Things To Do In London This Weekend

Boasting over one million balls and an envious lineup of parties from Taylor Swift-themed brunches to karaoke, the capital's mightiest ball-pit bar, Ballie Ballerson in Shoreditch, is here for when you're seeking the best things to do in London this weekend. Celebrated in neon, and perfect for cocktail lovers looking for great deals, it's something of an institution in the city these days, so prepare to dive on in with tickets starting from £6.50 per person. And on the menu? Signature, Instagram-worthy sips like the Dabbie Dabberson (£11), made with Gordon's Pink and Sloe gin, and cranberry, topped with a Dip Dab. 

Immerse yourself in a whole new world full of glowing plants and mystical woodlands at Avora: A New-World Cocktail Experience found at Roscorp Laboratories in Hoxton. Don a purpose-built jumpsuit, receive your mission instructions from Dr C. Shelly and embark on a journey - where you'll befriend the local inhabitants and complete scientific tasks. Tickets cost £42.50 per person, including three bespoke cocktails - some of which even change colour.

With six sustainable, ice-free curling lanes polished to perfection, Club Curling is the perfect choice for your winter weekend antics. It's only £9 per person to give this fun activity a go on your very own exclusive-use lane, so check out the Coal Drops Yard pop-up while you can.

Lost In Light has arrived in the heart of Shoreditch, making sure you can get your fix of an immersive experience centred around light, sound and more to ignite your senses. This continued collaboration between Squidsoup and renowned DJ Four Tet isn't to be missed when you're after a unique experience this weekend.

With the growing urban winery scene thriving in London, Renegade Urban Winery in Walthamstow is a fantastic place to spend your Saturday afternoon. For only £25 per person, you'll be treated to a behind-the-scenes tour to learn more about how their wine is made, followed by the chance to try four different wines.

Home to games gurus to help orchestrate your fun, Bounce's venues in Old Street, Farringdon and Battersea take ping pong up a notch - and their bottomless brunches are definitely worth a look for your weekend bookings. Every Saturday and Sunday, unleash your competitive side while tucking into endless pizza slices and washing them down with unlimited prosecco or beer.

Out of all the things on in London this weekend, we bet you didn't think you'd see an illicit moonshine smuggling operation taking place. Grab your mates and be a part of the story from £36.50 per person, as you step into an immersive experience that requires you to don your best cowboy hat and sneak your own bottles of liquor in. Join wanted man Clyde Cassidy and rub shoulders with locals, play a few dice games and enjoy four bespoke tipples whipped up with your own illegal spirits. Just be careful not to go spilling the beans when the Sheriff comes knocking at Moonshine Saloon: Western Cocktail Experience. 

Found in Borough, SE1, The Ministry is the sister venue of the infamous Ministry of Sound, a culmination of cultural events spanning live music, art, food, drink, wellness and more - all wrapped up in the members' club. Think everything from life painting that welcomes all skill levels and provides all your equipment to six-piece bands and more.

Cocktail bars don't get much quirkier than Alcotraz: Cell Block Two-One-Two, the Shoreditch venue brought to you by the brains behind Moonshine Saloon and Avora that encourages you to smuggle in a bottle of your favourite liquor past the eagle-eyed wardens. This immersive, prison-themed experience sees guards whipping up bespoke tipples for you to sip in your cells, donning orange jumpsuits (and taking mugshots during your time here, of course). Tickets start from £35.99 per person and include four personalised drinks, so snap yours up now to spend a night behind bars. 

Looking to elevate your bottomless brunch plans - literally? Then look no further than London Bridge Rooftop, the iconic Central London spot where you can sip unlimited Aperol, mimosas, beer and their signature spring punch for 90 minutes. A delicious brunch burger (meat or vegan) will also be included in your £45 ticket, while DJs play the very best house, disco, garage and party tunes to get you on your feet.

Wondering how to spend your Saturday? Head to 40ft Brewery and Taproom in the centre of Dalston, for a Brewery Tour Tasting like no other. You'll be taken on a journey through the history and process of making craft beer during the hour-long session, with expert guides teaching you and other beer enthusiasts plenty of insider knowledge. Finish up in their cosy taproom, where you'll get to try six 1/3 pints of their best brews.

If you're a fan of unique cocktails, Mr Fogg's Apothecary could be just the place for you. The enticing Mayfair venue hosts two-hour cocktail making classes, where expert guides will teach you to create three exciting blends. The daring doctors at his Victorian-inspired haunt are keen to test their new, delicious elixirs out and need you to volunteer as quality control. All of this is included in your £58 ticket and slots are available at 1pm and 3.30pm on Saturdays, so bag yours now. 

Who doesn't like a bit of crazy golf? Whether you're after things to do in London this weekend with family, for a group occasion or for a quirky date night this weekend, plonk has got you covered. They've got locations in Hackney, Shoreditch and Borough Market, promising tonnes of fun across their whacky nine-hole courses. They've also got a cocktail bar to toast to the winner with a tequila-based Pool Party or fruity Berry Tartini afterwards; some of their venues even offer pool tables, arcade games (which you can just show up and buy tokens for) and bingo.

Returning for summer 2024 at Night Tales in Hackney, Love Pub + Grub is a celebration of great drinks and amazing street food, with a number of vendors on site. Head out onto the pretty terrace for alfresco sips, with happy hour prices from 12.30 'til 1.30pm, alongside cracking DJ sets, dancing and even a brand new games room. Tickets start from just £12.50 per person, promising a whole day of fun.

In the need for speed? Looking to Lando first place around an 800-metre track? Then check out these bad boy courses located either in London or only a short train journey away. TeamSport Go Karting in Docklands features Biz Evo3 Karts that can reach speeds of up to 40mph, whereas Gravity in Wandsworth's offering comes with fuel from 800 Degrees Pizza. And if you fancy venturing a little bit outside of the city? The Lewis Hamilton-endorsed raceway, Rye House, is only 36 minutes away via train.

Sometimes, you've got to get a little bit creative (or remind yourself why you either loved or loathed having pottery painting parties when you were a kid). Across London, loads of cool haunts are inviting you to decorate ceramics, from cereal bowls and egg cups to classic mugs to drink your morning coffee out of. Head to West London to the Pottery Café, pay a £7.95 studio fee, then hit the brushes, or make your way over to Kentish Town for Social Pottery's offering which comes with a BYOB option. 

Take yourself out of reality this weekend and step into the world through the eyes of your favourite artist with one of London's many immersive art exhibitions. Walk among the famous works of Monet with tickets to Frameless in Marble Arch, or get lost in ethereal soundscapes as you ponder the works of one of the most famous (and tragic) artists of all time, Van Gogh. There's even the chance to get all nostalgic with tickets to The Art Of The Brick London: A LEGO® Art Exhibit.

If you're wondering what to do in London this weekend, allow us to point you to one of the thousands of exhibitions in the city - some of which are entirely free to enter. It's a great idea for couples or even a little bit of alone time - just take your pick from iconic, pop culture displays showcasing the history of Barbie at The Design Museum, to Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish at the V&A.

Cool things to do in London this weekend? We can't think of anything that'll top hitting up Stormzy and Cream Groups's concept venue in the heart of Soho. House Party does exactly what it says on the tin - spread over seven intricately decorated floors, it offers an immersive party experience in a replica of what looks like your nan's gaff. To attend, all you have to do is RSVP and before you know it you'll be drinking from red cups, checking out Pioneer DJ decks in the kitchen, playing games on lazy boys in the secret Joey and Chandler coop, and even having a photoshoot in front of the star's car down in the garage. 

When looking for events in London this weekend, make sure to check out what's going on at some of the city's coolest clubs. You'll find that the Tottenham-based Drumsheds is one of the hottest around, hosting epic gigs in a warehouse space that used to be an IKEA. If techno's your thing, check out Fabric in Farringdon, or make your way over to Hackney Wick for Colour Facotry where you'll find a pretty outdoor terrace serving up delicious food (think burgers and Greek goodies), and all-day and night bashes 'til 4am. 

It's no secret that London is home to some of the best museums in the world, but if you're bored of all the usual suspects (though we know you really can't go wrong with the Natural History)? We've got just the thing. These seven weird and wonderful destinations are a great way to spend your Saturday or Sunday (especially if you're looking for free events in London this weekend) Whether you fancy checking out the Freud Museum in Hampstead or heading to Bethnal Green to discover a collection of curiosities throughout history, we've got just thing. 

Looking to add a whole lot of cuteness to your weekend plans? Then head to Java Whiskers in Shepherd's Bush, a cosy cat cafe where you can relax with feline friends. You can enjoy hot drinks, tasty sandwiches and freshly baked treats, while hanging out with cats and kittens that they are helping to re-home.

You can book tickets for the lounge or indulge in a delicious afternoon tea, and they host a number of brilliant events too. Think quiz nights, yoga sessions, painting classes and so much more.

London has around 80 Michelin star restaurants, more than any other area in the UK, spanning a variety of cuisines from French to Japanese. If you're feeling fancy this weekend, or have a special occasion coming up that requires an award-winning spread, then book a table at one of these gorgeous spots. From the two-star Gymkhana serving a £115 Indian-inspired tasting menu (think wild muntjac biryani and saffron pistachio kulfi falooda), to the affordable, Parisian bistro Leroy in Shoreditch, offering a smoked eel Caesar salad topped with chicken skin, you'll be spoilt for choice. 

The best way to take all of London in is from up high, right? And what better way to do that than hitting up one of the incredible rooftop bars this gorgeous capital has to offer? Whether you're keen on evening cocktails or a daytime hang with friends, you'll find plenty of more than suitable haunts in our guide. Visit Sky Garden for views of The Gherkin and live music, or take a break from shopping around Oxford Circus and hit up Aqua Kyoto for Japanese-inspired sips. There's even a cool, Scandi-decorated joint in Dalston that's turned its former jail cells into a drinking den with a rooftop serving wood-fired sharing plates. 

London is synonymous with great theatre, and the West End is constantly impressing us with amazing shows. We've rounded up the best of the best if you're looking for things to do with family this weekend, from an adaptation of My Neighbour Totoro to the hilarious Book of Mormon and the much-loved Wicked. There are even singalongs that are great for kids who want to know a little bit more about history (specifically the untold story of the six wives of Henry VIII in pop star form), musical brunches and cabaret performances on the cards, so there's plenty to keep you entertained for weeks to come.

Afternoon tea dates back to the 19th century, and there's nothing more traditional than heading to the capital for a good cup of Earl Gray paired with a miniature Victoria Sponge. And, while the authentic spreads remain, you'll also find unique packages fronting free-flowing bubbles, fluffy dim sum and even bites centred around wizards. To help you pick your weekend feast, we've got a jam-packed guide featuring chocolate-themed desserts and cocktails, iconic views at The Gherkin while nibbling fresh scones presented in a birdcage, and so much more. 

With a capacity of nearly 1200, Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace is setting the standard for roller rinks in the city. If you're bored of two feet and want to try eight wheels instead this weekend, head over to White City where this mega space is offering not only sessions for you to get out and practice your spins (or holding on to the rails), but also themed nights dedicated to Afrojam or Taylor Swift. You won't go hungry here either, as the menu is the epitome of an American diner through and through; named Hot Dogs & Caviar, you'll find the best in buns here (think wagyu beef patties or buttermilk chicken topped with zingy slaw), followed by indulgent desserts like ice cream sundaes.

Take the Northern line to one of the most iconic buildings in the city that's Grade II-listed and has been transformed into a vibrant shopping and leisure destination. Battersea Power Station has been around since 1929, with a steady construction history and plenty of cool pop culture moments (Pink Floyd album cover, anyone?). Today you can ascend 109 metres up to the top of the North West Chimney and enjoy a 360-degree view of the city from £15.30 per person. And if you're hungry, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from for lunch or dinner, including JOIA, run by Michelin-starred Portuguese chef Henrique Sá Pessoa.

When the weather's looking good for the weekend ahead, there's nothing better than chilling in a beautiful green space, and it's one of the many free things to do in London this weekend. This city has plenty of stretches of land (and is actually made up of 40% public spaces), which is why it's only natural that we've put together a guide to the very best parks across the capital. We've got all areas covered, from Hampstead Heath to Clapham Common or Greenwich Park - perfect for picnics, alfresco drinks and soaking up the sun among Grade II-listed buildings or picturesque Japanese gardens. 

There are plenty of things happening in London this weekend, so you'll never be short of finding a bottomless brunch. Whether you like yours with a DJ set, drag-fuelled and absolutely raucous, or ABBA-themed, you'll find plenty to choose from on DesignMyNight. Head to Blame Gloria for all things disco, Hijingo in Shoreditch for a multi-sensory, futuristic experience, or The Cocktail Club all over the capital for its lively bashes with guaranteed great drinks. There's even one for the meat lovers among you at temper, Soho.