Things To Do In London This Weekend: 14-15 January 2017

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Things to do in London this weekend is sponsored by The Big Issue Foundation.

All weekend

'Like from a fairy tale' by Giuseppe Bonali is one of the images on display at Horniman Museum. © Giuseppe Bonali

PHOTOGRAPHY AT THE HORNIMAN: It's your last chance to check out the European Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Horniman Museum in Forest Hill, showcasing the natural world's beauty and diversity. Free, just turn up, until 15 January

DUTCH LANDSCAPE MASTER: Enjoy the last weekend of Adriaen van de Velde: Dutch Master of Landscape at Dulwich Picture Gallery, the first exhibition devoted to the Dutch painter. The exhibition tells the story of his short life. £12.50/£11.50/£7, book ahead, until 15 January

BOWIE AND YOUTH: From Ibiza To The Norfolk Broads is a solo show following Martin, a young boy with an illness that no one understands. After receiving an unexpected gift for his birthday, Martin goes on journey of self discovery, all set to David Bowie's music. Takes place at Greenwich Theatre. £15/£12.50, book ahead, 14-15 January

STAR GAZING: Explore the stories of three distinct characters searching for meaning. Gazing At A Distant Star, a play about those who go missing and those who get left behind, is on at Greenwich Theatre. £11, book ahead, until 29 January

LONDON AND PUNJAB: The V&A launches Lockwood Kipling: Arts and Crafts in the Punjab and London this weekend. A tale of the life and work of John Lockwood Kipling, the exhibition explores his impact on the Arts and Crafts movement. Free, just turn up, until 2 April

GLAD TO BE GAY: Discover the struggle of the journey to legal equality faced by gay people since the 1967 Sexual Offences Act. Exhibition Glad to be Gay uses the Hall-Carpenter Archives and The Women’s Library collection to consider the legal challenges of the last 50 years. Free, just turn up, until 7 April

ROALD DAHL: In honour of Roald Dahl's 100th birthday, illustrator Sir Quentin Blake has drawn special portraits of Dahl's most famous characters. Celebrate this phizz-whizzing anniversary at the British Library with Quentin Blake: The Roald Dahl Centenary Portraits. Free, just turn up, until 21 May

Review: Kite Runner Flies Again

Photo: Robert Workman

Closer to the Hosseini novel than the 2007 movie, protagonist Ben Turner hogs stage time narrating the story, instead of allowing characters to develop. But Andrei Costin’s sensitive, self-sacrificing servant boy will tug your kite/heart strings and there are still some fine can’t-look-away moments. The Kite Runner, Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Road, WC1, £14.75-91.75 to 11 March 2017 (Mon-Sat) ★★★☆☆  Johnny Fox

Review: Cirque Du Soleil Is Beautiful But Lacks Thrills

The latest slice of epic big top action from the world-conquering circus brand has beautiful imagery and choreography but lacks genuine heart-in-the-mouth action. Cirque du Soleil - Amaluna, Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, SW7 2AP. Tickets start at £20. To 26 February. ★★★☆☆ Franco Milazzo

Saturday 14 January

Dame Nature - The Magnificent Bearded Lady is showing at Wilton's Music Hall.

COSY AND CRAFTY: Enjoy hot chocolate and other treats as you knit, craft flower crowns and relax in the storytelling corner at this family-friendly Hygge-themed event at Southbank Centre. Free, just turn up, from 11.30am

ISLINGTON BETWEEN THE WARS: Starting at Angel, take a guided tour around Upper Street and find out what life in Islington used to be like. What shops and entertainment options were available? Where did the poor go for free milk? £9, book ahead, 11.30am

LEARNING THROUGH LEGO: Tap into your creative side with the Lego team at Southbank Centre. Learn about the value of play from experts and get hands on with those plastic bricks. Free, just turn up, from 11.30am

CREATURE CREATIONS: Head to the Grant Museum of Zoology for a family-friendly art afternoon. Create artworks inspired by some of the weird creatures in the museum's collection. Free, just turn up, 1.30pm-4.30pm

CLERKENWELL TOUR: Join Footprints of London guide Joanna Moncrieff for a walk exploring Clerkenwell's liquid history, encompassing gin, beer and coffee houses. £12/£9, book ahead, 2pm-4pm

THE BOX: This play at Draper Hall in Newington Butts is about a man's struggle for survival in his prolonged isolation. The Box explores the psychological consequences of solitary confinement. £10/£8, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm

BEARDED LADY: Moisturise. Oil. Comb. Repeat. Now you are ready for Dame Nature - The Magnificent Bearded Lady. Join Dame Nature for an evening of characters, stories and laughter at Wilton's Music Hall. From £8, book ahead, 7.45pm (10-14 January)


Sponsor message

Sign up now for the Big London Night Walk

If you’re looking for a new physical challenge in 2017, or just want something different to do with friends, why not take on the Big London Night Walk on 3 March?

Run by the Big Issue Foundation, the 12 mile walk through the city after dark will show you a side to London that few people see. The charity trek is open to all ages, and is £25 per person or £100 for a team of five (a pledge to raise a minimum of £220 to take part is asked for), with all profits going towards ending homelessness for the country’s Big Issue vendors.

Setting off from 9pm, you're likely to hit the finish line anytime between 2am-5am, depending on your speed. There’ll be snack and toilet stops along the way, not to mention support and good vibes to get you to the end. Take on a challenge with a difference, and make it a night to remember. Sign up here.


Sunday 15 January

Barbican Conservatory is open on Sunday. Photo: Londonist

DICKENS TOUR: Step back into 1839 and discover the secrets of the young Charles Dickens and his growing family. The Housemaid's Tour at the Charles Dickens Museum in Bloomsbury is a tour of the author's last surviving residence in London. £15/£12/£8, book ahead, 10.15am/11.45am

FLEA MARKET: The Old Dalston Market takes place at Epic Dalston, with 50 vintage traders selling their wares, plus DJs and an on site cafe. Free entry, just turn up, 11am-6pm

CLUB YOGA: Take part in an house of power yoga at Drink, Shop & Do's Club Yoga. Don't worry if you break a sweat, you'll get a bottomless brunch of bagels, bloody Marys and champagne afterwards. £35, book ahead, noon-1.30pm

BARBICAN CONSERVATORY: Deep in the concrete jungle of Barbican Centre sits a real jungle, of sorts. Barbican Conservatory only opens to the public on Sundays, and is home to all manner of tropical flowers and plants, as well as fish and terrapins. Don't miss the cactus room upstairs. Free, just turn up, noon-5pm

RIVER WALK: Meet at Silver Street station in Edmonton to take part in a free walk tracing the Pymmes Brook through north London parkland. It's a seven mile stroll, so make sure you've got your walking boots on. Free, book ahead, 1pm

MYTHICAL BEASTS: Become one of the many mythical beasts in John Keats's poetry. Make head dresses and tails from natural materials in this family day at Keats House in Hampstead. Free, book ahead, 1pm-4pm

MEXICAN FEAST: Tuck into a feast put together by pickle pioneer Freddie Janssen at Carousel, part of a series of events to showcase new food talents in London. £45, book ahead, 1.30pm-4pm

A WORLD OF STORIES: Journey to far-off lands with Horniman Museum's A World of Stories. Inspired by the museum's exhibitions, festivals and nature, the event is run by some of London's best storytellers. Free, just turn up, 2pm-2.45pm/3.15pm-4pm

FLAMENCO: Peña Flamendo de Londres puts on a tribute performance to long-standing flamenco musician Fernando Reyes, who retired from performing in September. Expect performances from London-based flamenco dancers, guitarists and singers at the group's venue in Pimlico. £10, 7pm

SHERLOCK: Enjoy the series four finale of BBC's Sherlock at Rich Mix, with an introduction by writer-star Mark Gatiss and a featurette. From £8, book ahead, 8.15pm