Have we got a good weekend for you! Not only are there outdoor festivals perfectly timed for the sunshine, London is celebrating Pride. Gay, straight, everybody’s invited to join in the fun..
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On account of Pride, the Hayward Gallery is offering FREE entrance to their Kiss My Genders exhibition on Saturday. (Tickets are normally around £15.50)
The exhibition examines gender identity, gender fluidity and intersex and trans issues via 100 artworks. There’s over 30 international artists participating including Travis Alabanza, Amrou Al-Kadhi. Holly Falconer and Sadie Benning.
There’s no advance booking for this offer so just turn up.
Sat 6th July, 11am – 7pm: Kiss My Genders
Hayward Gallery, Belvedere Rd, SE1 8XX
FREE entry – For more info click here
The National Theatre kicks off its summer River Stage Festival on the Southbank with East End gay bar, The Glory taking to the stage for two days. Can’t lie, we love this.
The fun begins Friday night with a We Love EU Party and if you’ve never been, you must go. If their colourful performances don’t make you forget the world’s woes nothing will.
Drag queen, Jonny Woo will be leading proceedings. Expect a celebration of Kylie and Judy Garland on Saturday and a Big Gay Gala on Sunday, along with a drag queen contest and lip syncing. Kids are welcome – and be sure to have your best singing voice ready as there will be singalongs!
Fri 5th July – Sun 7th July: The Glory at The River Stage
The National Theatre, 95 Lower Marsh, SE1 7AB
FREE – For the full weekend programme click here
It’s only Renee Zellweger! The Hollywood star is appearing on the Pride stage at Trafalgar Square to introduce to introduce the trailer to her new film, Judy.
What do you mean, you’ve not heard about it; where have you been?
Sat 6th July, 4.30pm: Renee Zellweger
Trafalgar Sq, WC2N
If you fancy a cocktail – and all for a good cause – hit up the Hilton Park Lane or Waldorf on Aldwych.
Both bars will be serving up special Pride Colada in the six colours of the rainbow flag. Best of all £1 from each drink sold this weekend goes to LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall. Chin chin!
Sat 6th & Sun 7th July, Pride Coladas at the Waldorf and Park Lane Hilton
The Waldorf Hilton, Aldwych, WC2B 4DD
London Hilton Park Lane, 2 Park Lane, W1K 1BE
Staying on the Pride theme… Paramount Pictures are celebrating festivities with a weekend long 2-4-1 ticket offer to see Elton John biopic Rocketman on the big screen.
How to claim? Just click on the See It First site and enter the code PRIDE19. The offer is valid all weekend from Friday until Sunday at every Picturehouse, Empire and Cineworld cinema across the country. Saturday night’s alright for watching!
Fri 5th July – Sun 7th July: 2-4-1 tickets for Rocketman
Nationwide at Picturehouse, Empire and Cineworld
For more info click here
Head to the Southbank for a sweet tasting nostalgia-fest as a host of retro ice cream vans come together to play out a melody at this FREE musical pop up.
Music for Seven Ice Cream Vans: Weekend Installation will feature special tuneful harmonies played out across the two days. It’ll bring us all back to childhood and yes, there’ll be ice creams on sale nearby if you need a fix.
Sat 6th & Sun 7th July, (Sat; shows at 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm / Sun; 12pm, 2pm, 4pm): Music for Seven Ice Cream Vans: Weekend Installation
Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall Side, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1
FREE – for more info click here
Grab the kids and get hands on at a FREE afternoon up close to old bones and fossils at the Grant Museum of Zoology
Explore Zoology will feature animal skulls and specimens brought out specially to looks at and study. Something for every budding dinosaur hunter to get excited about.
Sat 6th July, 1pm – 4pm: Explore Zoology
Grant Museum of Zoology, Rockefeller Building, UCL, WC1E 6DE
FREE – For more info click here
Make the most of the FREE fun at the action packed Jester Festival in West Hampstead.
There’ll be loads to do including live music, dance displays, tai chi, story telling and a climbing wall. There’ll even be a FREE funfair. Look out too for home baked cakes, street food and booze for the (very) big kids. What’s not to like?
Sat 6th & Sun 7th July, 12pm – 6pm: Fortune Green Jester Festival
Fortune Green, NW6
FREE – For a full list of what’s on and all other info click here
Get down to the Greenwich for a colourful weekend of salsa dancing, live music, rum cocktails, samba shows and delicious street food; Comida Fest is back.
The FREE two day gala is a celebration of all things Latin American with traders on hand from Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Cuba, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic!
There’s just as much fun for the kids too; join in with some face painting, Spanish language club and puppet shows.
Sat 6th & Sun 7th July, 11am – 6pm: Comida Fest
Cutty Sark Gardens, SE10 9HT
FREE – For more info click here
Need more inspiration?
Catch a FREE outdoor film including La La Land,Notting Hill and Finding Nemo
Enjoy Wimbledon themed drinks and retro desserts in Spitalfields
How about supping FREE Jack Daniels cocktails in Shoreditch or Canary Wharf?
See fireworks + theatre at the spectacular closing ceremony of the Greenwich & Docklands Festival