30 things to do in London this summer

There are few better places to be when the sun is shining than in London. Here, we've rounded up our pick of the events and attractions that need to be on your summer to-do list, from raving it up at one of the capital's biggest festivals to checking out the hottest new restaurant openings.

Gigs

Somerset House Summer Series

The courtyard by the Thames is opening its gates to Scandipop from Sigrid, classic hip hop from De La Soul, reggae from David Rodigan and plenty more.

Somerset House, WC2. July 6-16; somersethouse.org.uk/music

Wireless

A star-packed line-up of homegrown and US rap blokes includes Stormzy, J Cole and DJ Khaled.

Finsbury Park, N4. July 6-8; wirelessfestival.co.uk

Justin Timberlake

US singer and actor plays tracks from his country-influenced new album at his first London show since 2014.

O2 Arena, SE10. July 9-11; the02.co.uk

Lovebox

New field, same colourful mix of dance, hip hop and R&B. Skepta and Childish Gambino top the bill.

Gunnersbury Park, W3. July 13-14; loveboxfestival.com

Brockhampton

The heavily populated California rap crew earned lots of buzz after releasing three albums in quick succession last year.

Koko, NW1. August 20-21; koko.uk.com

Theatre

Home, I’m Darling

A welcome return for playwright Laura Wade, of Posh fame, sees her unpick the idea of the “perfect” 1950s housewife. That fine comedy actress Katherine Parkinson stars.

National’s Dorfman, SE1. July 24-September 5; nationaltheatre.org.uk

The Lehman Trilogy

The story of the firm whose collapse triggered worldwide financial meltdown is told in three parts — in one evening — by director Sam Mendes and star Simon Russell Beale. Will this be as fine as Enron?

National’s Lyttelton, SE1. July 4-Sep 22; nationaltheatre.org.uk

The Lieutenant Of Inishmore

Ross Poldark, aka Aidan Turner, stops his scything/swimming long enough to star in Michael Grandage’s revival of Martin McDonagh’s pitch-black Irish comedy.

Noël Coward, WC2. June 23-September 8; michaelgrandagecompany.com

Little Shop Of Horrors

The Open Air Theatre’s musicals have long been a tuneful high point of the theatrical summer, so expect much alfresco fun as those fearsome succulents are let loose in Regent’s Park.

Open Air Theatre, NW1. Aug 3-Sep 15; openairtheatre.com

Othello

The magisterial Mark Rylance, simply the finest stage actor of his generation, returns from mounting American film stardom to the theatre he once ran to play the scheming Iago, appearing opposite Moonlight’s André Holland as Othello.

Shakespeare’s Globe, SE1. July 20-October 13; shakespearesglobe.com

Films

Incredibles 2

Who runs the world? Another outing for Pixar’s superhero family, this time with Holly Hunter’s matriarch, Elastigirl, on top. She’s out to stop villain Screenslaver. Meanwhile Mr Parr has to stay home and grapple with Dash’s fiendishly difficult maths homework. As for baby Jack-Jack, he’s become a demon seed who puts the fear of god into everyone bar Teutonic tyrant Edna Mode (voiced by director Brad Bird). Incredibly enjoyable.

In cinemas July 13

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

Donna Sheridan (aka the single mamma played by Meryl Streep in the game-changing original) is dead. Which, obvs, is heart-breaking news. But hopes are still high for this circumquel and reasons to be cheerful include the casting of Cher, (as Granny Sheridan), the presence of Welsh actress Alexa Davies (as one of the young Donna’s BFs) and the fact that Andy Garcia will be playing some geezer called Fernando. The kind of film you watch on your feet.

In cinemas July 20

Ant Man and the Wasp

In which Marvel’s insecure, dimensionally challenged superhero gets a witty wing-woman (the titular Wasp, played by Evangeline Lilly). If the trailers are anything to go by, there’s real, screwball energy to the banter and a lot of work’s gone into the surreal visuals. All hail a bizarre blockbuster that doesn’t require us to put away childish things.

In cinemas August 3

Crazy Rich Asians

If this glossy, raucous rom-com’s half as funny as the trailer, it’s going to make Warner Brothers a ton of money. Boy and Girl are in love. But Boy’s super snooty Singapore family don’t want the pair to get married. Think Pride And Prejudice, with fragrant, hatchet-faced Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh) standing in for the hoity-toity Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

In cinemas August 17

Searching

This indie thriller, taking place entirely on laptop computer screens, wowed audiences at Sundance and has already earned a 100 per cent fresh rating from Rotten Tomatoes. John Cho is a Korean-American widower, trying to track down his beloved 15-year-old daughter, with the help of a detective (Debra Messing). Searching suggests modern life is tearing families apart. Share the fear.

In cinemas August 31

Exhibitions

Summer Exhibition

Grayson Perry has given this bastion of the summer season renewed energy. The highlight: a combative, Brexit-tinged main gallery display on acid yellow walls.

Royal Academy, W1. Until August 19; royalacademy.org.uk

Serpentine Pavilion: Frida Escobedo

Ceiling tiles, a shallow pool of water and mirrors form a calm oasis in Frida Escobedo’s pavilion, one of the best yet in the annual Serpentine series.

Serpentine Gallery, W2. Until October 7; serpentinegalleries.org

Art Night

The annual one-night-only festival of art this year fans out from the Hayward Gallery; top young artists including Prem Sahib and Cécile B Evans feature.

Various locations on the South Bank and in Vauxhall and Nine Elms. July 7; 2018.artnight.london

Dorothea Lange: Politics of Seeing

A survey of the great 20th-century photographer, it includes Migrant Mother, one of the most famous photographic images ever made.

Barbican Art Gallery, EC2. Until September 2; barbican.org.uk

William Kentridge: The Head and the Load

The South African artist’s work for the 14-18 Now season is a multimedia affair looking at First World War African porters and carriers.

Tate Modern, SE1. July 11-15, tate.org.uk

Food

The Royal Oak

Duck & Waffle masterchef Dan Doherty has waddled out west. Expect an ephemeral British menu.

74-76 York Street, W1. Open June 22; theroyaloakw1.com

Cora Pearl

George Barson, the man behind A-list den Kitty Fischer’s, is opening a new hotspot in Covent Garden with a French connection.

30 Henrietta Street, WC2. Opens July 10; corapearl.co.uk

Isla Ray

Think café cool, with falafel, hummus, feta, bread and olives meze plates as well as local cured meats and cheeses.

37 Deptford High Street, SE8. Opens July 3; islaray.co.uk

Kahani

Indian finger food to get you in the mood from Peter Joseph, the chef behind the world’s first Michelin-starred Indian, Tamarind.

1 Wilbraham Place, London, SW1. Opens July; kahanilondon.com

Gazelle

Two-storey Mayfair spot with a spiral staircase and private elevator from cocktail supremo Tony Conigliaro.

48 Albemarle Street, W1, opens July; gazelle-mayfair.com

Television

Reporting Trump’s First Year: The Fourth Estate

The new documentary series follows the staff of the New York Times in the wake of Donald Trump’s presidency.

BBC Two. June 24; bbc.co.uk

Sharp Objects

Amy Adams stars in a new HBO drama mini-series based on the 2007 novel of the same name by Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn.

Sky Atlantic. July 8; sky.com

GLOW season two

The Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling return to the ring for a second series based on the real-life circuit.

Netflix. June 29; netflix.com

The Innocents

The new British supernatural thriller from UK-based company New Pictures tells the story of a teenage couple who possess extraordinary “gifts”.

Netflix. August 24; netflix.com

Orange Is the New Black season six

The female prison drama returns for a sixth series after a year-long wait.

Netflix. July 27; netflix.com