Totally Thames
Londonist is proud media partner to Totally Thames, the river-based festival taking place throughout September. Each weekend, we’ll be bringing you our pick of Totally Thames events taking place on Saturday and Sunday. See individual events for prices and other information.
LONDONIST AFLOAT: Not got your tickets for Londonist’s very own river-based adventures yet? What’s stopping you? We’re running a series of talks covering all kinds of river-based trivia. Members of Team Londonist will be onboard all weekend and we’d love to meet you. Tickets are £7.50 each, but if you’re having trouble choosing which events to go to (and who could blame you?) we’re offering day passes for £15. Go on, get your tickets here. 20-21 September
WORDS ON WATER: Wasafiri (an international contemporary writing magazine) celebrates its 30th birthday with six acclaimed contemporary writers sharing readings of their work, while aboard a boat on the Thames. £15 including a free copy of Wasafiri’s 30th birthday magazine, 21 September
All weekend
KEW GARDENS: Explore the fascinating history behind intoxicating plants and fungi at Kew Gardens as The Intoxication Season kicks off today. With activities, workshops, tours and talks, the season highlights just how powerful plant chemicals can be — see full programme on the website. Until 12 October
URBAN FOOD: Celebrate local food producers across the capital with Urban Food Fortnight, in association with Capital Growth. See our suggestions for the best things to do during the food celebration. Until 28 September
OPEN HOUSE: Yep, it's that time of year again when over 800 buildings, from skyscrapers to toilets, throw open their doors to the public. Some events need to be booked in advance but others just let you turn up on the day — although early arrival is recommended as Open House is extremely popular and often results in queues. See this year's list here. 20-21 September
ART TRAIL: This weekend and next, Merton Arts Trail lights up the south London borough. Emerging and established artists exhibit their latest work in homes, studios, galleries and shops throughout the area. There will be connected event taking place like film screenings and talks, see full programme on the website. Free, 20-21 September
FASHION HACKATHON: Westfield shopping centre in Shepherd's Bush hosts a 48 hour fashion and technology takeover, hosted by Decoded Fashion. The public will have the opportunity to observe, interact and influence teams 60 of Europe’s tech pioneers all competing to create a new way of enhancing the consumer experience for retail brands. Free, 20-21 September
ROOFTOP PARTY: To celebrate the end of the summer season, Dalston Roof Park is hosting a whole weekend of music and fun. Starting on Friday, the rooftop bar will have music, dance and drinks. See website for full programme. £15/£10, prebook, 20-21 September
SUBWAY EXHIBITION: For Open House, Friends of Crystal Palace Subway presents a multimedia exhibition documenting the history of the pedestrian subway which led first class passengers from the Crystal Palace High Level Station directly into the central transept of the vast Crystal Palace. Free, 20-21 September
VINTAGE WHEELS: Following on from a couple of successful outings on Southbank, the Classic Car Boot Sale heads to a new venue at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Rummage around for some vintage bargains (clothing, accessories, homeware) in the boot of pre-1989 classic cars. £5/£4, 20-21 September, 10am-6pm
POP-UP VINTAGE FAIR: The clue’s in the name for this one. For one weekend only, get your hands on vintage goodies at Spitalfields Market. There’s also a vintage beauty parlour, live music and tearooms. 11am-5pm, 20-21 September
DESIGNERS AND MAKERS: The Designers/Makers market is back at Old Spitalfields Market, giving young designers from across the UK a chance to sell their products. 11am-5pm, 20-21 September
THAMES TRIVIA: As mentioned above, Londonist will be doing our bit for Totally Thames Festival by spending a weekend aboard a boat, bringing you all the Thames trivia you could need in the form of talks, and even a London geek-off. Tickets are £7.50 per event, or get a day pass for £15. Prebook here. 20-21 September
Saturday 20 September
STREET FESTIVAL: Live music, dance, arts, food and more take over the streets of Bermondsey for one day as part of the annual Bermondsey Street Festival. As part of the festival, artist and printmaker Norman Ackroyd will be unveiling a new sculpture, The Shared, at Tyers Estate Rain Garden from 5pm. Free, just turn up, all day
BOROUGH MARKET: The famous foodie hotspot South of the river celebrates 1,000 years since its beginnings with a year of events, beginning today. Visitors to the market have a chance to walk throughout washable coloured paint on entering, so that they can leave behind footprints of their trail around the market. All day
EDIBLE GARDENS: Visit your local food garden today! Join the Edible Gardens Open Day, an initiative connected to Capital Growth. Plenty of edible gardens will be open for public exploration, social fun and even for drinks. Find the garden closest to you on the website map. Free, just turn up, all day
MUSHROOM MARKET: Carluccio's Italian deli celebrates the arrival of Autumn with a mushroom market outside its shop in Hampstead. Celebrated cook Antonio Carluccio will be there as well during the day, giving his personal suggestions on the products. Free, just turn up, 10am-6pm
ROYAL LONDON FINAL: The Royal London One-Day Cup Final takes place at Lord’s Cricket Ground, the culmination of 18 teams from across England and Wales who have been battling it out since July for a place in the prestigious final. Adult tickets start at £30, while children's tickets are just £1. Prebook. From 10.30am
MONKEY BUSINESS: The Great Gorilla Run is an 8km run, walk or jog through the City of London... dressed in a gorilla suit. Enjoy the route past St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London and other landmarks while raising money for biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction projects in central Africa. Registration is £30 (including a gorilla suit, which you can keep), prebook, 10.30am
PADDLE BOARD: It's your chance to paddle board a five mile stretch of Regent's Canal, starting at Paddington Basin. No experience is necessary, and it's all in aid of The Wave Project, an organisation which changes the lives of vulnerable children through surfing. Minimum sponsorship £100, prebook, 11am-5pm
GALLERIES TOUR: The Contemporary Art Society has organised a gallery bus tour, offering a chance to see several galleries, arts organisations and public collections across South London in one day. £90/£100, prebook, 11am-5pm
SOHO PUNK: Go on a walking tour of the punk haunts of Soho, starting at Carphone Warehouse by Tottenham Court Road tube station. See where the Sex Pistols's first gig took place, and sites linked to The Jam and more. £7, just turn up, 11am
MISUNDERSTOOD MONSTERS: As part of Knowledge Arts Festival, Oxford House Theatre in Bethnal Green hosts family theatre show, Misunderstood Monsters. With poetry and live music, help two professional monster catchers who use the latest digital gadgets and gizmos, on their most dangerous mission yet. Aimed at ages 4-9. £6/£4, prebook, 11am-1.30pm
FREE WALK: Everyone is welcome to join the free walk organised by CoolTan Arts, which focuses on the black history of Peckham and Denmark Hill. The starting point is Maudsley Hospital in Denmark Hill. Free (donations welcome), just turn up, 11.45am-4pm
AWARENESS WALK: The annual 10km Mouth Cancer Awareness Walk takes place in Hyde Park, aiming to raise awareness of the symptoms of mouth cancer. Free, prebook, 1pm
BRISKET FEST: Camden Town Brewery hosts Brisket Fest today, a proper meat celebration. Eight chefs come together to share their take on brisket: your ticket will provide you with one serving of brisket from each chef and one pint of beer. £30, prebook, 12pm-6pm
NUMBER 90: Head to Hackney Wick's Number 90 and enjoy an evening of music. There will be soul, funk, reggae, disco all afternoon speeding up to house and disco in the evening. Free, just turn up, 4pm-12am
FAMILY BOOK LAUNCH: BBC broadcaster and author Simon Mayo is at The Royal Institution for the launch of his third book about science-mad, element hunting teenager Itch. Chemist Andrea Sella will be conducting live experiments as part of the launch. £12/£6, prebook, 6pm
COMEDY: Rich Mix in Shoreditch hosts comedy night Knock2Bag. The line-up includes Edinburgh Comedy Award 2014 nominee Liam Williams, Brian Gittins, Gabby Best, Ed Gamble and Darren Maskell. £12/£8, prebook, 7.30pm
MUSIC NIGHT: Curated and hosted by broadcaster and writer Yasmeen Khan, The Rehearsal Room Presents takes place at Rich Mix in Shoreditch. This is a salon-style night of theatre featuring a combination of rehearsed readings of brand new plays, live music, interviews and performances from special guests. £8/£6, prebook, 7.45pm
LIVE MUSIC: Listen to The 286 and Diversion performing at The Colour House Theatre in Merton Abbey Mills. Expect a rock orchestra mixing old school rock ’n roll with cellos and violins. £6+bf, prebook, 8pm
END OF THE WORLD: The End of The World Party at The Scala in King's Cross lets partygoers live like it's their last night on Earth, with a chance to have your last request songs played and a dress code of "Fabulous". £12/£9, prebook, 10pm
MUSIC NIGHT: Hyde presents a special live music night at The Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick: the line-up includes international DJs. £5, prebook, from 10pm
Sunday 21 September
RECRUITMENT DAY: South East London Search and Rescue (SELSAR) is holding a recruitment day to introduce potential new members to the organisation's work. The event takes place in Joydens Wood near Bexley and will be a fun, action packed day with simulated searches to demonstrate what happens on a real search. To subscribe, send an email to [email protected] and they'll provide you with full details.
EXHIBITION: The historic Hogarth's House in Chiswick hosts a free exhibition called The Small Self. The display commemorates the 250th anniversary of the death of the English painter and satirist. Free, until 11 January 2015
ANTIQUES FAIR: Adams Antiques Fair is on at the Royal Horticultural Society, with traders coming from all over Europe and the UK. This month there are dealers specialising in antique linens, fine jewellery, silver, ceramics and paintings among other items. £4/£2, prebook, 10am-4.30pm
JUMBLE TRAIL: The area around St James Street in Walthamstow holds a jumble trail. Locals set up jumble sales in their front gardens to get rid of unwanted belonging and make some money; as well as buying stuff you get to meet your neighbours. Free, just turn up, 10am-3pm
MEMORY WALK: The Alzheimer's Society Memory Walk takes place in Battersea Park. Walk either 2km or 10km to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s Society. Prebook, 11am-3pm
WEDDING FAIR: The Foodie Wedding Fair is at Skinners Hall on Cannon Street, providing culinary inspiration to brides and grooms-to-be. Exhibitors confirmed so far include City of London Distillery, The London Tea Company and many more. £4, prebook, 11am-4pm
GUIDED WALK: Join a walk around the City of London and explore its architectural features. Brian McClory of City Ranger Walks is the tour leader. £10/£7.50, prebook, 11am
STREET FESTIVAL: A Perfect Day street festival takes place today in Avenue Road, close to Regent's Park. There will be a funfair, food stalls, professional stages, demonstrations, boutique and craft stalls, a dog show, games, interactive theatre, famous faces and much more. Free, just turn up, 12pm-5.30pm
FAMILY DAY: Keats House in Hampstead holds a family fun day with a kite theme. Make your own colourful kite to fly in the garden, and hear poems and stories of swooping and soaring, strange flying machines and aerial battles and ballets. Included in admission, just turn up, 1pm-4pm
SCREENWRITING: A half-day workshop about writing for film and television with James Clarke takes place today at The Society Club in Oxford Circus. Drinks and snacks will be provided during the day. £95, prebook by email, 2pm-6pm
GUIDED WALK: Join London Blue Badge Guide Mark King on the guided walk Finchley Goes To War. Explore the area and discover its history during the Great War. £10, prebook, 2.30pm-5pm
PEACE TALK: Head to the Ziferblat close to Old Street station and join a talk about peace. Celebrate the UN World Peace Day happening today with a series of dedicated conversations. £4, just turn up, 3pm
TWERK IT: The Book Club in Shoreditch hosts an evening that's half dance class half social. This month's theme is Beyonce. £8, prebook, 6.30pm
JAMBOREE: The World Jamboree at the Jewish Museum in Camden is a night of music, art and food from around the world in support of Health Poverty Action. Suitable for all ages. £5/£17.50, prebook, 6.30pm
COMEDY: C3 Something performs an improvised comedy gig tonight at The Nursery Theatre in Southwark. The event aims to fundraise in aid of Refuge, a local charity that supports victims of domestic violence. £10, prebook, 6.30pm
COMEDY NIGHT: Laught Out London comedy club is at The Lion in Stoke Newington tonight. Acts confirmed are: Nish Kumar, Tom Craine, Eleanor Morton, Anna Morris and Matthew Highton. £5/£3, prebook, 7pm
GOLDEN KITE: The Lyceum Theatre hosts an evening of song, dance and spoken word performed by the cast of The Lion King and the orchestra, crew and staff of the Lyceum Theatre. Free, prebook, 7pm
SAMPLE SALE: Brixton Ritzy Cinema hosts a sample sale in its upstairs space. More than a merchandise mash up, there will be a hip hop karaoke and live DJ music. Free, prebook, from 7.30pm
MUSIC AND SOUND: Head to the Hackney Picturehouse for an evening of live music and cinema. International music collective The Turbans will accompany 1925 silent film Grass, a documentary which follows a branch of the Bakhtiari tribe of Persia. £10, prebook, 8pm
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