All weekend

BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH: Help the RSPB keep an eye on the numbers of wild birds in London by taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch. If you're lucky enough to have a garden or outside space, spend an hour counting and recording the numbers and types of birds that visit it, then report back to the RPSB. The charity then uses the data to spot any patterns, anomalies, or any species that may be in danger. FREE, 27-29 January

LAURA ASHLEY EXHIBITION: Fashion and homewares brand Laura Ashley open a mini exhibition to celebrate its 70th anniversary — so miniature, in fact, it fits inside a phone box. You'll find in on Floral Street in Covent Garden, the phone box wrapped in a Tulips print from the '90s, containing a display of fabrics, patterns, prints and products from the brand's seven decades. FREE, 27 January-5 February

MIME FESTIVAL: See performers from all over the world, in town for London International Mime Festival. Have a browse of the programme, but be quick — many performances are already sold out. Until 5 February

BATTERSEA LIGHT FESTIVAL: There's a free light festival taking place in and around Battersea Power Station, with eight glowing installations illuminated every evening, and a selection of food trucks popping up to keep you fed and watered while you explore. FREE, until 5 March

Saturday 28 January

SNOWDROP SALE: You'll have to be up and at 'em early for the annual snowdrop sale at Myddelton House Gardens in Enfield. It's a chance to buy varieties of the seasonal plant from expert growers, then enjoy wandering around some of the venue's own snowdrops. Check out other places to see snowdrops in London this year. 7.30am-12pm

TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: It's the final day to see More Travels with My Camera, a free exhibition of travel photography at Barbican Library. View street and portrait photography from Africa, Asia and Latin America by Adrian Whittle, who has also written the stories behind some of the images. Some of the works are for sale, too. FREE, 9.30am-4pm

FAMILY MUSIC WORKSHOP: Take the kids along to St John's Smith Square for Southbank Sinfonia's Musical Zoo Family Workshop. Aimed at 5-11 year olds and their families, it's an introduction to the different types of musical instrument, and a chance to play some, under the guidance of the Sinfonia's own musicians. 11am

JUBILEE EXTENSIONS: When they opened in 1999, the Jubilee line extension stations were hailed as "the biggest architectural sensation of their kind since the Moscow Underground". Almost quarter of a century down the (Jubilee) line, join former head of design and heritage for Transport for London, Mike Ashworth, on a tour taking in Westminster, Southwark, North Greenwich and Canary Wharf. 11am-2.30pm

PHOTO FESTIVAL: The Photographers' Gallery at Oxford Circus hosts the Small File Photo Festival, which encourages and celebrates small file photography. Networks, data centres, and internet-connected devices create a whopping 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions each year — and the large file sizes used for images on the internet contributes to this. Workshops, talks and an awards ceremony feature in today's festival. 11am-8pm

CUBAN DANCING: Cuban salsa dance, music, and culture come to life at Peckham Levels, which hosts dance event La Gozadera. It's open to anyone, including absolute beginners who want to give salsa a go, as there are lessons followed by a social dancing session. 5pm

THE MARTIAN: 2015 Matt Damon film The Martian is chosen for this month's Silver Screen Science Fiction at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. Watch the film inside the Peter Harrison Planetarium, then hear a talk from an astronomer about the science behind it. 6pm-9pm

POUR IT UP: Anthems from hip hop & R&B's best-loved artists are blasted out till the small hours at Pour It Up, the Old Queens Head's weekly club night. FREE before 8pm (runs 7pm-3am)

NEIL DIAMOND SONGBOOK: Celebrate the life and work of singer-songwriter Neil Diamond at Fairfield Halls in Croydon. Sing along to Sweet Caroline, Cracklin' Rosie, Forever in Blue Jeans, Song Sung Blue, Hello Again, Love on the Rocks, America and more — while photos, video and narration are used to tell the singer-songwriter's story. 7.30pm

WINTER LIGHTS: Brighten up these dark evenings with a trip to Canary Wharf to see Winter Lights, a free trail featuring more than 20 glowing artworks — which ends today. Some will be familiar if you've been in previous years, while others are new for 2023. You'll find them dotted around the area, both inside and out. FREE, 5pm-10pm

CRIZARDS: Last chance (saloon) to watch comedy twosome Crizards perform their rootin'-tootin' Wild West-themed show at Soho Theatre tonight. Giddy up. 10.15pm

Sunday 29 January

BIRDWATCH: Fancy a spot of birdwatching today? The ecology team at Cody Dock in east London are looking for volunteers to take part in RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch (also see Friday). You can drop in anytime you like, and stay for as long or as little as you want. FREE, 10am-2pm

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP: Got a camera, but not sure how to use it beyond automatic mode? Sign up for Bishopsgate Institute's photography workshop and spend the day mastering exposure and picking up other tips to help you take better photos. 10.30am-4.30pm

HARINGEY FAMILY RIDE: Take the kids along to this slow tour of Haringey's parks and quiet streets by foot and on wheels. Scooters, balance bikes and stabilisers are all welcome. It's led by expert local volunteers, and takes in local street art of massive wild animal murals along the way, before finishing at a cafe. FREE, 11am

BASKETBALL: In the mood for someSunday sport? At the UEL Sportsdock near Gallions Reach this afternoon, the Division Two London Titans wheelchair basketball team goes up against the Brixton Ballers. KO 2.30pm

HOMO SAPIENS REDISCOVERED: Paul Pettitt, Professor of Palaeolithic Archaeology at Durham University, is at Conway Hall to talk about how our species, Homo Sapiens, came about, and how and why our ancestors adapted to make us a completely separate species, dating back to the caves and rock shelters of our African origins. 3pm

ROBBIE MCINTOSH: Soz Liverpool, but London has a Cavern Club too — and this afternoon Robbie McIntosh (who's played with none other than Paul McCartney) brings his band to this Raynes Park venue. 3pm

SOUL FESTIVAL: Lewisham's Fox and Firkin hosts Soul festival, Expansions. It features an old school garden party providing Caribbean dinner, pop-up stalls, a singing competition, and a party with live DJs spinning choons till the early hours. 4pm-2am

MARK JENKIN: His latest film, Enys Men, has stirred up a fair amount of hype, but today Cornish filmmaker Mark Jenkin appears in a Q&A at BFI Southbank, alongside a retrospective of his earlier, short works. 6.20pm

CUTTY SARK COMEDY: Josh Jones headlines tonight's comedy show on board the Cutty Sark, with support acts Bronwyn Sweeny and Claire Haus. It takes place in the studio theatre in the lower hold, which makes a change from your average pub comedy night. 6.30pm-8.30pm

BEOWULF: Vauxhall's Teahouse Theatre hosts a fireside reading of Beowulf by Seamus Heaney to finish your week. It's a modern translation of the Old English epic poem about the eponymous Scandinavian hero. 8pm-11pm