All week
MIGUEL SOPENA: TALE OF TWO CITIES: See artist and paintings inspired by the artist's hometown of Valencia, Eastern Spain juxtaposed with his current home in Croydon, in the now sadly under threat venue Matthews Yard. Visit the show and sign the petition to save the cultural hub here. Matthews Yard, Croydon, free, just turn up, until 31 January
YOUTH & VULNERABILITY: Photographer Juergen Teller presents a photo series of young wannabe models. Although their poses lack the confidence we'd see in professional models, there's a vulnerability here that makes them captivating. 16-18 Berners Street, free, just turn up, until 3 February
YEAR IN FOCUS: It's your last chance to check out the photos that captured and defined the global news agenda of 2017. Getty Images Gallery, Fitzrovia, free, just turn up, until 3 February
SEXUAL VIOLENCE: This video installation from Amar Kanwar uses testimonies from witnesses and survivors, interspersed with shots of where atrocious crimes of sexual violence took place. This is not an easy watch, but an important one. Tate Modern, The Tanks, free, just turn up, until 4 February
Monday 29 January
ABSOLUTION: These ethereal photographs of the female body play on light and dark to muse on the artist's personal journey of motherhood. Herrick Gallery, Mayfair, free, just turn up, until 3 February
THE SLEEP SUITE: If you toss and turn and can't sleep at night, you might benefit from a trip to The Sleep Suite. Over five days it offers tips on getting a better night's kip, as well as workshops in brewing tea, yoga and how to design your bedroom for slumber. Town Hall Hotel Bethnal Green, £5, book ahead, 10am-6pm, until 2 February
WHAT PRICE PROTEST: Try your hand at creating your own protest objects inspired by original Suffragette campaigning materials. Bishopsgate Institute, free, just turn up, 2pm
DISCOVERIES OPENING PARTY: See what graduates from London's art schools have been up to (when they aren't partying hard) in this group show of exciting contemporary work. Fiumano Clase, King's Cross, free, just turn up, 6.30pm-8.30pm
COMEDY: Love wrestling, comedy and quizzes? Then you'll love Lorcan Mullan's hilarious show about growing up as a wrestling fan in the UK, plus take part in the quiz and you could be in with a chance of winning £30. The Bill Murray, £5, book ahead, 9.30pm-10.30pm
Tuesday 30 January
WHERE ARE THE WRITERS OF COLOUR?: Nikesh Shukla, editor of the brilliant book The Good Immigrant discusses his plans to publish The Good Journal, which will provide a much-needed platform for British writers of colour. The British Academy, free, book ahead, 6.30pm-7.45pm
THE VINYL SCRATCH: Get down to this new open mic night, you might not make it onto X-Factor but there prizes to be won for the audience's favourite performer. Vinyl Cafe, Tileyard Studios, free, just turn up, 7pm-10pm
RENDLESHAM UFO: The Rendlesham Forest incident has become one of the top ten UFO cases in the world (as voted by UFO believers). If you're as skeptical as us, attend this talk unraveling the UFO myth. Conway Hall, Holborn, £5, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm
Wednesday 31 January
CREATIVE FUN FOR 2-5S: Take little ones along to this morning creative session of art, storytelling, games and crafting. It's a great way for toddlers to socialise, develop confidence and spark their imaginations. House of Illustration, free, just turn up, 10.30am-noon
CURATOR'S WORKSHOP: Delve deeper into the stories behind the objects in this exhibition, which have found their way here from refugee camps. You'll leave this workshop with a better understanding of the complexities of migration and the people who once held onto these objects. One Paved Court (Richmond), free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
SCIENCE MUSEUM LATE: While some reckon the future of food supply is vegan, others think we'll be munching on insects. See if you can survive on a diet of salt and paper crickets and BBQ mealworms at this late dedicated to the future of food and drink. Science Museum, free, just turn up, 6.45pm-10pm
FREE MEDITATION: Chill the hell out in this free meditation and yoga class. You won't need a mat as the first Sahaja yoga meditation is performed sitting on chairs. Friend's Meeting House, Covent Garden, free, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm
MUSO LATE: Muso takes audiences on an interactive tour around the Science Museum, where you'll seek out treasures from the collection, hear from an expert and prepare to share your ideas, as your responses will be spun into music by an opera troupe. Science Museum, free, just turn up, 8pm and 9pm
Thursday 1 February
EPPING GOTHIC: Drop in to this exhibition of paintings and prints by Emily Ault, who is inspired by Epping Forest, before strolling around the real thing. The View, Chingford, free, just turn up, until 28 February
SELF PORTRAITS IN SOCIAL CARE: This bold exhibition goes beyond the headlines to show the human face of social care and shine a vital light on the lives sometimes forgotten or mistreated by our society. Various libraries around Hounslow, free, just turn up, until 28 February
ACAB: Last year we joined London's subvertisers, who take it upon themselves to hack London's ad spaces. Now you can see an entire exhibition dedicated to anti-police subvertising art. At the launch of ACAB tonight expect spoken word by Potent Whisper, followed by DJs Cruffatin Mode and Rude Audio and Rinngs. Flaxon Ptootch, Kentish Town, free, just turn up, until 28 February
DECONSTRUCTING PATTERNS: Enter a world of microscopic patterns not usually seen by the naked eye in this very cool exhibition, which muses on the relationship between artists and scientists. The Francis Crick Institute, free, just turn up, until 1 December
Friday 2 February
NICK DALE: Bears in Alaska, tigers in India and penguins in Antarctica are just a few of the stunning wild animals Nick Dale captured with his camera on his travels around seven continents. See the prints and enter the caption competition for a chance to win one of his prints. 508 Kings Road Gallery, Chelsea, free, just turn up, until 9 February
THE BYZANTINE WORLD: This exhibition takes you on a fascinating journey around the Eastern Roman Empire, where you'll encounter emperors, and empresses, lords and princesses, victorious army commanders, philosophers and patriarchs and more. Hellenic Centre, Marylebone, free, until 27 February
SAPPHIC SUFFRAGETTES: This year we're celebrating a century of women's voting rights and this talk highlights the role of lesbian and bi women in the fight for women’s citizenship. Library at London School of Economics, Lionel Robbins Building, Holborn, free, just turn up, 1pm-2pm
JAPANESE FILM NIGHT: Love Japanese culture? Then you'll love Sweet Bean (2015), film named after the red bean pastries (dorayaki) made by small-town baker Sentaro, whose life changes when he decides to take on a new assistant. Morley College, Westminster, free, just turn up, 6.15pm-8pm
Saturday 3 February
HEIST WALK: A free guided walk from Bee Midtown, taking in some of London's most infamous robberies. Don't get any ideas. Holborn Station, free, just turn up, 1pm
EXPLORE ZOOLOGY: Animal-loving kids (who don't mind bones) will love this drop in workshop, where they can get hands-on with specimens and learn from the museum's enthusiastic educators. The Grant Museum of Zoology, free, just turn up, 1pm-4pm
Sunday 4 February
THE PIG'S PLAYHOUSE: Head to this session for 3-8 year olds, which packs in traditional party games and themed craft sessions. Trotters, Kensington, free, just turn up, 10am-noon
SUPER BOWL: Expect Super Bowl food specials, drinks promotions, pre-game entertainment, prizes for best dressed, bingo. PLUS your ticket gets you a free beer and a bag of popcorn to enjoy while you settle down in front of the big screens. Star of Bethnal Green, £5, book ahead, 10pm-3am
CRYSTAL MAZE WEDDING FAIR: Brides and grooms-to-be get down to The Depot to sample wedding cakes, sip bubbles and take part in a Crystal Maze style game. Peckish? You can even sign up for a four course tasting menu at a wedding banquet style table. The Depot, free, book ahead, noon-7pm
SUNDAY FORUM: PILGRIMAGE: For more than 20 years, Sally Welch has been going on pilgrimage. Fancy going on your own one? Get inspiration from Sally's new book, a guide to the art and practice of pilgrimage through some of the most beautiful and ancient pilgrim routes in the UK and abroad. Wren Suite, St Paul's Cathedral, free, just turn up, 1pm-2pm
FAMILY DAY: Join this family-friendly workshop led by artist duo Kaleidoworks for an afternoon of playful drawing and moving image experiments connected to the exhibition Rose Wylie: Quack Quack, which closes today. Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, free, just turn up, 1.30pm-3.30pm
