June
Victoria & Albert: Art & Love
Set against the opulent backdrop of The Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace, SW1A, this exhibition focuses on the unique partnership of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and their shared love of art, and features more than 400 items from the Royal Collection. Until 31 October.
020 7766 7301, royalcollection.org.uk
The Surreal House, Barbican Art Gallery, EC2Y
A labyrinth of chambers, designed by acclaimed architects Carmody Groarke, create this intriguing exhibition space. The works of surreal artists, architects and filmmakers, such as Salvador Dalí, Marcel Duchamp and Maya Deren, are showcased in a style befitting to the spirit of their enterprises. Until 12 September. 020 7638 4141, barbican.org.uk
July
London Literature Festival
A two-week celebration of London’s love of literature, including a stage adaptation of Tahmima Anam’s novel A Golden Age, a reading by punk poet John Cooper Clarke and a performance of Dante’s Inferno at the Southbank skate park, SE1. From 1 to 18 July. 0844 875 0073, southbankcentre.co.uk
Oxfam Bookfest
Oxfam loves books and is celebrating its insatiable passion for print with the Oxfam Bookfest. The aim is to get people reading more, and events include fun stuff for kids, talks for adults at dedicated bookshops and a few surprises in store too. Last year, customers were in for a treat when Bill Nighy, Joanna Trollope and Ali Smith turned up to help stack the shelves at the Bloomsbury and Marylebone Oxfam bookshops. From 3 to 17 July. oxfam.org.uk/shop/content/books/info.html
Lovebox
Festivals don’t always have to involve the messy business of camping – especially if you can catch the night bus home. That’s the beauty of Lovebox in Bethnal Green’s Victoria Park, E3. This year, organisers Groove Armada have added a third day to their annual urban social, and joining headliners Dizzee Rascal, Roxy Music and Grace Jones are Paloma Faith, Mark Ronson & The Business, Hot Chip, Ellie Goulding, The Noisettes and more. From 16 to 18 July, tickets cost £45, £80 and £99. lovebox.net
Kids’ stuff
Looking for cool things to do with the kids? Keep them happy with our hot list of great days out for little Londoners
Kids’ Week in the West End
It’s curtain up for kids aged five to 16 – they can go free to any participating London theatre when accompanied by an adult. Up to two extra kids go half price. From 13 to 27 August. kidsweek.co.uk
Underage Festival
Strictly for 14- to 18-year-olds only, this music-filled extravaganza will be held in Victoria Park, East London, E3 on 1 August. Highlights include performances from Ellie Goulding, New Young Pony Club, Stornoway and Unicorn Kid. 0844 477 1000, underagefestivals.com
Gorilla Circus
Experience a Try 'n' Fly session at the Flying Trapeze School in Regent’s Park, NW1 – one of only two flying trapezes in the UK open to the public. You can also book in for a longer session or regular classes for more adrenaline rushes, including being caught by a catcher. From 27 July to 23 August. 07946 153269, gorillacircus.com
Roller Disco @ the O2
For nostalgia they’ll enjoy as much as you will, shimmy down to the retro roller disco at The O2, SE10, which boasts the largest skating rink in London. For the uninitiated, lessons can be booked on Saturday mornings. Until 31 August 2010. 0844 856 0202, theo2.co.uk
Lollibop
'The big bash for little people’ in Clissold Park, Stoke Newington, N16, on 17 to 18 July sounds like a blast for oldies too. Visit the world’s smallest nightclub, The Miniscule Of Sound, sing with Mr Whippy at his ice-cream van or bling up your buggy at Pimp My Pram. lollibopfestival.com
Sky Tonight Live Show
Your over-fives will be left star-struck by this live presentation of constellations, planets, shooting stars and cosmic gas clouds as viewed from The Peter Harrison Planetarium at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, SE10. Takes place on weekends and holiday weekdays. 020 8312 6608, nmm.ac.uk