Things To Do In London This Weekend: 11-12 June 2016

All weekend

Taste the north down south this weekend. Image: Lawrence Watson

NORTH DOWN MOUTH: Get your speed tasting skates on and sample five northern England dishes in 30 minutes. Ex-Fat Duck chef Mary-Ellen McTague brings her northern heritage and wealth of experience to St Paul's Roof Pavillion this weekend. It's going to be a tasty one. £20, prebook, various times, until 12 June

CROUCH END FESTIVAL: Go north for a huge selection of exhibitions, markets, entertainment, zombie walks, comedy, craft and live music at Crouch End Festival. For a complete list of events, visit their website. Various prices including many free events, just turn up, until 19 June

BARKING FOLK FESTIVAL: If you're up for a musical weekend, head to Barking Abbey Ruins for two days of folk. Headliners of this two-day event include Badly Drawn Boy and Seth Lakeman, plus loads more artists, food and family entertainment. Free, prebook, gates open 4.30pm

SECRET RUN: Visit the Secret London Runs website for a work out with a difference. Their Henry VIII Unguided Running Tour takes you to some of London's most beautiful sights while filling you in on the history of Britain's much-married monarch. We'd recommend switching your codpiece for Lycra though. Free, visit website, anytime

Saturday 11 June

Join the parade for Trooping the Colour today. Image: The Prime Minister's Office

TROOPING THE COLOUR: The Queen's huge birthday parade will be visible from both The Mall and Horseguard's Parade. This annual celebration for Her Majesty originated in the 17th century and features the Household Division in a colourful display. Free, just turn up, 10am-1pm

SECRET GARDENS: Discover 10 of Spitalfields' treasures at this secret gardens day with NGS. See a new side to the area's history of merchants and weavers and even grab some homemade tea on your tour. £14 (children go free), just turn up, 10am-4pm

NEON NEEDLEPOINT: Emily Peacock leads a workshop in neon needlepoint at the V&A Museum. Learn to make a pincushion inspired by the lights of Las Vegas. It's open to all abilities, and all materials are provided. Make something completely different this weekend. £92, prebook, 10.30am-4.30pm

BODY IN THE LIBRARY: From Poirot to Marple, Agatha Raisin to Philip Marlowe, celebrate detective fiction at the British Library this Saturday. Indulge your criminal side with a day of discussions, presentations and panels. £35, prebook, 10am-6pm

HACKNEY FLEA MARKET: An eclectic collection of one-off vintage pieces, handmade items, antiques and jewellery, plus lots more unique curiosities, load the stalls at Hackney Flea Market at Abney Hall. Free, just turn up, 11am-6pm

So this is happening this weekend. Photo by Mike King in the Londonist Flickr pool

MAKE MERRY: The longest community festival in the borough of Greenwich welcomes you to Plumstead Common today. Plumstead Make Merry is a packed day of music, arts and activities with up to 80 stalls, food and family-friendly fun. Free, just turn up, noon-6pm

FITZROVIA WALK: Celebrating London Festival Of Architecture, NLA invites you to wander around Fitzrovia's hidden corners. This New London walking tour investigates how Georgian splendour stands next to contemporary office suites and how regeneration is shaping the area now. £14-£18, prebook, 2pm-4pm

NAKED BIKE RIDE: Yep, you read that right. Get your kit off for the London events in the World Naked Bike Ride. Choose from various London starting points and ride the nine miles, clothes-free. Just a heads up — don't fling off your clothes until the ride moves off from your chosen starting place... just so you know. Donation required, register, 2.30pm

UDDERBELLY: The South Bank laugh fest presents The Best of The Comedy Store tonight with Paul Myrehaug, Charlie Baker, Jeff Innocent and Roger Monkhouse. Just head towards the big purple cow and let your chuckle muscles do the rest. From £20, prebook, 9.15pm

Sunday 12 June

Wander in Queen Mary's Rose Garden today. Image: Janie Easterman

PATRON'S LUNCH. Have lunch with the Queen at this St James's Park Patron's Lunch. Don't let not having a ticket to the official celebrations put you off — watch the action on big screens, grab picnic food from the caterers on site and celebrate Liz's 90th. It's going to be a busy one, so plan your journey in advance. Free, just turn up, from 10am

LONDON BRIDGE CITY SUMMER FESTIVAL: Enjoy live music performances at More London's London Bridge City Summer Festival. Be entertained by street performers at More London and London Bridge City Pier. Free, just turn up, all day

BIG LUNCH: Bring a dish to share at Stepney City Farm's Big Lunch to celebrate their sixth birthday. Meet the animals, learn swing dancing, discover history and be a part of games, competitions and even a treasure hunt. Free (just bring a dish to share), just turn up, 10.30am

STANMORE FETE: Get in the mood for British summer time at Stanmore Fete's traditional day out on Old Church Lane. Chock-full of stalls, activities and entertainment — do some shopping, hook a duck or climb St John's Church Tower. Free (some activities cost), just turn up, noon-4pm

CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN: Tucked away beside the Thames, Chelsea Physic Garden is London's oldest botanical garden. Get up close with over 5,000 plants on this family fun day. Discover the edible, useful, medicinal and historic. Free (with entry to the garden: £10.50/£6.95), just turn up, noon-4pm

AFRO BEACH BBQ: Don't wait till Notting Hill Carnival — get to Old Street this weekend for Afro Beach BBQ at The Magic Roundabout — a day-to-night party of summer tunes, giant Jenga, Twister, drinks and street food. £3.82-£17.02, prebook, from 1pm

HIDDEN GARDENS: Take a peek into the hidden gardens of Regent's Park on this behind-the-gate look at the green spaces of St John's Villa, Queen Mary's Rose Garden and more. Hear stories of their creation and secrets behind their famous residents. £9.63-£10, prebook, 2pm-4pm

BLUE SUNDAY: The Book Club wants to get you dancing this Sunday: blues dancing to be exact. Take a complete beginners lesson, showcase your best moves or just sit back and listen to the superb soundtrack. £5, just turn up, 7pm

POETRY: If you're feeling like a Sunday night verse or two, Torriano Meeting House invites all poets to take to the stage at its poetry reading. Tonight hear from Lisa Kelly, David Floyd and take part yourself — poets from the floor are always welcome. £5/£4, just turn up, 7.30pm

DR STRANGELOVE: Peter Sellers stars in this Cold War satire, undeniably one of Stanley Kubrick's best films. Take a trip back to 1964 at The Rooftop Film Club's screening tonight at the Queen Of Hoxton. £15, prebook, 9pm

READY EDDIE: Classic flick Coming To America gets a showing at the Lost Format Society, Croydon, tonight. Join Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) as he arrives in the US on a mission to find a wife who'll love him. Head to NCP Fairfield to discover the hidden screen of the Lost Format Society. £11.49, prebook, 9pm


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Our daily pick of Funzing events

Have your own Great British Bake Off

CAKE: Bake It and Cake It in this hands-on workshop with Lara. Give Mary Berry some competition as you learn to make and decorate biscuits, cupcakes, pastries and more. There's plenty of opportunity to get stuck in... and do some tasting too. £59, prebook, 10.30am-1pm, 24 June

Learn martial arts with Sifu

SELF DEFENCE: Play it safe at this Women's Only Wing-Chun and Self Defence Class at Tavistock Place. Instructor Sifu Jai has 15 years of experience in martial arts, and will teach you how to stay safe, using traditional techniques. £5, prebook, 7pm, 16 June

Take a tour through Bowie's history

DAVID BOWIE TOUR: The Man Who Fell To Earth got his start on Soho's streets, so take a tour with Alison and explore all his past haunts, including where the Ziggy Stardust album cover was snapped, where he played his first London gig and the studio where he recorded some of his best-loved songs. £12, prebook, 3pm, 14 June