The best things to do in London with family & friends this July

1 Young V&A opening weekend, Bethnal Green

The anticipated opening of Young V&A, a new national museum dedicated to children and young people, is finally here. Striving to be ‘the world’s most joyful museum’, the three interactive galleries offer tactile hands-on creative experiences for children aged from new born to 14-years-olds. It will open with the Sound It Out display which features original poems inspired by the V&A’s collections by leading authors like Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho, Valerie Bloom, Liz Brownlee, Bob Raczka and Michael Rosen. Also look out for a life-size Joey the War Horse puppet, a Microlino car suspended from the ceiling, Star Wars’ Jabba the Hutt and conservation-approved slime. 

Date: Saturday, July 1

Tickets: Free admission

Address: Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA

Website: vam.ac.uk

2 Black Venus, Somerset House

This exhibition examines the historical representation and the changing legacy of Black women in visual culture. It brings together 18 Black women and non-binary artists to explore othering, fetishisation, and reclaiming Black femininity narratives. Curated by Aindrea Emelife, artists on display include Sonia Boyce, Widline Cadet and Shawanda Corbet.

Dates: July 20- September 24

Tickets: Pay what you can

Address: Strand, WC2R 1LA

Website: somersethouse.org.uk

3 The Crucible, West End

The National Theatre’s Crucible is restaged for the West End this summer. Directed by Olivier Award-winning Lyndsey Turner and with set design by Tony Award-winning Es Devlin, Arthur Miller’s gripping parable gets a contemporary makeover as it tells the tale of Salem’s witch hunt and a group of young women who now find their voices have power, for once. The production features House of the Dragon’s Milly Alcock as Abigail Williams and Caitlin FitzGerald from Succession and Masters of Sex as Elizabeth Proctor.

Date: Running until September 2

Tickets: From £20

Address: Gielgud Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 6AR

Website: thecrucibleonstage.com

4 DIVA, V&A

This is celebration of the female performing powerhouses, from the Opera goddesses of the Victorian era to today’s global megastars. The V&A’s major summer exhibition explores the idea of being a diva and how this has been subverted or embraced over time across opera, stage, popular music, and film through fashion, photography, costume music and performance. Let’s hope Diana gets a mention.

Dates: June 24 – April 7

Tickets: From £20

Address: V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road SW7 2RL

Website: vam.ac.uk

5 Brunch and Workout at Yauatcha City’s Summer Terrace

Be decadent and guilt free at this brunch, which puts you through your paces before heading into a three course brunch. A partnership with John Reed Fitness, brunchers start with a specially tailored fitness class – either high intensity or low impact – before moving on to Yauatcha City for your meal on the dim sum restaurant’s terrace that comes with two Patron tequila cocktails. On every Saturday until September 29.

Price: £50 per person

Address: Broadgate, EC2M 2QS

Website: sevenrooms.com

6 National Portrait Gallery, Trafalgar Square

The National Portrait Gallery reopens June 22, after closing to the public in spring 2020. The new look gallery features a complete re-hang of its collection, as well as new spaces and an extensive programme of activities. It also opens with two exhibitions – one a collection of photographs taken by Paul McCartney as the Beatles were coming into fame and the other on pioneering fashion photographer, Yevonde. Also, don’t miss the First Look Festival, headlined by Stanley Tucci, with s an in-conversations with Paul McCartney, Tracey Emin and architect Jamie Fobert, as well as workshops, DJ sets, artist talks and tours.

Date: Reopens June 22

Tickets: Entrance is free, but book in advance; exhibitions from £15

Address: St. Martin’s Place WC2H 0HE

Website: npg.org.uk

7 The Standard’s Sunday High

The King’s Cross hotel’s rooftop summer session returns for the season, bringing together great music, cracking views and all the delicious food and drink your heart desires. Every Sunday from June 18 will feature a different dj, act or collective from London’s underground music scenes, from Balearic House to Afrobeats and including musicians such as Karen Nyame KG, Jawani4eva, Elgo Records and High Hopes.

Dates: Sundays from June 18-August 27

Time: 3pm-8pm

Address: The Rooftop at The Standard, London, 10 Argyle Street, WC1H 8EG

Website: standardhotels.com

8 Wimbledon

If you’re one of the lucky ones who’s nabbed a ticket to the most famous tennis tournament in the world, you’ve already got these dates in the diary. Fear not though, those who missed out on catching the action courtside, as big screens pop up all over the place for the tournament and many pubs screen it too. We’ve rounded up our favourite places to watch a match at here.

Dates: July 3-July 16

Address: Wimbledon Tennis Club & Museum, SW19 5AG

Website: wimbledon.com

9 OFF THE CUFF Off Menu Cocktail Club, Islington

Launching this month, OFF THE CUFF is a cocktail club with a difference. With no menus, guests can design their own, bespoke drink via an app – embellish your favourite cocktail, build on your favourite spirit or go nuts with the garnishing. Bar tenders will then mix up your concoctions which are served alongside canapes. With live music and icebreaker prompt cards scattered around the venue, OFF THE CUFF is also a great place to meet new people.

Dates: The first event takes place Saturday, July 8

Time: Tickets are for 2.5 hour sittings, between11.30am-9pm

Tickets: £85

Address: London Art House, 2-18 Britannia Road, N1 8PA

Website: offthecuffclub.com

10 Kaleidoscope Festival, Alexandra Palace

A music festival covering pop, djs, rock and more, this year’s line-up includes Hot Chip, George Fitzgerald Live, Gaz Coombes, and Erol & Alkan. Maise Adam and Katie McLeod are among the comedians performing, and Shaun Keavney joins Joe Lycett for an in-conversation. There’s also a string of family events including interactive theatre, beatboxing and acrobatics as well as ‘mysterious adventures’ in the secret Victorian Basements beneath the Palace, which is normally closed to the public.

Dates: Saturday, July 15

Tickets: From £67.95

Address: Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY

Website: kaleidoscope-festival.com

It’s still early days, this guide will be updated.