Your Weekend Guide, From Olympics Screenings To Fringe

The first weekend of August is here, and with it comes a whole host of cultural and sporting events to sink your teeth into. Stay in London and enjoy the Olympics on the big screen or check out a number of great exhibitions and art installations on right now, or head further afield to two of the biggest festivals on the UK calendar.

Head to an open-air Olympics screening

We’ve been gripped by Olympic fever, and where better to take advantage of the warm weather than watching on a big outdoor scene?

There are screenings available at Coal Drops Yard in Kings Cross, Eccleston Yards in Belgravia, Devonshire Square in Liverpool Street and much more – best of all, they’re free.

Whether you love swimming or just can’t get enough of badminton, this is the most fun time you can have watching the games.

We’ve been gripped by Olympic fever, and where better to take advantage of the warm weather than watching on a big outdoor scene?

Across London
kingscross.co.uk

Explore this historic Tate exhibition

The Tate Modern is always a good source of inspiration and innovation, and this new exhibition is exactly that. Zanele Muholi is one of the most acclaimed photographers working today, and their work has been exhibited all over the world. This latest survey explores the full breadth of their career to date, featuring over 260 photographs.

Muholi describes themself as a visual activist, who has documented the lives of South Africa’s Black lesbian, gay, trans, queer and intersex communities since the early 21st Century.

until January 2025
Tate Modern
tate.org.uk

Jazz up your Instagram with Kusama’s pumpkin

Yayoi Kusama’s pumpkin has long been one of the most Instagrammed modern-day sculptures, its scenic spot on the pier of Benesse Art Site Naoshima proving irresistible to all who visit.

Now, a pumpkin is in Kensington Gardens, and it’s even larger than the Naoshima pumpkin. Why pumpkins? Kusama says she admires them for their everyday quality, hardiness and humour. We can’t argue with that, and there’s undeniably something hypnotic and mystical about its polka-dot design.

Until November 2024
The Round PondKensington Gardens
serpentinegalleries.org

Keep it local with Camden Fringe

Edinburgh Fringe – more on that later – isn’t the only arts festival on this weekend. Lazy Londoners in search of a cultural fix need not take an overpriced four-hour train to Scotland any longer, as Camden Fringe takes place right on their doorstep.

Admittedly, it’s not as large as Edinburgh, but there are still some seriously good acts to go see, from a comedy about Hercules Poirot, a cross between the legendary French detective and the Greek God, to a play on the history of pigtails.

29th July – 25th August
Camden
camdenfringe.co.uk

Visit this family-friendly Barbican playspace

This August, the Barbican’s Curve Gallery is transformed into a playful and engaging community space where the whole family can unleash their creative side and join in with the fun and games for free.

Our Street is an imaginary avenue full of playful games, from hopscotch and hula-hooping to board games and crafting, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

August 1 – 23rd
Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS
barbican.org

Discover Elton John’s personal collection at the V&A

Beyond music, photography is Elton John‘s main passion, and when you’re Elton John, that means you can purchase a large and expensive collection, to the extent that the V&A can put on a show entirely based on your own personal stash.

From iconic images across subjects such as fashion, celebrity, reportage and the male body, the collection is wide and typically eclectic.

When you’re Elton John, that means you can purchase a large and expensive photography ccollection

Until 5th January
V&A Museum
v&a.ac.uk

Get uncomfortable at the BFI

We all love a warm, fuzzy romantic drama or a turn-off-your-brain-for-two house blockbuster, but sometimes cinema is there to challenge you, and this BFI showcase does exactly that.

Discomfort Films is a new series showcasing some of the most provocative and uncomfortable cinema in history. On the bill are Funny Games, Michael Haneke’s shocking home-invasion thriller, and Requiem For A Dream, Darren Aronofsky‘s addiction masterpiece.

From July 31st
BFI Southbank
whatson.bfi.org

Two Events Worth Travelling For

Head down to Brighton Pride

Brighton Pride is the UK’s largest pride festival, and it promises to be an all-time weekend as always. The lineup this year is outstanding, as iconic pop group Girls Aloud will be performing, as well as Mika who will be providing an overdose of nostalgia to everyone over the age of 25.

Also performing is theatre legend and LGTBTQ+ icon Billy Porter, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor of Murder on the Dancefloor fame.

August 2-4
Across Brighton
brighton-pride.co.uk

Head up to Edinburgh Fringe

The UK’s largest arts and comedy festival is back for another year, and we’re excited. For those lucky enough to be heading up to this year’s Edinburgh Fringe for its opening weekend, options are seemingly endless – thankfully, we have a guide on all the best shows everyone will be talking about this year.