All weekend
GOTHIC LONDON: The team behind London's Month of the Dead in October have resurrected their activities for Gothic London, a weekend of thrilling events, including a Gothic magic lantern show, and a talk about how 19th century medical advances inspired sci-fi writers including Mary Shelley. Guy's Hospital Chapel, various prices, book ahead, 18-20 March
DRIFTING TERRAIN: The Korean Cultural Centre has a new exhibition, Drifting Terrain. It features new works by UK-based artists Euphrosyne Andrews, Nia Fekri and Seungwon Jung, who have reimagined space, and where we stand in the world. Korean Cultural Centre (Trafalgar Square), free, just turn up, 18 March-21 May
BARNES MUSIC FESTIVAL: This year's Barnes Music Festival wraps up this weekend. Final events include a performance by the Barnes Festival Orchestra, a film screening, and a Choral Evensong by the choirs of St Mary's Barnes and St Michael's Barnes. Various locations and prices, book ahead, until 20 March
WILD AND CULTIVATED: The Garden Museum's latest exhibition explores the use of roses in fashion from the Victorian era to present day. Find out how designers such as Alexander McQueen, Philip Treacy, and Comme des Garçons have used the rose as a symbol in their work. Garden Museum (Lambeth), included in museum admission (£12.50), book ahead, 16 March-19 June
THE OTHER ART FAIR: Now in its second decade, The Other Art Fair takes over the Old Truman Brewery for four days of artwork that's accessible to all, without the stuffiness of more traditional art fairs. Affordable and original pieces are for sale, alongside immersive installations, live performances and a bar. Plus, workshops include Black Girl Knit Club, and Tatreez embroidery workshop, inspired by vintage Jordanian and Palestinian works. The Old Truman Brewery (Brick Lane), from £9, book ahead, 17-20 March
FASHIONING MASCULINITIES: As men's fashions become ever more creative (hello, Harry Styles), The V&A launches an exhibition looking at how designers, tailors and artists have constructed and performed masculinity, and unpicked it at the seams. V&A Museum, £20, book ahead, from 19 March
VAGINA MUSEUM: After leaving Camden in 2021, The Vagina Museum reopens at its new home in Bethnal Green on Saturday. The new space is twice as big as the old one, meaning plenty of room for new displays and exhibitions. Vagina Museum (Bethnal Green), free entry, book ahead, from 19 March
RAILWAY MODELLING: Model railway enthusiasts from all over country gather at Alexandra Palace for the London Festival of Railway Modelling. 100+ exhibitors show off their layouts, and there's a chance to pick up rarer scales and gauges. Alexandra Palace, adult £13/child £7, book ahead, 19-20 March
WHERE'S WALLY: Though it's previously taken place in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, this year's Where's Wally Fun Run is virtual, meaning you can take part from anywhere. Choose whether to run 1km, 5km or 10km, don your best Where's Wally stripes, and get sponsored in aid of The National Literacy Trust. Virtual event, £20 adult/£15 child sign up fee, 19-20 March
KYŌSAI: The Royal Academy's latest exhibition is dedicated to Kawanabe Kyōsai, a 19th century Japanese painter whose work hasn't been shown in the UK for almost 30 years. Paintings, woodcut prints and illustrated books all feature. The Royal Academy (Mayfair), £17, book ahead, 19 March-19 June
Saturday 19 March
SIX NATIONS: It's the final weekend of this year's Six Nations rugby tournament. If you're planning to watch the action, peruse our list of London pubs and venues which are screening the tournament.
CLOTHES SWAP: Refresh your wardrobe in an environmentally-friendly way at this clothes swap and repair shop. Exchange clothes you don't wear anymore for those donated by other people, or learn how to mend or extend the life of your favourite garments. Kensington Central Library, free, book ahead, 11am-4pm
PHOTOGRAPHING PROTEST: Bethnal Green's Four Corners has a new exhibition of work by photographers documenting political struggle and social change in Britain from 1968 to today. In particular, it centres the voices and perspectives of women and non-binary photographers. Four Corners, free entry, just turn up, 11am-6pm (open Tuesday-Saturday, 18 March-30 April)
RIVER CRUISE: Black History Walks take to the water, with a three-hour cruise of the Thames, covering a wealth of history from African Romans to Kings College's Caribbean connection, via Black Spitfire pilots. Proceeds from the event go towards a fundraiser for plaques in honour of seven Black historical heroes. Departs from Temple, £36, book ahead, 2pm-5pm
LGBT+ HISTORY: Tying in the with the current Archiving LGBTQ+ History exhibition, Barbican hosts two free talks today. First exhibition curator Stef Dickers introduces the display and gives a brief history of collecting LGBTQ+ stories (1pm-1.30pm). Then, UK Founder of LGBT+ History Month Sue Sanders talks about her experience of campaigning for LGBT+ rights over the last 40 years. (3pm-3.30pm). Both at The Curve (Barbican), free, no need to book.
LAS FALLAS: Valencian restaurant Arros QD celebrates the region's Las Fallas festival with a special menu. The 'festival of fire' celebrates spring's arrival, and this event features a flame-full menu, cooked over a wood-fired grill, accompanied by fire performers and live DJs. Arros QD (Fitzrovia), £115, book ahead, from 6pm
FOOL'S MOON CABARET: We're promised a wild night of comedy, drag, music and dance, as Fool's Moon Cabaret comes to east London. Performers include 'High Priestess of Idiot' Lucy Hopkins, Nigerian-born singer Ellc, who specialises in the African gospel tradition, and 'acclaimed clown' Frankie Thompson. Poplar Union, £8-£12, book ahead, 7pm
SWING PATROL: Dance the night away with Swing Patrol, a social dancing session open to all, regardless of ability or experience. It begins with a swing dancing taster lesson, so you can master the basic steps, before an evening of social dancing accompanied by live music and DJs playing vintage tunes. No need to bring a partner. Bishopsgate Institute, £25, book ahead, 7pm-2am
SISSY LEA: Local drag star Sissy Lea, aka 'Queen of Enfield', is back on stage with a new show, Fifth Date with Sissy Lea. Enjoy an evening of beautiful costumes, live music and riotous fun. Culture Palace (Enfield), £12, book ahead, 7.30pm
Sunday 20 March
PALACE HALF: If ever a half marathon route was fit for a king/queen, it's the Palace Half. Start your run at the gates of Hampton Court Palace and take in the local area — including crossing the Thames twice, before finishing in the palace gardens. Plenty of charities are still looking for runners to take part on their behalf. Hampton Court Palace, from £38 entry, book ahead, 9am
RETRO GAMES FAIR: Traders from all over the UK come together for the Retro Games Fair at the Royal National Hotel, where retro video games, board games and merchandise are available to buy. Royal National (Russell Square), £5 before 12pm/£2 after, book ahead, 11am-4pm
BIG LONDON FLEA: Browse through furniture, homewares, vintage attire, industrial electricals, lighting, and unexpected oddities at The Big London Flea. 50 traders are present, from experienced vintage sellers, to local people having a clear-out, so there's something for a wide range of budgets. Evolutionary Arts Hackney, £1 entry, just turn up, 11am-5pm
PLANET EARTH II: Natural history expert and TV presenter Liz Bonnin hosts Planet Earth II - Live in Concert, a screening of footage from the documentary series, accompanied by a live soundtrack of music by the likes of Hans Zimmer. The O2, various prices, book ahead, 1.30pm/6pm
CORONATION ANTHEMS: As part of the London Handel Festival, vocalists can take part in a Come and Sing session. Spend the afternoon rehearsing Handel's four Coronation Anthems, including the well-known Zadok the Priest, before performing to an audience in the evening. St George's Hanover Square, £25, book ahead, 2pm
PARTY BRUNCH: Sundays are brunch days at sleek hangout 100 Wardour Street. Accompany your eggs benedict and fizz with live music from Wanderers, who play hits by everyone from ABBA to Beyonce. £30-£33 + £25 for bottomless prosecco, book ahead, from 2pm
CRAY WANDERERS: Head to Hayes Lane in Bromley for an afternoon of semi-pro football, as Cray Wanderers F.C. take on Bowers & Pitsea. Why not make a day of it, and explore the local area, like we did. £10 adult, £5 concessions, book ahead, KO 3pm
ELIZABETH LIM: Meet Elizabeth Lim, the author of bestsellers Six Crimson Cranes and So This is Love, at a special book signing session. Books are available to buy on the day. Waterstones Piccadilly, free, first come first served, 4pm
ALMOST HAPPY: JW3's Comedy Fest comes to a close today, with the final events including a live recording of podcast Are You Feeling Funny. This live edition marks the launch of Almost Happy, a new book co-authored by podcast host Brian Kaplan and art therapist Hephzibah Kaplan, which 'warmly provokes' you to change for the better. JW3 (North Finchley) or online, £10/£5, book ahead, 6pm
CARDUCCI QUARTET: Anglo-Irish string outfit the Carducci Quartet (consisting of Matthew Denton and Michelle Fleming on violin, Eoin Schmidt-Martin on viola and Emma Denton on cello) perform in this week's Sunday concert, accompanied by Simon Callaghan on piano. Works by Haydn, Shostakovich and Schumann are on the programme. Conway Hall (Holborn) or online, £10-£14, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm
PISCES PRINNY: Notting Hill Arts Club hosts the launch of Pisces Prinny's debut EP, The Jejune Heart. She's performing tracks live with backing by The Brokën Toyz. If jazzy, soulful, alternative R'n'b is your groove, this is for you. Notting Hill Arts Club (Notting Hill Gate), £5 in advance/£10 on the door, book in advance, 7pm-2am
