All weekend
PUNCHDRUNK: One of our most anticipated events of 2022, immersive theatre company Punchdrunk is back with its new show The Burnt City. It's centred on the fall of Troy but in true Punchdrunk style, little else has been revealed — and we wouldn't have it any other way. One Cartridge Place (Woolwich), from £55, book ahead, from 22 March
RE-TEXTURED: An "arresting visual and sonic experience" is what we're promised at Re-Textured, a multi-venue festival combining experimental electronic music with industrial architecture and lighting installations. Various locations, from £24.50, book ahead, 24-27 March
OSCAR WEEK: With the Oscars taking place on Monday, Barbican Cinema is giving us a chance to see the nominated films in its Oscar Week screenings.Encanto, West Side Story and Drive My Car are among the pictures shown this weekend. Barbican Cinema, various prices, book ahead, 25-31 March
PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITIONS: The Photographer's Gallery has two new exhibitions. The Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize showcases works linked to a specific region or community, such as post-Apartheid South Africa, or the streets of Northern Ireland. For The Record is a display of over 200 album covers, looking at how photography is used by artists and bands. Photographer's Gallery (Oxford Circus), £5, book ahead, until 12 June
Saturday 26 March
SURREALIST MORNING SESSION: Here's one for the early risers — Tate Modern throws open its doors at 7am for a family-friendly morning DJ set themed on the world of surrealism. Creative workshops and a family breakfast are part of the fun too, as well as a chance to visit the current surrealism exhibition (extra fee).Tate Modern, £5 (under-12s free), book ahead, 7am-10am
ANIME DAY: The Enfield Anime and Gaming Festival takes place today, featuring film screenings, panel discussions, cosplay competitions, a Pokémon trading card tournament, and plenty more events and activities. Culture Palace (Enfield), free, booking required for some events, 10am-5.30pm
RIVER RACE: The Head of the River Race is rowed annually from Mortlake to Putney, with up to 400 crews of eights taking part. Get down to the river's edge to watch the action. Mortlake to Putney, free to watch, just turn up, 10.45am
MAKER'S FAIR: Local traders sell gifts, handmade goods and homewares at the Oxford House Maker's Fair. There's also live music, and craft workshops for all ages. Oxford House (Bethnal Green), free entry, just turn up, 11am-3.30pm
ARCHIVE OPEN DAY: Meet the team behind the just-finished Out and About! Archiving LGBTQ+ History exhibition. This is a chance to delve into Bishopsgate Institute archive with displays, tours and an opportunity to donate to the collection and the future of LGBTQ+ history. Bishopsgate Institute Library, free, just turn up, 1pm-4pm
BSL TOUR: BSL users are invited on a free BSL tour of Whitechapel Gallery's current exhibition, A Century Of The Artist's Studio, which features works by artists from around the world from the last 100 years. It's led by Chisato Minamimura, a deaf art guide and performance artist. Whitechapel Gallery, free, book ahead, 2pm
CHAOS CAKE: A new regular event designed as a judgement-free and gender-inclusive space for queer people (though everyone's welcome), Chaos Cake has made its first event a fundraiser for Ukraine. It's a quiz night, but be prepared to sing, dance and show-off as well as using your general knowledge. U7 Lounge (Haggerston), £10, book ahead, 7pm
IRA GLASS: American radio producer and presenter Ira Glass is in town, looking back at his career. He shares what inspires him, what he's learned, and the failures and successes he experienced on the way to creating This American Life, a radio show listened to by 2.2 million people. Southbank Centre, £40-£75, book ahead, 7.30pm
EARTH HOUR: For one hour on Saturday evening, London's switching the lights off for WWF's Earth Hour, raising awareness of the effects of global warming. Individual businesses and households are encouraged to take part by turning off the lights, but several of the capital's major landmarks will be plunged into darkness too. 8.30pm
JERMAINE FOWLER: Last chance to catch American actor and comedian Jermaine Fowler in his UK stand-up comedy debut. He's worked with the likes of Eddie Murphy and Danny Glover, so we're expecting good things. Soho Theatre, £11-£22, book ahead, 9.30pm
COCKTAIL O'CLOCK: Looking for somewhere to sup a cocktail this Saturday? Try Downstairs at the Dilly, a brand new speakeasy-style piano bar that'll fix you up with a signature London Calling cocktail. The Dilly (Piccadilly Circus), open Weds-Sat every week.
CLOCKS CHANGE: Remember that the clocks go forward an hour in the early hours of Sunday morning. Sure, you lose an hour of sleep, but the evenings will be lighter from then on, so won't it be worth it.
Sunday 27 March
MOTHER'S DAY: It's Mother's Day, and we've got some excellent ideas for unusual things to do and places to go if you're having a special day out today. We also happen to know a thing or two about London's best chocolate shops and London's best florists. Just sayin'...
FAMILY STATION: The British Library launches a new monthly event, Family Station, offering a creative introduction to the library building and what happens within it. The Family Station offers interactive activities, sensory materials and children's books including tactile and braille editions, as well as somewhere to sit, feed little ones, or enjoy a packed lunch together. British Library, free, just turn up, 11am-3pm
PARTY: A production originally created and recorded during lockdown, Party finally comes to the stage, telling the story of Afonso, who wants to go to his best friend's birthday party. It's a lively and colourful show, aimed at ages 2-4 and their families. Artsdepot (North Finchley), from £9, book ahead, 11am/2pm
FAMILY RAVE: The whole clan can party together at the Big Fish Little Fish family rave, designed for adults who don't want to give up partying just because they're parents now. DJ Joe Muggs plays acid house, techno, house and drum 'n' bass tunes, with foam, bubbles, balloons and a parachute to keep little ones happy.One Night Records (Bankside), £12 adult/ £8 child, book ahead, 12pm/3pm
SUNDAY BUZZ: Musical duo Karen Street and Andy Tweed — whose separate credentials include the Strictly Come Dancing tour, Ballet Rambert and the Piccadilly Dance Orchestra — perform a relaxed show to be enjoyed over lunch or coffee. Artsdepot (North Finchley), free, just turn up, 12.15pm
PINK JUKEBOX: A Ballroom and Latin dance club for members of the LGBTQ+ community and their friends, The Pink Jukebox is back. This event begins with classes for beginner or anyone who wants to brush up their technique, followed by an evening of social dancing. Bishopsgate Institute, £12, book ahead, 2pm-9pm
CHAMPAGNE AFTERNOON TEA: Here's a rare chance to enjoy afternoon tea inside the Banqueting Suite at Forty Hall at this Mothering Sunday special. Tuck into sandwiches, scones, cakes, tea and optional champagne inside the Grade-I listed Jacobean manor house. Forty Hall (Enfield), £18 (or £25 with champagne), book ahead, 2.30pm
STUDENT COMEDY: The second of the Chortle Student Comedy Awards semi-finals take place tonight. Previous finalists include Joe Lycett, Ed Gamble and Simon Bird, so the standard is high, and slots at Latitude Festival and Edinburgh Fringe are up for grabs. Bloomsbury Theatre, £8/£5, book ahead, 7.30pm
COLLYWOBBLERS COMEDY: Nabil Abdulrashid, Stefano Paolini, Matthew McAloone, Jenan Younis, Ro Dodgson and MC Sion James are all on the bill at the latest edition of Collywobblers Comedy. Ticket includes 30% discount on food if you place your order before 7pm. The Railway (Streatham), £7, book ahead, 8pm
NEWSREVUE: The world's longest running live comedy show returns to poke fun at current affairs by way of parody songs and sketches. Given the state of the world at the moment, they've got a right task on their hands. Then again, this is one skilled bunch of comedians. Canal Cafe Theatre (Paddington), £14-£19, book ahead, 9pm
