All week
WATER LIFE: New photography exhibition Water Life by Aida Muluneh opens this week. Commissioned by charity WaterAid, the pictures show issues of water scarcity and ecological emergency in Ethiopia. Somerset House, free, just turn up, 24 September-30 October
D-DAY IN 35MM: Last chance to see D-Day in 35mm, an exhibition of the photos that photojournalist Robert Capa took on D-Day. He was one of just four press photographers permitted onto the beaches, and bore witness to the assault on Omaha Beach. Imperial War Museum (Lambeth), free, just turn up, until 29 September
PLAYING WITH MONEY: Also closing this week is Playing With Money, British Museum's deep dive into currency and board games. It looks at how modern board games, educational toys, gambling and role-playing games reflect, inform and shape our understanding of economics and money — and there's a lot more to it than Monopoly. British Museum, free, just turn up, until 29 September
TOTALLY THAMES: The river festival is still going strong, with plenty to do for those who don't want to part with their cash. Find out about some of the artefacts recovered through mudlarking, watch the Lord Mayor's River Progress making its way down the Thames, or see the tide stopped completely for a day, and all manner of boaters and sportspeople taking to the water for Regatta London. Until 30 September
Monday 23 September
HOT PRIEST: Andrew Scott, AKA Fleabag's 'Hot Priest' is the subject of Play With Clay. Do your best to render the actor out of the squishy stuff, helped along by a drink or two. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), £5 including a drink, book ahead, from 6pm
SEX BEYOND 70: Tammy WhyNot AKA performance artist Lois Weaver tackles some difficult questions in her show What Tammy Needs to Know About Getting Old And Having Sex, focusing on sex in midlife and beyond. After the performance, there's a panel discussion and Q&A session. Royal College of Nursing (Marylebone), free, book ahead, 6pm-8pm
ALL THAT SCRATCH: Enjoy an hour of promising new musical theatre performances at this scratch night. The show is recorded for the All That Scratch podcast, the performers have been chosen from open submissions, and some of the writers take part in interviews about their work too. The Other Palace (Victoria), £5, book ahead, 7pm
Tuesday 24 September
WOMEN AT WAR: Head to the Museum of Enfield for a talk about the many and varied roles that women took on during the second world war. These included working in factories and commerce, taking on roles in the ARP to protect civilians, and other voluntary services. Dudgale Centre (Enfield), free, book ahead, 1pm-1.45pm
BOARD GAMES: Join other players for an evening of board games in a dedicated venue, raising money for mental health charity Mind. Play traditional and lesser-known games, in a space that offers an alternative to the pub, making for a cheaper night out all round as it's a BYO situation. The Hub (Bermondsey), £5, just turn up, 7pm-11pm
Wednesday 25 September
VICTORIA AND ALBERT: Spend your lunch break at the V&A Museum, marking 200 years since the births of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria. Hear about the couple's contributions to the opening of the museum named after them, the Great Exhibition of 1851, and Albert's sudden death. V&A Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 1pm-1.45pm
SPAIN'S BLACK LEGEND: In 16th and 17th century Europe, 'Spain' became a byword for cruelty. While the infamous Spanish Inquisition became well-known, many other received much less attention. In this Gresham College lecture, find out about the country's 'black legend', and why certain events are better-known than others. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm
MUSEUM LATES: Ssshhh... this museum late is top secret. Science Museum stays open late for an evening of activities themed on its current spy-centric exhibition. Take part in a debate on privacy vs. national security, try deciphering your way out of an alien invasion, and consider the pros and cons of smart homes. Age 18+. Science Museum (South Kensington), free, book ahead, 6.45pm-10pm
Thursday 26 September
LOW WAGE BRITAIN: With many people on low or zero-hour contracts, what can be done to improve dignity in the labour market? A panel including James Bloodworth, author of Hired and Hannah Woolley of St Paul’s Cathedral, discuss current employment practices, and what's likely to be the norm in the future. St Paul's Cathedral, free, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm
LEMON SESSIONS: New live music night The Lemon Sessions offers performances from five acts, including roaming band The Herringbone Cocktail Club, pop cover band Esquire and power pop trio Empire. The Bedford (Balham), free entry, book ahead, 6.30pm-11pm
VINTAGE VEHICLES: Ogle classic cars and vintage vehicles at Park It In The Market. The monthly motorhead gathering takes place alongside the usual market stalls, with live music and street food to keep the party going. Greenwich Market, free, just turn up, 7.30pm-10.30pm
Friday 27 September
VICTORIA CROSS: Learn about the history of the prestigious Victoria Cross war medal in a free talk. Hear from David Callaghan who for 42 years worked for Hancocks of London, the only company to have produced the medal since it was introduced in 1856. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, book ahead, 11.30am
FREDDIE MERCURY: Fitzrovia Chapel celebrates Queen frontman Freddie Mercury with a free lunchtime event. Listen to audio extracts from Freddie Mercury: The Definitive Biography, by rock journalist Lesley-Ann Jones, with accompanying music and an introduction by resident chapel speaker, Kate Thorogood. Fitzrovia Chapel, free, just turn up, 1pm-1.30pm
MUSEUM LATE: Natural History Museum celebrates our interconnected planet at its monthly late night opening. This month, the event is part of the wider European Researchers' Night, with over 150 scientists present to talk about their work, including environmental issues, and how new technology helps to solve them. Natural History Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 6pm-9.30pm
Saturday 28 September
ART MARKET: The DIY Art Market offers Londoners the chance to engage directly with artists and independent publishers, and purchase artwork at affordable prices. Expect to meet emerging creatives as well as more established artists. Bussey Building (Peckham), £1 entry, just turn up, 11am-6pm
CRAFT FAIR: Sticking with the arty theme, the Solo Craft Fair is a similar event, offering a chance to support small, local businesses. Enjoy a drink while you browse, and there are workshops to take part in if it gets your creative side fired up. Balham Bowls Club, free entry, just turn up, 12pm-5pm
FILM FESTIVAL: Watch a series of short films, all shot entirely on smartphones. Horror, comedy, documentary and drama genres are all represented, and there's a chance to meet local filmmakers after the screening. The Birds (Leytonstone), free, book ahead, 6.30pm-9.30pm
Sunday 29 September
SHEEP DRIVE: You'd be baa-rmy to miss this one. One of London's odder traditions, the Sheep Drive over London Bridge is exactly what it sounds like. Michael Portillo kicks things off this year (an honour previously held by Alan Titchmarsh and Mary Berry). Places have sold out to have a go at the herding, but you can still turn up to watch. London Bridge, free to watch (donations to the Lord Mayor’s Appeal and the Woolmen’s Charitable Trust welcome), just turn up, 10am-5pm
JAPAN MATSURI: Trafalgar Square hosts Japan Matsuri, a free, family-friendly festival of Japanese culture. Tuck into Japanese food, enjoy traditional music and dance performances across two stages, and try on a kimono. Trafalgar Square, free, just turn up, 10am-8pm
HARVEST FESTIVAL: London's Pearly Kings and Queens don their finery and celebrate their annual Harvest Festival in Guildhall Yard. Be entertained by Morris dancing, maypole dancing, a marching band and other performances. There's no seating available for security reasons, so the event may not be suitable for anyone unable to stand for long periods. Guildhall Yard, free, just turn up, 12.30pm
ENFIELD AT WAR: Join local tour guide Joe Studman for a wander around Enfield themed on the second world war. Visit war memorials, bomb sites, and other locations linked to the conflict. Dugdale Centre (Enfield), £5, book ahead, 2pm
