Pop Culture Scavenger Hunt Tasks - 21 July 2026
Pop culture has been busy this week. Listen for Sam Fender and Olivia Dean's 'Rein Me In' playing in a coffee shop or high-street store, Spot a record shop display celebrating the Rolling Stones' 15th UK number one album, which ties them with The Beatles, and more are among the talking points we have turned into 30 scavenger hunt tasks based on the entertainment, music, sport, and celebrity moments dominating UK conversations right now.
Each task is tied to a real story, trend, or cultural moment from this week. Grab your phone, head outside, and see how many you can tick off.
This Week's Tasks
1. Listen for Sam Fender and Olivia Dean's 'Rein Me In' playing in a coffee shop or high-street store.
* The song has just become the longest-running UK number one by a British act, so it's getting heavy radio and in-store play this week.
2. Spot a record shop display celebrating the Rolling Stones' 15th UK number one album, which ties them with The Beatles.
* The Stones matched The Beatles' record this week, and music stores are highlighting their catalogue.
3. Find a newspaper headline announcing the Rolling Stones equalling The Beatles' UK number one album record.
* The news was widely reported this week, making it easy to spot on newsstands.
4. Photograph a cinema marquee or poster for Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey', which had a massive £12.6m opening weekend.
* The film is dominating UK box office this week with record-breaking numbers.
5. Snap a bus shelter advert for the Netflix live-action series 'One Piece', which launched in the UK this week.
* Netflix is heavily promoting the new season across UK public transport this week.
6. Capture a bus stop poster for 'Saturday Night Live UK', which debuted this week to mixed reactions.
* The show's launch was a major pop culture moment, with posters appearing nationwide.
7. Find a Fantasy Premier League 2026/27 launch leaflet or stand in a sports shop or newsagent.
* The new FPL season went live this week, with promotional materials in stores.
8. Capture the crowd outside a cinema waiting to see the Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael', which opened with £8.4m.
* The film's record-breaking weekend means cinemas are busy with Michael fans this week.
9. Spot a toy shop window featuring 'Toy Story 5' merchandise, as the film holds strong at the box office.
* Toy Story 5 had a huge second weekend, with toy promotions in shops nationwide.
10. Identify a bookshop display of Andy Weir's 'Project Hail Mary', capitalising on the film's release this week.
* The film adaptation of Project Hail Mary earned £7.4m in its opening, boosting book sales.
11. Find a sports shop window displaying the new Hull City retro-inspired white away kit for the 2026-27 Premier League season.
* Hull City unveiled the kit this week, and it's now in store windows.
12. Photograph a newspaper headline about Manchester United agreeing personal terms with a World Cup star for a £51m signing.
* The transfer saga is one of the biggest stories in football this week.
13. Spot a fan wearing an Aston Villa shirt with 'Garnacho' on the back, following his transfer this week.
* Garnacho's move to Villa from Manchester United was confirmed, causing a spike in shirt sales.
14. Find a newsagent counter display promoting the world's biggest lottery game, launching in the UK this week with a £1bn jackpot.
* The new lottery is heavily advertised in corner shops and newsagents across the country.
15. Visit a gaming store and locate a promotional stand for the Nex Playground console, the UK's newest family-focused console.
* The console launched this week aiming to get kids moving, with in-store displays.
16. Spot a magazine article or TV guide insert comparing which dating show is statistically best for finding lasting love.
* A new study ranked dating shows like Love Island and Married at First Sight, widely covered in press this week.
17. Find a notice in a community centre or shop window advertising casting calls for popular TV shows (e.g., The Traitors, Great British Bake Off).
* Several reality shows are actively seeking contestants, with posters appearing this week.
18. Photograph a newspaper or magazine article about the first contestant to leave this year's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
* The show's live final cliffhanger has been a major talking point this week.
19. Capture a reference to the cancelled 'Great Celebrity Bake Off' episode featuring Scott Mills, visible in a printed TV schedule or newspaper.
* Channel 4 pulled the episode this week after Scott Mills' BBC sacking, making headlines.
20. Spot a TV guide or online streaming promotion featuring 'Celebrity Traitors' and a local star from your area.
* The new series of Celebrity Traitors was announced this week with a local angle.
21. Find a newspaper sports section previewing Aston Villa's season under Unai Emery, with analysis of their new signings.
* Aston Villa's season preview is a big feature in sports coverage this week.
22. Overhear someone discussing the new Louis Theroux documentary 'Inside the Manosphere' on Netflix.
* The documentary dropped this week and is trending on social media and in conversations.
23. Spot a person wearing a vintage Rolling Stones t-shirt, referencing the band's chart milestone this week.
* With the Stones equalling The Beatles, fans are showing their support with classic merch.
24. Capture a coffee shop's 'Now Playing' board or digital display showing 'Rein Me In' by Sam Fender and Olivia Dean.
* Many cafes are playing the record-breaking song as part of their summer playlist.
25. Find a poster in a bus shelter or tube station advertising the new Netflix series 'I Swear', which launched this week.
* Netflix has a major ad campaign for this British comedy series across UK transport.
26. Identify a cinema lobby display for 'The Odyssey' that uses the tagline 'The journey begins' or similar key art.
* Christopher Nolan's epic is the biggest film in UK cinemas right now, with elaborate displays.
27. Spot a group of friends filming a TikTok or Instagram video recreating a scene from 'The Odyssey' outside a cinema.
* The film's release has inspired viral trends and fan content this week.
28. Find a newsagent's shelf with magazine covers featuring the 'Michael' biopic cast or the Rolling Stones chart story.
* Both stories have dominated entertainment magazine covers this week.
29. Capture a child holding a Toy Story 5 toy or wearing a Toy Story 5 backpack in a public place.
* The film's ongoing success means merchandise is everywhere this summer.
30. Sketch or note down the most popular song you hear in a shopping centre this week, then check if it's in the current UK top 40.
* The weekly chart is a big talking point, with Sam Fender and Olivia Dean breaking records.
How to Play
These tasks are designed for BucketRace, the UK's favourite scavenger hunt platform. You can play solo or in teams, and each task is meant to be completed in the real world. Snap a photo as proof, share it with your group, and see who can complete the most.
New tasks are published every week based on what is actually happening in the UK, so no two weeks are ever the same. Follow us for next week's challenges.