Things to do this weekend is sponsored by Floatworks.
All weekend
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: With the kids off school for the foreseeable future, find ways to keep them busy in the holidays with our family-friendly guide to summer in London. We've covered exhibitions, theatre shows, days out, things do to on the cheap, and places to eat as a family.
FIESTA DE MEXICO: The cultural traditions of Mexico come to the Square Mile for the free, three-day Fiesta de Mexico. Wander around street food stalls listening to a mariachi band, watch a lucha libre show, or take part in family-friendly activities. Guildhall Yard, free entry (some events charge and need booking), just turn up, 26-28 July
RAIN OR SHINE: Theatre Deli hosts Rain or Shine, a weekend of cultural events for all ages, from gardening to poetry to BMX taster sessions, all encouraging people to get outside. Burgess Park, various prices, book ahead, 27-28 July
EALING JAZZ FESTIVAL: Two days of live jazz music comes to west London for Ealing Jazz Festival. Artists from all over the UK and beyond perform on both days, but our pick is the Sunday, when the line-up is curated by Ronnie Scott's in a celebration of the legendary jazz club's 60th birthday. Walpole Park, £5.50-£11, book ahead, 27-28 July
ICE WEEKEND: Swiss ice entrepreneur and ice cream inventor Carlo Gatto would have been 202 years old this weekend. The London Canal Museum — home to a Victorian ice house — celebrates with a birthday party, including a cake competition, family activities and a music hall evening. London Canal Museum (King's Cross), various prices, book ahead, 27-28 July
ILLUSTRATION EXHIBITION: Last chance to see this year's World Illustrations Awards exhibition, which features all 200 works shortlisted for this year's awards. Entries range from book covers to newspapers, and packaging to murals, with submissions from a variety of countries. Somerset House, free, just turn up, until 28 July
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Saturday 27 July
GNOMUS: Look out for a giant gnome wandering around the Tower Bridge area — Gnomus is on the loose. The giant puppet is the work of Puppets With Guts, and comes with an important message — he's checking every leaf and flower in the area in a bid to inspire a new generation of conservationists. Potters Field Park and St John's Churchyard (Tower Bridge), free, just turn up, 11am-4pm
DOG MARKET: Pamper your pooch at the Chelsea Pop-Up Dog Market. Toys, treats, coats and collars for canines are just some of the items on sale, and the first 50 dogs through the door receive a free goodie bag. St Luke's Church Hall (Chelsea), free (charity donations welcome), 11am-6pm
LIVESTOCK: Three music stages, three bars, children's activities and food stalls are set against the backdrop of Forty Hall Farm at Livestock Festival. Focus is on supporting and promoting local talent, and the day-long, relaxed festival is a great way to introduce kids to the festival scene. Forty Hall (Enfield), £5-£30, book ahead, 11am-11pm
BREWERY SESSION: Geffrye Museum may be closed for refurbishment, but you can still quaff a pint or two in its gardens. Hackney Brewery celebrates its 8th birthday with an alfresco party featuring craft beer from 10 breweries, street food, lifestyle stalls, and talks about community, food and drink. Geffrye Museum (Hoxton), from £15, book ahead, 12pm-4pm/5pm-9pm
COMEDY ALL DAYER: Comedy Grotto puts on an epic line-up of gagsters for its all day Edinburgh Fringe preview fest. Time's running out for the likes of Tom Rosenthal (of Friday Night Dinner fame), Sara Kendall, Suzi Ruffell and Olga Koch to tighten up their acts before heading to the Scottish capital. Star of Kings (King's Cross), £25, book ahead, 12.30pm-11pm
BUTTERFLY EFFECT: House, Garage, and Afro-beats music are the focus of The Butterfly Effect, a festival taking over three stages in Croydon. DJ Hatcha, Pied Piper, DJ Sollie with MC DT, Maxwell D and PSG play the garage stage, while Rhythm N Funk head up the House stage, with a line-up including Supa D, Kismet, Dominic Danielle, Petite, MA1, Carlos Aries, Shenin Amara, Sef Kombo,Tippa, J'rome, Gemini and Coldsteps. Lloyd Park (Croydon), £35, book ahead, 1pm-10pm
NASHVILLE MEETS LONDON: Canary Wharf's country music festival Nashville Meets London consists of sets by both UK and US performers on an open-air stage. Bag yourself a spot in the park and watch American Idol's Lauren Alaina, and West End regular turned country star, Twinnie. Canada Square Park (Canary Wharf), free, just turn up, 2pm-10pm
SILVER SCREEN SCI-FI: Settle in for a screening of 2018 film First Man, in which Ryan Gosling plays astronaut Neil Armstrong in a retelling of his moon landing story. The film is preceded by an introduction by TV presenter Dallas Campbell, with a replica of Armstrong's suit created by Ryan Nagata, an artist who worked on the film. Royal Observatory (Greenwich), £12/£10.80/£6, book ahead, 6.30pm-9.30pm
AFRICAN MUSIC: The best African music in the capital is showcased at Focus Africa Music Festival. Expect Afrobeat/Afro-Funk/Afro-Jazz from Femi and The InRhythms and other performers, plus a free drum and balafon workshop. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £12.50, book ahead, 7pm
Sunday 28 July
WOLF HALL: If you've read or watched Wolf Hall, step into the real London locations from Tudor times on this guided walk. Due to the Great Fire, not many Tudor buildings remain, but this tour visits them, with plenty of information about the real-life Wolf Hall events shared as you go. Blackfriars station, £12/£9, book ahead, 12pm-2pm
OPERA OPEN DAY: London's summer opera theatre, Opera Holland Park, opens its doors for a free family day. Get a better idea of how the opera works, with creative workshops, talks from performers and production team members — and a chance to have a go at conducting the City of London Sinfonia. Opera Holland Park, free, just turn up, 12pm-5pm
BANDSTAND MUSIC: Get yourself to Regent's Park and enjoy an afternoon of free live music as part of the summer music festival. It takes place at the bandstand, with the lake as a backdrop, and deckchairs are available to hire. Regent's Park, free, just turn up, 12.30pm-5.30pm
PINK JUKEBOX: Members of the LGBT+ community and their friends are invited to The Pink Jukebox, an afternoon of ballroom and Latin dancing. Begin with a dance class for beginners, followed by an evening of social dancing. Bishopsgate Institute, £12/£10, book ahead, 2pm
EARTH: Several billion tons of earth are moved annually by humans – with shovels, excavators or dynamite. The people doing the moving are the subject of new Austrian documentary Earth, which meets workers from America, Italy and Hungary. Some are proud of what they're doing, while others don't understand why they're doing it. Bertha DocHouse (Bloomsbury), £9/£7/£5, book ahead, 4pm
FAMILY RAVING: It's techno for babies at south London's Horniman Museum, thanks to family rave crew Big Fish Little Fish. Their takeover of the museum gardens is an all-ages, al fresco extravaganza of superstar DJs, food, drink, face-painting and kid-friendly craft stations. Horniman Gardens (Forest Hill), £15/£12.50, book ahead, 2pm-6pm
YOUNG MUSICIANS: Young Jazz Musician of The Year award winner, trumpeter James Davison celebrates his win by performing live with a selection of musicians, including Sam Rapley (sax), Rob Barron (piano) and Misha Mullov-Abbado (bass). Expect a selection of jazz standards and some originals. 606 Club (Chelsea), £12, book ahead, 8.15pm
