All weekend
PHOTO LONDON: Photography showcase Photo London brings together photographers, curators, exhibitors and dealers to celebrate all aspects of the art form — and it's very much open to the public too, whether you enjoy taking photos yourself, or just want to admire other people's work. Somerset House, £10-£32, book ahead, 16-19 May
DULWICH FESTIVAL: It's the final days of Dulwich Festival, a series of events celebrating the local history and culture. Events this weekend include an orchard open day, a history walk, and a traditional fair in Dulwich Park. Various locations and prices, book ahead, until 19 May
CHOCOLATE MARKET: Foodie paradise Canopy Market teams up with Cocoa Runners for a weekend that's all about the chocolate. Tastings, talks and demonstrations about the good stuff take place all weekend, alongside the market's usual range of fresh produce, designer-maker and craft stalls. Canopy Market (King's Cross), free entry, just turn up, 17-19 May
SICILY FEST: Get a taste of Italy at Sicily Fest, a three-day celebration of food from the Italian region. Tuck into arancini, pasta, cheese and wine from a range of producers, and enjoy lunch at the event, or stock up on items to take home. Boiler House (Brick Lane), free entry, just turn up, 17-19 May
HITHER GREEN FESTIVAL: Another festival celebrating a specific patch of London, Hither Green Festival kicks off with a family walk, live readings by authors of historical novels, a plant and seed swap, and more. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 17-26 May
SOUND UNBOUND: Unexpected music in unexpected places is the theme of Sound Unbound, a free, two-day festival. Focus is on classical music, with 100 short concerts spilling into ancient and modern venues across the City of London and 'Culture Mile', from Fabric to the Charterhouse. Barbican and Culture Mile, free, just turn up, 18-19 May
URBAN TREE FESTIVAL: A two-day celebration of London's arboreal offerings, the Urban Tree Festival features walks, talks, field trips and even an urban singing experience. Find out about the people who manage the urban forest, get to know the trees of three Bloomsbury squares, and discover King James I's mulberry garden. Various locations and prices, book ahead, 18-19 May
HACKNEY FLEA MARKET: Get your hands on a bargain or two at Hackney Flea Market, where traders sell vintage objects including clothes, records, furniture and homewares. All items are pre-used, so you're bound to find something unique. Abney Public Hall (Stoke Newington), free entry, just turn up, 18-19 May
TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA: Treat the kids to a trip to the theatre with a stage adaptation of The Tiger Who Came To Tea. Judith Kerr's classic children's book sees a big, stripy tiger join Sophie and her mum for tea, and this version has added music. Age 3+. ArtsDepot (North Finchley), from £9, book ahead, 18-19 May
Saturday 18 May
EUROVISION: It's Eurovision day! Don your best glitter, dig out your flag and support your country as musical acts take to the stage in Tel Aviv. Here's our guide to the best Eurovision parties and screening events in London.
ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS: Mark the 80th anniversary of the Royal Armoured Corps at this family fun day. Meet serving members of the unit and find out what they do, climb aboard a real tank, and have a go at an obstacle course. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, just turn up, 10am-4pm
WOMEN'S PODCAST FESTIVAL: The ShoutOut Live podcast festival is aimed at the next generation of female podcasters. It's a day of talks, panel discussions and workshops all about the ever-growing podcast world and how to succeed in it. Kings Place (King's Cross), £10-£15, book ahead, 10am-5.30pm
CEMETERY OPEN DAY: Nunhead Cemetery's annual open day is a chance to visit the chapel and the crypt, which aren't usually open to the public, and learn more about the cemetery as a whole through tours, stalls and activities. Face painting and craft stalls are provided to keep children happy. Nunhead Cemetery, free, just turn up, 11am-5pm
CHEESE CRAWL: If you're something of a cheese addict, join the London Cheese Crawl, a two-hour walk around some of London's cheesiest spots. Visit a cheese counter that's been going for 300 years, sample cheeses along the way, and test your knowledge in a cheese trivia quiz. Piccadilly, £25/£20, book ahead, 12pm-2pm (sponsor)
BEER FESTIVAL: One of our top picks for ale lovers this month is the Crystal Palace Beer Festival. More than 200 beers and ciders from a variety of UK independent brewers are available, including a number of south-London microbreweries... and the F.A. Cup final is shown on the stadium’s big screen. Selhurst Park, £12 in advance/£20 on the door, book ahead, 12pm-7pm
VARIETY 4 KIDS: Comedy, circus, magic and music combine at Variety Club 4 Kids — it's exactly like an adults' variety show, but with the rude bits taken out. CBBC's Howard Read and magician Oliver Tabor are today's guest performers. Age 6+. Underbelly Festival (South Bank), from £10.25, book ahead, 1.15pm
WOODLAND WALK: As part of Urban Tree Festival (above), Peter Fiennes — author of Oak and Ash and Thorn — leads a 90 minute woodland walk in Wimbledon. Go off the beaten track while discussing the magic and folklore of woods and trees, conservation issues, and our fear of the forests. Wimbledon Common, £4-£15, book ahead, 3pm-4.30pm
ARABS ARE NOT FUNNY: Comedy night Arabs Are Not Funny offers a line-up of comedians representing the Arab world and surrounding regions an opportunity to showcase their talents. Sino-French-Moroccan comedian Karim Duval, Egyptian-American comic Maria Shehata and British-Syrian Talal Karkouti are tonight's performers. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £15, book ahead, 8pm
SMOKE AND MIRRORS: Expert storyteller Vanessa Woolf of London Dreamtime hosts an evening around the overlooked alleyways of London's old docks in Wapping. Take a blanket and candle and dress warmly to hear tales of tigers, Victorian magic, and cigars. Live music is woven into the tales. Secret location near Wapping, £5, book ahead, 8.15pm
Sunday 19 May
DOG SHOW: Part dog walk, part show the Canine Partners London Walking Dog Show is a chance to see more of a Royal Park while entering your dog into categories such as cutest canine and waggiest tail. Kensington Gardens, £5 per person/£3 to enter your dog, book ahead, 10am
PHOTO WALK: Start your day at Enfield's Forty Hall, wandering around the gardens snapping photos. Member of the Royal Photographic Society Pat Simmons offers up tips and techniques to help you get the most out of your camera. Age 18+. Forty Hall, £30, book ahead, 10am-1pm
MR SELFRIDGE: Made famous by the TV show of the same name, department store founder Mr Selfridge was quite the character. Learn more about him and his competitors — including a bet between Selfridges and Harrods — on this Footprints of London walk, which focuses on London's world famous department stores. Oxford Circus, £12/£9, book ahead, 11am-12.45pm
CAPITAL RING: Tour guide Jen Pedler leads a three hour walk around Section 7 of the Capital Ring, from Richmond to Osterley Lock. Cross Richmond Lock, walk through Syon Park, and join the River Brent and Grand Union Canal at Brentford, looking out for wildlife as you go. Richmond Station, £12/£9, book ahead, 11am-2pm
URBAN VILLAGE FETE: Market stalls, live DJs, theatre, music and dance performances and creative workshops all go into the Urban Village Fete, a traditional fair on a large scale. Eat dishes from street food vendors, take part in debates, or go to a talk by Robert Elms of BBC Radio London. Greenwich Peninsula, free, just turn up, 11am-7pm
FAMILY RAVE: Glitter cannons, confetti, balloons, face painting, craft tables and other activities keeps the kids busy at Big Fish Little Fish family raves. DJs play old skool, house, hip hop, electro, techno, UK garage and drum'n'bass tunes, for all generations of the family to take to the dance floor together. Proud (Embankment), £10/£7, book ahead, 2pm-4.30pm
JOHNNY CASH STORY: Get immersed in the world of one of America's best-known singer-songwriters at The Johnny Cash Story. The theatre show combines live music performances with narration and a backdrop of archive images to tell his life story. Underbelly Festival (South Bank), from £17, book ahead, 3pm
WOMEN OF WESTMINSTER: Labour MP and author Rachel Reeves — a Labour MP, and author of Women Of Westminster: The MPs Who Changed Politics — talks about some of the 'forgotten' women of Westminster, pioneering ladies who fought for their place in Parliament, leading the way for future generations. She covers 100 years, from the election of the first female MP, Nancy Astor, in 1919, to campaigns which are still raging today. Conway Hall (Holborn), £8/£4, book ahead, 3pm-4.30pm
DRAG SHOW: Pair drinks with drag at The Sweetest Lil' Drag Show. Hosted by rising star of London drag scene Crayola the Queen, expect lip syncs, comedy and games as you indulge in chocolate cocktails — your first drink is included in your ticket. The Chocolate Cocktail Club (Brick Lane), £14, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm
