MUSIC, FOOD & MORE

The weekend is here, and there is plenty to be filling up your time with! We’ve got more music festivals, the UK’s largest Japanese festival and food festivals for all those foodies out there! The city has an endless calendar of events for you to choose from! Check out what we recommend should be on your radar for the upcoming weekend! 

HYPER JAPAN (Friday 19th to Sunday 21st July) Dig out your best cosplay for this annual festival bringing a touch of Tokyo to London. The biggest celebration of Japanese culture in the UK, it involves a Haydo tournament, gaming and anime area, sake and Kawaii fashion shows, as well as putting on exclusive performances from Japanese music artists. For the 20th edition of the event, over 350 exhibitors will be showing off the best in Nippon culture, while performers will include Britain’s Got Talent 2023 finalist Tonikaku, DJ and producer Ram Rider, singer and cosplayer Akari Akase, and more. Book here! 

TASTE OF EATALY (Thursday 19th to 21st July) Taste of Eataly is making its debut in London this summer and you’re invited! This year they are bringing together a very special lineup of dishes and drinks for three days of feasting! From mouthwatering Arancini, fried rice balls stuffed with bolognese sauce & mozzarella cheese, to creamy cacio e pepe with aged Parmigiano Reggiano DOP. Get ready for drink stations from Campari, Engine Gin, Fontanafredda wines, and more. To join in on the good food and good times, purchase a set of tokens starting from as little as £25 per person. You are in charge of your tasting journey so you can spend your tokens how you please at stations of your choice using our detailed map pinpointing all tasting stands across two floors. Want to feast more? Purchase more tokens on the day from the Welcome Desk! Book here! 

Emilia’s Summer Pasta Festival 2024 (Sunday 21st July) On Sunday, Emilia’s Canary Wharf branch won’t be running a usual restaurant service. Instead, the restaurant and outdoor areas, riverside terrace and surrounding parks will all be transformed into a summer street-food style festival filled with live music, various pasta-themed masterclasses, kid’s activities – and much more! Entry to the festival is free of charge, with the option to purchase fresh pasta from the various food stations and drinks from the outdoor bars. These can be enjoyed in our dedicated festival ‘pasta picnic’ areas. Plus, there’ll be deckchairs, riverside benches, blankets and more open space dance spots (for those who are wanting to dance!) More information here. 

As One in the Park (Sunday 21st July) For one day only this summer, head to Walpole Park, Ealing for a celebration for the LGBTQ+ community by uniting for a day of pride, diversity, and festivities! With a special focus on supporting local talent and supporting grassroots culture, As One will be showcasing some of the brightest up and coming musical and artistic stars from the London LGBTQ+ scene. ALL OF THIS FOR JUST £20! To keep in line with the current Cost of Living crisis As One have made the decision to make As One as affordable and accessible for EVERYBODY as possible. Therefore they are keeping the tickets Cheap and Cheerful to allow everyone to come and enjoy the festivities! Book here! 

Rhythm & Taste: Jazz & Food Festival (Saturday 20th July)  Calling all music lovers and food enthusiasts: Head to Greenwich for the ultimate summer celebration at Greenwich Peninsula’s Jazz & Food Festival. Raise a glass, indulge in a delectable spread of New Orleans-inspired culinary delights, and groove to cool jazz in the sunshine. Immerse yourself in a celebration of music, food, and art right here on the Peninsula. Don’t miss out! This is the perfect way to celebrate summer and experience the best of Greenwich jazz and food. Book here! 

National Geographic Traveller (UK) Food Festival 2024 (Saturday 20th to Sunday 21st July) After three hugely successful years, the National Geographic Traveller (UK) Food Festival is back—bigger and better than ever! Embark on an international culinary adventure as you travel stall-by-stall on a world tour of the exhibitor space. Learn how to prepare regional dishes in the Masterclass Theatres and visit the Main Stage for a curated programme of live cooking demonstrations. Elsewhere, you can expect everything from conversations with leading food writers to wine-tasting sessions with expert sommeliers. General admission festival tickets are only £15* when booked in advance, saving you £10 on the door. Book now! 

Somerset House Sessions Summer Series (From 11th to 21st July) Somerset House Summer Series with American Express returns in July 2024 with eleven nights of unmissable gigs in the intimate and immersive setting of their spectacular courtyard. A staple summer experience, the series presents a trailblazing line-up of breakthrough music artists and established acts from across the globe. With performances from Pip Millett, Nia Smith, Corinne Bailey Rae and many more, this event has something for everyone. Book here!

Sundown Sessions at Gaucho with Big Green Egg (Saturday 27th July) Join Gaucho for a limited series of Sundown Sessions with Big Green Egg on the banks of the river Thames in Richmond. Watch as your Gaucho griller guides you through the intricate art of cooking steaks on charcoal. It’s the perfect opportunity to see the Egg in action and taste the results. Sample three cuts of arguably the finest steak in the world served with sides and half a bottle of Whispering Angel Rosé per person. All this, just £65, the perfect way to spend your Saturday in the Summer! Book here! 

Putt in the Park (Check website for availability) Since opening their first branch in the Summer of 2013, Putt in the Park has established itself around the parks of London to create the best miniature golf experience out there! Tee off your weekend with 15% off for all Knightox members, with three Courses across Wandsworth, Battersea, Acton Park in South London, and a course in Colchester, they have ensured each carefully designed hole equipped with tunnels, jumps and bridges will suit all ages and challenge even the most experienced golfer. Book now! 

Summer by the River (Until 1st September) Summer by the River is back at London Bridge City! Highlights include riverside movie screenings of Barbie, Wonka, and Back to the Future, choirs soundtracking summer evenings, and performances by up-and-coming artists from BBC Music Introducing. Fill up on street food, pick up refreshing cocktails from the pop-up bars, catch outdoor Wimbledon and Olympic Games screenings, and stick around for sunset DJ sets. Take a deep breath and relax in a riverside oasis for our Summer by the River, where cool courtyards and cooler drinks await. Starting on 30th May,  sit beneath the summer stars as music and laughter fill the air! More information here! 

Princess Diana Accredited Access Exhibition with Souvenir Guidebook (From 25th May) For the first time, world-famous royal photographers (Anwar Hussein and his two sons Zak and Samir) share their experiences with the iconic princess and her family. Princess Diana, by most accounts, is the most photographed human in history. One of the people who was there capturing the biggest and most important moments was Royal Photographer Anwar Hussein. This Princess Diana exhibit will be told from their perspective: what they heard, what they saw, and what they witnessed first-hand will all be shared. Get your tickets here! 

Fragile Beauty (Until January 2025) A new exhibition is arriving at the V&A this Saturday and it’s not to be missed! Dive into a diverse collection showcasing the work of renowned photographers from around the globe. Explore a wide range of subjects, from fashion and celebrity to reportage and studies of the male body. Each image offers a glimpse into modern and contemporary photography, highlighting iconic moments and diverse perspectives. Book tickets here! 

Between the Bridges (Reopening Thursday 2nd May) Between the Bridges kicks off this weekend with a huge season of events along the Southbank. From this Thursday there will be street food stalls, pop-up bars, and dynamic event spaces with breathtaking views of the Thames, just in time for the bank holiday weekend. Highlights include classic R&B, Hip Hop, and Garage sessions on Thursday evenings, followed by lively DJ sets on feel-good Fridays. Saturdays come alive with drag performances and lip sync challenges during brunch, accompanied by flowing prosecco; don’t miss Baga Chipz leading the brunch extravaganza on May 4th. Get ready for a summer of unforgettable memories at Between the Bridges! More information here. 

Rooftop Film Club – Peckham (From 25th April) As Spring is in full swing, the return of the outdoor cinema is upon us! And this weekend you can see all your classic favourites like La La Land and Clueless! Or even the latest blockbuster – Poor Things. Situated atop Peckham’s iconic Bussey Building — their flagship rooftop! —  is Rooftop Film Club, just across the road from Peckham Rye station. Make an evening of it and treat yourself to their delicious pizza from Share A Slice and drinks just across the film club at Bussey Rooftop Bar. And what’s even better is they screen all films come rain or shine, providing blankets and ponchos during bad weather so your plans won’t be ruined by the unpredictable British Summer! However, if you don’t fancy facing the weather, they do allow you to transfer your tickets to another screening for free – what more could you ask for! Book tickets here! 

Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind (Until 1st September) Yoko Ono is a trailblazer of early conceptual and participatory art, film and performance, a celebrated musician, and a formidable campaigner for world peace. Developing her practice in the United States, Japan and the UK, ideas are central to her art, often expressed in poetic, humorous, profound and radical ways. Spanning more than seven decades, YOKO ONO: MUSIC OF THE MIND is the UK’s largest exhibition celebrating key moments in Ono’s groundbreaking, influential and multidisciplinary career, from the mid-1950s to now – including her years in London where she met her future husband and longtime collaborator John Lennon. Book here! 

Stranger Things: The First Shadow (Opens 17th November) Written by Kate Trefry and original story by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a gripping West End play that takes you back to the beginning, revealing Hawkins’ story before the world turned upside down. Experience theatrical storytelling and stagecraft to a whole new dimension in this Stranger Things prequel at Phoenix Theatre, located in the heart of the West End between Soho and Covent Garden. Get your tickets!

Make the most of a city of boundless opportunities, which caters to every taste and curiosity, providing a diverse array of thrilling and immersive encounters. Whether you’re an art lover,  ice skating enthusiast, or looking for some culture there is plenty to discover.