With the big smoke about to host the world’s most hotly anticipated event – London 2012 – the capital is the place to be this summer. And the good new is that even if you don’t have a ticket for the games, there’s plenty to do and see to help you get into the swing of it.

Here we’ve rounded up just a few of the many festivals, premieres and arts and music events going on in London over the coming weeks.

Opera fans will love the mini version of Edward Lear’s Owl and the Pussycat taking place on a barge sailing sailing slowly from Brentford to the Olympic Park from 29th July to 5th August. Head to molpresents.com to book tickets to this free event.

Head to the Southbank Centre for a crazy amusement ground affair complete with a circus, sideshows and various strange curiosities. For more details see pricelesslondonwonderground.co.uk

A great way to see the city and take in the atmosphere is on the new Emirates Air Line cable car, emiratesairline.co.uk, which links both sides of the Thames from the 02 Arena on the Greenwich Peninsula to the ExCel Centre at the Royal Docks.

Members of the National Theatre will be performing on rooftops and riverside terraces in front of the Southbank building until 9th September. Visit nationaltheatre.org.uk for details.