This weekend is sponsored by Moniker Art Fair.
All weekend
FUN PALACES: A whole weekend dedicated to fun? Yes please. The Fun Palaces campaign was dreamt up in the '60s to create a community-based 'laboratory of fun', places for people of all ages to get creative with art and science. Now in its fourth year, over 40 palaces are popping up across London, including at The National Maritime Museum, Museum of London, Camden Town, Westminster Abbey and St James' Picadilly. Various locations, free, just turn up, various times, 7-8 October
PECKHAM SALVAGE YARD: Peruse twentieth century furniture, twee ceramics, salvaged French homeware, antique luggage, kitchenalia, atomic era electrical items and other bric-a-brac you didn't know you needed at one of London's largest indoor vintage markets. Copeland Gallery, free, just turn up, 11am-6pm, 7-8 October
LONDON PIANO FESTIVAL: Classical music fans are in for a treat this weekend as Kings Place is filled with the sound of acclaimed musicians working those piano fingers. On Saturday evening settle in for a two-piano musical marathon. On Sunday morning you can hear Simon Callow narrating two Russian children's tales, accompanied by a magical music arrangement. Kings Place, various prices, book ahead, various times, 7-8 October
AUTUMN CERAMICS MARKET: Tired tableware troubles? Save yourself an IKEA trip and head to the Turning Earth Ceramics market instead, where over 60 up and coming makers will be selling their work and hosting demonstrations. Browse pottery with a craft beer in hand, accompanied by live music curated by Woodburner (but don't blame us when your mates cry hipster). Hoxton Arches, free, just turn up, noon-6pm, 7-8 October
THE OTHER ART FAIR: Support up and coming artists, get inspiration for your own practice and maybe even get your hands on the work of a future rising star at TOAF. Old Truman Brewery, £10/£8, book ahead, 11am-7pm (Sat), 11am-6pm (Sun), until 8 October
COCKTAIL VILLAGE: Sip on expertly mixed cocktails, browse London's quality food vendors and at just £6 a cocktail, you don't need to break the bank doing it. Old Spitalfields Market, £10, book ahead, until 8 October
Saturday 7 October
WELLBEING DAY: In need of a little TLC? Get your yoga gear on and head to Centre 151, which is hosting free sessions in Tai Chi, Qi Gong and Zumba or just make a beeline for the massage table. Visitors can enjoy homemade Vietnamese food in the newly refurbed garden while kids are invited to get crafty. Centre 151, free, just turn up, 10am-5pm
HARVEST MARKET: Giant leeks, onions the size of your head and prize-winning carrots can all be found at Well Street Market, thanks to donations from the RHS Harvest festival. Well Street, free, just turn up, 10am-4pm
WIMBLEDON SHORTS AWARDS NIGHT: Find out what's going on at the cutting edge of filmmaking at the Wimbledon International Short Film Festival. At the awards night, hosted by Guardian film critic Xan Brooks, you can see a selection of the best new and innovative short films from around the world. The Big Tent, Wimbledon Common, £15, book ahead, 7.30pm-10.30pm
GREENWICH MILLENNIUM VILLAGE: If your weekend is reserved for house hunting, why not start with this open evening at Greenwich Millennium Village? Bayliss Heights has a number of high-spec one and two bedroom apartments available for those looking for the benefits of village living who aren't quite ready to give up city life just yet. Greenwich Millennium Village, free, just turn up, 11am-3pm (sponsor)
ARE WE THERE YET?: Missed out on Banksy's Dismaland 'bemusement' park and wondering what all the hype was about? Artist Barry Cawston has created an exhibition inspired by the Banksy original, complete with a live feed from the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare. Take your lunch along and pretend you're having a seaside picnic. One Poultry, free, just turn up, noon-6pm
TANK PARTY: Hardy beer drinkers are invited to pull up a stool at Camden Town Brewery's fifth annual Tank Party, where the beer flows unfiltered from Camden's 60-hectolitre outdoor tanks, (each one holds the equivalent of 10,000 pints). Soak up the booze with food from Burger and Beyond, get silly in the free photo booth and continue the partying at one of seven local venues offering the first pint in exchange for your tank party wristband. Camden Town Brewery, free, just turn up, noon-8pm
OXJAM MUSIC FEST: Local and up and coming bands take over venues across Clapham to raise money for Oxfam. Support local talent and charity? Sounds like a win-win to us. Various venues, £7.50-£10, book ahead, noon-12am
BUDDHAFIELD IN THE CITY: Party with a clear conscience at this alcohol and drug-free event, where the offerings include energy balls, "orgasmic" folk music and community singing around a fire. The Brady Art Centre, £15/£12/£10, book ahead, 1pm-11pm
BANDSTAND BUSKING: London's bandstands are often underused spaces (unless it's raining) but Bandstand Busking gives them a new lease of life. Today you can hear charming folk/country tunes from Bedouine alongside two support acts in a secret location, which is revealed when you buy a ticket. The cost of your ticket is donated to international development charity Child.org. Secret location, £5, book ahead, 2pm
LONDON IN LIMBO: Torn down Council estates replaced by glass and steel totems to foreign investment, the perils of private renting, the dangers of air pollution and the state of the Capital's nightlife are just some of the issues discussed at ‘London in limbo’ — a panel discussion taking place in a 50,000sq foot factory. Don't stay silent, get involved. The Silver Building, free, just turn up, Free, 3pm-5pm
Sponsor message
The ultimate urban-contemporary art fair hits East London.
Love urban art? Moniker International Art Fair is the place to be this autumn, showcasing the best in international urban and contemporary art from over 100+ artists.
Setting up at the Old Truman Brewery from 5-8 October, Moniker will explore the history and evolution of urban art, from its roots in American hobo and freight train culture, to the modern-day realisations of the trend.
Get involved in immersive installations, check out over 40 new and exciting galleries or soak up the urban art vibes with curated talks and film screenings.
There will be pizza available from Voodoo Rays and tipples mixed up by The Whisky Lounge. Moniker International Art Fair is not your usual art fair, so expect all things experimental. Find out more and book tickets here.
Sunday 8 October
RENTERS UNION WORKSHOP: This introductory training session is all about finding ways to stand up to unscrupulous landlords and win a better deal for renters. Hear hear! Maryland Studioz, free, book ahead, 10am-5pm
CITY SCULPTURE: 16 works of art from world-class artists have been commissioned to jazz up the City of London but if public art leaves you baffled, then you might benefit from a guide who knows his Hirst from his Hockney. Philip Nelkon will be unpicking the pieces and telling you about their creators. Liverpool Street station, £9, book ahead, 1.30pm-3.30pm
STORY-TELLING SNAIL TOUR: Keep little ones entertained at this interactive story-telling afternoon in the lovely surroundings of Hyde Park. If you're short on outside space at home, these activities give children the opportunity to learn about all the creatures found in the city's parks from worms and spiders to dragonflies and butterflies. Hyde Park, free, just turn up, 11am-3pm
LOOK UP!: Landscape Architect and Design Educator, Lily Bakratsa thinks you don't need to be a professional photographer to take a professional photo. In fact, all you need is a smartphone and an eye for detail. Join Lily as she leads you on a photography assignment along the Thames Path which gives you a fresh perspective on the London skyline. Potters Fields Park, £15, book ahead, noon-2.30pm
FEMALE SNEAKERHEADS: Are you a sneaker hoarder? Do you dream in sneakers? If so then you might want to get you and your trainer collection down to Depford Market Yard's sneaker sale, where female sneaker addicts are encouraged to set up a stall and kick their shoe obsession or nurture a new one. Deptford Market Yard, free, just turn up, noon-5pm
AFTERNOON POEMS: All boozed out and in need of a culture fix to balance out your weekend? Keats House is marking the centenary month of the Russian Revolution with an afternoon of Russian poetry in translation. Keats House, free, just turn up, 2pm-3pm
BRIXTOPIA: Describing itself as an 'experimental utopia and nation state-of-mind', this big arty party is Dalston's chance to discover the Brixton pound, join a protest clothing customisation workshop and hear music, poetry and performance alongside the Brixtopian Manifesto. Dalston Eastern Curve Garden, free, just turn up, 2pm-6pm
COMMUNICATION WORKSHOP: Londoners are terribly good at being busy and bottling up our emotions which has the combined effect of wearing down our relationships. Get yours back on track with this communication workshop, which kicks off with a quick meditation session before delving into practices to promote healthy relationships. The Canvas Cafe, £10-£20, book ahead, 2pm-5pm
BLACK BRITAIN ON FILM: Stories of migration, community and the struggle against inequality all feature in this little-seen footage spanning the years 1901 to 1985, which gives a fascinating insight into Black Britain. Barbican Cinema, £10.50, book ahead, 4pm
MEDITERRANEAN DINNER PARTY: A dinner party where sharing is part and parcel of the experience and there's a special deal for Italian Londoners. This delicious blend of the Italian aperitif, Spanish tapas and French apero will surely leave tums satisfied. Cheersapero, £10, book ahead, 5pm-10pm
