From outdoor musicals to adult face-painting and a very expensive Scotch egg, there’s plenty of excitement to be found in London this weekend. Here are our recommended things to do.

West End Live

Fans of musicals should pay a visit to Trafalgar Square this weekend for West End Live, a huge free festival on Saturday and Sunday afternoons which celebrates London’s West End shows from Phantom of the Opera to Wicked. For the first time ever this year, the line-up includes performances from every single West End musical currently playing. 23 – 24 Jun

Taste of London

Forty of London’s best restaurants will dish up feasts as part of Taste of London, the capital’s fine dining festival which is returning to Regent’s Park. There is also a boutique food market, delicious demonstrations from top chefs like Jason Atherton and Michel Roux Jr, a masterclass in matching champagne to the scent of flowers and the chance to win the world’s most expensive Scotch egg – priced at a mere £500. 21 – 24 Jun

BP Portrait Award

Young New York artist Aleah Chapin has won the renowned portrait-painting award with a nude picture of her family friend. The artwork, titled Auntie is on show at the free exhibition at The National Portrait Gallery, alongside 54 other finalist portraits which were whittled down from 2,187 entries. Until 23 Sept

Greenwich and Docklands International Festival

The Greenwich and Docklands International Festival is an outdoor arts extravaganza that will bring theatre, dance and eccentricity to spots around Greenwich like the Cutty Sark Gardens and Greenwich Market. Don’t miss Prometheus Awakes on Friday night – a spectacular retelling of the Greek myth featuring an enormous glowing puppet at the National Maritime Museum. Another highlight this weekend is the recreation of the 19th century Greenwich Fair, which includes a show inside a 30ft pig and gravity-defying piano. 21 – 30 Jun

Zoo Lates

See the animals but leave the kids at home: ZSL London Zoo is offering grown-up fun by opening its doors after hours every Friday in June and July for Zoo Lates. A silent disco, street food, music, comedy and cabaret performances transform the zoo into a festival – and you can even turn into a creature with costumes and face-painting (we all know we’re tempted when the kids get it done). Over 18s only. Fridays until 27 Jul

Zoo Lates is back! The popular adults-only event at ZSL London Zoo is a rare chance to explore the zoo after hours.

When we visited, we didn’t see many animals raving like the ones in the video (in fact many were asleep) but we did have fun at the silent disco, twisted cabaret and yummy food stalls.

Here’s what a couple of other visitors had to say…

“It was great to wander around after work on a Friday, checking out the local inhabitants such as the penguins in their new home at the beach (who seemed to be loving the rain), with a beer in hand. Walking past the silent disco made me laugh, watching everyone dancing away with headphones on in the rain. I am off again in a few weeks’ time. Fingers crossed for some sunshine this time!”
Lisa, London

“Despite the rain the Brits were out in force. Zoo Lates had a festival feel with lots of entertainment and food stalls with every type of cuisine you can imagine. It was amusing to watch people dancing in the rain to the silent disco too. A really enjoyable way to spend a Friday evening in London!”
Ruth, London

Zoo Lates takes place every Friday in July 2011

We love cute animal pictures at VL so we just couldn’t resist this video of “dancing” animals at London Zoo.

If you fancy seeing what the animals get up to at night, don’t miss the Zoo Lates programme when the zoo will be extending its opening hours every Friday night in August. See what we got up to at last year’s Zoo Lates.

This Friday’s event is already sold out, so book your tickets sharpish for the remaining Zoo Lates.