20 Jun 2022 Londonist
 
 
By Londonist · Jun 20, 2022 at 11:30

All weekend

People rummage through records and posters
Get rummaging at Hackney Flea Market

TRAIN STRIKES: At time of writing, national train strikes are due to go ahead on Saturday 25 June, with major disruption expected, and no service at all on some routes. There may also be knock-on disruption into Sunday. Plan your weekend accordingly.

RADIATE WINDRUSH FESTIVAL: As part of London's Windrush Day celebrations, Radiate Windrush Festival returns, celebrating Caribbean and Creole culture across Britain. Enjoy two days of live music and dance, food stalls serving up dishes from the Caribbean and parts of Africa, and plenty more. Burgess Park, £15, book ahead, 25-26 June

WEST END LIVE: Musical theatre fans should head to Trafalgar Square for West End Live, a free, two-day festival starring songs from all manner of West End shows. See cast members from the likes of Jersey Boys, The Lion King, Mary Poppins and Tina The Musical strutting their stuff on stage. Trafalgar Square, free, just turn up, 25-26 June

WATERLOO WEEKEND: English Heritage-owned Apsley House — once the home of the Duke of Wellington — hosts a Waterloo weekend, marking the anniversary of the famous battle. The programme includes special talks and demonstrations, and battle re-enactments. Apsley House (Hyde Park Corner), included in admission, book ahead, 25-26 June

West End Live comes to Trafalgar Square. Photo: Pamela Raith Photography

FLEA MARKET: Rummage through 20th century furniture, records, vintage clobber, salvaged French homeware, and various other bric-a-brac at Hackney Flea Market. Abney Hall (Stoke Newington), free, just turn up, 25-26 June

FAKE NEWS: Last chance to see The Art of Fake News, a free exhibition of visual art by Latin American, British and European artists to raise awareness of the phenomenon and effects of fake news. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), free entry, just turn up, until 26 June

SCULPTURE IN THE CITY: All sorts of weird and wonderful creations land in the Square Mile for the 11th edition of Sculpture in the City, a spin-off of London Festival of Architecture. The free, open-air art trail has works by 19 different artists, with one piece already on display in Aldgate Square. City of London, free, just turn up, from 21 June

LONDON ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL: This city-wide celebration of architecture continues. Highlights of this final weekend include a guided walk around London's former workhouses, a talk about the transformation of the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, and a chance for children to design their own playground. Various locations and prices, book ahead, until 30 June

Little Amal makes an appearance at Refugee Week on Saturday

REFUGEE WEEK: Healing is the theme of this year's Refugee Week at Southbank Centre, in which refugees tell their stories. Events include dance, music, storytelling and comedy, as well as an appearance by giant travelling puppet, Little Amal on Saturday. Southbank Centre, various prices (many events free), 21-26 June

SUMMER LIGHTS: Light festivals don't usually happen in summer, for obvious reasons. But when Canary Wharf's Winter Lights event got postponed for some months last year, Summer Lights was born — and it's back again this year. Hunt out the temporary art installations around the Canary Wharf area, each chosen for the way they use natural light to create colour and sparkle. Canary Wharf, free, just turn up, 21 June-20 August

ROYAL ACADEMY SUMMER EXHIBITION: A highlight of the London art calendar every year, the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition brings together established and rising artists to display their work. Prints, painting, film, photography, architectural works and sculpture all feature, and the theme this year is 'Climate', with Grayson Perry among those taking part. It's the first time in three years the Summer Exhibition has actually been held in the summer, due to delays caused by Covid. Royal Academy (Mayfair), £20-£22, book ahead, 21 June-21 August

LIFT: The London International Festival Theatre — or LIFT — takes place at venues across London, shining the spotlight on up-and-coming stars of music, dance and theatre. This weekend, see a climate opera performed on a beach, or catch a mystery performance, put together by young creatives and focusing on the issues they care about most. Various locations and prices, 23 June-10 July

MAYFAIR ART WEEKEND: Mayfair isn't short of art galleries, a fact celebrated during Mayfair Art Weekend. Events this year include the Mayfair Sculpture Trail through the district, as well as family-friendly activities and a chance to visit all of the participating galleries. 24-26 June

Roll up, roll up, for Carters Steam Fair

FILM FESTIVAL: Kingston International Film Festival features 50 events over three days, including film screenings, workshops and social events. One of the highlights is an audience with director Mike Newell, along with a documentary about the 'Godfather of Film', and short films by local under-18s. Various locations and prices, 24-26 June

INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL: Venues across London host the London Indian Film Festival, showcasing the best new Indian and South Asian independent films. Highlights this weekend include a series of shorts created by British-Asian film makers, and Bangladeshi drama No Ground Beneath the Feet. 24-3 July

CARTERS STEAM FAIR: Vintage funfair Carters Steam Fair pulls into town today, bringing restored fairground rides and attractions dating from the 1890s-1960s. Ride on carousels, chair-o-planes, dodgems and other funfair classics; try your hand at coconut shy and hook a fish; and ogle the vintage vehicles and wagons used to carry the rides around the country. Priory Park (Hornsey), free entry, you can book ride tokens online, 24 June-3 July

TWELFTH NIGHT: A raucous outdoor adaptation of Shakespeare romcom Twelfth Night tours the parks of east London this summer; this weekend it's in Walthamstow's Fellowship Square. Various venues, book ahead,  various prices, until 7 August

Saturday 25 June

Join IBikeLondon's Pride Ride

ART INSIDER: Join Londonist art critic Tabish Khan, as he offers an insider's look at art in Mayfair, part of Mayfair Art Weekend. He leads a tour around a variety of galleries of different sizes, both primary and secondary market dealers, giving an insight into the ecology of the art world. The NFT Gallery, £10, book ahead, 11am-1.15pm

STREET FOOD MARKET: 15 street food vendors take up residence at the new East Village food market, offering dishes including Vietnamese noodles, Chicago pizza and tapas. East Village (Stratford), free entry, just turn up, 11am-5pm

ICANDANCE: Disability dance charity icandance stages its annual celebratory performance. Watch children and young people aged four to 25 years with varying disabilities in a relaxed and accessible show. Alexandra Palace, £15, book ahead, 1.30pm

PRIDE RIDE: IBikeLondon brings back its Pride Ride, a bike ride celebrating the LGBTQ+ community. There's a party atmosphere, with music playing from disco bikes, and the ride goes at a relaxed pace to include all ages and abilities. Outside National Theatre (South Bank), free, book ahead, 1.30pm-4.30pm

Embrace colour at a Summer of Love craft night

SUMMER OF LOVE: Colour expert, author and Londonist contributor Momtaz Begum-Hossain hosts a summer festival-themed craft workshop for adults. Spend the evening making floral crowns, scented jewellery, and other summer of love themed products, with all materials provided. Drinks are available to buy at the bar. Age 18+. Good Hotel London (Royal Docks), £20, book ahead,​​ 6pm-9pm

ARABIC MUSIC: Enjoy an evening of Arabic music, in the form of an open mic night bringing together a varied line-up of performers to showcase some of the best-known Arabic songs. Afterwards, a DJ plays Arabic dancefloor hits, with everyone encouraged to get up and have a boogie. Age 14+. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), £7.50, book ahead, 7.30pm

EFG LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL: The Summer Series of the EFG London Jazz Festival comes to a close tonight, with a performance by the SFJAZZ Collective. They perform works by contemporary musicians and composers, as well as new pieces written by their own members. Barbican, from £20, book ahead, 8pm

GLASTONBURY: Not at Glastonbury? Commiserate with everyone else who missed out on tickets at Club de Fromage's Glastonbury special. Listen out for tunes by this year's headliners including Billie Eilish, Paul McCartney and Kendrick Lamar, as well as the usual pop music, singalongs and confetti cannons. o2 Academy Islington, from £7, book ahead, 10.30pm-3.30am

Sunday 26 June

Classical For Kids comes to the Royal Albert Hall.

HOT SAUCE + WINE: BBQ stall The Rib Man and wine label 19 Crimes have teamed up to make a vino-infused hot sauce, and they're giving away samples of it at a pop-up at Brick Lane Food Market . You can also try various wines for nada. Brick Lane Food Market , free, just turn up, 8am-2pm

CLASSICAL FOR KIDS: Introduce younger members of the family to concerts in a relaxed way at Classical For Kids. Albert's Band harpist Cecilia de Maria introduces you to the sound of the harp, performing music by Puccini, Salzedo and Bizet, with no expectation of children to sit still or stay quiet during the show. Recommended age 4-11. Royal Albert Hall, £12 adult/£6 child, book ahead, 11am

SHOWMAN SING-A-LONG: Catch a sing-a-long screening of 2017 musical film The Greatest Showman, and spend your Sunday joining in with tunes like This Is Me. Fancy dress is encouraged, a live host is on hand to teach the dance moves, and the lyrics are shown on screen alongside Zac Efron, Hugh Jackman and co. Prince Charles Cinema (Leicester Square), £17 adult/£14 child, book ahead, 12.30pm

NOTTING HILL: Ahead of Notting Hill's famed carnival this August, get to know the neighbourhood better, on this Black history walking tour. You'll learn about Shebeens and the Black Panthers; where Marvin Gaye liked to hang out; and how Portobello Road got its name. Notting Hill, £10, book ahead, 1pm-3pm

Spend your Sunday at a drag brunch

DRAG BRUNCH: Liven up your Sunday at a bottomless drag brunch, starring drag queens and divas from the West End stage. Tuck into dishes including buttermilk chicken waffles and eggs royale as acts serenade the audience with musical theatre show tunes, plus disco, pop and R'n'B. The Fable (Monument), from £54.95, book ahead, 1pm-4pm

WALTHAMSTOW WALK: Join Footprints of London tour guide Joanna Moncrieff for a walking exploration of Walthamstow's history. Visit the former home of William Morris, learn about a theatre hidden within a school, and wander past the Ancient House and almshouses of historic Walthamstow Village. William Morris Gallery, £12/£9, book ahead, 2pm-4pm

FLAMENCO FESTIVAL: As part of this year's Flamenco Festival, watch a world premiere performance by singers Estrella Morente and Enrique Morente Carbonell, both members of one of Spain's greatest Flamenco singing dynasties. Sadler's Wells, from £15, book ahead, 7.30pm

YOUNG GUV: Indie popster Young Guv brings his jangly, summery sounds to Windmill Brixton — a great way to see off the weekend with a pint or two. Windmill Brixton (Brixton Hill), £8, book ahead, 7.30pm

COLLYWOBBLERS COMEDY: Canadian comedian Michelle Shaughnessy performs a preview of  her Edinburgh show, Be Your Own Daddy, at this week's Collywobblers Comedy. Bawdy musical comedy group Flat & The Curves also preview their new show.  The Railway (Streatham), £7, book ahead, 8pm

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