Things To Do In London This Weekend: 18-19 June 2016

Things To Do In London This Weekend is sponsored by Taste Of London — scroll down to find out what's on.

All weekend

Street food, craft beer and live music: join a free-entry festival at Alexandra Palace this weekend

FREE FESTIVAL: It's a weekend packed with street food, craft beer and live music at Alexandra Palace. From Carribean BBQ, souvlaki and burgers, to Pimm's, ice cream and a tiki bar, the Street Food Craft Beer Festival has lots to tempt your taste buds and your eardrums. Free entry, just turn up, 18 & 19 June from 11am-until late (Sponsored listing)

MEDIEVAL JOUST: Make your dad feel like a knight in shining armour over Father's Day weekend by taking him to the Grand Medieval Joust at Eltham Palace. Watch knights on horseback clash in re-enactments — budding knights can even have a go. £16.60/£9.60, 18-19 June

FOOD FESTIVAL: Grub clubs, food tours, cooking demos and more take over the entirety of Streatham this weekend for the Streatham Food Festival. Events priced individually, 15-19 June

PRIDE IN LONDON: Huge LGBT celebration, Pride in London, continues with wine tasting, brunches and tours. Download the Pride app from their website to ensure you don't miss out on the packed programme. Various prices, prebook, until 26 June

OPEN GARDENS: Explore over 200 gardens, across 25 boroughs this weekend as part of Open Garden Squares. Grab a ticket and a list of participating gardens from their website and go exploring without leaving London. £12 (kids under 12 go free), prebook, various times

Saturday 18 June

Boldly go for a sleepover at the Science Museum. Image: Sweetie 187

NECKLACE WORKSHOP: Learn how to make a necklace from those jewellery experts at Tatty Devine. Throughout the course of the workshop at the Brick Lane store, make a perspex lips link necklace. £40, book in advance, 10am-11.30am

BOW BEASTIES: Forage for wild food this Saturday with Ken and Zoe at Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. Discover the flora, fauna and make new friends with this wildlife club. Free, prebook, 10.30am-12.30pm

SHAKESPEARE WALK: Join a Southwark Cathedral guide for a walk around Bankside and the cathedral area visiting the places linked to William Shakespeare, including the Shakespeare memorial inside the cathedral itself. £7, book in advance, 11am-12.30pm

SOUTHWEST FEST: Head to St George's Square for Southwest Fest. Join 10,000 Pimlico residents for a hero-themed carnival parade, live music, dance, the animals from Vauxhall City Farm, crafts, food tastings and loads more. Free (charges for some activities), just turn up, noon-6pm

HANWELL CARNIVAL: Head to Elthorne Park for Hanwell Carnival, an afternoon of entertainment complete with music stage, funfair, animal area, food and drink stalls and more. Free entry, just turn up, 12pm-6pm

TELLING TALES: Enjoy an afternoon packed with stories at Southbank Centre. Professional tale-teller Vanessa Woolf and special guests will weave magical stories for all the family. Free, just turn up, 1pm-3.30pm

COMIC-MAKING: Take the kids along to Foyles on Charing Cross Road to meet comic creators the Etherington Brothers and get tips and tricks from them on how to create comic books at home. £5, book in advance, 1.30pm

SEVEN NOSES OF SOHO: Legend has it that if you see the seven noses of Soho, you'll have infinite wealth. Be prepared to get rich after this walking tour with Pete Berthoud, as you discover all seven hooters (and a bonus ear too). Stroll in the footsteps of the area's famous residents, from Mozart to Hendrix, and take in a few pubs. £12 (+bkg fee), prebook, 3pm

ASTRONIGHTS: Spend a night among the science at the Science Museum's sleepover experience for grown-ups. Get after-hours access to the galleries and watch a midnight IMAX screening of Batman Vs Superman in 70mm. Keep your peepers open for workshops and a torchlight tour of the museums. Free drink, dinner and breakfast also included. £180, prebook, 7pm-9.30am (19 June)

COMEDY AND CONJURING: Pete Firman brings his bag of hilarious tricks to Udderbelly Festival this weekend. He's been featured on The Sarah Millican Television Programme and The John Bishop Show with his crowd-pleasing comedy and jaw-dropping tricks. £15, prebook, 7.45pm

More things to do after this sponsor message.


Discover a culinary wonderland at Taste Of London with this special Londonist offer

40 restaurants, 160 dishes — sample the city's best food at Taste Of London this week. Tickets start from just £13.

From 15-19 June, Regent's Park will be packed with tantalising dishes from around the world, from the kitchens of some of London's top chefs.

Feast on flavour from Pizarro, Hoppers, Chick 'n' Sours and platefuls more. Watch celebrity chefs live on stage including Pierre Koffman, Bruno Loubet and Theo Randall. Pick up ingredients from over 200 fine food and drink producers. You can even take part in cooking classes with the professionals, master Southern Italian food with Francesco Mazzei and discover (and sample) the latest in drinks from sangiovese to sake.

Get your tickets now with our special Londonist offer.

Wednesday-Thursday tickets: £13 (usually £16)

Friday tickets: £17 (usually £21)

Saturday-Sunday tickets: £25 (usually £28)

Click here to buy your tickets now.

You can also join Taste Of London's #SecretService by following @TasteofLondon on Twitter during the festival's opening hours. The first eight people to retweet their secret message will receive a personalised #SecretService experience in a special location, with some of the UK's most renowned chefs.

Taste of London takes place from 15-19 June at Regent's Park. Tickets are £13-£25 and can be booked in advance online. Get reduced price on entry tickets using the code 'Londonist' at the checkout.

Things To Do In London This Weekend is sponsored by Taste Of London


Sunday 19 June

Stick your oar in at Osterley Park. Image: CChana

WETLANDS TOUR: Head to Walthamstow Wetlands for a two hour guided walk with local bird expert Pete Lambert. Adults only — and bring weather appropriate clothing. £5.41, book in advance, 10am-4pm

CROYDON AIRPORT: As part of the Croydon Heritage Festival, the historic Croydon Airport opens its doors today. Explore the place where the history of British aviation was shaped, and where the 'Mayday' call was invented. Free, just turn up, 11am-4pm (Last entry 3.15pm)

BREWERY OPEN DAY: The folks at Weird Beard in Hanwell are hosting a brewery open day. There'll be six beers on draught, including their new rye pale ale, Attack of the Ryeclops. Throughout the day you can meet the brewers and jump in on informal brewery tours. Food (veggie, vegan and meaty) is covered too. Free, just turn up, noon-7pm

CANOEING: If you like to get soaked in your family time, stick your oar into Canoeing in the Park at Osterley Park and House. Hit the middle lake and splash out with help from their qualified instructor. £5, prebook, noon-4pm

FATHER'S DAY BBQ: Meat and beer are the order of the day at Dulwich Picture Gallery's Father's Day BBQ. Pull up a picnic bench and tuck into starters, sizzling BBQ and beers from Meantime Brewing Company. Relax at this informal, family-friendly gathering in the gallery's garden. £10-£60, prebook, noon-4pm

HUNGARIAN CULTURE: Victoria Embankment Gardens (next to Embankment station) hosts a day of Hungarian culture with performances, market stalls and Hungarian food and drink. Free entry, just turn up, noon-8.30pm

SECRET LIFE OF PETS: Get a preview of the newest film from the Despicable Me and Minions creators at BFI. The Secret Life Of Pets follows Max the dog, who's loving his comfortable life in Manhattan, until new arrival, Duke, causes some chaos. £4-£11.75, prebook, 1pm

DAZZLING DADS: Keats House welcomes all dads and grandads for an afternoon of celebrating families. Make cards, hear stories and get involved in activities in this historic house. Free, drop in, 1pm-4pm

JAZZ: Sit back and enjoy the sounds of dixieland at the Observatory Garden, Greenwich. Grab a drink from the bar, munch on tasty morsels and get licking some ice cream. £5 (under 16 free), prebook, 1pm

REFUGEES WELCOME: Southbank Centre and Counterpoints Arts celebrate Refugee Week with an afternoon of readings from the Refugee Tales project, poetry, dance, interactive performances and more. Free, just turn up, 1pm-7pm

PRIDE AT THE IVY: Kick off Pride week in style at one of the most famous members clubs of all. Join Jake for Sundays At The Ivy — an evening of drinks, fun and even a grand piano. £10 (+bkg fee), prebook, 6pm-10.30pm

COMEDY: Head downstairs at The King's Head for Sunday Comedy Variety Cabaret. It's been running since 1981, so these funny folk know how to put on one hell of a comedy party. Dan Evans, Phil Nicol, Matt Welcome and more take the stage tonight. £7/£5 (+booking fee), prebook, 8pm


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Our pick of Funzing events

Recreate Van Gogh's stars at this workshop

PAINT VAN GOGH: Like painting? You don't need any previous experience to join this Pop Up Painting session dedicated to Van Gogh. Taking place in Kensington, the lesson is led by an artist and will include all art supplies — and you'll be able to take home your creation! £39, 25 June, 7.30pm

Let out your inner Robin Hood with some archery

LEARN TO SHOOT LIKE ROBIN HOOD: Get to grips with archery at this popular experience near London Bridge. With the professional guidance of the 2020 archery team, you'll soon be hitting bullseyes like a pro. You even get to take part in a mini competition. £25, prebook (limited tickets available), 18 June, 12.30pm- 2pm

Songs around the campfire and some creepy stories

LIVE MUSIC AT CAMPFIRE: Forget mosquito bites and soggy tents — join this London campfire club and enjoy a roaring fire with live music. Storytelling, sing-a-longs and the talented musician Tim Dalling — all at a secret location. It's like a festival without the hardships. £10, prebook, 22 July, 7pm