We start compiling the weekend listings on Sunday night and add to it through the week. Please do let us know what we’re missing – email [email protected] or leave a comment.
All weekend
CARNIVAL: It's children's day on Sunday and adults day on Monday as Notting Hill Carnival takes over the streets of West London. Last year we asked our Facebook friends for top tips on how to enjoy Carnival, see here. Parade starts both days from 9am
SCARY FILM: Frightfest is at the Empire Cinema, Leicester Square from Thursday night till Monday. Scare yourself silly.
HAYDAZE: Proud Camden puts on three days of "festive antics" with circus performers, village fete games, charity tombola, workshops and 50 bands performing across the weekend. Free entry from 1-8pm, then ticketed in the evening. Check the website for full line-up and tickets.
RICH MIX: It's the final weekend of the Youth Takeover at Rich Mix, with a pre-Carnival party, performing arts workshop and site-specific performance. Check the website for details.
VILLAGE FAIR: The Southbank Centre's Festival of Neigbourhood puts on a Village Fair on Saturday and Sunday with traditional stalls, vegetable sculpting competition, a bake-off, old style games, brass band, folk music and dog show, plus a free ceilidh in the Clore Ballroom on Saturday night. Free, just turn up.
ROUND THE CLOCK OPENING: On its final weekend, Timepiece at the Roundhouse is open all-night with three different performances inside the shadowy installation. On Saturday afternoon, Siobahn Davies Dance perform ROTOR, on Sunday morning the Roundhouse Choir sing a Dawn Chorus and Wayne McGregor's dancers perform in the afternoon. Pay what you like, drop-in, from 10am Saturday to 8pm Sunday
SHHH!: Get involved with Secret Wild London weekend at nature and conservation activities at little known wildlife sites.
JAZZ: Highgate Jazz with Soul festival presents two afternoons of live music across four local venues. Tickets from £10 for individual gigs, day pass £30, Saturday and Sunday from 1pm
DRINK: There are beer and cider festivals in Dalston, Islington, Isleworth and Orpington.
FREE THEATRE: Watch family-friendly show Prince of Thebes at 6pm and Oedipus and Antigone at 8pm at The Scoop amphitheatre at More London from Wednesday to Sunday. Free, just turn up, 6 & 8pm
DEPTFORD: The arty Old Deptford Police Station hosts a new exhibition and weekend of creative community arts, Ladies Like Apple Pie on Saturday and Sunday. £2 donation on the door, 12-10pm
KEW: Spend a lazy afternoon at Kew, with a half price ticket and gates open till 7.30pm. £7 adults, under 16s free, just turn up from 3.30pm
PROM IT: The Warsaw Philharmonic make their Proms debut, there are two Chamber proms at Cadogan Hall and Bank Holiday Monday sees a Light Organ Prom and the Hollywood Rhapsody Prom. Check out the line-up here. You have to queue early for those £5 tickets but it's worth it.
LAST CHANCE: Camden Fringe ends on Sunday, so pick a show and go. Or sit in one venue for six hours and see what unfolds.
Saturday 24 August
SKEPTICS UNITE: At Skepticamp London at Conway Hall. £5, prebook, 9.45am-5pm
POST-OFFICE SECRETS: The British Postal Museum's store, up in Debden opens its doors to visitors today. This fascinating store includes dozens of vintage post boxes, old post vehicles and rarely seen cars from the defunct pneumatic railway. We've been and done it, and it's highly recommended. Free, just turn up, 10am-4pm
BOATS: Islington Boat Club's having a family fun day: go on a short narrowboat trip (£3, free for under 9s), hire a pedalo for a fiver and enjoy a BBQ while listening to music or some comedy. 11am-5pm
CARAVANIA: Take your 5-11 year olds to the micronation of Caravania outside the National Theatre and let The Bone Ensemble entertain you all. Free, just turn up, 12-6.30pm
MARKET: Hush House Super Market is a creative market at the Bussey Building, Peckham, selling all sorts of things, from records to handmade perfume, local condiments to photography with buskers and refreshments on hand. Free entry from 12-8pm
TEDDY BEARS' PICNIC: Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice is holding its annual Teddy Bears' Picnic today. Pop along for stalls, entertainment and a picnic box for every child. £3 (+50p for every accompanying adult), prebook, 1.30-4.30pm
Sunday 25 August
SEASIDE FUN: The book club throws a street party seaside style with Bookstock-on-Sea on Leonard Street, Shoreditch. Live music and DJs soundtrack seaside themed activities and food, like fish and chips, ice cream, knobbly knees contest, Punch & Judy. Free, but you need a wristband, 12-9pm
PODCAST: Be in the audience for two podcast recordings at the Phoenix pub on Cavendish Square. Jesse Thorn, Jordan Morris and a guest record Jordan, Jesse, Go! at 2pm (£10) and International Waters, part panel show, part trivia quiz, is hosted by Jesse Thorn with guest Josie Long and two others on the verge of being confirmed: we know who they are and if it comes off, it'll be very good (4.30pm, £10).
Monday 26 August
DANCING: Learn foxtrot, rumba and tango steps at Strictly Summer Ballroom in the Royal Festival Hall with live music and demos by the pros. Free, just turn up, 12-6pm
DOGS: Spitalfields Market hosts the annual Paw Pageant - that's dogs in designer togs and a dog show - raising money for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. Free to watch, £5 to enter your dog, 1-3.30pm
Other good stuff
- Great London date ideas
- London’s hidden parks, gardens and green spaces
- What’s on stage and art shows to see
- Live comedy in London
- Booky and spoken word events
- Free things to do in London
- What’s on in the big Museums and Galleries
- Food and drink
- Listen to our latest podcast
Catch up on all latest features, see what we like in theatre and arts and browse more things to do in London.
Photo by Simone Merli via the Londonist Flickrpool.