Greenwich and Docklands International Festival - Greenwich

A mental 10 days of UK and international outdoor arts incorporating theatre, dance and, above all, spectacle. Last year saw giant insects walking along the Roman Road and this year promises to be even more nuts. Bungee-assisted aerial dance group Wires Aerial Theatre (directed by Aussie Nigel Jamieson) kickstarts things with a stunning assault from the skies, As The World Tipped. 

£9+, June 21-29, various times 
Various Greenwich locations  
Tube | Greenwich  
festival.org

Hampton Court Flower Show - southwest London

Posh, yes, but also beautiful and spectacular. So leave the suppositions at the door and embrace your inner horticulturalist at the world’s biggest annual flower show. Grab a glass of champers and strawberries, too, while you’re at it.

£19, July 9-14, times vary 
Hampton Court, KT8 9AU 
Station | Hampton Court  
hrp.org.uk

The Scoop At More London - South Bank

This Thameside outdoor arts space hosts comedy, theatre (Sherlock Holmes), film (Skyfall) and all manner of culturally appetising fare. Top work, Boris!

Fre, Until Sep 27, times vary SE1 2DB  
Tube | London Bridge 
morelondon.com

Hot Tub Cinema - Shoreditch

An outdoor cinema at which you’ll stay warm whether the English summer hots up or not – why, this is genius! The ‘Summer of Tub’ kicks off on June 6 with a ‘Best of British’ season (think The Italian Job, Trainspotting) and will run all the way through ‘til September.

It’s exactly what it says on the tin – a ticket gets you a seat in a hot tub on the roof of Rockwell House, and there’s barbecue food, cocktails and tub-side service to complete the luxurious experience. Can you think of a better way to take in a movie this summer? Thought not. 

£30+, From June 6, 6.30pm 
10-14 Hewett St, EC2A 3NN  
Station | Shoreditch High Street  
hottubcinema.com 

Dance Nations Dalston - east London

The hippest square in the hipster land of Dalston (the building in the corner is ambitiously called the Dalston Culture House) is the setting for these two days of live music and dance workshops. Full details are yet to be announced, but if last year’s absolutely packed programme is anything to go by, you’ll be spinning like the lead in the Street Dance movie before the day’s out.

Free, July 13, from 2pm  
Gillett Square, N16 8AZ 
Tube | Dalston Kingsland  
gillettsquare.org.uk

Opera Holland Park - west London

Get some proper culture in you for a change, in the shape of this opera al fresco series in the picturesque west London park. The operas taking to the stage include Puccini’s Madama Butterfly and Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, performed in a double header. And yes, you can have a beer, too. 

£12+, June 4-Aug 3, 7.30pm  W8 6LU  
Tube | Holland Park  
operahollandpark.com 

Nomad Cinema Central - London

This roaming cinema visits Fulham and Forest Hill’s Horniman Gardens, screening the likes of School Of Rock, The Neverending Story and Stand By Me.  

£8.50+, Times and dates TBC  
whereisthenomad.com

Photos: David Jensen; Todd Pacey; Anika Mottershaw; RBG Kew; Bompas and Parr