It’s Freedom Weekend! Here’s What To Do

Weekend Guide

22nd July 2021 | By Lottie Woodrow

If this week was your first week back commuting into the office, congratulations on making it through. Especially in this heat. Restrictions have been (almost) fully lifted, nightclubs have reopened for the first time in 16 months and things are finally looking a little more normal. 

In partnership with

If you’re on the hunt for things to do this weekend that aren’t fully booked, fear not. We’ve rounded up the best going ons in and around the city, from giant outdoor screenings to pop-up petting zoos. 

Read on to find out more about…

Catch your favourite films on a giant outdoor screen

In partnership with The Luna Cinema

Fancy taking your date night up a notch? Look to The Luna Cinema for inspiration. This weekend they’ll be pitching up at three locations across the capital, bringing a host of Hollywood favourites, old time classics and popular perennials, so you can cosy up with your favourite people and watch the action on a giant outdoor screen. 

This week, 22nd – 25th July, sees The Luna Cinema, in partnership with American Express, take over Kenwood House, Hampton Court Palace and Clapham Common, for an epic weekend of films, food and fun. 

From Harry Potter and Top Gun to musical hits including The Greatest Showman (and sing a long versions for the die hard fans!), guests are invited to bring picnic blankets and chairs along, or they can vamp up their experience by swapping their general admission tickets for an optional seated upgrade or opting for a Luna Luxe ticket. 

The Luna Cinema are putting on quite the show so don’t miss your chance to see your favourite film in a unique alfresco screening this weekend, as once they are gone, they are gone. 

If you can’t make it down this weekend, they’ll be heading to ten other London locations throughout the summer too. 

When: Various Dates until 3rd October
Where: Various venues across the UK
Book your tickets online here

Head down to Alexandra Palace’s Kaleidoscope Festival

Against all odds, festivals are back on this summer! And one that you’ll want to nip on down to is Alexandra Palace’s Kaleidoscope. The day festival will be running this Sunday, and will see the likes of Groove Armada, The Coral, The Staves and Ibibo Sound Machine performing on the big stage. 

Alongside the electrifying music line up, there’s also plenty of comedy, outdoor entertainment and food stands to try out too. Comedians Reginald D Hunter and Glenn Moore will be joining Phil Wang, Jayde Adams and Sophie Duker, while over in the family area expect The Flying Seagull Project to be working their clowning circus magic.

Get your festival fix without the groggy camping and enjoy great artists, comedy and family-fun wrapped up in one day.

When: Sunday 24th July
Where: Alexandra Park & Palace
Website: www.kaleidoscope-festival.com

Visit this summer’s prettiest rosé terrace

If you’re all about the ‘gram, then head on over to 108 Brasserie at The Marylebone to visit this summer’s prettiest rosé terrace. 

Created by McQueens Flowers, 108 Brasserie’s terrace has been transformed into a floral oasis inspired by your favourite summer tipple: rose. They’ve partnered with cult wine estate Miraval to offer diners endless rosé. 

Delight in dishes such as fillet of grilled organic Scottish salmon paired with Miraval Rose 2020; salt-baked beets with spring leaves, goat’s cheese, almonds and honey; and grilled tiger prawns with a mango, chilli and lime relish. There’s rosé cocktails too, including the Pink Sgroppino, a frozen blend made with Miraval Rosé, Rathfinny Rosé Sparkling Wine and raspberry sorbet.

Where: 108 Marylebone Lane, Marylebone, W1U 2QE
Website: www.108brasserie.com

Cuddle some bunnies at Hilton London Bankside’s pop-up petting zoo

There’s nothing that petting some adorable animals can’t solve. Had a long week at work? Pet a bunny. At a loose end in the first week of the summer holidays? Take the kids to pet a few chicks. Thankfully Hilton London Bankside’s new pop-up petting zoo has you covered this Sunday.

Running on Sunday 25th July, the pop-up bunny and chick petting zoo provides the perfect place to see in the start of the summer holidays in style. Hosted in the hotel’s lobby, the pop-up petting zoo is free to attend for those staying at the hotel, brunching at OXBO Bankside or dining at The Distillery Bankside. 

Raise a toast to the end of restrictions with Searcys

Restrictions have (almost) ended, which means the cork can finally be popped! Raise a toast this summer with Searcys who can be found popping corks all across London. 

Guests dining at St Pancras Champagne Bar by Searcys and Searcys at The Gherkin can expect to receive double the bubbles with a complimentary upgrade to a magnum bottle of Champagne when they have booked. 

Alongside the campaign, they’ll also be hosting a Summer Sunset Series at the Gherkin, a collection of tasting dinners running from this Saturday, and every Friday evening throughout August. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy fine food, wine and the best sunset views over London?

When: 19th July – 31st August
Where: 30 St Mary Axe, EC3A 8EP | ST PANCRAS INTERNATIONAL, KINGS CROSS, N1C 4QL
More info about the Gherkin here & St Pancras here

Give veg a chance at The Gate

Thinking about going vegan? Perhaps you’re mainly veggie at home, but fall at the last hurdle when a steak is on the menu. With locations all over London, The Gate has a vegan or veggie option for even the fussiest of eaters. Their goal is to share the infinite possibilities of experiencing and enjoying plant-based food, so you can rest easy knowing you’re in good hands. 

For those who love Prosecco, there’s a menu dedicated to the stuff. Available for two or three courses, you’ll be dining on the likes of truffle and mushroom arancini; Korean fried cauliflower; The Gate’s legendary beetroot cheese burger; and mango and passionfruit cheesecake. 

For those celebrating birthdays, you can expect a complimentary bottle of Prosecco and a free meal when you sign up to their rewards programme too. Not bad at all.

Where: Various locations
Website: www.thegaterestaurants.com  

Get your yoga fix at Sky Garden

If you’re someone who doesn’t rise on a weekend before midday, then maybe give this one a miss. But for those yoga lovers, early risers or scenic view seekers, Sky Garden’s morning yoga sessions are the perfect place to realign with your inner yogi with a backdrop of London’s iconic views. 

Catch the new beach thriller, Old 

Any movie that’s based at a beach usually ends with something going complete and utterly wrong. And M. Night Shyamalan’s new thriller, Old, is no exception.