All weekend
UKRAINE: As atrocities continue in Ukraine, consider donating the cost of a few pints or a theatre ticket to our friends who find themselves in desperate times. The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) needs your help to provide aid to refugees and displaced people.
VIRTUAL VERONESE: Paolo Veronese's 1561 painting The Consecration of Saint Nicholas was originally commissioned to hang in the church of San Benedetto al Po, near Mantua, Italy. Though it's now in the National Gallery here in London, the Virtual Veronese exhibition uses virtual reality to show visitors what it would have looked like in its original location.7 March-13 April
WOMEN AT WAR: Vintage poster shop and gallery AntikBar has an exhibition of prints focusing on the role of women during the second world war, when they took up jobs previously done by men. The posters come from various countries, including the UK, USA, USSR and some Nazi-occupied countries. AntikBar (Chelsea), free, just turn up, 8 March-9 May
AFFORDABLE ART FAIR: See more than 110 exhibitions under one roof at the Affordable Art Fair, which brings together thousands of artworks from leading galleries worldwide, with prices starting from £50. Watch art created in real-time; admire a Very Peri wall inspired by Pantone Colour of the Year; and enjoy child-friendly activities during Family Hour (from 11am, Saturday and Sunday). All of this and much more will get you into a creative frame of mind. Battersea Evolution (Battersea Park), £10-£27, book ahead, 10-13 March (sponsor)
WOMEN OF THE WORLD: A highlight of International Women's Day every year, Southbank Centre's Women of the World festival is back, for three days of events celebrating women, girls and non-binary people. The programme includes both virtual and in-person events, such as speed mentoring, an evening with Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of Black Lives Matter, and appearances from Marian Keyes, Bridget Christie, Grace Victory and Candice Braithwaite. Southbank Centre, various prices, book ahead, 11-13 March
JEWISH BOXERS: Rich Mix hosts an exhibition celebrating the lost and forgotten stories of Jewish boxers in the UK. Queer and trans artist and boxer Orion Isaacs presents photographs alongside interviews either with boxers themselves, or with their families. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), free entry, just turn up, 11-13 March
COUNTRY TO COUNTRY: Three days of country music makes up Country To Country festival. Rising Nashville stars take to the stage between sets from headline acts including Miranda Lambert and Darius Rucker. The O2 (North Greenwich), various prices, book ahead, 11-13 March
CRAFTERAMA: Whether you're a long-time crafter or just picked up a new hobby in lockdown, head to Crafterama, a weekend covering paper crafts, stamps, decoupage, beading, resin art, needle crafts and more. Exhibitors from all over the country show off their craft materials and tools, offering shed-loads of inspiration for your next project. Alexandra Palace, from £5 per day, book ahead, 12-13 March
CHRONIC YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL: A series of films curated by the Barbican Young Programmers, Chronic Youth Film Festival returns. Watch international films on the themes of hope, home and hostility, including Rooted (a series of shorts about disenfranchised communities in the UK), and Britney Spears' 2002 film, Crossroads. Barbican Cinema, various prices, book ahead, 12-13 March
CELEBRATING WOMEN: March is Women's History Month which, combined with International Women's Day, mean a whole lot of events and exhibitions celebrating women — take a look at what's on this weekend.
Saturday 12 March
IWD COMEDY: Museum of Comedy is celebrating female talent throughout the week to mark International Women's Day, and today there are three different shows from Celya AB, Chloe Petts and Jain Edwards. From £9, book ahead, various times
YARD SALE: The Museum of the Home hosts a Yard Sale, with designers, makers and coveted interiors brands appearing, all supporting London's homeless women and families. As well as a chance to browse and buy (grab an early bird ticket to get in there first), there's a series of talks and tours throughout the day. Museum of the Home (Hoxton), £15 early bird/£5 general, book ahead, 9am-4pm
FAMILY FILM CLUB: Sing 2 is the choice at this week's Family Film Club, where kids can only attend with adults, and adults can only attend with kids. The new-release animation sequel picks up where Buster Moon and the gang left off, to try to tempt reclusive rock star lion Clay Calloway out of retirement. Barbican Cinema, £3.50 adult/£2.50 child, book ahead, 11am
LGBTQ+ MUSLIM ACTIVISM: Linked to the current Archiving LGBTQ+ History exhibition, there's a chance to hear from LGBTQ+ community organiser Faizan, who co-founded the UK's first - and the world's oldest - LGBTQ+ Muslim organisation, Imaan, in 1999. They share memories of talking about LGBTQ+ Muslim experience to 10,000 people in Trafalgar Square in 2005. The Curve (Barbican), free, just turn up, 3pm
GRANDAD'S ATTIC: Take the kids along to Artsdepot for a performance of Grandad's Attic, a moving story of children who discover some of their grandfather's possessions after his passing, and learn more about his life. Age 6+. Artsdepot (North Finchley), £12, book ahead, 4.30pm/7pm
EGGSPERIMENTS: Aimed at 6-12 year olds and their families, A Most Eggcellent Eggsibition of Eggsperiments is an evening of science with Science In Schools presenter Dan Plane. Royal Institution (Mayfair), £16/£10/£7, book ahead, 6pm-7.15pm
RESISTANCE COMEDY: Essex comedian Josh James headlines Resistance Comedy night, supported by unsuccessful Mexican wrestler Jerry Bakewell, and stand-ups Zahra Barri and Rajiv Poojara, with Darran Griffiths as MC. The Culture Palace (Enfield), £13, book ahead, 7.30pm
BARNES CHOIR: As part of the ongoing Barnes Music Festival, The Barnes Choir performs two contrasting works; Mozart's Coronation Mass, written for the coronation of Francis II in 1792; and The Armed Man by Karl Jenkins, commissioned by the Royal Armouries Museum for the Millennium celebrations. St Mary's Barnes, £18, book ahead, 7.30pm
Sunday 13 March
MIDCENTURY MODERN: Browse furniture, lighting and homewares from a variety of 20th century designers and dealers at the Midcentury Modern. 85 dealers are present, there are food vans on site for when you get peckish, and delivery is available — so no need to worry about getting your new cabinet home on public transport. Dulwich College, £10-£11, book ahead, 10am-4pm
FAMILY RAVE: Big Fish Little Fish brings another of its family raves to London. 2 Bad Mice DJ as the whole family takes to the dance floor, which offers bubbles, balloons and foam, plus there's face painting, and a chill-out space in case it all gets too much. The Goodness (Wood Green), adult £11/child £8, book ahead, 12pm-2pm
ST PATRICK'S FESTIVAL: It's that time of year again, when London dons green and downs Guinness. Ahead of St Patrick's Day next week, the parade and festival takes place for the first time since 2019, featuring a procession through central London, and an afternoon of free performances and activities — full details here. Trafalgar Square, free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm
PEOPLE SHOW: Widely recognised as the UK's first alternative theatre company, People Show is celebrated in a special event. Founding member Mark Long, performer Fiona Creese and musician George Khan are among the panelists delving into People Show's 55-year history, by way of its archive. British Library, £10, book ahead, 2pm-4pm
INNA DE YARD: The White Lion screens the 2019 documentary Inna De Yard, which sees a group of superstar reggae artists (including Ken Boothe, Winston McAnuff and Kiddus I) as they record a new album in the mountains of Jamaica. There are also reggae DJs and Caribbean food from Lisa's Kitchen. The White Lion (Streatham), £5.50, book ahead, film starts 4pm
RETRO CARIBBEAN SOUNDS: The One Stop club returns to Dalston for a night of Caribbean music from the 60s and 70s, with some soul and R&B thrown in for good measure. Everything's played off vinyl by DJ Gio. Ridley Road Market Bar (Dalston), free entry, just turn up, 6pm-12am
BEST OF BOWIE: David Bowie's former producer and bassist Tony Visconti performs a programme of tunes from the musical genius' back catalogue, joined by Heaven 17’s Glenn Gregory and band, Holy Holy. Visconti produced 10 of Bowie's albums, so knows his stuff. Barbican Hall, £35-£49.50, book ahead, 7.30pm
LONDON SLAVE OWNERS: Footprints of London guide Rob Smith hosts an online event, focusing on the Londoners who owned plantations elsewhere in the world where enslaved people worked. Find out who they were, where they lived, what they spent their ill-gotten money on, and what legacy they have left in London today. Online event, £8 per person/£16 group, book ahead, 8pm-9pm
GLASGOW FILM FESTIVAL: Glasgow Film Festival's brief foray south of the border wraps up tonight with a closing gala. Watch Murina, a film about a young girl who lives on a Croatian island under the rule of her controlling father. Barbican Cinema, £12, book ahead, 8.25pm
