Things To Do Today In London: Thursday 19 October 2017

Looks like this article is a bit old. Be aware that information may have changed since it was published.

Things to do today is sponsored by the Museum of London.

Surfs up! Regent Street Cinema is throwing a festival dedicated to the sea sport. © LSFF (2017)

What we’re reading

Things to do

CASS ART FESTIVAL: See five floors of fabulous artwork created by Cass Art staff artists, plus take part in creative workshops using acrylic, watercolours, mixed media and more. Barge House, Oxo Tower Wharf, free, just turn up, 19-22 October

ART & DESIGN WALK: Soak up all the art St James's has to offer on this tour from the arty crowd behind Wallpaper* magazine, which passes through the smaller galleries who are holding big works from the likes of  Matisse, Barbara Kruger and Eduardo Paolozzi. St James's London, free, book ahead, 11am/noon

MADE LONDON: Browse ceramics, chat with the makers and come away with some artfully designed Christmas gifts at this contemporary craft and design fair. One Marylebone, £10-£20, book ahead, 10.30am-5pm, until 22 October

See Londinium in VR at Leadenhall Market

LONDINIUM IN VR: See Leadenhall Market morph into Roman London via this virtual reality experience created by the clever technical theatre students at Guildhall. Leadenhall Market, free, just turn up, noon-3pm

SURF CINEMA: This film festival is all about catching those waves. See inspiring documentaries, hear fascinating travelogues and don't be surprised if you leave the cinema with your next surf trip planned. Regent Street Cinema, £10/£17, book ahead, until 21 October


Sponsor message

Meet Paddington bear at the Museum of London this half term

(c) 2017 STUDIOCANAL SAS All Rights Reserved

With Paddington 2 hitting the big screen this autumn, London takes centre stage as everyone’s favourite marmalade-loving bear adventures around the capital. To celebrate, the Museum of London is hosting a special behind the scenes display, and during half term, visitors will even get a chance to meet Paddington himself…

From 21 October - 29 October, fans can expect a whole host of family-friendly, Paddington themed special events and activities at the museum - including lively drama workshops and storytelling from Michael Bond’s daughter, Karen Jankel. And then there's the biggest highlight of all: the chance to meet the bear himself, as Paddington pays an exclusive visit on Tuesday and Thursday during half term.

Don’t worry if you can’t make it for a meet and greet, though - from 19 October - 19 December, visitors will also be able to get a unique behind-the-scenes peek at costumes and props from the upcoming film, in a special behind the scenes display. Costumes and props on show include Paddington’s very own outfit, costume designer sketches, and even the pop-up book that Paddington is trying so hard to buy for his Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday.

Behind the Scenes of Paddington 2 is on at the Museum of London, from 19 October - 19 December 2017. Half term activities run from 21 October - 29 October. Admission is free.


POETRY: Get your literary fix at this new poetry series, which brings emerging and established poets together. Tonight hear readings from Daniel Roy Connelly and Melissa Lee-Houghton. Waterstones Tottenham Court Road, £5, book ahead, 7pm

NURSING CUISINE: In the 1950s and 1960s students were recruited from the Caribbean, South Asia and Africa to train as nurses. Try the food that, for these nurses, became a way of overcoming cultural boundaries. The Royal College of Nursing Library and Heritage Centre, free, book ahead, 5.30pm-7.30pm

FUNK IT UP: Have you got what it takes to be London's funkiest music act? Tonight is the first of four heats before a winner is selected to play at Love Supreme in July. No matter if you don't have a band — you can still come along for a boogie. Yamaha Music London, free, just turn up, 6pm-8pm, every Thursday until 16 November

DRINK AND DRAW: A speed dating session where you draw your date. Even if you don't meet 'the one', you'll take home a sketchbook full of unique drawings of your face. The Scolt Head, £22, book ahead, 7pm-9pm

Good cause of the day: Roar With Laughter

Book ahead to see comedians including Alan Carr, Katherine Ryan, Rob Delaney and Sara Pascoe taking to the stage at the Hammersmith Apollo on 30 November. The event will raise money for the Zoological Society of London's wildlife conservation projects, both here in the UK and abroad.