11 Things To Do This Pay Day Weekend

Head to an urban beach

A brand new urban beach has landed in London, bringing those balmy beach seaside vibes you’d typically find at British coastal resorts and scattering them in Walthamstow. 

Located at Big Penny Social, the bar has been transformed with beach-side huts, deck chairs, sand pits, beer-battered fish and chips by Tasty UK, ice cream stands and a beach bar serving draught beers and frozen cocktails.

When: Throughout the summer 
Where: Big Penny Social, 1 Priestley Way, E17 6AL
Website: www.bigpennysocial.co.uk

Move at this electronic Body Movements festival

If you’re on the hunt for a new day festival to dance the night away at, look to Body Movements Festival. A celebration of queer electronic music, the festival returns bringing electrifying talent. 

Over 100 artists across the clubbing spectrum will be performing, from up-and-coming talent to renowned stars. Talent includes Badsista, Tygapaw, Saoirse, Kampire and more. 

When: 29.07.2023
Where: Hackney Bridge, E15 2SJ
Website: www.bodymovements.co.uk

Learn more about spiders at this exhibit

Serpentine Galleries’ latest exhibition, Tomás Saraceno in Collaboration: Web(s) of Life, takes a look at how life forms, technologies and energy systems are all connected in the climate emergency. 

Tomás’ first solo UK exhibition explores his fascination with the spider, delving into the architecture of their webs and behaviours, as well as human relationships with them. It invites visitors to look beyond, considering different forms and non-human perspectives through a range of artworks.  

When: Until 10.09.2023
Where: The Royal Parks, Serpentine South Gallery, W2 3XA
Website: www.serpentinegalleries.org

Soak up the sunny vibes at Summer by the River

We might be halfway through the season but London Bridge’s Summer by the River series is still in full swing. Running until 1st September, this year’s festival is spread across three locations – The Scoop, Hay’s Galleria and The Pier. 

Expect a mix of events happening throughout the summer, from live music and theatre performances to film screenings on the giant screen. Plus, every Thursday night The Scoop will be showcasing rising musical talent with special performances, hosted by Jess Iszatt from BBC Music Introducing in London.

This Saturday evening there’ll be a special performance from Popchoir who will be singing into the sunset. From old school classics to current day hits, there’s something for everyone.

When: until 01.09.2023
Where: 4 More London Place, SE1
Website: www.londonbridgecity.co.uk

Celebrate Spanish culture

Making a welcomed return this weekend is Feria de Londres, the free festival celebrating Spanish culture. In a brand-new location of Wembley Park, the two-day festival will be bringing a splash of Andalusian culture and carnival spirit to the area. 

There’ll be a host of entertainment and activities to get involved in, from dancing workshops to authentic Spanish food and drink stalls serving up classics like paellas, tortilla de patatas and pinchos.

When: 29.07.2023 – 30.07.2023
Where: Wembley Park, Olympic Way, HA9 0FA 
Website: www.feriadelondres.com

Book in for Hutong’s delicious express lunch menu

Whether you’re looking for somewhere to impress prospective clients or a mid-week treat, Hutong’s new express lunch menu is too good not to take advantage of. 

With three courses priced at £39, you can indulge in dishes inspired by the Imperial palaces of Peking, travelling through Northern China’s diverse culinary scene. 

Dishes include scallop and prawn wontons with a hot and spicy sauce; ma la beef tenderloin bell peppers with chilli and black bean sauce; and a refreshing mango pudding with fruit salsa.

When: monday-friday 12-2:30pm
Where: 33 St Thomas Street, SE1 9RY
Website: www.hutong.co.uk

Book Ahead: Sexy Fish’s Special Bar Residency 

Make plans for next week early and book ahead for Sexy Fish’s three-day residency with Mexico City’s Licorería Limantour. Ranked fourth in the World’s 50 Best Bars list, the Mexican bar is renowned internationally for its innovative, award-winning cocktails.

In this special three-day residency at Sexy Fish, you’ll be sipping cocktails mixed by head bartender Yayo and senior bartender Pamela. They will be showcasing six serves, each made with Patron tequila. 

Choose from the likes of the Fluffy Paloma, a mix of Patron Silver Tequila, watermelon, grapefruit fluffy juice and pink peppercorn salt; the Margarita Al Pastor, featuring a blend of Patron Silver Tequila, Cointreau, taco mix and lime; or the Vainilla with Patron Silver Tequila, vanilla syrup, dry vermouth, Strega and cocoa. 

To go alongside, there’ll be a Mexican-inspired food menu featuring snacks, sushi, gyoza and skewers to pair with. 

When: 01.08.2023 – 03.08.2023
Where: Sexy Fish, Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, Mayfair, W1J 6BR 
Website: www.sexyfish.com

Catch this inspiring art series

Another exhibition worth catching this summer is Dust to Dust, a programme of installations, workshops and live music events. 

Taking over the Zabludowicz Collection, the series looks at Wolfgang Tillmans’ collection Lights (Body) from 2002 in conjunction with two more recent works – Zander Porter’s Emoji-bot and Tianzhuo Chen’s The Dust, both from 2021. Shown across three galleries, the exhibition space looks at how the artist’s work evokes themes of human interaction, society and gathering. 

Throughout the series, there’ll be various workshops and events to get involved with. This weekend’s includes a shadow animation workshop inspired by Wolfgang Tilman’s work.

When: Until 13.08.2023 
Where: Zabludowicz Collection, 176 Prince of Wales Road, NW5 3PT
Website: www.zabludowiczcollection.com

Watch the famous Cowes Week regatta

One of the biggest events in the British sporting calendar since 1826, this Saturday marks the beginning of the legendary Cowes Week. The largest sailing regatta of its kind, it’ll see over 500 boats and 40 daily races take place. 

2,500 competitors ranging from Olympic and professionals to regular sailors will be taking part. There are several ways you can catch the action, from watching from ashore to jumping aboard the spectator boats. 

Download the Cowes Week app to get all of the latest details and how to follow the Regatta, whether you’re at the event or watching from home.

When: 29.07.2023 – 04.08.2023
Where: West Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7QJ
Website: www.cowesweek.co.uk

Rock out at Camp Bestival, Dorset-Edition

From family-friendly activities to stellar musical morsels and cultural offerings, Camp Bestival is one of the best festivals in the UK for all ages.

The first installment lands in Dorset this weekend, bringing with it a line-up that includes the likes of Grace Jones, Craig David, Sophie Ellis-Baxter and Ella Henderson. Other activities include circus performances, cosmic kids yoga, a roller disco, fancy dress parades, a live performance from Mr. Tumble of Cbeebies, and of course, you’ll also find the love-bot.

When: 27.07.2023 – 30.07.2023
Where: Lulworth Castle, Dorset, BH20 5QS 
Website: www.dorset.campbestival.net

Experience al fresco dining at its festival finest

Returning this weekend is Rock Oyster, the annual festival marrying food and music together. 

Hosted over three days at Dinham House, the festival’s foodie options offer summery alfresco dining, cooking demonstrations and Michelin-starred chefs. This year’s line-up includes Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, Olia Hercules, Andi Oliver, Mark Hix and Simon Stallard. 

The musical element isn’t so bad either, with Groove Armada, Nile Rodgers & Chic and Sophie Ellis-Bextor headlining across the three days. It’s a great one for the kiddies too, with plenty of activities to dive into from coasteering adventures to puppetry workshops, surf classes to ukulele sing-a-longs.

When: 27.07.2023 – 30.07.2023
Where: Dinham House, St Minver, Wadebridge, PL27 6RH
Website: www.rockoysterfestival.co.uk