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Monday 14 September
HOLOCAUST: As the world's ideological and environmental pressures mount, is society sliding towards conditions of panic and fear that might be exploited by a Hitler-like leader? Historian Timothy Snyder is at LSE to ask if we've learnt the lessons of the Second World War and the Holocaust. FREE, just turn up, 6.30pm
Tuesday 15 September
LONDON RAIL: London Metropolitan Archives is always worth a visit if you're into the history of our city, especially when it has a free talk about London's railways, as today. FREE, prebook, 2pm
NUDGE, NUDGE: The Government's 'nudge unit', which seeks to alter behaviour by 'nudging' us into making better decisions, received plenty of derision and cynicism. It seems to be getting results, though. Hear from the unit's CEO, David Halpern, at LSE revealing more about the experiment. FREE, just turn up, 6.30pm
SAS: Former SAS bloke Andy McNab is joined onstage by research psychologist Kevin Dutton. The pair will discuss the psychological pressures of those who work for the special services, under the provocative heading 'is there such a thing as a good psychopath?'. This one's at the Royal Institution. £12, prebook, 7pm
LONDON FULL?: The capital's infrastructure is groaning, with packed trains, dwindling school places and a housing crisis. Is it time to rethink growth and try to limit the size of London — or is that a fool's errand? Watch a panel debate tonight at the Royal Geographical Society, as part of the 21st Century Challenges series. £10, prebook, 7pm
Wednesday 16 September
LORD MAYOR'S SHOW: The famous parade runs through the City of London every November. Have you ever pondered its history — and why all those trucks are called 'floats'? Find out at Guildhall Library this lunchtime. £5.93, prebook, 1pm
SCOTLAND: One year on from the Scottish referendum on independence, Alun Evans is at the British Academy to reflect on the result, and the future of the union. FREE, prebook, 6pm
Thursday 17 September
MEMORY: Find out why it's sometimes useful to forget, as neuroscientist Michael Anderson speaks at the British Academy. FREE, just turn up, 6pm
RIVERS: Which is London's second river, the Fleet or the Walbrook?, asks Stephen Myers at Guildhall Library. Having paddled in both, we'd have said that (today, at least) it's neither — the River Lea wins hands down. Expect a more historical slant at the talk, followed by refreshments. £5.95, prebook, 6pm
Friday 18 September
MALARIA: Drawing on the British Library's archive, a group of actors and scientists tell the story of malaria, from early remedies to modern discoveries. FREE, prebook, 4pm
LONDON BOROUGHS: Tony Travers is at Morley College to give a public talk on the history of the London boroughs, which were created in their modern form 50 years ago. 1p (yes, really, it's a Penny Lecture), just turn up, 6pm
WALKING LONDON: Iain Sinclair and Will Self are two of the best known modern authors who regularly write about London. Join them for a V&A discussion about how the city influences their work, and the joys of walking around. £10, prebook, 6.30pm
Saturday 19 September
OPEN HOUSE (Sat, Sun): Your annual chance to look around normally off-limits buildings comes around again this weekend. As well as over 700 properties to snoop around, the programme also contains many talks and walks. Full details here. All weekend, prebook or turn up, free
MAGNA CARTA: Hear the story of Magna Carta, from its sealing 800 years ago to its modern influences, courtesy of Christopher Lloyd (not that one), an eight-metre-long poster, and a coat of many pockets, at Guildhall Library. FREE, prebook, 2pm
THAMES SWIMMING: We adored Caitlin Davies's book Downstream, which tells the story of swimming in the Thames. She's at Museum of London today to tell the tales of six women who were once famous for their aquatic adventures. FREE, prebook, 2.30pm
Sunday 20 September
MYTHS: Humankind has created thousands of myths, from the Ancient Greek legends, to the tales of King Arthur, to the Thameslink rail timetable. Not so, says philosopher Peter Logan. There is, really, only one myth, and there has always only been one myth. What can he mean? Find out today at Conway Hall. FREE-£3, prebook, 11am
