In short
To plan a great weekend in London, pick one area, book one main event and fill the gaps with free things nearby. In east London, that could be a London Lions basketball game at the Copper Box Arena, a morning in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which is free to enter, and food in Hackney Wick or Westfield Stratford City. It works in any weather.
"Things to do in London this weekend" is one of the most searched questions in the country. The problem isn't a lack of choice. It's too much choice, spread across a city where getting from one side to the other can take an hour. The best weekends are planned around one area and one main event. This guide shows you how to plan a London weekend that works, with ideas for families, couples, friends and visitors, and a live basketball game as one of the options.
How to plan a London weekend
- Start with one main event. A game, a show, an exhibition or a meal you've booked. Everything else fits around it.
- Choose one area. London is big. Staying in one or two neighbourhoods saves hours of travel.
- Check the weather and have a plan B. Make sure the main event is indoors, or have an indoor option nearby.
- Add free things. Parks, markets, free museums and walks fill gaps without adding cost.
- Book ahead. Popular events, restaurants and attractions fill up, especially on Saturdays.
- Check engineering works. Weekend closures on the Tube and rail are common, so check before you set off.
Live sport at the weekend
Live sport gives a weekend a fixed point and a shared experience. Basketball is particularly easy to plan around: games are indoors, last around two hours and have a clear start time.
London Lions at the Copper Box
London Lions men play home games at the Copper Box Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford. Most are in the evening, which suits a Friday or Saturday night out, and some are on weekend afternoons, which suits families. Check the full fixture list to see whether the Lions are at home this weekend. Some men's domestic games are played at NCC Hackney instead, so always check the venue on the fixture list and your ticket before you travel.
Women's games at NCC Hackney
London Lions women often play home games at weekends at NCC Hackney in Hoxton. It's a smaller venue with unallocated seating, and you can bring your own food and drink.
What to expect on the night
At the Copper Box, doors open 60 minutes before tip-off and the pre-show starts 30 minutes before. The arena is cashless, bags must be roughly A4 size or smaller, and outside food and drink aren't allowed.
Ideas by who you're with
| Who | Saturday idea | Sunday idea |
|---|---|---|
| Families | Playgrounds in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, then an afternoon game | A family swim at the London Aquatics Centre |
| Couples | An evening game, then dinner in Hackney Wick | A walk along the canals and brunch |
| Friends | Food at Hackney Bridge, then a game | The ArcelorMittal Orbit slide and a long lunch |
| Visitors | Central London sights, then the Elizabeth line to Stratford for a game | The East Bank cultural quarter and the park |
Families
Children aged two and under go free at Lions games, and the park's playgrounds are free. Pair an afternoon game with a morning at Tumbling Bay Playground for a full day that doesn't cost a fortune. Our What's On in London page brings together family, group and visitor ideas in one place.
Couples
A game makes a lively date with built-in conversation. See our guide to date night ideas in London for seats, timings and where to eat.
Friends
For groups of friends, a game gives everyone a shared focus and a reason to meet. Book seats together and plan food before or drinks after in Hackney Wick.
Visitors
Stratford is about seven minutes by train from Liverpool Street, and Stratford International is about seven minutes from St Pancras. That makes east London easy to add to a weekend of central London sightseeing.
Indoor and rainy-day options
A London weekend shouldn't depend on the forecast. In east London, you can stay dry with:
- a London Lions game at the Copper Box, which is fully indoor and seated
- a swim at the London Aquatics Centre
- the shops and restaurants of Westfield Stratford City, all under cover
- V&A East and Sadler's Wells East on the park's East Bank
East London weekend ideas
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
The former London 2012 Olympic Park is free to enter every day. It has riverside paths, playgrounds, the ArcelorMittal Orbit with its tunnel slide, the London Aquatics Centre, Lee Valley VeloPark and London Stadium. Our Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park game-day guide explains what's where and how to fit it around a game. The park publishes its own events on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park what's on page.
Hackney Wick
On the west side of the park, Hackney Wick has canal-side bars, breweries, street art and independent restaurants in converted warehouses.
Stratford
Stratford is one of London's major transport hubs, with Westfield Stratford City beside the park and a wide choice of places to eat.
Saturday and Sunday: a sample weekend
Saturday
- Morning: a walk through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the ArcelorMittal Orbit
- Afternoon: lunch at Hackney Bridge and a wander along the canals
- Evening: a London Lions game at the Copper Box, then dinner in Hackney Wick
Sunday
- Morning: brunch in Hackney Wick or Stratford
- Afternoon: the East Bank cultural quarter or a swim at the London Aquatics Centre
- Evening: an early dinner at Westfield Stratford City before heading home
Booking ahead
Book the main event first. Lions tickets are sold on Ticketmaster through the club website, and prices vary by game and seat. Once you have tickets, book restaurants around the tip-off time.
A tip for the weekend
Use the same contactless card or phone for every journey in a day, so daily fare caps apply on London transport.
Weekend ideas by season
| Season | Ideas |
|---|---|
| Autumn | Park walks among the trees, then an evening game at the Copper Box |
| Winter | Indoor plans: a game, a swim and dinner under cover at Westfield Stratford City |
| Spring | Canal walks in Hackney Wick and a weekend afternoon game |
| Summer | Picnics and play in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and outdoor basketball courts |
Getting around at weekends
Weekend engineering works are common on London transport, so check Transport for London's status updates before you set off. Stratford is served by several lines, so if one is closed there's usually another route. Hackney Wick station is about five minutes' walk from the Copper Box, and the 388 bus stops outside.
Making it a regular thing
If a weekend in east London goes well, make it a habit. The basketball season runs through autumn, winter and spring, with home games spread across it, so there's usually a reason to come back.
A weekend on a budget
- Spend most of the weekend on free things: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, canal walks and free museums.
- Choose upper-tier seats at a Lions game, which are usually the lowest-priced option.
- Eat at Hackney Bridge's food stalls or bring a picnic for the park. Outside food can't go into the arena.
- Children under 11 travel free on many London services, which helps families.
Planning checklist
- Check the Lions fixture list and book the game first.
- Book restaurants around the tip-off time.
- Check Transport for London for weekend engineering works.
- Pack light: bags must be roughly A4 size or smaller at the Copper Box.
- Bring a card or phone, because the arena is cashless.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in London this weekend?
Pick one main event and one area. In east London, a London Lions basketball game at the Copper Box pairs well with a free day in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and food in Hackney Wick or Westfield Stratford City. Check the Lions fixture list for home games.
What are good indoor things to do in London at the weekend?
Indoor options include live sport such as a London Lions game at the Copper Box, swimming at the London Aquatics Centre, museums and galleries such as V&A East, and shopping and dining at Westfield Stratford City.
Are London Lions games on at weekends?
Some are. Most men's home games are in the evening, including Friday and weekend evenings, and some are on weekend afternoons. Women's home games at NCC Hackney are often at weekends. Check the club's fixture list for dates and times.
How do I plan a weekend in London on a budget?
Choose one paid event and fill the rest of the weekend with free things such as parks, markets and free museums. Stay in one area to save on travel, and use the same contactless card for all journeys so daily caps apply.
Is Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park free?
Yes. The park is free to enter every day, including its playgrounds, gardens and waterways. Some attractions, such as the ArcelorMittal Orbit, the London Aquatics Centre and Lee Valley VeloPark, charge for entry or sessions.
For anything else, see the London Lions FAQs.
Sources and references
- London Lions — Schedule
- Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park — What's on
- Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park — Plan your visit
- London Lions — Frequently asked questions
- London Lions — Tickets (including group bookings)
This article was checked against the sources above. Fixtures, prices and venue arrangements can change, so always check the latest details on the London Lions website before you travel.