Things To Do This Weekend In London: 27-28 October 2018

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Things to do this weekend is sponsored by Imperial War Museum.

All weekend

Fantasy becomes reality at MCM Comic Con

HALLOWEEN: We know that officially All Hallow's Eve doesn't fall until next week, but there are plenty of spook-tastic things in London happening this weekend.

HALF TERM: Need help keeping the littl'uns occupied over half term? We're here to help with our guide to family-friendly events over the week.

COMIC CON: Back bigger and better than ever before, head to MCM Comic Con for the biggest fan event in London. Cosplayers, film buffs, gamers and collectors join a blockbusting lineup of comic stars for a weekend of fantasy fun. ExCel Centre (Royal Victoria), £17-£27, book ahead, 26-28 October

PUNK ROCK ART: Check out art from legends of the 1977 punk scene and beyond, to a stomping soundtrack of rock and roll. The showcase features works as original as the music and you can even take home a piece of punk history for a snip of most art fairs. The Underdog Gallery (Southwark), free, just turn up,26-29 October

DIVERSITY DANCING: A two hour spectacular of dance, magic, acrobatics and death-defying stunts as dancing daredevils Diversity join forces with one of the world's greatest circus companies for an awe-inspiring live performance. Brent Cross, £30-£55, book ahead, 26-28 October

SPOOKEASY: Barts speakeasy turns into a haunted apartment for the weekend. Get your Dutch courage at the cocktail bar, which serves up treats to tantalise taste buds and steady nerves. Don fancy dress and dance all night. Barts (Chelsea), free, book ahead, until 3 November  

MISPLACED EXHIBITION: Bart Simpson and an ostrich walk into a bar... at least they do in Angelo Accardi's paintings. Immerse yourself in this exhibition where worlds collide, mixing surrealism, pop culture and classical artwork. Eden Fine Art Gallery (Mayfair), free, just turn up, until 31 December


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Explore conflicts past and present at Imperial War Museum’s Short Film Festival

Twerking, war games, and claustrophobia-inducing submarines; it’s all happening on the big screen at Imperial War Museum's Short Film Festival.

Go along to a free screening and delve into the causes, course, and consequences of conflict. Every day from 25-29 October, the museum presents a selection of short but hard-hitting documentaries, dramas, and animations that explore both past and contemporary wars. What’s more, you can decide which films take home a coveted festival award by voting for your favourite.

Even the man who brought Lord of the Rings to the silver screen is getting involved — you can catch Peter Jackson's They Shall Not Grow Old — a new film using original footage from Imperial War Museums’ extensive archive, co-commissioned by 14-18 NOW and Imperial War Museums in association with the BBC.

There’s no need to book tickets for the short film screenings — just drop in whenever you fancy. For the full programme, click here.


Saturday 27 October

Hunt for treasures at Peckham's Salvage Yard

LIT FEST: Learn how to draft the next 50 Shades, take a tour of toilet books and chat with men who write romance, at Croydon's curveball literary festival. The line up features London literati, with the likes of Louis Barfe from Private Eye and GQ's very own Justin Myers AKA the Guyliner hosting workshops from morning 'til night. Various Croydon venues, free-£8, book ahead, 9.30am-9.30pm

WELLBEING DAY: Inspiring speakers and entertainment fill the timetable at a day-long festival considering wellbeing in all its philosophies and forms. The event raises money for The Resurgence Trust making it one more thing to feel good about. Rudolf Steiner House (Marylebone), £30-£35, book ahead, 10am-6pm

SALVAGE YARD: Curiosities and collectables abound at Peckham's go-to destination for vintage gems. With over 50 traders and an absolute truckload of treasures, there's far more diamond than rough at this salvage yard. Work up a sweat rummaging before powering up with a bite from any one of the amazing cafes next door. Bussey Building (Peckham), free, just turn up, 11am-6pm

PROSECCO BRUNCH: Go hard or go home at Sanctum Soho, where brunch favourites from pancakes to potato hash, along with a healthy dose of hair of the dog, are being served up. Sanctum Soho, £35, book ahead, 11.30am-3pm

OKTOBERFEST: Enjoy one last hurrah before October is out at the final weekend of Oktoberfest. Singing, steins and schnitzels set to the sweet sounds of the Oompah band make for an unforgettable day and night of German folk fun. Lederhosen optional, table dancing actively encouraged. Munich Cricket Club (Victoria), free entry, just turn up, 12pm-11pm

TOWER BRIDGE CAT: To celebrate the launch of children's classic in the making, Tower Bridge Cat, the setting for the book plays host to a plethora of playful cat-themed activities. Illustration workshops, colouring and book readings from author Tee Dobinson provide fun for all the family. Tower Bridge Gift Shop, free with entry to Tower Bridge, just turn up, 2pm-5pm

PUMPKIN TRAIL: Head to London's oldest allotments for a positively spooky Halloween pumpkin trail. Follow the path to discover decorative jack-o-lanterns and things that go bump in the night. Torches advised. Northfields Allotments (West Ealing), free, just turn up, 3pm-7pm

MOTHER’S BIRTHDAY: What do we want? Free pizza. When do we want it? Saturday night! Enjoy pizza on the house at Mother’s first birthday party. The Italian restaurant has more homely vibes that you can shake a stick at, plus drinks and a DJ all night. Mother (Battersea), free, just turn up, 6pm-12am

AFRICAN PARTY: Chop x Beats throw the party to end all parties and you're invited. Art, games, body painting, music and food from across Africa set the vibe for throwing shapes and making merry. Stour Space (Hackney Wick), £12.50, book ahead, 6pm-1am

Sunday 28 October

Flex for the 'gram on this pup friendly walk

ROMAN DEAD: Museum of London pieced together burials and beliefs of Roman London. It's the final day to journey into the underworld at this exhibition of exotic excavations and grave goods from the Roman dead. We gave this exhibition the full five stars. Museum of London Docklands (Canary Wharf), free, just turn up, 10am-6pm

DIVINE PHOTOS: Everyone is Divine! unleashes makeup artist and photographer Darren Evan’s work on the world, celebrating the punk film icon Divine and all the other outsiders that identify with her. Last chance to see, as it closes today. Hackney Picturehouse, free, just turn up, 10am-11pm

URBAN FOREST: Street tree guru Paul Wood guides this walk around London’s tree capital and urban forest, Brockley. Home to a whole host of species both new and old, get down with nature as you pound the pavements. Brockley Overground Station, £18, book ahead, 10.30am-12.30pm

EMPRESS OF BLUES: Ma Bessie and her musical troupe tell the story of the Empress of the Blues, from humble beginnings in a one-room shack to the highest-paid black entertainer of the '20s. Get grooving to a showcase of Bessie Smith's best songs and learn about one of the greats. Hideaway (Streatham), £12.50, book ahead, 12pm-4.30pm

PASTELS AND PUPS: Learn how to make your Instagram pop by taking a stroll along the streets of photogenic Notting Hill. Led by lifestyle and fashion photographer Eva Thompson, this dog friendly tour takes in pastel houses and beautiful buildings for perfect snap backgrounds. Holland Park station, free, book ahead, 1pm-4pm

ETHICAL STRIPPING: An antidote to stigma, shame and stereotyping from Stacey Clare, a woman who has seen and experienced every aspect of the misunderstood world of UK strip clubs. This candid talk discusses feminism, sex work and ethics. Conway Hall (Holborn), £4-£8, book ahead, 3pm-4.30pm

VIVA LA FRIDA: Craft a Kahlo under the expert eye of Kayleigh Jackson, creator of Jennifer Jackson Dolls. Create a brooch in the feminist icon's image from faux flowers and vintage trims to ensure your accessory is as unique as you are. Creative Biscuit Ceramics Cafe (Woodford), £30, book ahead, 4pm-6pm

SAMARITANS COMEDY: Up and coming comedians and old hands alike join forces for a night of laughter in aid of Samaritans. Mark Dolan, Kwame Asante and Alice Marshall are all on the line-up. Soho Theatre, £20, book ahead, 6pm-9pm

WEST END BARES: Comedian extraordinaire and star of Bake Off's Extra Slice, Tom Allen hosts Top Off The Pops, a night to celebrate some of the greatest tracks performed by an almighty line up from the West End. All money raised goes to The Make A Difference Trust, funding HIV and AIDS projects. Shaftesbury Theatre, £25-£80, book ahead, 7pm and 9.30pm

COLOMBOLOCO: Rhythm Passport presents a Southern European evenin with non-stop music all the way from Andalusia to Turkey. The main event is an all-out Mediterranean Gypsy party courtesy of musicians Colomboloco. Hootananny (Brixton), free, just turn up, 8pm-11pm