Things To Do This Weekend In London: 20-21 January 2018

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All weekend

See more than 30 sculptures, structures and installations from some of the most innovative artists in Light Art today at Canary Wharf. © Sonic Bubble

CANARY WHARF WINTER LIGHTS: Light graffiti, interactive light bubbles and flora light drawings are transforming the cold, hard surfaces of Canary Wharf into a twinkling extravaganza of high tech, illuminated artworks. Estate Wide, free, just turn up, 5pm-10pm, 16-27 January

LUMIERE LONDON: Look out for a roaming show of dancers wielding LED-lit umbrellas and plenty of other dazzling installations at Lumiere London. Here's what you need to know about the light festival. Various locations, free, just turn up, 4.30pm-11pm, 18-21 January

ETHOMETRIC MUSEUM: Be transported into a parallel universe of cosmic tones and esoteric technology at this intriguing pop-up museum, filled with hand-crafted contraptions that create a mesmerising immersive soundscape. Ugly Duck (London Bridge), £12, book ahead, 19-21 January

MODEL ENGINEERING EXHIBITION: Join 14,000 model tinkerers at Ally Pally for one of the UK's leading model shows. More than 50 clubs and societies are showing off everything from steam locomotives to modern gadgets. Alexandra Palace, £12, book ahead, 19-21 January

WALLACE SEWELL: It's the closing weekend for two terrific textile shows. See an exhibition dedicated to London's highly skilled team of moquette makers and one celebrating 100 years of Harper's Bazaar, with a display of work by fashion photographer Louse Dahl-Wolfe. Fashion and Textile Museum, £9.90, book ahead, until 21 January

SOUTINE'S PORTRAITS: If you prefer painted portraits over fashion photographs, it's your last chance to check out the work of Russian artist Chaïm Soutine, who shed light on an underclass of hotel staff working in Paris. The Courtauld Gallery, £10.50, book ahead, until 21 January

Saturday 20 January

Cage Street Memorial sees Carleen Anderson take on multi-culturalism and celebrates triumph against the odds, as she tells her family history through poetry and song.

SEA LIFE LATE: Get up close and personal with London's amphibian inhabitants at this after hours, adults-only opening, where you can enjoy a prosecco while you learn about the conservation work Sea Life do. Sea Life London Aquarium, £29, book ahead, 8.15pm-10pm

DESIGNED BY KIDS: What kind of night would a group of kids make for adults if they had complete control? That's the premise of this club night featuring a lego building challenge, face painting and a glitter station, naturally. This event is fundraising for The Droves; Coney’s latest project with 7-11-year-olds. COLAB Factory (Borough), £27, book ahead, 10pm-2am

MONEYLAB: Contemporary art, financial activism and digital culture are melded together in this day-long series of workshops and panel discussions devoted to thinking beyond money. Expect plenty of bitcoin chat. Somerset House, £15/£12 conc, book ahead, 10am-6pm

HACKNEY DOWNS VEGAN MARKET: An essential pitstop for anyone foregoing meat for Veganuary or forever. Find out whether the vegan fried chicken at Temple of Seitan is worth the hype. Hackney Downs Studios, free, just turn up, 11am-5pm

COLLAGE POSTER WORKSHOP: Get stuck into designing and creating your own A3 sized collage, inspired by the work of Dorrit Dekk and join a tour of the Designs on Britain exhibition. Jewish Museum, £49 (includes tour), book ahead, 2pm-4pm

JAZZ ON THE WATER: Once you've checked out Granary Square's Lumiere installations, follow the sounds of jazz until you reach the London Book Barge, where you can warm up in front of musicians and spoken word artists. Word on the Water, free, just turn up, 6pm-10pm

BRIXTON ROOFTOP: Sadly, London is losing Brixton Rooftop to a Sports Direct but not without throwing one final blow out bash. Tonight is the last ever garage rave, so take your mates and make it a good one. Brixton Rooftop, £3-£10, book ahead, 6pm-2am

SILVER SCREEN SCI-FI: Treat yourself to the ultimate night out for a sci-fi fan: A screening of the sleek technological thriller Ex Machina (2015) in a planetarium, followed by a short talk on the science behind the fiction by a Royal Observatory astronomer. Royal Observatory, £10/£8.50 conc, book ahead, 6.45pm-9.15pm

CARLEEN ANDERSON: Prepare to be captivated by Mercury-nominated soul singer Carleen Anderson as she muses on multiculturalism and her own family history through a rhythmic mix of jazz, soul, gospel and spoken word. Barbican Hall, £15-£25+bf, book ahead, 7.30pm

WINTER HAPPINESS FESTIVAL: Feeling glum? You're not alone, but Londoners are being cheered up with an adult ball pit, laughing yoga, 'gratitude bingo', a chocolate cafe and more at the Winter Happiness Festival. Tickets are on sale now — be quick, there's a lot of sad souls out there that could do with jumping into a giant ball pit. Museum of Happiness, £5, book ahead, 20 January-4 February

Sunday 21 January

Some excellent Paint handiwork from the DIY Puppet Disco poster design team.

DIY PUPPET DISCO: Get stuck into newspaper puppet making in this fun workshop, suitable for ages 5+ and parents. In the second half of the class, you'll teach your handiwork to move, shake and boogie to music. Little Angel Studios (Islington), £10/£8 child, book ahead, various times

TIMES UP MARCH: Placards at the ready! Join this rally to show your support for the Times Up movement, which is fighting the good fight against sexual harassment and gender based violence. Bring sustainably-made period pads to donate to Bloody Good Period. Richmond Terrace, free, just turn up, 11am-1pm

VINTAGE KILO SALE: Six tonnes of vintage and retro stock awaits your rummaging hands. Once your arms are full, head to the pill to pay by weight. £15 gets you a kilo of clothing. York Hall (Bethnal Green), £3 from 10am/£1.50 noon-4pm, book ahead/ just turn up, 11am-4pm

EXPLORING THE URBAN FOREST: London Street Trees author, Paul Wood, leads this tour around SE15, pointing out golden false acacias and 'bastard service tree' along the way. Peckham Rye, £19.02, book ahead, 10.30am-12.30pm

LONDON BUDDHIST CENTRE OPEN DAY: Find your inner zen at a meditation session in the relaxing room known as 'Breathing Space' and nosey around the rest of the centre as it opens its doors to newcomers today. London Buddhist Centre, free, just turn up, 11am-5pm

ARCHITECTURE OF LIFE: This two-hour tour of London's South Bank fills you in on recent controversies (Garden Bridge, the skateboarders battle against redevelopment) as well as old tales about the Festival of Britain and the Romans. London Eye, £18/£15, book ahead, 2pm-4pm

LANTERN SUNDAY AFTERNOON: This well-loved pub for literary drinkers and thinkers hosts a night of folk tunes from The Quivering Poets. The Betsey Trotwood (Clerkenwell), free, just turn up, 4pm-8pm

QUEER AS JOKES: Sex, sexuality, gender and kinks are the topics of this innuendo-fuelled comedy night featuring six LGBT+ acts. The Bill Murray, £5/£4 early bird, book ahead, 6pm-8pm

FREE SUNDAY CINEMA: Cosy up with a cocktail and tuck into a pizza as The Grand Budapest Hotel begins. Cafe Cairo (Stockwell), free, just turn up, 7.30pm-10.30pm

PEEP SHOW QUIZ: Do you know Mark's quotes from Jez's? What series did Sophie tell Mark that he was the father of her unborn baby? When did Jez finally run out of inheritance money? If these questions are easy peasy to answer, make a beeline for this quiz night about Croydon's favourite pillocks. Moth Club, £25 per team, book ahead, 8pm-11pm