Things To Do This Weekend In London: 8-9 July 2017

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Things to do this weekend is sponsored by Foodies Festival.

All weekend

It's Pride parade! Photo: Adrian Snood

SALVAGE YARD: Over 50 handpicked vintage traders feature in Peckham's largest weekend vintage market, with treasures, oddities, salvaged home decor, and bargains. From veteran sellers to those just clearing their loft, there are plenty of gems to be found. Copeland Gallery, free, just turn up, 11am-6pm, 8-9 July

COMIDA FEST: Eat tacos in Mexico City, a bandeja paisa in Botogá and an acai bowl in Rio de Janeiro — all without leaving London. This Latin American food festival promises a tantalising journey through the best cuisine from the continent. Cutty Sark Gardens, free entry, just turn up, Saturday 11am-8pm, Sunday 11am-6pm

WHALE WEEKENDER: Until now, different parts of the skeleton of this northern bottle-nosed whale have been kept in various locations around the museum. For the first time in decades, all the parts are brought together on public display — you can even help the team give it a good dust down. Grant Museum of Zoology, free, just turn up, midday-4pm, 8-9 July

Saturday 8 July

Celebrating the Japanese Festival of Tanabata

SUFFRAGETTE SURGEONS: An immersive performance offering a glimpse into the lives of these wartime heroes, and what life was like in the only British Army hospital run entirely by women. Swiss Church (Covent Garden), £10, book ahead, various times

BEYOND THE BATTLEFIELD: Discover the personal stories behind some of Brompton Cemetery's monuments, linking them to the National Army Museum's unique collections as you walk between the two sites. Also highlighted is the historic relationship between Chelsea and the military. Brompton Cemetery, £10, book ahead, 10.15am

JAZZ BRUNCH: A live three-piece jazz trio sets the scene for a relaxed afternoon of fine food and drink, right on the terrace lawn. Cocktails feature alongside seasonal British seafood, eggs benedict, hand-cut steak and fine cheeses. Tate Britain, £30, book ahead, 11am-3pm

CRAFTS BONANZA:Lovers of arts and crafts, get excited as Crafty Fox Market makes its return with bargain samples in its first ever sample sale. Get your mitts on designer made ceramics, jewellery, art prints, cards, textiles and gifts. Effra Social (Brixton), free entry, just turn up, 11am-5pm

SCIENCE FAIR: Fancy building a rocket, or performing a medical dissection? These are just some of the science-based attractions at this annual science fair. There's food and drink too, alongside a bouncy castle and various exotic animals. Three Mills Green (Bow), free, book ahead, midday-2pm

SUMMER FETE:Hackney's beautiful lawns and gardens host a festival of local food, beer, vintage, fashion, yoga, kids activities and music. Oh, and there's a hipster dog show too. And an after-party on a London Fields rooftop. St John at Hackney, free, just turn up, midday-6pm

PRIDE: In celebration of Pride 2017, London unveils its first 'Pride Wall' in Trafalgar Square, featuring a mural by illustrator Josh McKenna. Passers-by are encouraged to share photos or videos of themselves at the wall with the hashtag #kindcomments. It's part of the Pride Parade, which starts on Regent Street, and meanders its way down to Trafalgar Square. Free, just turn up, 1pm

RHYTHM PASSPORT: Forget East End, this is Far East, as sounds, rhythms, colours and food from Japan descend upon Shoreditch. Celebrating Tanabata, this evening of traditional and contemporary Japanese artists, food and decor is sure to take you on a journey. Rich Mix, £10.50, book ahead, 8pm-1am


Sponsor message

Desserts, demos and dancing at Foodies Festival

Think you could be the next Jamie Oliver? Head to Foodies Festival on Blackheath from 7-9 July for kitchen inspiration and all things edible.

There’ll be cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs including Candice Brown of Bake Off fame, and Masterchef winner Saliha Mahmood-Ahmed. The Chocolate, Cakes and Dessert Village is on our radar, as are the many drinks tastings, including a beer and food pairing session. Stock up on lovely treats from the Artisan Producers' Village before working off the street food while dancing to the live music. Foodies is set to be the ultimate summer day out – enter code FOOD2FOR1 when booking for 2-for-1 tickets.


Sunday 9 July

Art Car Boot

C'EST MAGNIFIQUE: With such a great French community of traders, Bastille Day is quite a cause for celebration in Borough Market. From macarons to crepes and croissants, waiter's races to Parisian folk music — today's the day to celebrate all things French. Borough Market, free, just turn up, all day

CONNECT WITH NATURE: A gentle Sunday morning stroll, involving a mix of mindful movement, meditation and nature connection, against a backdrop of sweeping river views. Five years ago, this patch of land was industrial wasteland — now it's a haven for ecology and creative endeavour. Cody Dock (Newham), £7, book ahead, 10am-midday

WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE: This theatrical walking tour tells the story of how women campaigned to get the vote, taking you through the well (and lesser) known streets of Westminster. Along the way, you'll meet a handful of women who fought for the vote... and those trying to stop them. The National Gallery, £12, book ahead, 10.30am

DOGGY SCREENING: Ever wanted to bring your (well behaved) dog to the cinema? Well now you can, at this special screening of My Life As A Courgette. Complete with bowls of water and blankets, you and your four-legged friend can sit next to each other and enjoy the film. Picturehouse Central, £8, book ahead, midday

ART CAR BOOT: It's a simple idea, really — artists show up to sell their specially made just-for-the-day wares. All participants are invited or recommended by other booters, and there's no fee for participation. Maybe there's a piece here for you. The Workshop (Lambeth), £5 entry, just turn up, midday-6pm

ILLUSTRIOUS ART: London's largest free illustration fair is back, selling a range of freshly illustrated graphic design, comics, prints, books, and ceramics, with stalls also giving visitors an insight into how books are made from letterpress and riso printing. House of Illustration (King's Cross), free entry, just turn up, midday-6pm

EASY EXERCISE: Burn a few calories and get a breath of fresh air on this free walk across the borough of Merton. You'll be taken on a path that misses out as many urban streets as possible, so you'll feel a world away from London. Starts at Wimbledon station, free (but bring an Oyster card for the tram), book ahead, 1pm

TENNIS FEVER: It's Wimbledon time again, and as the world's greatest hit the All England Lawn Club, you might want to try your hand at a bit of tennis too. Free taster sessions are on offer Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, free, just turn up, 1pm-4pm

OVAL CRICKET: This weekend, Surrey take on Somerset in the first T20 of 2017 at the home of cricket. Promising to be a great summer day out, there's an on-site street food village, along with live music, pyrotechnics, giveaways, bars and a family zone. More than just cricket then, eh? Kia Oval, from £19, book ahead, 1.30pm

Good cause for the weekend

LUNCH PARTY: There will be music, there will be food, and there will hopefully be sunshine... this food festival features a selection of scrumptious vendors, serving up delights such as Kitchen Rituals' dish designed with Kingsland Road's multicultural community in mind. All in aid of food solidarity network, Ernest. Gillett Square (Dalston), free entry, just turn up, 9 July, midday-4pm

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