- Fire Engines Rally - (Family entertainment) - Are you ready to get hot under the collar for the annual Historic Fire Engines Rally at Kew Bridge Steam Museum? Come and see a host of different fire engines, dating from 1914 to the 1980's, displayed and in action on Sunday 18 May. Organised by the Fire Service Preservation Group, the rally will feature early motorised Dennis fire engines, 1914 and 1916, including the magnificent 1916 petrol driven model from the Royal College of Science complete with student firemen in period dress. There will also be a mix of younger fire appliances including a war-time and 1980's models, as well as appliances which are still in use, and fire fighting demonstrations. For children, there will be hands-on activities using fire related objects from the museum's collection including a competition to see how quickly they can empty a tank of water using a traditional stirrup pump. www.kbsm.org

- The Asia House Festival - Asia House will be hosting the Asia House Festival of Asian Literature from 12 to 23 May 2008. Please do not miss the upcoming exciting events:
- Discussion : Expressing Identity In Interesting Times with Mohsin Hamid and Mohammed Hanif (13 May, 6.45pm)
- Lecture : Kipling Sahib - India and the Making of Rudyard Kipling, Charles Allen (15 May, 6.45pm)
- Meet the author: The Paradise Trail, Duncan Campbell in conversation with Pankaj Mishra (19 May, 6.45pm). www.asiahouse.org

- Passion - Featuring a full programme of entertainment including catwalks, stage shows, burlesque theatre, carnival walkabouts and more, plus stands with everything from erotic lingerie, designer corsetry, haute couture fetish-wear, to clubwear, sex toys, books, art, photography, DVD’s, and more. May 24 and 25. www.passion-uk.com

- West End LIVE - West End LIVE, London's biggest free theatre festival, will return to the heart of the capital this summer for another extraordinary showcase of the very best of the West End’s theatre. Last year, world-class acts including Avenue Q, Fame, Chicago, Dirty Dancing, Stomp and Lord of the Rings took to the stage in Leicester Square to wow audiences - and this year is set to be bigger and better than ever before. As well as watching a series of stellar stage performances, visitors will be able to take part in a host of arts activities at the event, which promises to be fun for all the family. More than 150,000 people are expected to attend this year’s West End LIVE in Leicester Square. The event, which is organised by Westminster City Council, will take place from 12pm to 6pm on Saturday 21st June and Sunday 22nd June. www.westendlive.co.uk

- Get Set Go - Enjoy action packed fun with Get Set Go at Hamleys this spring. Activities include a Space Hopper Bouncing competition, a Hula Hoop Challenge and a ‘Get Set Go’ trail round the store, bringing participants face-to-face with wax figures of some of the world’s most celebrated sporting heroes.
Get Set Go Trail – win a family holiday (28th April - 6th July) - Do you know your sporting heroes? Hamleys Get Set Go trail invites kids to solve the clues and identify wax sporting stars in store. Those successful automatically enter a competition to win an action packed family holiday to Center Parcs.
Hamleys’ Space Hopper Bouncing Competition (May half term, 24th May – 1 June) - Fabulous Hamleys prizes to be won!Become a sporting hero in your own right and take part in Hamleys’ Space Hopper Bouncing Competition in the Regent Street store. The challenge is the ultimate test of bouncing abilities and winners will prove they can bounce the longest!
Hamleys’ Hula Hoop Challenge (May half term, 24th May – 1 June)-
Get ready to swing those hips for Hamleys’ Hula Hoop Challenge. It’s not as easy as it looks! Winners will hula the longest without dropping the hoop! You don’t have to be a pro - all ages and levels are welcome! To take part, come along to the Regent Street store as activities will be taking place throughout the day between 12.00pm and 6.00pm on the first floor. www.hamleys.com.

- Amazing Butterflies - (Family entertainment) - From chomping caterpillars to beautiful butterflies, the Natural History Museum comes alive this summer with a tropical butterfly house and giant outdoor maze. Shrink down into the undergrowth, enter an interactive maze as a caterpillar and find your way through a secret wild world as grass and leaves tower above your head. Choose the right route and emerge as a beautiful butterfly. But beware. The maze hides dead-ends, and down these lurk poisonous plants and predators waiting to pounce. With challenges around every twist and turn, collect stamps as you take on puzzles, fun games and exciting activities. For the brave, you can even take to the air and soar down the butterfly zip slide. If you survive the maze, you’ll emerge into the stunning butterfly house. Experience the beauty and magic of walking among hundreds of free-flying tropical butterflies and come face to face with a huge variety of these incredible creatures, marvelling at the diversity and behaviour of species from America, Africa and Asia. Until 17 August. www.nhm.ac.uk

- The Wizard of Oz - This summer there will be no place like Royal Festival Hall as it transforms into the mystic Emerald City. With a click of your heels you’ll be swept away on a bewitching adventure to the Land of Oz. Follow Dorothy and her friends Toto, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion on their quest to find their heart’s desire and a way back home. From 23 July until 31 August. www.southbankcentre.co.uk

- Doctor Who Exhibition - The largest ever Doctor Who display in the UK comes to Earls Court. Visitors will be able to get up close to props, costumes, monsters and creatures from all the latest episodes of the hit BBC TV show, including the Christmas special and forthcoming eagerly-awaited fourth series. On display will be the famous TARDIS, K9, Daleks, Cybermen, many of the Doctor’s other enemies and much much more – dare you visit? Until 18 September. www.doctorwhoexhibition.com