddos Tacos are three of the top restaurants appearing at London's meatiest food festival as Meatopia returns. Originally conceived by the late Josh Ozersky, the concept is the biggest festival of BBQ and smoking to hit London, welcoming a raft of UK and international chefs, restaurants, butchers and food heroes. Taking place at Tobacco Dock, the carnivore's paradise will treat guests to tasting-sized portions of dishes from renowned chefs and iconic restaurants. Chefs making an appearance this year include Tom Brown of Cornerstone, James Cochran of 12:51 and Nieves Barragan Mohacho of Sabor. An eclectic line-up of music includes Metronomy's Olugbenga, Fun Lovin Criminal Huey Morgan and Groove Armada's Tom Findlay while further activities include informal workshops and live chef demos.
Beans, beans are good for your heart... and for millions of us, for more than 100 years, Beanz Meanz Heinz. To celebrate over a century of its beloved baked beans the people at Heinz are hosting a weekend-long pop up museum in Covent Garden. At the world's first official Heinz Beanz Muzeum you can follow the journey of the humble Heinz baked bean from the turn of the last century, up to the present day and beyond. Explore what the future of Beanz might look like, enjoy interactive experiences and get your tin opener on exclusive personalised cans, only available at the Heinz Beanz Muzeum.
A food festival dedicated to our favourite weekend meal, somewhere between breakfast and lunch, London Brunch Fest takes over The Old Truman Brewery for a whole weekend this summer. A number of headline restaurants will be taking part, bringing together London's best menus under one roof to serve everything from avocado on toast to American pancakes. Expect both coffee and booze to wash it all down with as well as a programme of workshops, talks and music.
Part of Lynette Linton's first season as Artistic Director at the Bush Theatre, Chiaroscuro is a bold reimagining of Scottish National Poet Jackie Kay's 1986 masterpiece. Linton directs the production, which utilises both live music and spoken word to create an explosive gig theatre event. Examining the experiences of women of colours across generations, the piece celebrates female identity from the 1980s to the present day. When Aisha, Yomi, Beth and Opal meet up for a dinner party, the friendly conversation soon transcends into a heated debate surrounding what Yomi really think of Beth and Opal's relationship.