Things to do in London this weekend: July 9-10, 2022

Every weekend

Camden Market is hosting a family sports weekend

WIMBLEDON: If the biggest tennis tournament takes place on the finals weekend, don’t worry if you don’t have tickets for Center Court. Many locations in the capital show the action for free, including Canary Wharf, Mayfair and King’s Cross. Just remember that these shows will be packed on the finals weekend (especially if the weather is good), so get there early if you’re dying to snag a lounge chair. Until July 10th

BUY THE MUSIC: A stage and big screen were set up at Kew Gardens for live music this week, with the final two gigs taking place this weekend. Bananarama headline Saturday while Gypsy Kings take the stage on Sunday. Bring your own picnic chair or blanket, pack a picnic or buy local food and drink, and enjoy live music in a relaxed and (hopefully) sunny setting. 5th-10th July

SCIENTIFIC SUMMER EXHIBITION: The Royal Society’s annual Summer Science Exhibition is a free interactive experience for anyone curious about the latest advances in science and technology. Take part in drop-in workshops, meet scientists and researchers, and learn about topics like the taste of chocolate and virus-fighting llamas. 6th-10th July

Vinegar Yard is one of the Wimbledon venues – but it probably won’t be that empty.

WOMEN EURO: The UK is hosting the 13th edition of the UEFA Women’s Euro football tournament, with some of the matches being played here in London. Matches this weekend include Portugal vs Switzerland, Netherlands vs Sweden, Belgium vs Iceland and France vs Italy. No ticket? No problem – see if any of these places will verify your match. July 6th to 31st

SUMMER LIGHTS: Visit Canary Wharf for a free art trail that uses natural light. Summer Lights consists of 11 new installations and six permanent artworks, including a flock of carbon-neutral colorful birds that flutter overhead and use natural light to cast mesmerizing shadows on the ground. Until August 20th

THE SECRET GARDEN: The focus of the Garden Museum’s summer exhibition is the popular children’s book The Secret Garden. Enter the captivating show with interactive paths for kids and see how different artists have illustrated the story since it was first published. A good choice for the school holidays we think and kids get in free! July 6 – September 4

BALHAM COMEDY FESTIVAL: Sara Pascoe, Shappi Khorsandi, Zoe Lyons, Carl Donnelly and Mark Steel are among the acts in this weekend’s Balham Comedy Festival line-up. Now in its 10th year, the festival takes place in The Club Room at The Bedford. July 8th to 16th

Head to Crystal Palace Park for Major League Baseball on Saturday

BRENT BIENNIAL: Kilburn, Willesden and Harlesden are among the areas hosting this year’s Brent Biennale, themed ‘In The House Of My Love’. Artists and community groups will present work on home economics and how the idea of ​​home and belonging can take many forms. July 8 – September 11

WHITECROSS STREET PARTY: A lively street food market takes place here most weekdays and Whitecross Street near the Barbican really comes alive for the annual Whitecross Street Party. This year’s theme is reclaiming public space with live painting and street art, a music and word stage, family activities and food stalls. 9th-10th July

SPORT DAY: As part of its summer events programme, Hawley Wharf is hosting a family-friendly sports weekend at Camden Market to coincide with the Wimbledon final. Family yoga, tug-of-war and pass-the-water-bomb games are all part of the fun, as is the opportunity to follow the Wimbledon action on a big screen. 9th-10th July

OUR TIME ON EARTH WEEKEND: Barbican is hosting a weekend of events to tie in with the current exhibition, Our Time On Earth. Over three days, take part in guided hikes and rewilding workshops around the property, watch a panel discussion on digital nature, enjoy a sound installation, and watch live performances. 9th-11th July

Saturday July 9th

Celebrate Eid at the Natural History Museum

GARDEN PARTY: Didn’t make it to the Chelsea Flower Show? Visit the final day of the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival instead. Stroll through the castle grounds to see specially landscaped gardens and enjoy demonstrations on gardening, floristry, design, food, crafts and health from experts such as Monty Don and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. 10:00-17:30

SOCCER IN THE CITY: The Museum of London is hosting a ‘Football in the City’ walking tour that traces the history of the beautiful game in the City of London, from medieval ‘mob’ football to the advent of the offside rule. 11 clock

NATURAL HISTORY IN ISLAM: Celebrate Eid at a family-friendly festival at the Natural History Museum and explore the relationship between natural history and Islam. Learn how nature inspires henna designs, which plants are prominent in the Arabic world and how the Islamic calendar is connected to the cosmos. 11am-6pm

It’s the last day of this edition of Cocktails in the City.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: Get a taste of Major League Baseball as the Home Run Derby X comes to Crystal Palace Park for just one day. Watch four teams compete in a mini-tournament, eat your way around the Ballpark Food Village, swing in the batting cages and catch a performance by British rapper AJ Tracey. 12pm-9pm

COCKTAILS IN TOWN: Cocktails in the City is back. Taking place over three weekends this summer, the boozy festival brings together some of London’s most popular bars to serve their drinks in a private garden, Bedford Square, with live entertainment. Today is the last day of the first event this summer. 12pm-10pm

GIN & RUM FESTIVAL: Gin + rum, plus tequila – what could go wrong? Oh, and it all takes place in a church. That’s the deal at the Gin & Rum Festival, where you can meet the makers behind your favorite drinks and maybe try some new ones. Today is the second and last day. 12:30-10:00 p.m

Watch the last day of the London Clown Festival

SUMMER SWEATERS: Head to Artsdepot in Finchley for a family friendly mini festival. Summer Sizzler consists of live DJs accompanied by lights, projections, confetti, parachute dancing, balloons, inflatable balls and free flower garlands, along with arts and crafts, face painting, a ball pit and much more. 2.30pm-4.45pm

LONDON CLOWN FESTIVAL: That’s right, there’s a London Clown Festival – and it ends today at the Soho Theatre. After six days of international acts, physical comedy and clown-influenced contemporary performance, you can catch Lachlan Werner, Garry Starr or CLOWNTS as the festival draws to a close. 3:30pm-9:15pm

FESTIVAL OF WOMEN COMPOSERS: Southbank Center celebrates women in music with the Women Composers Festival. Choirs from across the UK come together to perform choral music written by women, including Annie Lennox, Kate Rusby and Hannah Kendall. 19:30 o’clock

Sunday 10 July

There’s a lot going on at the Soho Village Fete

LONDON 10K: Note that the London 10K is taking place in central London today and as a result several roads will be closed. So take this into account in your plans. All details here.

EALING BROADWAY: Join Alan Fortune from Footprints of London to explore the area at the end of the Central and District lines, Ealing Broadway. Learn about the film industry at Ealing Studios and Pitzhanger Manor, the country home of Sir John Soane, as well as dark events in Ealing’s history and the area’s connections to Doctor Who. 11am-1pm

COMIC AND ZINE FAIR: Visit the Stanley Arts Cafe in South Norwood for the South London Comic & Zine Fair, where cartoonists, self-publishers, small publishers, zine makers and book artists all display and sell their creations. There are also free workshops and lectures (register in advance) and the opportunity to contribute to a self-portrait drawing wall. 11am-6pm

THE PAVEMENTS: Cemetery Club guide and historian Sheldon K Goodman leads a walking tour of the City of London‘s ancient cemeteries. Find out about the people buried beneath the cobbled churchyards — or sidewalks — and hear their stories. 12pm-2pm

Explore the area around Ealing Broadway on this guided walking tour. Photo: M@/Londonist

SOHO VILLAGE PARTY: A dog show, a spaghetti-eating contest, a police-fire department tug-of-war and the famous Soho Waiter’s Race are all part of the Soho Village Fete, held in St Anne’s Gardens on Wardour Street. There is also a raffle, a community and food stands. 12pm-6pm

DR WHO DOUBLE INVOICE: Calling all Whovians! Watch a double performance of Dr. Who and the Daleks (1965) and Daleks Invasion Earth 2150 AD (1966) hit the big screen at the Barbican, with Peter Cushing playing the role of the Doctor. Although the films are not part of the official BBC collection, they are dearly loved by Doctor Who fans and have recently been restored. 1:45 p.m

SENSORY TOUR: Once a month, visually impaired visitors (and their carers) are taken on a sensory tour of Kew Gardens. Led by a specially trained tour guide, it offers an opportunity to experience elements of the gardens through touch and smell. 2-3 p.m

PINK JUKEBOX: Aimed at members of the LGBTQ+ community and their friends, Pink Jukebox is a ballroom and latin dance club. Open to dancers of all abilities, it begins with classes to familiarize you with the steps, followed by an evening of ballroom dancing. 2pm-7pm

About Nina Snider

Check Also

Thousands are demanding the return of free early London travel for over-60s

The benefit – granted to around 1.3million people over 60 – was suspended for weekday …