Things To Do In London This Weekend: 3-5 May 2014

Frock Me! vintage fair comes to Chelsea on Sunday.

All weekend

GRAND DESIGNS (READER OFFER): Grand Designs Live is at ExCel from 3-11 May, giving Londoners a chance to pimp their pad or spruce their summer house. Londonist readers can get two tickets for the price of one. Prebook, 3-11 May

STAR WARS: As we brace ourselves for the barrage of "May the fourth be with you" jokes on Sunday, fans of the legendary series will be pleased to hear that Disney Store are holding a series of events to celebrate the occasion. A Star Wars Droid will be making appearances throughout the day at Disney Store on Oxford Street and Westfield White City from 9am-6pm. On Sunday, Anthony Daniels (C-3P0) will be signing items at the Oxford Street store from 12.30-2.30pm. Free, just turn up, 3-4 May

EDIBLE CINEMA: Screenings of Romeo & Juliet take place at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly this weekend, with the audience given film-accompanying snack boxes to eat at crucial points in the film. £37, prebook, 3-4 May

BARBICAN: Discover the history behind the original design of the Barbican Centre, one of the most intricate buildings in London. Barbican Explorers take you into an architectural tour, meeting point is the Advance Ticket Desk inside the Silk Street entrance. £10.50, prebook, 3-4 May, 3pm and 5pm

VINTAGE MARKET: North London Vintage Market runs a bank holiday weekend special at St Mary's Parish Hall in Crouch End. There will be different traders on both days, and Saturday visitors can come back on Sunday for free, plus for those who've been before, there will be new traders specialising in vintage hair and make-up. My Little Cake Tin will be selling all manner of cakey goodness (go on, it's a bank holiday...) £1.50, just turn up, 3-4 May

MALAYSIAN FOOD: The first ever Malaysia Kitchen Spring Market takes place on Southbank, with restaurant stalls spread out between the OXO Tower and Waterloo Bridge. Free, just turn up, 10am-7pm, 3-4 May

FLEA MARKET: The monthly Hackney Flea Market takes place at Abney Hall in Stoke Newington on 3-4 May and offers bargain hunters a chance to buy vintage clothes, furniture and records, Scandinavian glass, handmade jewellery and more. Free, 11am-6pm

SCI-FI: SCI-FI-LONDON film festival runs at Stratford Picturehouse and BFI Southbank. Have a flick through the programme. Highlights this weekend include Comedy with the Geekatorium and Sci-Fido (yep, dogs in sci-fi costumes). Prebook. Until 4 May

AFFORDABLE ART: The monthly Spitalfields Art Market is a chance to buy affordable art directly from up-and-coming artists, including painting and photography. Recent exhibitors have included treescape artist Gillian Beadle and internationally renowned photographer AJ Silistrie. Free, just turn up, until 4 May

SPANISH CULTURE: For the second year, Campo Viejo Streets of Spain cultural market returns to Southbank Centre. Take part in cultural events, food tastings and more. Free, just turn up, until 5 May

LAST CHANCE: The Science Museum's popular Collider exhibition, which offers an insight into the Large Hadron Collider, closes on Monday. £10, prebook, until 5 May

ARTS FEST: Wandsworth Arts Festival runs 2-18 May. Events taking place this weekend include creative writing workshops, Alice in Wonderland at Blackshaw Theatre and a performed story-walk.  See website for more details. Until 18 May

DIPLOMATIC INVESTIGATION: Put your detective hat on to join in with murder mystery event, The Diplomatic Corpse. £30, prebook, until 15 June

RETAIL HISTORY: John Lewis's new exhibition, Stories of a Shopkeeper, launches at the Oxford Street store on Saturday to celebrate 150 years of the business. Free, just turn up, until June

TRAPEZE LESSONS: Gorilla Circus Trapeze School starts its summer open-air residency in Regent's Park on Saturday. Various prices, prebook, until September

MARKETS AND SHOPPING: We’ve created a round up of shopping and market events for shop, browse and bargain-a-holics to enjoy this month

ART: Take a look at our May round up of London art openings too

THEATRE: And yet another for theatre openings in May. God we’re good to you

Saturday 3 May

WEDDING DRESSES: A new exhibition opens today at the V&A, exhibiting wedding dresses from 1775 to the present day. £13.50, prebook, until March 2015

YARN SHOP: Today is Yarn Shop Day. To celebrate, Wild and Woolly on Lower Clapton Road is having its grand opening with activities including finger knitting for children, pom pom making and a knit nurse to help sort out your knitting problems. Free, just turn up, 10.30am-4pm

ACTING MASTERCLASS: St James Studio begins its season of workshops with an Acting through Song masterclass with Rosalie Craig. £65/£35, prebook, 10.30am

FAMILY DAY: Lime Wharf hosts a new First Saturdays event for the whole family. There will be food, live music, craft and music workshops, and more.  Free, just turn up (booking required for some workshops — see website), 11am-11pm

SHAKESPEARE: The V&A hosts An Audience With Shakespeare, a day exploring the playhouses of Shakespeare's London. £15-£45, prebook, 11am

PHOTOGRAPHY: You don't need to be a professional photographer to join a free photography masterclass meet-up in the heart of London. Meeting point is the statue of Boadices on the corner of Westminster Bridge (Victoria Embankment), then snap and explore Waterloo area. Free, prebook, 11am-1pm

SPITALFIELDS MARKET: So Vintage's monthly market comes to Old Spitalfields, giving shoppers a chance to revamp their wardrobe with clothes dating back to the 1950s, reworked jewellery and homewares. Free, just turn up, 11am-5pm

JEWELLERY SAMPLE SALE: Quirky jewellery brand Tatty Devine is having a sample sale at its flagship Brick Lane store, with up to 90% discount on one off samples, classic out of production pieces, jewellery seconds and a few old favourites. Free, just turn up, 11am-6pm

COFFEE SAMPLING: Spend an hour with a barista at Drink Shop Do's new coffee shop, Drink Shop Dash. The coffee tasting includes a complimentary cup of coffee and tips for making a good coffee at home. £10, prebook, 11.30am

TIE DYE: Head to the Rooftop at Queen of Hoxton for a lesson in tie-dyeing. Ticket includes a t-shirt, a cocktail and unlimited dye. £15, prebook, 12pm

INDIAN FASHION: As part of Faisana Fashion Weekend, focusing on Indian and Pakistani fashion, there is an open exhibition featuring an extensive range from the latest collections of all participating designers. Takes play at The May Fair. Free, just turn up, 12pm-7pm

FREE WALK: The theme for this weekend's CoolWalk is Rebels and Revolutionaries. Explore Kennington and the surrounding area’s links to revolution, rebellion and alternative communities. Free, just turn up at Brandon Library in Kennington, 12.30pm

THEATRE TOUR: There is a free walk around Covent Garden, taking in the sights and history of theatre land. Free, pre booking essential, 1.30pm

FREE MAYFAIR TOUR: Occupy Tours is running a free tour around Mayfair, looking at the mysterious world of ‘shadow banking’. Worth booking ahead as these things tend to sell out fast. Free, prebook, 2pm

SOUTHBANK CENTRE TOUR: Learn about the 60-year history of the well-known building in this tour, which also talks about the architecture. £8.50, prebook, 2pm

GAMELAN LESSON: Southbank Centre hosts a family gamelan taster session, for children over 8 years old. Learn to play the Javanese gamelan percussion orchestra in a two hour taster session. £8, prebook, 3pm

FREE DANCE: Head to Woolwich Library for a free performance of Reading With Bach, a performance with dancers and violinists, exploring our relationship with books. Free, just turn up, 4pm

SINGLES EVENT: At Jones Family Project in Shoreditch there is a Dating Day Party in the Secret Library. Head through the mysterious red door for literary themed cocktails and a game of 'Oblique Snapchat'. £20, prebook, 4pm

POP-UP COCKTAILS: The Midnight Apothecary is the pop-up cocktail bar that animates the Brunel Museum rooftop bar throughout the summer, the event repeats every Saturday. Expect wild cocktails and a Greek food pop-up in one of London's most significant historical venue. £5+bf, prebook, from 5pm

FEMALE PRIESTS: St Paul's Cathedral hosts a special service to celebrate 20 years since the first female priests were ordained. No members of the public will be allowed access to the cathedral, but there will be large screens broadcasting the service in Paternoster Square. Free, just turn up, from 5pm

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: As part of the BBC Symphony Orchestra's current season, it performs Elgar's Enigma Variations at Barbican. £10-£32, prebook, 7.3opm

JAZZ: The Tea Box in Richmond hosts a jazz evening with vocalist Isabel Saunders and guitarist Dave Colton. £5/£6, prebook, 7.30pm

KENTUCKY DERBY: GOAT in Chelsea hosts a Kentucky Derby themed party with horse-racing sweepstakes, country music and Kentucky-inspired food. Free, just turn up, 8pm

STRING QUARTET: The Simon Bolivar String Quartet plays at The Globe's Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. £10-£60, prebook, 8pm

CYCLING SING-ALONG: Dress up as your favourite character and sing while you pedal along to the 1978 classic Grease at Telegraph Hill Upper Park. Bring a blanket and wrap up warm. Free, just turn up, 8pm

DANCE: Drink Shop Do's weekly party evening happens tonight. Expect cheesy tunes and dance floor classics. Free before 11pm, £3 after

Sunday 4 May

BRUNCH PARTY: Bluebird in Chelsea launches its first ever all day brunch party, with cocktails and live music. Prebook, all day

MUSIC DAY: Immerse yourself in the life and music of Richard Strauss at London Symphony Orchestra's Discovery Day at Barbican. £17, prebook, 10am

RESCUE BRUNCH: The Liquor Store in Dalston hosts a food pop-up by Andy Bates. The First Aid Rescue Brunch puts modern twists on classics. £20, prebook, 11am-5pm

VINTAGE FAIR: Vintage extraordinares Judy's Vintage Fairs return to Bethnal Green with their novel approach to clothes shopping. The Vintage Kilo Sale lets shoppers buy a kilogram of vintage clothing (which works out at 4-5 items) for £15. Jewellery starts from just 50p per item. Entry is £1. just turn up, 11am-4pm

VINTAGE FAIR: Frock Me! Vintage returns to Chelsea Town Hall with over 50 stalls of vintage clothing, textiles, haberdashery and accessories. Plus refreshments from Blackbird Vintage Tea Rooms. £4, just turn up, 11am-5.30pm

FAMILY DAY: JW3 on Finchley Road hosts a Family Fun Day with an Israeli theme. Activities include crafts, live music, yoga and a family quiz. £4, prebook, 2pm

PHILOSOPHICAL WALK: There is a philosophical and social walk on Hampstead Heath today. Go along, meet new people, have some discussions. Free, just turn up at Hampstead Underground station, 2.30pm

ART TOUR: Take a tour of Whitechapel Gallery, covering the gallery's history, architecture and current exhibitions. £6.50/£4.50, prebook, 3pm

CLASSICAL CONCERT: Conway Hall follows through on its original ethos of "affordable classical music for all" with this Cellophony concert. £9/£4.50, prebook, 5.30pm

FROZEN PLANET: The Philharmonia Orchestra performs live orchestral music to a screening of high definition shots from BBC's Frozen Planet. At Southbank Centre. £15-£55, prebook, 7.30pm

ISRAEL COMEDY: About The Oranges is a comedy show, part of JW3's Israel Mini Season. £8/£4, prebook, 8pm

Monday 5 May

FREE FILM FESTIVAL: Genesis Cinema on Mile End Road is having a free film festival to celebrate reaching the grand age of 15. Free, prebook, until 11 May

CANAL CAVALCADE: Join the final day of the annual waterway celebration at Little Venice this weekend, with family activities, stalls, live music, food, drink and more. Free, just turn up, 10am-5pm

TASTER CLASSES: Tabata in the Park is an initiative that provides free fitness taster classes in open green spaces. Today they have three sessions in Clapham Common, near Long Pod. Free, just turn up, 10am-midday-2pm

MAY FAIR: Southgate May Fair takes place at Christ Church Southgate, with proceeds going to the Royal British Legion. Just turn up, 11am-4pm

AFRICAN MARKET: The African Market returns to Old Spitalfields on Bank Holiday Monday, in association with Open The Gate. The cultural event will give visitors a chance to buy traditional African food and fashion products, but there will also be events such as live Zimbabwean music, two catwalks, a head wrapping demo, storytelling and a mosaics workshop. Free, just turn up, 11am-5pm

MAYFEST: Head to Markfield Park for Tottenham Ploughman's Mayfest, an event organised by local people with live music, food, drink and family activities. Free, just turn up, 11am-5pm

KEATS TOUR: Keats House hosts a Keats in London walking tour, taking in his birthplace in Moorgate and finishing at the memorial statue in Guy's hospital. £6/£8, prebook, 11am

STRAND TOUR: Take a tour of the Strand focusing on sights including a back to front church, the site of an elephant execution and a wine bar which may have been the first in the world. The tour also incorporates stops at four of the most interesting pubs in the area.  £20, prebook, 12-3.30pm

RASPBERRY RUMBLE: Head to Vibe Bar in Brick Lane for the Raspberry Rumble, where Holi meets La Tomatina. Expect flying raspberries, powder paint and more, to celebrate the arrival of cider season. Spectators are welcome, but if you want to take part, you'll have to apply. Details here. 12pm

PUREGOLD: The annual festival of music from Goldsmith's College students begins at Southbank Centre today. With music from all genres, and past students including James Blake and Katy B, there's bound to be something for everyone. Free, just turn up, 3pm

REGGAE-ROBICS: Learn how to dance reggae-style at Drink Shop Do's reggaerobics class. £10, prebook, 6.30pm/8pm

Other good stuff

Catch up on all latest features, see what we like in theatre and arts and browse more things to do in London.

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