All weekend
FILM: Catch a flick at the second Argentine Film Festival running till Sunday at Ritzy and Hackney Picturehouses and Cineworld Haymarket. Check the website for programme and ticket information.
MUSIC: Experience the brightest lights in experimental music at Denovali Swingfest at Scala. Day tickets £28, weekend pass £56, prebook.
FOOD: The Camberwell Food and Drink Festival starts on Saturday. As well as food there will be free cooking demonstrations by local chefs, music, quizzes and face painting. Free, just turn up, until 27 April
PHOTOGRAPHY: Fotoura presents Walk the Streets of the World, a selection of photographs from the 2013 International Street Photography Awards. Take a look and see what 'Hometown' means across the world. Free, just turn up, until 27 April
BEER: Check out our beer festival round-up for the heads up on ale fests happening in Croydon, Walthamstow and Surbiton.
WINDMILL: The impressive Upminster Windmill is open for visitors on Saturday and Sunday. Free, just turn up between 2-5pm
TEXTILE ART: The London Antique Rug & Textile Art Fair runs from Friday to Sunday at The Showroom, Penfold Street, London NW8. That's rugs, carpets, tapestries, robes and more, all steeped in history. Free entry, open 11am-7pm (closes 5pm on Sunday)
Saturday 20 April
HOORAY FOR RECORD SHOPS: It's Record Store Day! Show your favourite independent music retailer some love — is it on this list? Head to Berwick Street for live music and DJs, quizzes and parties, bag yourself a Secret 7", swap vinyl in the evening at Filthy McNasty's. Check the website for more events.
FEAST: Join the Feast of St George in Trafalgar Square for free tastings, cookery demos and food workshop fun. Free, just turn up, from 12-6pm
RAMBLE: Explore Bushy Park looking at the natural wildlife and history that one of London's largest parks has to offer. Tickets £15, prebook, 9am-4pm
MAKE STUFF: Making Uncovered is a mini-festival or making, arts and crafts at Brixton East Gallery. Free entry, although some workshops must be booked and paid-for, just turn up from 11am-11pm
BRIGHT IDEAS: Abbey Gardens in West Ham celebrates its new Eco-Shed and explores science, innovation and design in the garden. Free and family friendly, just turn up, between 2-5pm
EAT WORDS: Book Slam diversifies into comedy and food with Book Slam (F)East at the Round Chapel in Clapton. Ticket includes a three course meal and apéritif as well as comedians Adam Riches, Andrew Maxwell, Piff the Magic Dragon and author Will Self. Tickets £45, book, starts 6.30pm
COMIC HISTORY: See A Complete History Of London performed in Guildhall’s Roman Amphitheatre. Tickets £15, prebook, 7.30-8.30pm
PING PONG: PUPP Reloaded is a ping pong party with booze, food and a cult movie screening in the (disused) Kensington Pub, 54 Russell Gardens, W14. Tickets £5 in advance, 6.30pm-1am
GREENPEACE: To mark a global day of action for We Love the Arctic, Greenpeace puts on a visual display capturing the beauty of the frozen landscape, in the gardens next to Friends House on Euston Road. Free, register interest online, 8.30pm
Sunday 21 April
MARATHON: We wish good luck, strong legs and fine weather to those taking part in the London Marathon. Those spectating might find this useful. First race starts 9am
TUDOR PULL: Watch out for Gloriana and a host of rowing boats on the River Thames as Her Majesty's Watermen row the 25 miles from Hampton Court Palace to the Tower of London in the annual Tudor Pull. Free, just turn up, starts 9.30am
LONG WALK: Join part 1 of the Big Crane Valley Walk from Harrow to Isleworth in the company of Yeading Brook/River Crane experts. Free but you must book, 10am-4pm
PUBLIC STEAMING: See the under-restoration of Crossness Pumping Station in action. £5, just turn up, from 10.30am
BUS SHOW: The 40th Spring Bus and Coach Gathering at the London Bus Museum in Weybridge. There will be up to 200 old and new visiting coaches and buses, a frequent service of heritage bus rides and rides on a genuine 1890s horse-bus. £10/£9, just turn up, from10am
SHAKESPEARE: Say happy birthday to the Bard at the Globe's Birthday Whirligig! That is a free afternoon of family events, games and magical mayhem between 12-6pm, followed by an evening performance of Music, Magic and Merriment. Tickets from £10, prebook, starts 7pm
LISTEN: Classic Album Sundays go classical for the first time with a listening party double bill of Stravinsky's ‘The Firebird’ and ‘The Rite of Spring’' at the Princess of Wales pub, Primrose Hill. Tickets £8 in advance (£4 students), prebook and turn up for 5pm
POETRY SLAM: Kat Francois hosts WORD4WORD a free evening of live poetry (the audience votes for the slam winner) and music at Theatre Royal Stratford East bar. Free entry, just turn up, starts 7pm
BOLLYWOOD: The BBC Concert Orchestra celebrates India as part of Alchemy with Bollywood to Hollywood, featuring Bollywood classics, Bhangra legens and Hollywood themes from Indian influenced movies. It takes place at Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall. Tickets £15/£12, prebook, starts 7.30pm
GOTHIC STORYTELLING: Sundays were made for gothic storytelling, magic lanterns and crazy electronic soundtrack so head for the Green Note in Camden to experience Vanessa Woolf and Nigel Hoyle Tellin' Tales. Tickets £7 in advance, £10 on the door, starts 8pm
Other good stuff
- What’s on stage and art shows to see
- Live comedy in London
- Booky and spoken word events
- Events for curious-minded Londoners
- Free things to do in London
- What’s on in the big Museums and Galleries
Browse all latest arts and events features and make your tummy rumble with our latest food and drink content.
Photo by psyxjaw via the Londonist Flickrpool.