Things To Do This Weekend In London: 21-22 April 2018

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All weekend

Browse a treasure trove of curiosities at the Hackney Flea.

BUNKER DOWN: Did you know that 60 feet underground in West London you can find a World War II bunker that changed the course of history? The Battle of Britain Bunker housed the Fighter Command No.11 Group Operations Room, from which the RAF defended the nation against the Luftwaffe. Battle of Britain Bunker (Uxbridge), £4, just turn up, 10am-4pm, all year

MUSLIM LIFESTYLE SHOW: Discover the latest trends in modest fashion, devour a diverse range of Halal food and pay a visit to the luxury tea lounge at the Muslim Lifestyle Show. Along with success seminars, a kids zone and a cricket simulator, they're bringing together over 200 pop-ups from around the globe — all ahead of Ramadan. Olympia London (West Kensington), from £5, book ahead, 10.30am-7pm, 21-22 April

URBAN MAKERS EAST: To celebrate Earth Day, Urban Makers East are going green with an eco-friendly spring market. Browse sustainable handmade wares, get your hands dirty with a free garden design tutorial, and then clean them up again at a natural soap making workshop. Ecology Pavilion (Mile End Park), free entry (some workshops charge), just turn up, 11am-5pm, 21-22 April

HACKNEY FLEA MARKET: Have a rummage through Danish decor, salvaged French homeware, and all things kitsch at Hackney Flea Market. With vintage treasures from over 30 quality traders, you're sure to pick up a bargain. Abney Hall (Stoke Newington), free entry, just turn up, 11am-6pm, 21-22 April

FUSION THEATRE: Will your little explorers dare brave the high seas, battle an army of monkeys and take on legendary creatures of the deep? Fusion Theatre will take them on an epic voyage of discovery with Stories from Around the World, an interactive theatrical adventure incorporating fairy tales and myths from all over the globe. Pleasance Theatre (Islington), £9, book ahead, 2pm, 21-22 April

Saturday 21 April

Let the kids learn how to handle zoological specimens like a pro.

STREET WISDOM: Open yours eyes to the magic of the every day with a guided mindfulness experience. Street Wisdom uses a immersive mix of psychology, mindfulness and cognitive science to teach you how to use the city streets to find fresh answers to life's questions. Meet outside Giraffe, Southbank, free, book ahead, 10am-1pm

FEAST OF SAINT GEORGE: Celebrate Saint George's Day early in Trafalgar Square, where the Mayor of London is throwing England's patron saint quite the bash. As well as an eclectic live music programme presented by BBC Radio's Abbie McCarthy, you can expect stilt walkers, morris dancing, pearly royalty, and lots of bunting. Trafalgar Square, free entry, just turn up, 12pm-6pm

A NICE CUPPA: Unleash your creativi-tea at a herbal tea blending masterclass. Held in honour of National Tea Day, you'll learn which herbs complement each other, discovering combos like peppermint, marigold and lemon balm, before taking home your own set of DIY tea bags. Sutton House (Hackney), £25, book ahead, 1pm-3pm

EXPLORE ZOOLOGY: Ever wondered how sharp a shark’s tooth is or how many scales a pangolin has? Grant Museum of Zoology is here to help your budding zoologists get better acquainted with the natural world, with an afternoon of hands-on specimen based activities. Grant Museum of Zoology (Bloomsbury), free, just turn up, 1pm-4pm

UNDER YOUR SKIN: A gathering neurologists, psychiatrists, cultural theorists and dancers explore physical conditions that display themselves in response to psychological stressors or conflicts. Several Lectures on Display takes human skin as its starting point, before looking at humiliation and nervous breakdowns at a societal level. The Anatomy Lecture Theatre, King’s College London (Strand Campus), £5, book ahead, 2pm-5pm

THE TURBANS: International musical adventurers The Turbans celebrate the launch of their eponymous debut album with a visually arresting  live show that embodies the skill, experience and passion of musicians from Turkey, Bulgaria, Israel, Iran, Spain, Greece and England. Islington Assembly Hall, £15, book ahead, 7pm-11pm

STARRY NIGHT: Learn how to paint like a Dutch Master while guzzling wine and French antipasti at Popup Painting. You'll be taking inspiration from Van Gogh's iconic Starry Night over the Rhone while a professional artist guides you through the bold brushstrokes and expressive use of colour. Brasserie Blanc (Southbank), £45.99, book ahead, 7.30pm-10.30pm

MASONIC MASQUERADE: A macabre night of cabaret, circus and cinema awaits masked mortals who dare to enter the secret Masonic Temple at Andaz Hotel. Home to arcane rituals, clandestine gatherings and formerly the site of the old Bedlam Hospital, you could hardly ask for a more enigmatic setting for a masquerade ball. Andaz Hotel (Liverpool Street), from £15, book ahead, 7.30pm-2am

Sunday 22 April

Make some noise at the Big Busk.

DAWN CHORUS: Brave an early start and watch the sun rise at Forty Hall. As you walk the grounds of the estate, you'll learn to identify the calls of the local robins, wrens and kingfishers as they ring in the start of the new spring day. If that's not enough to wake you up, your ticket also includes refreshments in the hall after the ramble. Forty Hall (Enfield), £7, book ahead, 6am-8am

BOROUGH MARKET: The St George's Day celebrations continue at Borough Market, which today pays homage to the patron saint's international heritage. As well as specially-themed produce, you'll find pop-up theatre, a traditional Catalan human tower, and a hiphop/maypole dancing mash up. Borough Market, free entry, just turn up, 12pm-4pm

SPACE ROCKS: From devoted Astrophiles to the sci-curious, Space Rocks offers something for everyone. The brightest stars from the worlds of science and the arts are gathering to celebrate the wonders of space exploration. Come to see astronaut and noted Bowie fan Tim Peake speak at the kid-friendly Space Academy, stay for an evening of music inspired by the great beyond. The Indigo at the O2 (North Greenwich), from £8, book ahead, 12.30pm-10.30pm

CUT IT OUT: Get scissor happy at Drink, Shop & Do's papercut workshop. Illustrator Poppy Chancellor will teach you all about the ancient art of papercutting with a contemporary twist. To sweeten the deal, your ticket also includes bottomless tea and a slice of cake. Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), £35, book ahead, 2.30pm-4.30pm

BIG BUSK: Hear some of London's best buskers accompanied by a live 40-piece orchestra. Street Orchestra have organised a giant jam sesh with the goal of breaking boundaries and cultivating new musical friendships. The Migration Museum at The Workshop (Lambeth), free, just turn up, 4pm-5pm

TOM HOUGHTON: Meet critically-acclaimed comedian, The Honourable Tom Houghton. By his own admission, he didn't earn that title on his own merit (he's been sacked from Wetherspoons twice), but in the traditional aristocratic way — by default. In his latest show, he discovers that true honour often lies where you'd least expect. The Bill Murray (Islington), £6, book ahead, 4.30pm-5.30pm

BICYCLE THIEVES: Take in an Italian cinematic classic with your aperitivo at Ida Restaurant. They're screening Vittorio De Seca's neo-realist masterpiece Bicycle Thieves while serving up authentic Roman feast, complete with prosecco. Perfetto. Ida Restaurant (Queens Park), £45, book ahead, 5pm-9pm

MARIO BAKUNA TRIO: Be whisked away by Brazilian beats on a night dedicated to composers from Rio de Janeiro and Bahia. The Mario Bakuna Trio will reveal both places' musical peculiarities and possibly answer a very important question — was samba born in Bahia or Rio? ArtHouse (Crouch End), £15, book ahead, 8pm-10pm