As usual, we’ll start this one with a little weather report. As per the Met Office, this weekend we can expect “sunny intervals changing to partly cloudy by nighttime”, which loosely translates to “run out as soon as you see the sun” – so we’ve got a list of things to do this weekend that are equal parts sunny and well, shady. From a new afternoon tea and a Banksy exhibition to a friendly reminder to book those Oasis tickets before you miss out, here’s what’s on this weekend, come rain or shine:

Visit the Queen’s Park Book Festival

One of London’s best literary festivals, Queen’s Park never fails to bring the best of literary talent to the stage. This year, the programme includes a conversation with British-Turkish author Elif Shafak who will discuss her new novel There Are Rivers in the Sky. For foodies, don’t miss the event with award-winning restaurant critic, broadcaster and jazz musician Jay Rayner who will look back on 25 years of reviewing restaurants in Britain and beyond.

when: Saturday 31st August to Sunday 1st September
Where: Queen’s Park, Kingswood Avenue, London NW6 6SG
website: queensparkbookfestival.co.uk

Attend Gillian Anderson’s book launch

Actress and author Gillian Anderson (Sex Education, The Crown) will be at the Southbank Centre this weekend to talk about her generation-defying book Want. The book is a collection of anonymous letters from hundreds of women around the world, that answers the question of how women feel about sex and desire when they have the freedom to be completely anonymous. Tickets are running low for this one, so book yours soon!

The book is a collection of anonymous letters from hundreds of women around the world.

when: Sunday 1st September
where: Southbank Centre
website: www.southbankcentre.co.uk

Enjoy ballet with your tea

The Royal Opera House has launched a ballet-themed tour where you can go behind the scenes and learn about the history of the iconic classical ballet Swan Lake, followed by an elegant afternoon tea. You will be able to see some of the fabulous costumes worn by the dancers of The Royal Ballet over the years, including the swan’s feathered tutu and the beautiful headdresses.

The Royal Opera House has launched a ballet-themed tour where you can learn about the history of Swan Lake.

when: till 22nd September
where: the royal opera house, Bow St, London WC2E 9DD
website: www.rbo.org.uk


Get your grill on at Meatopia

Consider this London’s biggest cookout as Meatopia returns to the iconic Tobacco Dock for 2024. The four-day event brings together some of the world’s hottest fire-cooking chefs all in one place to showcase their mouth-watering dishes cooked over open flame. This year’s line-up includes celebrated Swedish smokers, Holy Smoke, who are sure to rack up the queues, and social media sensation, Big Has, bringing his fire-cooked kebabs to East London. As well as some of London’s hottest restaurants right now, from Indian, The Tamil Prince to Mexican, Cavita.

WHEN: until 28th august
WHERE: Tobacco Dock, London
WEBSITE:www.meatopia.co.uk

Shop this beauty sale

With the weather slowly drifting from summer to autumn, it’s a good idea to update your beauty bag with products that work for you for the season. And if you’re looking to give your beauty bag a makeover, try out OSKIA’s bio-nutritional formulations that are designed by doctors, cosmetic scientists and skincare specialists. From cleansers to eye serums, shop OSKIA’s summer sale and get 25% off with code SUMMER24. 

website: www.oskiaskincare.com

Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival

Samyukta Nair’s restaurant, MiMi Mei Fair is celebrating the Chinese mid-autumn festival with a special afternoon tea that draws inspiration from tea at Shanghai’s legendary Mid-Lake Pavilion as well as Nair’s childhood memories of afternoons over tea with her grandmother and her Osler crystal tea set in India. Expect everything from MiMi’s signature gilded mooncakes to crystal-tiered delicacies, all designed to honour the rich tradition of this festive season.

when: 28th August to 22nd September
Where: MiMi Mei Fair, 55 Curzon St, London, W1J 8PG
Website: www.mimimeifair.com

Banksy’s exhibition

There’s been a lot of talk about Banksy lately, and now Grove Gallery is hosting an exhibition that celebrates the artist’s profound influence, featuring a curated selection of Banksy’s most iconic pieces. RSVP soon to hold your spot – this one looks like it’s going to be sold out soon.

Grove Gallery is hosting an exhibition that celebrates the artist’s profound influence.

when: till 7th September
where: 156 New Cavendish St, Fitzrovia,
W1W 6YW
website: grovegallery.com

Attend an immersive cocktail experience

Take your cocktail drinking up a notch at Avora’s immersive experience where you find yourself in the middle of incredible theatrical sets, with a cast of talented actors around you who create an awe-inspiring environment to take your night out to a whole new level.

Find yourself in the middle of incredible theatrical sets and talented actors in a seriously cool space.

when: tuesdays to sundays
where: Unit 5C, 127 Hackney Road, London E2 8GY
website: www.avora-experience.co.uk

Ones to book ahead for:

The Oasis reunion

Just a friendly reminder to set a marker in your calendar to book tickets for the great big Oasis reunion. Ticket sales open at 9 am UK time on Saturday, 31st August and we have a feeling they’ll sell out in about five seconds.

So find the spot with the fastest internet in the house and hope for the best because as we all know, “It will not be televised”.

when: ticket sales start on Saturday, 31st august at 9am
where: across the UK and Ireland
website: www.ticketmaster.co.uk

The ultimate vintage festival

The only historic motor race meeting to be staged entirely in a period theme, Goodwood Revival celebrates all things cars and fashion. One of the greatest historic motor race meetings, Goodwood promises some seriously cool motorsport, style and sustainable fashion, all in one place. One of the most glamorous events of the late summer calendar, Goodwood is slated to be a truly landmark weekend in the world of motorsport.

when: 6th to 8th September
where: Goodwood Motor Circuit, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0PH
website: goodwood.com

Culture, Weekend Guide

Want to receive more great articles like this every day? Join our daily email now