Things To Do This Weekend In London: 20-21 October 2018

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

Things to do this weekend is sponsored by Kidtropolis.

All weekend

Get goosebumps on the ghoulish comedy bus tour

HALF TERM: If your kids are off school for the next week, take a look at our guide to half term in London for ways to keep them busy and out of mischief.

ROB RYAN: Be enchanted by the wonderful works of Rob Ryan at his solo show exhibiting intricate papercuts and silkscreen prints. Plus, take a piece of the artwork home via the special collection exclusive to the gallery shop. William Morris Gallery (Walthamstow), free, just turn up, 20 October-27 January

PHOENIX AND TURTLE: See the bard reinvented this weekend with a delightful kid-friendly story of friendship and freedom inspired by Shakespeare's poetry. Little Angel Studios (Islington), £13, book ahead, 20-21 October

VINTAGE KILO: Ready, set, kilo! Grab a bargain at a mega sale dedicated to all things vintage. They are stocking winter warmers as well next summer's sartorial must-haves and you pay by the weight of your wares. Pop Brixton, free, just turn up, 20-21 October

BLOOMSBURY SET: Be transported back to the 1920s as you soak up the stories of the infamous Bloomsbury Set at The Memoir Club, an immersive storytelling experience. The decadent soiree surrounds provide the perfect backdrop for reminiscences of hedonistic heydays and there's a complimentary cocktail with every ticket. Bloomsbury Hotel, £20, book ahead, 20-21 October

DISCOVER DOGS: If you're absolutely barking for dogs, pop along to this showcase hosted by doggy champions The Kennel Club. You'll get the chance to hang out with over 200 pedigree breeds and get to know your Labs from your Pumis. ExCel Centre, £14, book ahead, 20-21 October

PUMPKIN PATCH EVENT: Take part in family-friendly Halloween hijinks at Surrey's largest pumpkin patch. Pick from thousands of gorgeous orange specimens to buy and carve, plus there are games for the little ones. Free entry when you buy tickets to the magical immersive woodland theatre — located in a real Christmas tree forest. Crockford Bridge Farm (Surrey), £4 entry/ free with £14 theatre tickets (only available via web), online booking essential, 20-28 October (sponsor)

HORROR TOUR: Step aboard the ghost bus for a whistle-stop tour from Trafalgar Scare to Earls Corpse on this travelling comedy horror experience. For more Halloween ideas, take a look at our Halloween events page. Grand Hotel (Embankment), £15-23, book ahead, 20-31 October


Sponsor message

Here's something to keep the kids occupied this half term

The school holidays are here, and the kids are running riot. They’ve got limited attention spans and you’ve got a limited budget — so where can you take them to let off some steam?

We've got the answer: Kidtropolis. The three-day extravaganza, taking over ExCeL London from 20-22 October, is billed as the UK's best family event — and it’s no surprise, with so much fun taking place under one roof. We're talking 60m long inflatable obstacle courses, dazzling live science shows, creative workshops (complete with tub-loads of Play-Doh), and even appearances from iconic children's characters like The Oddbodds, Masha and the Bear, and My Little Pony's Twilight Sparkle.

Tickets are on sale now, and start at just £12 when you book with code 'Play' — unbeatable value when you consider how much is going on. Every child's dreams are catered to, and you can expect even more exciting surprises to be revealed in the run up to the event. Let's just hope you have time to fit it all in... Click here to find out more.


Saturday 20 October

Amazing acrobatics from Tilted Scratch Circus

NATURAL WONDERS: Escape the city and immerse yourself in a multi-sensory experience as you encounter Serena Korda's exploration of our relationship with the natural world through art. Each piece is accompanied by scents and sounds from the Horniman's gardens to spirit you away from the concrete jungle. The Horniman Museum (Forest Hill), free, just turn up, 10am-5.30pm

STREET ART: Touted as the next street art hotspot, Croydon is becoming a mecca for global graffiti artists, with walls adorned with some of the best grassroots artworks around. Join the walking tour to find out what the fuss is about and take in the pieces and places that people are raving about. RISE Gallery (Croydon), £10.57, book ahead, 12.30pm-2pm

WITNESS THIS: Bell Square comes alive in this moving dance theatre production tackling mental illness. This powerful show is based on the dance company founder's personal journey. Bell Square (Hounslow), free, just turn up, 1pm and 3.30pm

SACRED NUDE: Surrealism meets nudes in this spiritual exhibition. Head to New Cross for a workshop covering expressive arts with Eden O Shoro to get your teeth into the themes of the show. Retreat Yoga Studio (New Cross), free, book ahead, 2pm-4pm

STREET THERAPY: Join the central London fitness quest combining social interaction with changing the world. You are tasked with a code-breaking challenge on a run throughout the city streets —  reap the rewards with ramen afterwards. Trafalgar Square (Westminster), free, book ahead, 5pm-7pm

OXJAM: Get your groove on against global poverty with an all night musical bonanza featuring local artists including Tugboat Captain, Vanilla Waves and DYGL in support of Oxfam. The Underdog (Bermondsey), £8/£10, book ahead, 5pm-12am

POLISH FESTIVAL: Experience the sights, sounds and most importantly, mouthwatering flavours of our European cousins at a celebration of all things Polish. Check out Polish films, photography and jazz while you chow down on delicious delicacies from the country, without having to leave zone two. Theatre Peckham (Peckham), £15-£30, book ahead, 6pm-10.30pm

TILTED CIRCUS: Join Tilted Circus Scratch for a night of astounding acrobatics from ten of their most nimble performance artists. Get ready to ooh and ahh in a show that has your eyes to the sky and your body on the edge of its seat. Jacksons Lane (Highgate), £8, book ahead, 8pm-9.30pm

NEW MUSIC: Get the lowdown on the freshest sounds at a showcase of brand new music followed by classic dance floor fillers that throwback all the way to the 1970s. Tooting Tram & Social, free entry before 10pm/£5 after, just turn up, 8pm-2am

Sunday 21 October

Apple day at Borough Market

KINGS AND QUEENS: Catch the final day of this moving photography exhibition from Lee Price. He's documented LGBTQ+ life on the tough streets of Sierra Leone. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), free, just turn up, 10am-11pm

AFTERNOON TEA: Live a leisurely life with an exceedingly British feast of tea time fancy favourites. There's vegan and gluten-free options as well as bottomless prosecco for an even more decadent crowd. Drink, Shop and Do (King's Cross), from £26, book ahead, 10.30am-4pm

BLACK SHEROES: Get to know your herstory at a workshop focused on the important black women that made Britain great. Rich Mix maintains the momentum of Black History Month with inspiring tales, poster making, postcards and clay figures, suitable for all ages to get stuck into. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), free, book ahead, 11.30am

EXTRAORDINARY UNIVERSE: A morning for curious minds that kicks off with an exhilarating talk on the past and future of space travel, followed by the music of Beethoven from the Voyager's Golden Record. Before you blast off, mingle over coffee and cake. Kings Place (King's Cross), £17, book ahead, 11.30am-1pm

HIGHGATE HOUSES: Become an architecture aficionado on this walking tour of Highgate's 20th century housing developments. See bold buildings designed by Lubetkin, Davis and Segal. Meet opposite the Woodman Pub (Highgate), £12, book ahead, 11.30am-1.30pm

APPLE DAY: Borough Market celebrates all things apples with music, performances, heroic tales and animal apple fans from Hackney City Farm. There's also some of the finest apple based produce from chefs and stall holders to buy. Borough Market, free, just turn up, 12pm-4pm

MAKE-UP MASTERCLASS: Join BAFTA-nominated make-up superstar Donald Mowat for an intimate masterclass on his craft and an insider’s look at the impressive body of work from Blade Runner 2049 to Nocturnal Animals that led to his hero status today. Princess Anne Theatre, £7.50, book ahead, 3.30pm

DARLING DIVA: Prepare to be wowed by cabaret marvels Kiki Mellek and Diva Regina. Their outrageous political debut shows will have your sides splitting and your toes tapping all evening long. Privee (Knightsbridge), £6, book ahead, 7pm-9.15pm

DRAKE ORCHESTRA: The sweetheart of the charts just got a whole lot sweeter, thanks to an orchestral intervention from a band as cool as they are classy – the Hip Hop Orchestra. Hear their rendition of Drake’s Scorpion for a new take on a sound that needs no introduction. 100 Wardour Street (Soho), £20, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm