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What's on in East London

East London packs a remarkable amount of culture into a short walk. From landmark venues to smaller galleries, theatres and music spaces, this part of the city rewards anyone willing to explore beyond the obvious — and much of what's on is easy to combine into a single outing.

This page tracks the exhibitions, theatre, concerts and cinema on at venues across East London this week. We show each event's venue, dates and how to book, so you can build a plan around where you already are or fancy heading. Whether you want a gallery afternoon, an evening show or a family day out, start here.

Follow any listing through for full details, times and booking. For a wider view, browse what's on today or this weekend across the whole city.

East · this week

Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends

12/02/2026 - 15/11/2026

Daily 10:00-17:45

Young V&A

Hamlet Hail to the Thief

31/10/2026 - 23/01/2027

14:30 & 19:45

Barbican Centre (Theatre)

ABBA Voyage

27/05/2022 - 28/06/2027

Mon, Thu-Fri 19:45; Sat 15:00 & 19:45; Sun 13:00 & 18:00

ABBA Arena

Bank of England Museum – What's On (parent listing) - FREE

21/06/2026 - 31/03/2027

Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30). Museum Lates every third Thu until 20:00 (last entry 19:30, booking recommended). Closed Bank Holidays and weekends.

Bank of England Museum

Sea Life

17/09/2026 - 18/01/2027

Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00 (+ Sat 10:00-17:00 on performance days)

Half Moon Theatre

Phil Wang: UH OH

24/09/2026 - 18/11/2026

20:00

Soho Theatre Walthamstow

Yuko Mohri

01/10/2026 - 24/01/2027

•••

Barbican Centre (Art Gallery)

Wakaliga Uganda

02/10/2026 - 06/12/2026

Wed-Sun 12:00-18:00

Chisenhale Gallery

After The Fire: Insurance, Finance & A Rebuilt City - FREE

05/10/2026 - 27/11/2026

Mon-Fri: 10:00-17:00

Bank of England Museum

Cecilia Vicuna: Living Threads

07/10/2026 - 14/02/2027

Tue-Wed, Fri-Sun 11:00-18:00; Thu 11:00-21:00

Whitechapel Gallery

Robert Ryman: The Real Thing

08/10/2026 - 28/02/2027

•••

Barbican Centre (Art Gallery)

Ceilidh the Musical

22/10/2026 - 28/02/2027

Various times - see website

Shoreditch Town Hall

HUMANHOOD - Vortex

10/11/2026 - 14/11/2026

19:30

Sadler's Wells East

Inmo Yang plays Bartok’s First Violin Concerto

10/11/2026

19:30

Barbican Centre (Hall)

Dabeull Live Band

11/11/2026

19:00

Troxy

London Symphony Orchestra/Half Six Fix – Steve Reich at 90

11/11/2026

18:30

Barbican Centre (Hall)

SQUID: A Victim Impact Statement

11/11/2026 - 14/11/2026

Various times - see website

Arcola Theatre (Studio 2)

Bones in the Desert

12/11/2026 - 17/11/2026

Various times - see website

Half Moon Theatre

London Symphony Orchestra/Susanna Mälkki

12/11/2026

19:00

Barbican Centre (Hall)

Coltrane 100: Lovano, Aldana, Makhathini, Oh, Watts

13/11/2026

19:30

Barbican Centre (Hall)

Morcheeba

13/11/2026

19:00

Troxy

Asha Puthli: The Cosmic Voyager

14/11/2026

19:30

Barbican Centre (Hall)

Rotterdam Loves London - FREE

14/11/2026

16:15

Barbican Centre (Various)

Shrek Rave

14/11/2026

20:00

Troxy

'Round Midnight

15/11/2026

15:30

Barbican Centre (Various)

Anouar Brahem: After the Last Sky

15/11/2026

19:30

Barbican Centre (Hall)

Yasuaki Shimizu

15/11/2026

19:30

Milton Court Concert Hall

Venues in East London · 77

Frequently asked questions

What's on in East London this week?

The list above shows cultural events at venues across East London — exhibitions, theatre, concerts and film — updated day by day, with our picks first.

Are there free things to do in East London?

Often, yes. Many London venues offer free entry to their collections and free events. See our free things to do page for everything on this week with no ticket.

How do I get to East London?

East London is well served by the Underground, buses and, in central areas, walking between venues. Check each venue's page for its address and nearest station.

How current are these listings?

They're refreshed continuously, so the events shown reflect what's actually on in this part of London this week.