All weekend
CHINESE FOOD FESTIVAL: Get a taste of China's famous night markets in Potters Fields Park. Over 20 street food vendors serve up authentic dishes from seven Chinese provinces. There's also free masterclasses for anyone who's inspired to recreate the dishes at home. Potters Fields Park (Southwark), free, just turn up, 31 August-2 September
LITTLE WING FILM FESTIVAL: Discover a new generation of filmmakers at Little Wing Film Festival. There's workshops and loads of screenings, including a film where Sir Ian McKellen plays an alcoholic kite (we're sure he makes it work). The Hen and Chickens Theatre (Islington), £6, book ahead, 31 August-2 September
MEATOPIA: Calling all carnivores. A weekend of meat, drink, fire and music comes to London to satiate all your umami-based cravings. With chefs from the likes of Hawksmoor, Smoking Goat, and Patty and Bun cooking up a storm over open flames, it's safe to say this is not your average BBQ. Tobacco Dock, from £22.50, book ahead, 31 August-2 September
TOTALLY THAMES BLAST: Ready for the ride of your life? Whizz along the Thames at 35mph while music blares from the lightning-quick rocket's on board speakers. St Katharine's Pier (Tower Hill), £27, book ahead, 11am-5pm, 1-2 September
HAMBURG ON TOUR: The Old Truman Brewery celebrates everything that the German city of Hamburg has to offer this weekend. There's craft beer tastings, chocolate samplings, art installations, and a very special London-version of Stefanie Hempel's famous Hamburg sing-along Beatles tour. The Boiler House, Old Truman Brewery (Brick Lane), free, just turn up, 1-2 September
Saturday 1 September
THE AFRICAN MARKET: Say no to crummy high street knock-offs and yes to ethical fashion by designers from and inspired by African cultures. There's authentic cuisine, kids' face painting, and a lively drumming circle for you to get involved with. Camden Market (Camden Lock Place), free, just turn up, 10am-7pm
LAMBETH LOCAL HISTORY FAIR: Ever heard of the roller-skating craze in Edwardian Lambeth? What about the 1848 Chartists' "monster" rally on Kennington Common? Find out all about the south London borough's past with the help of dozens of local historians. Lambeth Local History Fair. Omnibus Theatre (Clapham Common), free, just turn up, 10.15am-4.15pm
LONDON FOLK FESTIVAL: A day-long celebration of folk and roots music returns to Cecil Sharp House. Featured acts include Sam Kelly, Rachael McShane, and the London Klezmer Quartets. Plus, learn how to play the whistle or the spoon in one of the London Folk Festival's musical workshops. Cecil Sharp House (Camden), £30, book ahead, 10.30am-10.30pm
JOE TILSON: In celebration of the artist's 90th birthday, Alan Cristea Gallery are showcasing almost half a century's worth of Joe Tilson's screenprints and collages. Expect themes as diverse as Greek mythology, environmentalism, and Venetian motifs. Alan Cristea Gallery (St James's), free entry, 11am-2pm, until 22 September
KERB X PECKHAM: KERB launches their second weekend street food market today. Head down south to Peckham Rye's railway arches for some fantastic nosh from the likes of Smokin Lotus, Biff's Jack Shack, and Meltsmith. KERB x Peckham (Blenheim Grove), free entry, just turn up, 11am-4pm
CRAFTY FOX MARKET: From art prints to dog accessories, Crafty Fox Market boasts an eclectic mix of artisan treasures. If you fancy getting creative yourself, don't miss the artist Naomi Vona's nostalgic collage-making workshop. Mercato Metropolitano (Elephant and Castle), free entry, just turn up, 11am-5pm
PECKHAM SUMMER FETE: It may be September, but summer's not over yet — and neither is the capital's series of community fetes. Head to Peckham Rye Park for traditional British summertime fun, including a dog show, Punch and Judy, sack races, and coconut shies. Peckham Rye Park (Peckham), free entry, just turn up, 12pm-5pm
WELCOME ABOARD: Sip nautical ales aboard a historic wooden barge as you sail down the Thames. Tower Bridge will be opening for you as you pass through, so you'll want your camera handy for this one. Two trips available, departing from Tower Pier or Greenwich Pier, £39, book ahead, 5.15pm-7.45pm and 8pm-10pm (partner)
KABIR CAFE: The poetic works of 15th century Indian mystic Kabir are brought to life tonight by Neeraj Arya's Kabir Café. The band interweave his verses with rock pop, reggae, carnatic and fusion Indian folk music. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (West Kensington), £15, book ahead, 7.30pm-9.30pm
BILLIE HOLIDAY NIGHT: British singer David McAlmont pays tribute to Lady Day at Hideaway tonight. Inspired by Billie Holiday's legendary 1956 concert, he gives unique renditions of her best-loved songs interspersed by fascinating stories from the icon's life. Hideaway Jazz Club (Streatham), £15, book ahead, 9pm
AMELIA LOST: This one-act, one-woman opera tells the tale of a homeless woman who is convinced she is aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, who famously vanished on her attempt to circumnavigate the globe. But is it all a delusion? That's for the audience to decide. Bridewell Theatre (City), £12, book ahead, 9pm-9.30pm
Londonist beer, coming soon...
... And you're invited to our launch party. It's no secret that we're massive fans of craft beer here at Londonist. That's why we've teamed up with one of our favourite local breweries, Fourpure, to create our own deliciously hoppy tribute to London. And we want you to be one of the first to sample it. So head down to Fourpure Brewery on Sunday 16 September for our launch party. There will be live music, prizes to be won, and the chance to get to know some of the faces behind the bylines. Intrigued? Find out more here, or book your tickets.
Sunday 2 September
TOWN HALL TOUR: Explore the past, present, and even future of the UK's first major Modernist building. After decades of decline, the Grade II listed Hornsey Town Hall is about to be reborn with the help of a multi-million pound regeneration project. Hornsey Town Hall (Crouch End), £10, book ahead, 11am-12.30pm
LET'S GO FLY A KITE: Streatham Common Kite Day returns to bring you spectacular acrobatic displays and decorate the sky with enormous static kites. Everyone is welcome to bring their own kite to fly, or make one on the site. Streatham Common, free, just turn up, 11am-5pm
ANGEL CANAL FESTIVAL: With boat rides, craft stalls, and live music there's plenty to keep you entertained — both on the water and back on dry land — at the Angel Canal Festival. City Road Lock, free, just turn up, 11am-5pm
RISE AND FALL: From small floating moons to vast bouncing orbs, your kids meet all manner of balloons at a poetic performance about holding on and letting go. Poplar Union (Poplar), £9, book ahead, 11.30am/2.30pm
LEYTONSTONE STREET FEST: Church Lane in Leytonstone comes alive with hip hop, funk, Latin dance and African drumming. As well as a jam-packed schedule of musical performances, there's a local producers market, free photography workshops, and a cinema on wheels. Church Lane (Leytonstone), free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm
SHADOWS AND STORIES: To celebrate the European Day of Culture, Jewish Museum London host an afternoon of storytelling and crafting. Kids create their own magical shadow puppets, hear traditional Jewish folktales and make dioramas. Jewish Museum London (Camden), free, just turn up, 1pm-4pm
WEST NORWOOD CEMETERY TOUR: Wander around a Magnificent Seven cemetery while a guide tells you all about its famous residents and beautiful architecture. Among others, you'll hear about Doulton’s pottery, Bessemer’s steel, and Maxim’s gun. West Norwood Cemetery (Streatham), free, just turn up, 2.30pm
QUANTUM PHYSICS TALK: Hyperloop engineer and former NASA rocket scientist Anita Sengupta takes a look at the complexity of the universe from a subatomic scale — join her and learn about the role of quantum physics in the technology of the future. The Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16, book ahead, 2.30pm-4pm
CHAMELEON COMEDIAN: Nathaniel Metcalfe investigates what it means to be an artist in his pleasingly alliterative solo show Chameleon, Comedian, Corinthian and Caricature. Expect musings on David Bowie and Jeremy Irons fresh from the Fringe. The Bill Murray (Islington), pay what you want, just turn up, 6.45pm-7.15pm
THE GUITAR LEGENDS: Hope you've been fine-tuning your air guitar. The Guitar Legends are coming to Putney to perform the greatest guitar hits of all time, from Jimi Hendrix to Jimmy Page. The Half Moon (Putney), £10, book ahead, 8pm-11pm
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