Things to do this weekend is sponsored by Imperial War Museum.
All weekend
UNDERBELLY: It's the final weekend of this year's Underbelly, and the performing arts festival has a strong programme right until the end. Catch a tribute to Aretha Franklin, hear the music of James Bond, or have a final laugh at the London Comedy Allstars. Underbelly Festival (South Bank), various prices, book ahead, until 29 September
CIDERFEST: Fermented fruitiness rules at Canopy Market this weekend, where cider takes centre stage. Several British cider makers from as far afield as Nottingham and South Wales showcase and sell their products, and offer an insight into how it's made. Have a go at pressing apples, take part in a food pairing event, and enjoy live music and DJs. Canopy Market (King's Cross), free entry, just turn up, 27-29 September
TRANSPORT MUSEUM DEPOT: London Transport Museum throws open the doors of its depot in Acton, where it keeps many artefacts and objects not currently on display. The history of the capital's rail termini is the theme of the weekend, with talks, film screenings, craft activities for kids, and a chance to see some of the objects up close. Museum Depot (Acton), £12/£10, book ahead, 28-29 September
URBAN ARTS FESTIVAL: Wembley Park hosts a two-day Urban Arts Festival, with breakdancing, skateboarding, graffiti, DJing and live music. See local music, rap, poetry and spoken word talent on the main stage; showcase your skills (or watch others) at a temporary skateboard park; and hop on board a mobile music studio bus. Wembley Park, free, book ahead, 28-29 September
TABLETOP GAMING: Keen gamers descend on Ally Pally for Tabletop Gaming Live. The weekend convention includes board games, card games, miniatures, war games and more, and is chance to see (and play) new releases before they go on sale. Alexandra Palace, from £16, book ahead, 28-29 September
Sponsor message
Culture Under Attack at Imperial War Museum London
War doesn't just destroy lives. It also threatens the things that help define us — places, works of art, precious artefacts. From collateral damage, to deliberate attempts to obliterate a civilisation, cultural heritage is another casualty of conflict. Culture Under Attack, a new season of free exhibitions and events at Imperial War Museum London, explores why culture is targeted in times of war and how some people will risk everything in order to save it.
What Remains, curated in partnership with Historic England, showcases over 50 photographs, oral histories, objects and artworks related to attacks on culture during conflict — from Nazi theft of art to the destruction of Mosul Museum objects by ISIS. Another exhibition, Art In Exile, reveals how British museums and galleries protected treasures during the second world war. Finally, Rebel Sounds looks at music-making as an act of resistance through four unique stories, taking visitors from Nazi Germany to Northern Ireland in the 1970s, through 1990s Serbia to present day Mali.
Explore them all for yourself and discover a century of stories on the impact of war on cultural heritage. As well as exhibitions, the season includes talks, panel discussions, and performances. Click here to plan your visit.
Click here to read our 5* review of Culture Under Attack
Saturday 28 September
CAPITAL CRIME: The inaugural Capital Crime Writing Festival brings together crime and thriller writers from all over to discuss their work. Hear from the likes of Lynda La Plante, Martina Cole and Anthony Horowitz through talks, panel discussions and book signings. Grand Connaught Rooms (Holborn), £80-£150, book ahead, 26-28 September
EMERGE FESTIVAL: In what is sure to be a fantastic event, Emerge Festival sees cultural venues across London stay open late for two consecutive nights, hosting some truly quirky activities. Tonight's options include a Jimi Hendrix house party, a chance to tour London Zoo's library, and a fairy tale gothic night garden. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 27-28 September
FEMINISTA FILM FESTIVAL: See a whole programme of films intended to inspire women and girls at the Feminista Film Festival. Professional skiers, trained dancers, Greta Thunberg and women facing barriers in Pakistan all feature on today's programme. The Soho Hotel, £16/£14, book ahead, 27-28 September
SPONSORED WALK: Choose between a three-mile or eight-mile route for this sponsored walk along the river at Richmond, raising money for Christian Aid. There are four refreshment points available along the route, which also visits Ham House Gardens. St Matthias' Church (Richmond), free entry with £100 sponsorship target), book ahead, 9.30am-3pm
BAZALGETTE BICENTENARY: Join tour guide and Londonist contributor Laurence Scales for a day marking the bicentenary of the birth of Sir Joseph Bazalgette, engineer of London's sewers. Throughout the day, visit sites linked to Bazalgette’s achievements, on a lengthy but worthwhile history walk aimed at adults and older teenagers. Imperial Wharf Station, £20.45, book ahead, 10am-5pm
RACE WAR: See the south London premiere of 2018 film Race War. Since the election of Donald Trump, people have repeatedly been asking "Is it racism?". This film dares to ask "Is it a race war?". Ritzy (Brixton), £8, book ahead, 11.45am
RIVER PROGRESS: The Lord Mayor's River Progress is one of the big events for the final weekend of Totally Thames festival. It's a ceremony of pageantry which sees the current Lord Mayor, future Lord Mayor and the newly elected Sheriffs to the City of London travel together aboard Gloriana, the Queen's barge, between Lambeth and Tower Bridge. Starts and finishes near HMS President, free, just turn up, 1.30pm-4pm
WEIMAR CABARET: Halbwelt Kultur is a musical cabaret which pays homage to seven highly influential Weimar Republic women who put their stamp on Berlin in the period between the two world wars. Songs and a live jazz band combine to tell stories and offer a sociopolitical look at the period preceding the Nazis taking power. The Other Palace (Victoria), £25/£20, book ahead, 3.30pm/8pm
TWILIGHT WALK: Take part in a five mile walk around Greenwich and Blackheath in aid of St Christopher's Hospice. The twilight jaunt starts and ends on Blackheath and takes in plenty of impressive sights including views from Greenwich Park, and the Cutty Sark. Blackheath Common, £20/£35, book ahead, 4pm-8pm
FILM FESTIVAL: Watch a series of short films, all shot entirely on smartphones. Horror, comedy, documentary and drama genres are all represented, and there's a chance to meet local filmmakers after the screening. The Birds (Leytonstone), free, book ahead, 6.30pm-9.30pm
FOOTBALL RAMBLE LIVE: Catch a live show of chart-topping podcast The Football Ramble. The presenting team cast their eyes back over some of the more unusual happenings in the beautiful game's history. Alexandra Palace, £23.25/£12.25, book ahead, 8pm
MOVIE MAGIC: Enjoy an evening of songs from classic-films-turned-musicals, performed by the cast of Musical Youth London. Old-time favourites and newer releases are all covered. Pleasance Theatre (Islington), £12/£8, book ahead, 8pm
OKTOBERFEST: Get in on the German Oktoberfest celebrations, with several beer-swilling opportunities. Events take place in Camden, Brixton, Fulham and Bermondsey today, with others following over the coming weeks. Various locations and prices.
Sunday 29 September
REGATTA LONDON: **This event has been cancelled due to weather conditions ** There's a very rare opportunity to see the tide stopped along the Thames today, as a routine test of the Thames Barrier takes place. To take advantage of the calmer water conditions, Regatta London sees all manner of water sports happening on the river. Kayaks, canoes and paddleboards take one of two special routes, and although it's too late to sign up, you can still watch the action from the riverbanks, or from the two event areas in Putney and Greenwich. Between Hammersmith and Greenwich, free to watch, just turn up, from 7.30am
SHEEP DRIVE: You'd be baa-rmy to miss this one. One of London's odder traditions, the Sheep Drive over London Bridge is exactly what it sounds like. Michael Portillo kicks things off this year (an honour previously held by Alan Titchmarsh and Mary Berry). Places have sold out to have a go at the herding, but you can still turn up to watch. London Bridge, free to watch (donations to the Lord Mayor’s Appeal and the Woolmen’s Charitable Trust welcome), just turn up, 10am-5pm
JAPAN MATSURI: Trafalgar Square hosts Japan Matsuri, a free, family-friendly festival of Japanese culture. Tuck into Japanese food, enjoy traditional music and dance performances across two stages, and try on a kimono. Trafalgar Square, free, just turn up, 10am-8pm
BECOME A GRAFFITI ARTIST: Head to the East End to take part in a graffiti and street art workshop. No experience or skill is necessary as you learn how to use spray paints, pencils, spray pens and other materials, in a secret garden. A professional artist leads the event, and you take your finished artwork home with you at the end. Brick Lane, £40/£25, book ahead, 11am-2pm (sponsor)
CARD NINJA: Comedian Javier Jarquin, otherwise known as the Card Ninja, swings by north London for a family-friendly show of seriously impressive card tricks. Age 6+. ArtsDepot (North Finchley), from £9, book ahead, 11am/2pm
DOGGO STYLE MARKET: Stock up on all manner of treats for your pooch at the Doggo Style Market, which is part of the first Pet Industry Conference. At the market, browse and buy food, grooming products, clothes and more for your dog. Tower Bridge Court, £5/£4 (separate ticket for Pet Industry Conference), book ahead, 12pm-5pm
HARVEST FESTIVAL: London's Pearly Kings and Queens don their finery and celebrate their annual Harvest Festival in Guildhall Yard. Be entertained by Morris dancing, maypole dancing, a marching band and other performances. There's no seating available for security reasons, so the event may not be suitable for anyone unable to stand for long periods. Guildhall Yard, free, just turn up, 12.30pm
COLOUR IN NATURE: Aimed at 8-11 year olds and their families, Design Museum hosts a workshop experimenting with the use of natural colour dyes. In an age where we’re accustomed to using chemicals and synthetic materials, learn how to forage and use kitchen scraps for coloured fabric dyes. Design Museum (South Kensington), £15, book ahead, 1pm-4pm
ENFIELD AT WAR: Take a guided tour of Enfield town, focusing on the area's second world war history. Local historian Joe Studman leads the walk, which visits war memorials, bomb sites, and other locations relating to Enfield's participation in the war. Dugdale Centre (Enfield), £5, book ahead, 2pm
BANGLA MUSIC: The Saudha Bangla Music Festival celebrates poetry and music from India, West Bengal and Bangladesh. Poet T M Ahmed Kaysher hosts the show, with performances from Indian classical musician Srimati Chandra Chakraborty, Bengali musician Gouri Chowdhury and semi-classical singer Amith Dey. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), free, just turn up, 6pm
