All week
V&A PHOTOGRAPHY LAUNCH: Be one of the the first to check out V&A's swish new gallery space, which shows off highlights from its 800,000-strong collection of snaps and related paraphernalia. It forms part of the museum's permanent collection, so you'll be able to make a return visit whenever you like. Photography Centre at V&A (South Kensington), free, just turn up, permanent gallery
ANOTHER ENGLAND: Explore a century of Black and Asian English history at this archival photography exhibition. There's also a series of new photographic commissions reflecting multicultural heritage and contemporary diversity. Now Gallery (Greenwich), free, just turn up, until 11 November
STRANGE DAYS: The visual nature of memory and visions of the future are the themes of Store X The Vinyl Factory's latest group exhibition. Be bathed in colour as you lie on a bed beneath Pipilotti Rist’s dreamy video and sound installation, or let John Akomfrah's three-screen ode to the ocean sweep you away. 180 The Strand, free, just turn up, until 9 December
SKETCH FOR SURVIVAL: Next stop on this touring exhibition of wildlife art? South Bank. At Gallery@Oxo you'll find 26 works and a powerful message about animal conservation. Oxo Tower Wharf, free, just turn up, 17-21 October
Monday 15 October
ARTY EVENING: An auction house may not be the most obvious port of call when you're trying to have a thrifty week, but tonight at 29 Blythe Road's evening view you can see a wonderfully diverse selection of art without paying a penny. Explore over 150 works, from Old Master portraits to Banksy Di-Faced Tenner. And if it does tempt you to splash out on a literal masterpiece, head to auction itself this Wednesday. 25 Blythe Road, Olympia, free, 6pm-8pm
SLEEP TIGHT: What is it that keeps you up at night? Explore the literature, philosophy, and science of sleep at LSE...that is if you can stay keep your eyes open, of course. The Old Building, LSE, free, just turn up, 6.30pm-8pm
PRIVACY PARTY: Free Word kicks off a new season that probes our public lives and private fears and explores themes of surveillance and censorship with a free launch party. Art works will be unveiled, beats shall be laid down, and complimentary refreshments will be guzzled. Free Word Centre (Clerkenwell), free, book ahead, 6.30pm-9pm
Tuesday 16 October
SLOW FASHION STORE: Browse pre-loved clobber donated by celebs and influencers at a pop up that's a welcome antidote to the fast fashion industry. Eco-friendly cleaning product company Method invites you to bring along your own threads to either donate or customise with the help of their expert seamstresses. All proceeds go to Clothes Aid. Method Slow Fashion Store (Shoreditch), free entry, just turn up, 10am-7pm
BUT HER EMAILS: Hillary Clinton's email controversy dominated much of the discourse surrounding the 2016 Presidential Election. Now that the dust has settled, linguistics professor Dr Rachele De Felice explores what they can tell us about the day-to-day mechanics of US government — from who gets stuck with the boring jobs to HRC's email etiquette. UCL (Bloomsbury), free, book ahead, 1.10pm-2pm
OLD ROMANTICS: Get acquainted with one of the most influential volumes of poetry ever written, as Professor Sir Jonathan Bate CBE FBA — what a title — discusses William Wordsmith and Samuel Taylor Coleridge's highly Lyrical Ballads. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm
DRUNK HISTORY: London history buff? You soon will be thanks to this boozer-based night of talks overseen by our very own Editor-At-Large Matt Brown. Eight speakers will speak for eight minutes on a famous Londoner who came from afar to make their mark on the capital. Take notes, because there will be a quiz. The Sir Christopher Hatton (Holborn), £5/free to London Historians members, book ahead, 6.30pm-9pm
Wednesday 17 October
MURDEROUS MILLINERY: Adorning one's headgear with actual birds was all the rage in the late 19th and early 20th century, but the trend had one extraordinary woman spitting feathers. Head to the V&A for a talk on Etta Lemon and her campaign to protect birds from becoming a fashion statement. V&A, free, just turn up, 1pm-1.45pm
WONDER WOMEN: Discover your new heroines at London Metropolitan Archives, which today hosts a talk on the London women throughout the ages who were honoured for their courage and daring. London Metropolitan Archives (Clerkenwell), free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
BEYOND THE SCREEN: From Facebook comes a series of short documentaries about harnessing the power of social media to enact positive change offline. From the individuals encouraging racial diversity in the performing arts to those fighting to end period poverty, these folks may make you feel slightly guilty about all those passive aggressive status updates. Everyman Cinema (Muswell Hill), free, book ahead, 7pm-8pm
OPEN MIC NIGHT: Show off your musical prowess at Northcote Records' open mic. There's a free drink in it for anyone who's brave enough to give it go. Northcote Records (Clapham), free, just turn up, 7.30pm-11pm
Thursday 18 October
WOMEN'S HEALTH THROUGH HISTORY: From the ancient Greek theory of the wandering womb, to more modern gynaecological myths, medical experts of yore sure had some interesting misconceptions concerning female health. Explore them all at the Royal College of Nursing's new exhibition launch, featuring ring pessary hoopla and anatomical bunting. Royal College of Nursing (Cavendish Square), free, book ahead, 5pm-8pm
SUNSET TRIP: Take a trip through the filth of rustbelt punk and into the psych scene of noughties LA at the release party for Ben Vendetta's new music-centric novel Sunset Trip. There's DJ sets, and you'll have the chance to ask the author your burning questions. Rough Trade East (Brick Lane), free, just turn up, 6.15pm-9pm
KINO LONDON: Here's an open mic night with a twist. Instead of bad Britpop covers, you'll see a selection of short films introduced by their aspiring auteurs. There's free popcorn involved. Candid Arts (Angel), £5, book ahead, 7pm-10pm
WHITECHAPEL WARBLES: Let interdisciplinary artists Charles Hayward, Simona Sharafudinoy and Thomas Stone treat your ears to night of experimental sound with a performance inside this east London art gallery. There's improvised snare drums, post-techno soundscapes, and some rather tasty charcuterie available to purchase from the gallery par. Whitechapel Gallery, free, book ahead, 8pm
Friday 19 October
CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL: Chocoholics, cancel any and all weekend plans because we've found your dream event. In collaboration with Cocoa Runners, Canopy Market brings you the best bean-to-bar confectioners, as well as talks, demos and, naturally, tastings. Canopy Market (King's Cross), free entry, just turn up, 12pm-8pm, until 21 October
PEERS, PARLIAMENT, PREJUDICE: Some women may have won the vote in 1918, but it was another 40 years before they would be allowed to sit in the House of Lords. Join Dr Duncan Sutherland and discover what it took to finally gain full political equality. Guildhall Library, free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm
STREET CIRCUS: Roll up, roll up — a spectacular circus-themed street party is coming to Bloomsbury. Marvel at death-defying acts, have a snifter at one of the pop-up bars, and even take a stab at synchronised hula-hooping. On second thoughts, maybe leave the bar until last...Store Street (Bloomsbury), free, just turn up, 6pm-9pm
ART OF ENGINEERING: Meet the artists and engineers blurring the lines between both callings at this panel discussion. Among others, you'll hear from the performance artist The Times calls 'the world’s only Thrill Engineer’, and a synthetic biology research centre's artist in residence. Science Museum, £5, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm
Saturday 20 October
WITNESS THIS: Choreographer Kevin Edward Turner tells the true tale of his struggle with mental illness through his new piece of dance theatre. The performance is followed by a workshop about using social media to share your thoughts about arts, culture and mental health. Bell Square (Hounslow), free, book ahead, 1pm/3.30pm
SACRED NUDE: If you've got a healthy appreciation for the human body and slightly surreal art, you'll definitely want to check out Jessica K Ballantyne's mixed-media drawings inspired by The Flower of Life. You'll also indulge in some expressive arts with a psychotherapist. Retreat Yoga Studio (New Cross), free, book ahead, 1pm-5pm
HARVEST CELEBRATION: Make veggie-inspired art work, try your hand at African drumming, and enjoy soup made from veggies grown from the gallery's garden at Tate Britain's harvest celebration. Oh, and don't forget to check out the unparalleled collection of British art while you're there. Tate Britain (Millbank), free, just turn up, 2pm-6pm
SUFFRAGE AND THE CITY: Celebrate the strength and determination of women from the City, past and present with the help of this outdoor artwork. Drawing from the stories of women from the Aldgate community, The Media Workshop has created an immersive new sound and light installation to mark the centenary of women's suffrage. Aldgate Square, free, 3pm-10pm
Sunday 21 October
APPLE DAY: Here's some wholesome autumnal fun to round off your week. Head to the foodie mecca of Borough Market for a celebration of the British apple harvest, complete with performances, apple-themed produce, and live pigs. Borough Market, free, just turn up, 12pm-4pm
ACTS OF MERCY: Artist and post-doctoral researcher Angela Hodgson-Teall hosts a life drawing and performance workshop inspired by the murals on display at Middlesex Hospital — where Angela herself worked as as a junior doctor. MOCA London (Peckham), free, just turn up, 2pm-4pm
AIDAN KILLIAN: He blagged himself a degree, tricked his way into becoming an investment banker, and even wrangled a spot on the Irish karate team. Allow stand-up comedian Aidan Killian to introduce you to Imposter Syndrome. The Bill Murray (Islington), £5, book ahead, 4.30pm-5.30pm
