What To Do This Weekend 04.07.24

Following last year’s film starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, the Design Museum opens an exhibition on the history of Barbie® this Friday. Three years in the making and opening to coincide with the 65th anniversary of the brand, it explores the design evolution of one of the world’s most famous dolls. Created in partnership with Mattel Inc, the museum has been granted special access to the extensive archives in California, and dozens of rare and unique items will go on show alongside other loans to tell the story of the iconic brand. Tickets cost £16.

Until 23rd Feb 2025.

Visit DesignMuseum.org

Heading to Bicester Village is always a good idea, but if you needed any more of an excuse to visit, the shopping destination has numerous activations to visit and experience over summer. It has teamed up with Waddesdon Manor to create the Flights of Fancy’ exhibition, which features a bee garden (guests can try limited-edition honey as they stroll through), and beautiful flowers in bloom. There’s also a collab with Blenheim Palace, so you can try fruit and veg from the estate – think special lemonade made with fresh basil at Cecconi’s, limited-edition gelato flavours at Vero Latte, and smoothies at The Little Orange Van. Shoppers can also enjoy live classical music under a rose pergola inspired by Blenheim’s rose garden and visit summer pop-up stores from fashion brands like Anine Bing and Heidi Klein.

Visit TheBicesterCollection.com

On Saturday 6 July, Skepta is hosting his inaugural Big Smoke festival at Crystal Palace Park. Of course, the award-wining grime artist will headline the festival, with friends including Mahalia, JME and The Streets also set to perform. Other confirmed acts include Uncle Waffles, Honeyluv and The Mendez Brothers. General release tickets cost £72.80 – and there are still some available if you don’t have Saturday night plans.

Thicket Road, Crystal Palace, SE19 2GA

Visit Ticketmaster.com

Richmond’s Marzamemi festival takes its name from a village in Sicily – so it’s hardly surprising to hear the event celebrates all things Sicilian, from food vendors to music. Premium Italian brand Mutti will be hosting cooking demonstrations with celebrity chef Francesco Mattana. There will be freshly shucked Oysters by The Oyster Society, as well as authentic gelato and granita from Sicilian Pride, deli goodies by Lina Stores, savoury snacks and pizza from Crosta & Mollica, premium prosecco by Emissary Prosecco, cocktails by Malfy Gin and NIO Cocktails, and wines by Laylo. There will also be plenty of ‘dolce vita’ interior brands there, including Lucarna Studio and Ceraudo. For the kids, there will be special performances from The Giggle Company, a silent cinema, a disco and a mini beach. Tickets start from £25.

Syon Park, Brent Lea, Brentford, TW8 8JF; 6th-7th July 

Visit Marzamemi.co.uk

Charcuterie go-to Grape & Fig – run by Romford-based sisters Toria and Catherine – has popped up on Regent Street. Known for its party-ready grazing boards, its ‘Build Your Own Cheese Box’ concept is aimed at lunchtime workers. Simply choose your box size, your base – cheese, charcuterie or vegan cheese – your condiments and crudités, and let the team make it up for you. 

Brityard, 310-312 Regent Street, West End, W1B 3AU

Visit GrapeAndFig.com

Soft serve brand Soft & Swirly will open a pop-up at E5 Bakehouse in London Fields this weekend. From Friday 5th July, and every weekend throughout the month, visitors can choose from a selection of weekly-changing flavours. This week, choose from loganberry and sheep’s ricotta soft serve, as well as sorbet made from seasonal fruits.

396 Mentmore Terrace, London Fields, E8 3PH

Follow @E5Bakehouse

Dalston Yard opened this week. From the founder of Street Feast, it promises the best food, drink, culture and wellness all in one spot. The East London hub has no fewer than ten kitchens, including permanent restaurants such as The Butcher Of Dalston – a chop house from Acme Fire Cult’s Andrew Clarke – as well as a plethora of summer residencies. There will also be seven bars and a bottle shop helmed by award-winning mixologist Rich Woods. On the culture side of things, there are film screenings, expert talks, wellbeing sessions and exhibitions at art gallery Amphi. Weekends bring live music from No Signal, Eastern Margins and Phonica Records.

Dalston Yard, Hartwell Street, Dalston, E8 3DU

Visit DalstonYard.com

Street food hotspot Arcade X pops up at the Coaling Jetty at Battersea Power Station this week. Look out for Bao, burger spot Manna, South American-inspired Solis, and Sushi Kamon. As well as a stellar food line-up, there will be cold wine and beer on tap, and live DJ sets to soundtrack your evening – all set along the Thames.

Battersea Power Station Pier, Battersea, SW8 4NR

Visit ArcadeFoodHall.com 

If you didn’t catch this feel-good rom com earlier this year, you now have a second chance. After a sold-out run at Kiln Theatre, Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York has extended its West End run at the Criterion Theatre until the end of the summer. Brit Dougal, played by Olivier award-winner Sam Tutty (Dear Evan Hansen), has the upbeat energy of an overexcited puppy. He flies to the Big Apple for his dad’s second wedding, and meets NYC native and sister-of-the-bride Robin (Dujonna Gift). Robin is the sardonic black cat antidote to Brit’s labrador vibe, so it’s no surprise that sparks soon fly.

Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly, St James’s, W1J 9HR; until 31st August 

Visit TwoStrangersTheMusical.com

While it might not be happening this weekend, we wanted to give you a heads-up that Australian luxury SPF brand Mecca Cosmetica is planning to celebrate its one-year anniversary of being in the UK by handing out complimentary deluxe samples of its cult product, the To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen. You can also grab some extra merch, including sun hats and canvas totes, and explore this summer’s Sun Series capsule collection.

Seven Dials, Covent Garden, WC2H 9LD; 10th July (9.30am-7pm) & 11th July (8.30am-6pm)

Visit Mecca.co.uk

Jeremy O. Harris’s Slave Play, which has been nominated for more Tony awards (12) than any other, landed in London last week. It transfers from Broadway to the West End with Robert O’Hara at the helm as director. For the London edition, Kit Harington (Game of Thrones), Olivia Washington (I’m A Virgo), Fisayo Akinade and Aaron Heffernan join James Cusati-Moyer, Chalia La Tour, Annie McNamara and Irene Sofia Lucio, who are reprising their roles from the original NYC production. The play follows three interracial couples who try to reignite their relationships by signing up for a sexual performance therapy workshop, which involves role-playing being on a plantation. Critically lauded and loathed, the controversial play holds a mirror up to identity, race, sexuality and power in 21st-century America.

Noël Coward Theatre, 85-88 St Martin’s Lane, West End, WC2N 4AP; until 21st September 

Visit SlavePlayLondon.com