All week
THE GREAT SUPPER: Time's running out to see the blingtastic work of artist Sara Shakeel. You may know her from Instagram where she adorns tube carriages and landmarks with diamantes, but for this exhibition she's turned her attention to family mealtimes. Read our interview with the artist. Now Gallery (Greenwich Peninsula), free, just turn up, until 23 June
WILDLIFE ART: Work by artist Hannah Shergold is on display in a solo exhibition this week. The ex-army helicopter pilot turned artist has created some stunning wildlife art in aid of the Born Free Foundation. La Galleria (Pall Mall), free, just turn up, 17-29 June
DREAMS OF FLIGHT: Don a VR headset and take part in Volo, a virtual reality swinging experience designed to replicate the sensation of flying. It's inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci’s flying machines, and is part of the Fantastic Feats: the building of London festival. City of London locations, free, just turn up, 18-22 June
ANCIENT EGYPT: New exhibition From Gurob to the Getty focuses on one of the most important artefacts in the Petrie Museum: an ancient model of a ship-cart excavated from a tomb at the site of Gurob. Get a first glimpse of it after a lengthy restoration project, and find out more about its history. Petrie Museum (UCL), free, just turn up, 18 June-26 October
FITZ FEST: The music and culture of the Fitzrovia area is celebrated at FitzFest, which honours the area's past as well as the culture happening today. Many events on the programme are free, including yoga in Fitzrovia Chapel, guided walks and rush hour concerts. Various Fitzrovia locations, many events free, 19-23 June
Monday 17 June
TINY TROOPERS: Under-5s and their carers are invited to take part in the monthly sensory session at National Army Museum. This month, activities are themed on the Abram Games war posters exhibition. National Army Museum (Chelsea), £5, book ahead, 10am/11.20am
WALK THE LOW LINE: As part of London Festival of Architecture, take part in a free guided walk following the Low Line, a route following the Victorian railway viaduct stretching out from Southwark. See how new projects and activities are opening up the area, which until recently had been divided down the middle by the railway tracks. Meet at Southwark station, free, book ahead, 6pm
JAMES BOND: Here's hoping the weather's licensed to thrill, as Canary Wharf hosts a free-open air screening of 2012 Bond film Skyfall, starring Daniel Craig as 007. Various nearby restaurants are serving food and drink to tuck into as you watch, including martinis at The Grandstand Bar. Canada Square Park (Canary Wharf), free, just turn up, 7pm
Tuesday 18 June
BORROW A BOAT: Literally just borrow a boat for a while — specifically, a stand up paddleboard. Today's event marks the launch of Borrow A Boat Experiences, a chance for more people to get on the water through sports and sailing. Don't fancy taking to the water yourself? Pull up a deckchair and watch other people's attempts, or explored a 1923 Thames sailing barge moored up nearby. St Katharine Docks, free, book ahead, 4pm-9pm
WEIMAR REPUBLIC: Provost of Gresham College Sir Richard Evans — an expert in modern German history — gives a free lecture about the establishment of the ill-fated Weimar Republic 100 years ago. He offers his thoughts on why the Republic failed, and what lessons can be learned from it. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm
NO DIRECTION HOME: This is nothing to do with Bob Dylan. Instead enjoy an evening of stand-up comedy by performers from migrant and refugee backgrounds to mark Refugee Week. No Direction Home is a comedy course for people from these backgrounds, and tonight is a chance to see the results. Migration Museum (Lambeth), £5, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm
Wednesday 19 June
WAR MEMORIALS: The postal service lost many of its staff during the world wars, and commemorates them with an impressive 350 memorial dotted around the country. Find out how the memorials came about and who cares for them today in this free talk. Postal Museum (Clerkenwell), free, just turn up, 11.30am/2pm
WATER ZORBING: Have a go at zorbing inside a giant inflatable ball on London's canals. Walk on the canal without (hopefully) getting wet at this two-day only pop-up. Merchant Square (Paddington), free, book ahead, 12pm-8pm, 19-20 June
BOROUGH BOUNDARIES: Hear about the history of the borders that separate London's boroughs in this free lecture. Find out how the borders have changed over time, and how the boroughs ended up the shape they are today. New London Architecture (Fitzrovia), free, book ahead, 6.30pm-9pm
Thursday 20 June
RENT CEREMONY: One of London's quirky traditions, the Covent Garden Rent Ceremony is an annual event in which Covent Garden officials, a town crier and a brass band march about the Piazza in their finery to pay a 'peppercorn rent' of five red apples and five posies of flowers. Worth a watch if you're in the area. Find out more about the history here. Covent Garden, free, just turn up, from 4pm
LIVE MUSIC: Head to Merchant Square's lovely floating pocket park after work for an evening of live acoustic music from Natalie Shay. The young, London-born singer-songwriter won the 2015 Big Busking Competition and put on a damn good show in the Eurostar lounge to celebrate. Merchant Square (Paddington), free, just turn up, 5.30pm-7.30pm
LONDON IS A FOREST: Paul Wood, aptly-named author of London is a Forest, discusses the arboreal tome. He justifies the classification of London as a forest, looking at some of the iconic and hidden species of tree to be found here. Stanfords (Covent Garden), £4, book ahead, 7pm-8.15pm
Friday 21 June
FILM FESTIVAL: Let's hope for good weather today as the Summer Love Open Air Film Festival kicks off. Screenings take place on the steps by the water in Granary Square, and the summer's programme includes classic, new, and family films, and Wimbledon screenings. Canalside steps (King's Cross), free, bookable tickets are sold out but get there early on the day for walk-ins, 21 June-14 July
SUMMER SHOWCASE: The British Academy's Summer Showcase is a 'festival of ideas' consisting of talks, workshops and performances focusing on the arts and social sciences. 15 interactive exhibits are at the centre of the event, and there's also a late evening opening, to see it in a different light (and with booze). British Academy, free, just turn up, 10am-4pm and 6.30pm-9pm
WHERE IS DALSTON?: Historic England’s Inspector of Historic Buildings and Areas in London, Billy Reading, leads a walk around Hackney, focusing on architecture and urbanism in the area. Find out why it's so tricky to define the boundaries of the area of Dalston, due to physical and socio-economic factors. Dalston Kingsland, free, book ahead, 2pm-3.30pm
Saturday 22 June
EEL PIE ISLAND: There's a rare chance to get onto Eel Pie Island, a small spit of land at the centre of the Thames in Twickenham. The artists who work in studios on the island open their doors and invite the public in for open studios weekend. Chat to the makers and buy work from them directly — and bring cash, as they don't all take cards. Eel Pie Island (Twickenham), free entry, just turn up, 11am-6pm, 22-23 June
WEST END LIVE: Performers from West End shows including Aladdin, Wicked and Come From Away come together to put on a free show in Trafalgar Square. West End Live sees them perform songs and dances from their shows — and gives you a taster of what to expect if you go to see them. Trafalgar Square, free, just turn up, 22-23 June
KEW FETE: The Kew Midsummer Fete celebrates its 10th anniversary and continues its work raising money for local charities. It's a traditional English fair with a vintage fairground, live music on stage, food and charity stalls, a dog show and a raffle. Kew Green, free entry, just turn up, 11am-6pm
Sunday 23 June
SPANISH FEST: Celebrate all things Latino at the Portobello Spanish Festival. Tuck into authentic dishes including tapas and paella from street food traders, browse stalls of Spanish crafts, and watch Flamenco dancing and traditional music performances. Portobello Road, free, just turn up, 10am-6pm
ARCHITECTURE DAY: Watch a Lego architecture challenge at the Royal Academy's Big Architecture Family Day, and watch three experts battle it out using the plastic bricks. Other activities include workshops and tours aimed at all ages. Royal Academy of Arts, free, just turn up, 11am-4pm
CALLY FEST: A street market, arts and crafts, live music, dancing and storytelling are some of the activities on offer at The Cally Festival. The free, family-friendly event celebrates the heritage, culture and people of the Caledonian Road area. Caledonian Road, free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm
