Things To Do In London This Weekend: 27-28 September 2014

Source: Totally Thames website

Totally Thames

Londonist is proud media partner to Totally Thames, the river-based festival taking place throughout September. Each weekend, we’ll be bringing you our pick of Totally Thames events taking place on Saturday and Sunday. See individual events for prices and other information.

STEAM GIANTS: The newly refurbished Museum of Water and Steam in Brentford presents indoor and outdoor hands-on activities to learn about London's water through time and the amazing changes in technology to bring it to our taps. £11.50/£10, prebook, 27-28 September

GUIDED WALK: Follow guide Pete Smith on a guided tour starting from St Paul’s Cathedral. Follow the Thames as far as the Tower of London, encountering a wobbly bridge, a church dedicated to a former pirate and even the site of London’s first public lavatory. £7, just turn up, Saturday 27 September 11am

TIDE FEST: Learn new sport activities such as paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing and river dipping. TideFest free lessons take place in different locations across the capital. Check the website for venues and booking. Free, Sunday 28 September 8am-5pm

All weekend

ONGAR RAILWAY: Twenty years after the last tube train left Ongar Station on the Epping-Ongar Railway, trains will be using the stretch of track again for one weekend only, with the public invited to take a ride on Met I, Cravens Stock and Diesel Schoma vehicles. 26-28 September

FREE WALKS: This weekend is Walk London Autumn Ambles Weekend. There are more than 40 free guided walks for you to explore the capital, see website for full programme. Free, 27-28 September  

FLEA MARKET: Hackney Flea Market returns to Stoke Newington Church Street, with an  eclectic selection of hand-picked stall holders, all selling a mix of salvaged, one-of-a–kind, lost and found objects, and handmade items. Free, 27-28 September

FLUFFERFEST: The Victoria in Dalston hosts a two-day music festival, featuring punk, garage and psych bands from around the UK. Acts confirmed are Skinny Girl Diet, Phobophobes, Blonde Bunny, Love Buzzard and Grimm Grimm. £8 (for both days), prebook, 27-28 September 2pm-1am

STAR WARS: Characters from Star Wars Rebels will appear at Disney Store on Oxford Street both days this weekend. Guests will get the chance to meet Ezra and Sabine and have the photo taken with them. Free, just turn up, 10am-7pm on Saturday and 12pm-6pm on Sunday

VEGFEST: If healthy eating's your thing, head to Kensington Olympia for Vegfest. Over 200 stalls will be exhibiting food and lifestyle produce, for vegans and vegetarians. £12/£8, prebook, 27-28 September

ART TRAIL: This weekend, Merton Arts Trail lights up the south London borough. Emerging and established artists exhibit their latest work in homes, studios, galleries and shops throughout the area. There will be connected events taking place like film screenings and talks, see full programme on the website. Free, 27-28 September

MINIBUS THEATRE: Cape Wrath, a one man show by Alexander Kelly, tells the story of a journey to the most North-Westerly point of Scotland, to just 14 people. It takes place in a stationary minibus outside artsdepot in North Finchley. £12/£10, prebook, 27-28 September

Saturday 27 September

Hackney Children's Theatre is in action today. Details below

MEATFEST: It's the second and final day of Pork Life, a food festival at Dalston Yard from Big Eater, the team behind Ribstock, Chilli Chilli Bang Bang and National Burger Day. This time round, the focus is on all things pig. £15, prebook, all day

OPEN SHIP: The public have a chance to go aboard HMS Westminster whilst it is moored at Westminster Dock. Free, prebook, from 9am

ROUTEMASTER TOUR: Hop on a historical Routemaster and join a tour of London's utopian architectures, organised by National Trust. Along the way, you will hear specialist talks from John Allan, Magnus Englund and Charlie Warde, and receive tours of iconic buildings including the Lawn Road Flats in Hampstead and the Balfron Tower in Poplar. £25/£20, prebook, 10.30am

JAPAN MATSURI: The festival of Japanese culture featuring music, martial arts, manga, dance, food and more takes place in Trafalgar Square. Try traditional Japanese street food, and see Yurukyara characters, Japanese popular local mascots, wander through the Square. Free, 11am-9pm

GO EAST: Never been east of Stratford? Join this walk, led by Sue Sinton Smith, who  will take you on an exploration of the area, uncovering little known gems and finding out why so many people have chosen to make their homes here. Prebook or turn up at East Ham Station, £10/£7.50, 11am

FITZROVIA: Discover all of Fitzrovia's 110+ streets, mews, courts and other thoroughfares on a unique guided walk with Pete Berthoud. Hear dozens of stories that aren't in the guidebooks, meet some locals and visit some places well off the tourist trail. Tickets £35+bkg, prebook, 11am-6pm

CHILDREN'S THEATRE: What happens when two mice go looking for their perfect loft converted home in an old church? St John Church in Hackney hosts the first musical production of Hackney Children's Theatre. £5, prebook, 11am and 2pm

NFL IN LONDON: Regent Street goes traffic-free for an All-American event to mark the start of the NFL International Series Games. There will be on stage interviews with NFL players, live music, games and competitions. Free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm

HARRINGAY PARTY: Live music, street food, bars, an art exhibition and lots more is going on at Harringay Block Party in Portland Gardens, N4. The area goes traffic free for the day to celebrate local producers and local talent. Free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm

PROTEIN PARTY: Head to the New Inn Yard in Shoreditch and enjoy the free Protein Block Party. There will be food, drinks, music and live entertainment. Free but donations welcome as all proceeds go to Amnesty International, RSVP essential, 12pm-6.30pm

NUMBER 90: Hackney's Number 90 bar hosts a free entry evening of music to celebrate the end of the summer. There will be music, food and plenty to drink. Free, just turn up, from 5pm

FILM SCREENING: The Swedenborg Society in Bloomsbury presents a double bill of films by filmmaker Jim Jarmusch, known for his life-long interest in William Blake and more recent explorations of Swedenborg. Free, prebook by email, 5pm-10pm

LONDON DREAMTIME: Join professional storytellers Vanessa and Nigel in a secret location close to Nunhead for stories and songs to welcome the arrival of autumn. Wrap up warm and bring a candle. Booking is essential. £3, prebook by email, 5.30pm

CIDER & CHEESE: The Old Ship Inn in Hackney hosts an evening of food and drink tasting, featuring ciders and cheese. Tickets include seven cheese delights by Raw Cheese Power and accompanying drink. £20, prebook, 6pm

COMEDY: There are still tickets available for Cardinal Burns (£15, 6.30pm) and a trio of sets from Terry Alderton, Rob Beckett and Elis James (£16.50, 8.30pm) at the Greenwich Comedy Festival.

WIMBLEDON LIBRARY: Bestselling crime writer Sophie Hannah is in conversation with crime fiction critic Jake Kerridge at Wimbledon Library. She talks about her latest novel, The Monogram Murders. £7.50, prebook, 7pm

FILM SCREENING: What better way of enjoying a screening of the cult movie Fight Club than in a gym? Kaleidoscope Cinema shows the movie at the Body Studio in Shoreditch —  fancy dressing is welcome. £15+bf, prebook, 8pm

DISCO PARTY: The Working Men's Club in Bethnal Green hosts an evening of disco music and glitter for the dance floor. And don't forget, dress to impress. £6, prebook, from 9pm

CIRCUS PARTY: Run away to the circus — or Bloomsbury Ballroom to be precise — at the Dark Circus Party. Celebrate the mysterious and the macabre through theatre performances, cocktails and more. £25, prebook, 9pm

Sunday 28 September

Peckham jumble trail takes place today in the area's streets. Details below

NAVAL PARADE: The crew of HMS Westminster will  exercise its right to the Freedom of the City, with drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed as they parade through the streets. The parade will be led by the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines and the procession will form up at Horse Guards Parade. Free, just turn up, 8.45am

JUMBLE TRAIL: The area around Peckham holds a jumble trail. Locals set up jumble sales in their front gardens to get rid of unwanted belongings and make some money; as well as buying stuff you get to meet your neighbours. Free, just turn up, 11am-4pm

FAMILY ART: Ben Uri Gallery near Abbey Road hosts a family art day with a last chance to see the current exhibition, Max Weber: An American Cubist in Paris and London, 1905-15. If it leaves you feeling inspired, make your own Cubist collage. Free, prebook, 11am-1pm

HISTORY FAIR: The borough of Bexley and Crayford Town Archive present a Local History Fair, where 12 local societies will be ready and willing to talk to visitors about their particular interests. Free, just turn up, 10am-4pm

MUSIC FESTIVAL: London's first festival dedicated to singer songwriters takes place in Spitalfields. The Upstart Crow Festival is a free one day event packed with original music from 15 bands and solo artists.Free, just turn up, 12pm-8.30pm

REGGAE SHACK: There's a daytime reggae club party on the roof of Rockwell House in Shoreditch. Want your turn at spinning your favourite reggae, dub and ska tunes on the DJ deck? Register your interest in advance. £5, prebook, 12pm-10.30pm


Other good stuff

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