11 Things To Do This Weekend
We could get used to these four-day weeks… With the coronation crowds now dispersed, make this the weekend you venture out to soak up the best of spring in the capital.
From Eurovision celebrations to dancing into the night at Mamma Mia The Party, these are the best events and activities to dive into this weekend.
Things To Do This Weekend, From Mamma Mia The Party To Artisan Fairs
Dive into this Champagne pop-up
We’re all for Champagne pop-ups and this one might be our favourite yet… Introducing Solaire Culture, Veuve Clicquot’s new opening celebrating 250 years of the iconic Champagne house.
Guests will be taken on an immersive journey through the brand’s history, from celebrating Madame Clicquot, one of the world’s first female entrepreneurs, who took over the reins in 1805 to the modern-day champagne house we all know and love. Nine female artists from around the world, including Yayoi Kusama, Sheila Kicks and Moyoco Anno, have created original artwork inspired by Madame Clicquot and her inventions.
It’ll also see the return of Soho’s Sunny Side Up Café which launched last summer, offering a delicious Caribbean-inspired menu curated by Andi Oliver.
WHEN: 12.05.2023 – 06.06.2023
WHERE: PICCADILLY CIRCUS, ENTRANCE AT THE CORNER OF PICCADILLY & REGENT STREET
WEBSITE: WWW.SOLAIRECULTURE.VEUVECLICQUOT.COM
Travel to Italy through cocktails
Love an immersive experience? Book yourself in for The Franklin’s Grand Tour Chapter 2.
The Grand Tour started in October 2022 from the North Italy, traversing down the upper part of the peninsula. With spring now blooming, the Franklin Bar’s Grand Tour cocktail experience sees guests head South reaching the Eternal City, the Italian Costiera and down under to the islands.
Prepare yourself for an unforgettable cocktail adventure, sipping on bold flavours inspired by Italy. Menu highlights include: Amalfi, a fresh fruity and savoury cocktail featuring Don Ramon Mezcal, Staibano Limoncello, Bitter Fusetti, lemon curd, passion fruit purée, vanilla syrup and lemon juice; the Palermo, a smoky tipple made with Bruichladdich Classic Laddie Infused Marasca Cherry, Karminia Vermouth, Eve Mediterranean Liqueur, strawberry & balsamic vinegar shrub and chocolate bitter; and the Bari, made with Maker’s Mark Infused with Taralli, Primitivo Red Wine Reduction, lacto fermented peach juice and burrata foam.
Where: The Franklin Bar, 24 Egerton Gardens, SW3 2DB
Website: www.collezione.starhotels.com
Book Ahead: Live in The Palace
Calling all music lovers: Live at the Palace, presented by Robomagic, is a brand new series of concerts taking place across two weekends in May and July.
Taking over the gardens of the historic Fulham Palace, this May’s event will be the ultimate way to party out the last bank holiday weekend. On Saturday 27th May, Ministry of Sound Classical will be taking over the Palace, offering a Ministry of Sound take on a classic orchestral performance. Expect a 32-piece orchestra performing iconic dance classics, completely rearranged and reinterpreted for the 2020s – this is guaranteed to get everyone dancing.
On Sunday 28th May, Groove Armada will be taking over for an electrifying Sunday night performance. They’ll create an unmissable set with a few DJ pals thrown in for good measure, including Dave Lee ZR, Ashley Beedle, Lou Hayter and DJ duo Raw Silk.
WHEN: 27.05.2023 – 28.05.2023
WHERE: FULHAM PALACE, BISHOP’S AVENUE, SW6 6EA
WEBSITE: WWW.SEETICKETS.COM
Dance into the night at Mamma Mia! The Party
The Eurovision final is in sight, and what better way to get in the spirit than to sing along with ABBA? Settle in to a night at Niko’s Taverna on the Greek island of Skopelos, and watch as a new story unfolds around you.
Traditional Greek dishes of mezze and confit lamb shoulder and slow cooked beef will be served while you groove along to ABBA hits like ‘Waterloo’ and ‘Dancing Queen’. Finish off the night with the most exciting part- an ABBA disco!
Where: The 02 Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX
Website: www.mammamiatheparty.co.uk
Watch the Eurovision final
Eurovision weekend is here! After months of hype, the grand final lands this Saturday 13th May in Liverpool. If you weren’t able to get tickets to the actual Liverpool arena, then we’ve found you the next best thing. Venues across London will be celebrating in style showing the final on big screens and putting on quite the performance.
Tuck into new spring sharing plates
Head out to Stratford this weekend to try out Union Social’s new spring-sharing menu, packed with delicious and healthy bites perfect for the table.
The ‘Stack & Match’ table features dishes such as crushed organic fennel with sriracha sauce and lime; braised baby octopus with Santorini fava, confit cherry, tomato, pickled red onion and crispy capers; pork keftedes with grilled chorizo and tzatziki; and mussels & clams in a rich tomato sauce with fresh seasonal herbs.
Save room for dessert and share the likes of peach and almond crumble with chilled coconut custard and rose petals crush; white chocolate pannacotta with velvet berries granella; and Hungarian gundel crepe with walnut crème and chocolate sauce. Delicious.
Where: The Gantry, 40 Celebration Avenue, Stratford, E20 1DB
Website: www.thegantrylondon.com
Peruse Hampton Court Palace’s artisan fayre
For those after a family-friendly day out packed with a hub of activity, look to Hampton Court Palace’s Artisan Fayre.
Returning to the palace this weekend, expect the three days to be packed out with everything from independent boutiques and hand-crafted gifts to artisan producers and street food vendors. Offering up those traditional village fete vibes, there’ll be plenty of games and vintage tunes to get stuck into.
When: 12.05.2023 – 14.05.2023
Where: Hampton Court Palace, Hampton Court Way, East Molesey, KT8 9AU
Website: www.hrpfestivals.com
Tuck into street food dishes at this open-air market
Returning for its biggest season yet will be Kerb Presents: The Table, the annual open-air market at National Theatre. This year they are stepping it up a notch by launching London’s longest banqueting table! Stretching 70-metres, this table can seat over 200 people, offering all the more opportunity for Londoners to get stuck into great street food, craft beer and frozen cocktails.
Renowned for partnering with London’s brilliant independent street food vendors, this year’s line-up includes Portuguese rolls and tapas from Santa Bifana; authentic Venezuelan cachapas and empanadas from Papelón; Malaysian Chinese rice bowls from Eat Lah; dumplings and ramen from Sen Noods; and delicious ice cream from Big Kid Ice Cream.
WHEN: 12.05.2023 – 23.09.2023
WHERE: NATIONAL THEATRE, SE1 9PX
WEBSITE: WWW.KERBFOOD.COM
3 Events Worth Travelling For
Uncover new music talent at this indie festival
Ask any music journalist and they’ll say their favourite UK festival is The Great Escape. Taking over venues across Brighton, the festival brings the very best rising stars in the indie music scene together for three days stacked with music.
Expect spotlight shows from Maisie Peters, Arlo Parks and Unknown T, as well as performances from Polite Bureaux, Katie Gregson-Macleod, Nell Mescal, SEB and more.
When: 10.05.2023 – 13.05.2023
Where: Across Brighton
Website: www.greatescapefestival.com
Head on a wine tour
Escape the city smog and head out into the countryside for one of Nutbourne Vineyards’ delightful wine tours. Throughout the summer, you’ll find them hosting a series of guided tours, tastings, picnic specials and special events.
Head down on Saturday 13th for a guided tour across the vineyard, following by a tasting of award-winning wines in the lodge, with a beautiful view across the vineyard and historic windmill.
Where: Nutbourne Vineyards, Gay Street, Pulborough, RH20 2HH
Website: www.nutbournevineyards.com
Head to a travelling food festival
Run by the acclaimed Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge, the brilliant Pub in the Park will be travelling around the UK once again this summer.
A celebration of British pubs and their place in our culture, the festival will see the likes of Danny Jones, Simon Rimmer, Chris Baber, Si King and Nisha Parmer among others cooking up a storm.
When: Various dates across the summer
Where: various venues across uk
Website: www.pubintheparkuk.com
for more weekend events, check out our what’s on section
