Things To Do This Weekend In London: 21-22 September 2024

A BBQ festival, a plant market, Sri Lankan culture and loads more.

All weekend

OPEN HOUSE LONDON: It's the most wonderful time of year! All manner of London buildings and structures, which are usually off-limits to the public, fling their doors open and welcome us in for the second and final weekend of Open House London. Lots of pre-booked events are going fast, but there's plenty of stuff you can walk up and do on the day. Until 22 September

BBQ FESTIVAL: Barbecue chefs from across the UK gather at Peckham Arches for Fume Festival, a weekend of flame-cooked food, rubs, hot sauces, craft beer, natural wines, and bourbon cocktails, along with workshops and live music. 19-22 September

THE SMALLS FILM FESTIVAL: The Curzon Hoxton hosts The Smalls Film Festival, which showcases short films from around the world spanning animation, comedy, documentary, drama, music video, and student film. 21-22 September

HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN: Claiming to be the world's largest music and philosophy festival, HowTheLightGetsIn returns to Kenwood House. Green Party leader Carla Denyer and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan are confirmed among the 100 speakers this year. 21-22 September

TROPICAL MODERNISM: The Tropical Modernism architectural movement is put under the microscope in the V&A's exhibition of the same name, a succinct yet vibrant show that emphasises the political, cultural and environmental value of good architecture. This is your final weekend to see it. Until 22 September

ABSINTHE EXHIBITION: Also closing this weekend is the Last Tuesday Society's exhibition about potent drink, absinthe. Learn about the spirit’s magical and medicinal origins, including London's untold connections to its notorious past, and view 19th-century absinthe spoons, glassware and other art nouveau-inspired paraphernalia. Until 22 September

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MINGEI: Mingei, the influential folk-craft movement from 1920s-30s Japan is the subject of the Art Without Heroes exhibition at the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow, which ends on Sunday. Ceramics, woodwork, paper, toys, textiles, photography and film works are on display, showcasing the idea of ascribing cultural value and aesthetic purity to traditional craft objects. Until 22 September

ESPRESSO MARTINI FEST: Bars across London — and other cities around the country — take part in the Espresso Martini Festival, offering special serves, one-off pairings and takeovers. Bartenders are whipping up their own take on the drink, resulting in clarified, carbonated, smoked, infused, frozen, and foamed versions. 19-29 September

Saturday 21 September

FAMILY FILM CLUB: Barbican Cinema's Family Film Club is back, offering a budget-friendly chance for families to watch a film together. This week, it's 2012 French animation Ernest and Celestine, about a friendship between a bear and a mouse. It's shown with English subtitles. 11am

CLASSIC CARS: Once a month, the Waterloo Classics Car Club meets, parking up classic vehicles on Lower Marsh with everyone welcome to wander around and admire them. FREE, 11am-2pm

KEATS HOUSE: Keats House in Hampstead holds an under-5s day for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their parents/carers. John Keats' former home is open as usual, with extra events and activities to keep younger visitors entertained, including toys, crafts and refreshments. 11am-3pm

BEHIND GILDED DOORS: Apsley House — former home of the Duke of Wellington and also known as Number One London — offers a look at what went on behind its gilded doors. For one day only, the English Heritage property has reencators offering an insight into the staff who kept everything running in a busy 19th century stately home. 11am-4pm

BERMONDSEY STREET FESTIVAL: Stalls, stages, street food options and wellness events take over Bermondsey Street, Leathermarket Gardens and Tanner Street Park for the annual Bermondsey Street Festival. Watch a dog show, glassblowing demonstrations, live music and other entertainment, and sup on locally-made bevvies including Southwark Brewing ales, Gosnells mead and These Days spirits. FREE, 11am-7pm

LIGHTING UP THE LEA: As part of Totally Thames festival, Cody Dock in Canning Town holds Lighting up the Lea, a family-friendly day of entertainment. Expect live music — including folk songs and sea shanties — as well as a photo exhibition, bicycle repair station, gardening workshops and ecology talks. 11am-7pm

GREAT RIVER RACE: More than 250 boats race a 21.6 mile route along the Thames from Millwall to Richmond. The Great River Race — part of Totally Thames Festival — is an annual event, and is free to watch. Just find yourself a spot alongside the river to watch. It begins at 1.15pm and the fastest vessels complete the course in around two hours, so time your viewing accordingly. FREE, from 1.15pm

CAROL VORDERMAN: TV presenter/mathematician/political activist Carol Vorderman is at Southbank Centre to launch her new book, NOW WHAT? On a Mission to Fix Broken Britain, and to talk about her pivots between her various career paths. 7.30pm

SCARED TO DANCE: Alternative club night Scared to Dance is back at the Shacklewell Arms in Dalston, with comedian and actor Rose Matafeo taking to the decks as guest DJ. Dance the night away to post-punk, indiepop, new wave and art rock music from the likes of Big Joanie, Blondie, David Bowie, Joy Division and the Smiths. 10pm

Sunday 22 September

TOUR DE WALTHAM FOREST: Annual family cycling event Tour de Waltham Forest returns to the streets of north-east London, offering three routes of different lengths (9km/16km/20km) through the borough. Self-guided rides take place in the morning, with signs to help you find your way, or you can sign up for guided rides in the afternoon. FREE, 9am-4pm

PLANT MARKET: Houseplant traders descend on Spitalfields for the Green Rooms Market, a chance to browse and buy plants and accessories ranging from small succulents that'll fit on a shelf, to larger flora to brighten up your room. 10am-5pm

NOTTING HILL BLACK HISTORY: The Black History Walks team offers a guided tour through the Notting Hill area, focusing on Black British Civil rights and Caribbean history. Find out about pioneering African/Caribbean people who fought for equality and laid the foundation for modern multi-cultural London, including Claudia Jones and the origins of Carnival, as well as periods of war, segregation and gentrification. 10.30am-12.30pm

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SRI LANKAN FESTIVAL: Get stuck into all things Sri Lankan at a festival celebrating the South Asian country's food and culture in Battersea. Take part in sari-draping and hoppers-making workshops, watch live comedy and music performances by Sri Lankan artists, and tuck into street food from Colombo Kitchen. 11.30am-10.30pm

THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL: Storytelling collective Crick Crack Club is at the British Museum for a high-energy performance of wild myths and fairytales for grown-ups, accompanied by live music. Expect high comedy, wild drama, divine deception and ancient gods and monsters of Greece, Ireland, India, Japan, Iceland and more. Age 16+. 2.30pm

ALCOHOL-FREE COMEDY: Booze-free events company Sober Is Fun is at Backyard Comedy Club in Bethnal Green for an alcohol-free comedy show. It's open to anyone, whether you're completely teetotal or just fancy an afternoon off the booze, and the four professional comedians on the line-up are Carly Smallman, Wilson Milton, Michelle Shaughnessy and Ben Norris. 3.30pm-5.30pm

DANCE CRAZE: New pop-up Camden Cult Cinema screens 1981 concert film Dance Craze, a documentary about the British 2 Tone music genre. It captures the cultural phenomenon, with live performances from the Specials, Madness, the Selecter, the Beat, Bad Manners and the Bodysnatchers. 6pm

MAGIC AT THE MUSICALS: Cast members from a variety of West End shows team up for Magic at the Musicals at the Royal Albert Hall. Hadestown, Mamma Mia!, SIX the Musical and Tina - The Tina Turner Musical are among those taking part, performing well-known tunes for the audience. 7pm

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