WIREDGOV

There's no need to envy friends jetting off to sunnier climes this summer.

Find out why the Capital is the coolest place to be with our top picks from this year's festivals and events.

West End LIVE

Trafalgar Square, 11:00 to 18:00 this Saturday and 12:00 to 18:00 on Sunday

Experience a free taster from some of the biggest shows Theatreland has to offer at this two-day event in Trafalgar Square.

This year's line-up will include performances from 30 musicals including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Les Misérables, Billy Elliott, The Wizard of Oz and Wicked.

Nearest stations: Charing Cross and Embankment

Summer Streets

Regent Street, every Sunday in July

Regent Street will replace traffic with family activities, live entertainment, food and giveaways every Sunday in July for the third year running.

Guests will also be treated to special offers from some of the street's best loved retailers.

Nearest stations: Oxford Circus and Piccadilly

HYPER JAPAN

The O2, Friday 10 July to Sunday 12 July

Discover both the traditional elements of Japanese culture and emerging trends at this free festival at the O2.

Visitors can enjoy performances by Japanese performers, video games, anime paraphernalia, street fashion shows and sample authentic food and drink.

Tickets cost £13 for the Friday and Saturday sessions and £16 for Sunday.

To book, visit hyperjapan.co.uk.

Nearest station: North Greenwich

Eid Festival

Trafalgar Square, Saturday 25 July, 12:00 to 18:00

Everyone is welcome to celebrate Eid at this year's festival organised by the Mayor to mark the end of Ramadan.

One of the highlights will be the amazing food festival, where guests can try different cuisines including Malaysian, Turkish, South Asian, Egyptian, Lebanese, Indonesian, and Arabic.

As usual, there will be live music and performances and fun activities for the kids including face-painting, henna and calligraphy.

Nearest stations: Charing Cross and Embankment

Liberty Festival

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Sunday 26 July

The highlight of this year's National Paralympic Day celebrations, Liberty Festival celebrates the contribution of deaf and disabled people to London's culture.

Expect street arts, comedy, poetry, music, dance, children's activities and stalls with a flurry of circus and carnival spectacle.

Nearest station: Stratford

Prudential RideLondon

Locations in London and Surrey, Saturday 1 August and Sunday 2 August

See more than 95,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities take part in the five separate events that make up the Capital's great festival of cycling, Prudential RideLondon.

On Saturday, spectators can explore the six free festival zones set up along the route in central London, featuring a host of free entertainment including stunt cyclists, Penny Farthing polo and a pedal-powered juice bar.

Riders can also try out a BMX bike and take the mountain bike course challenge.

For maps of the routes and festival zones, visit www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk