Things To Do This Weekend In London: 31 August-1 September 2024

An anime and gaming convention, a classic car show and plenty more.

All weekend

YOKO ONO: Visitors are urged to thwack nails into a board and scribble over a white row boat at Tate Modern's retrospective of Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind. You're probably not going to 'get' everything in there — but hasn't that always been the way with Yoko's work? This is the final weekend of the show. Until 1 September

TURN IT UP: Also closing at the end of this weekend is the Science Museum's family-friendly exhibition, Turn It Up: The Power of Music, which looks at the effect music has on our lives. It's interactive, with a musical playground, a musical robot, and a chance to see and play some rather unusual instruments. Until 1 September

SHAKESPEARE AND WAR: And another last chance reminder! The National Army Museum's Shakespeare and War exhibition looks at how the Bard's work depicts battles and military characters, and how it has shaped our perceptions of war. FREE, until 1 September

BARBICAN OUTDOOR CINEMA: There's a final chance to watch a film at Barbican's Outdoor Cinema. Showing this weekend are the new concert film of Blur live at Wembley Stadium last summer, and 1950s musical An American In Paris. All films are shown on a giant screen in the open-air Sculpture Courtyard, with food and drink available to buy nearby. Until 1 September

GREENWICH AND DOCKLANDS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL: Free outdoor performing arts festival Greenwich and Docklands International Festival is ongoing, with theatre, art, dance and circus in outdoor locations. This weekend, a magical kiosk pops up in Green Street, or you can take a theatrical trip through the animal kingdom, among other events. FREE, until 8 September

STATE BALLET OF GEORGIA: The State Ballet of Georgia brings a production of Swan Lake to the London Coliseum, accompanied by the English National Opera Orchestra. Expect gorgeous white tutus in lakeside and ballroom settings, as the world's most famous ballet is performed once more. 28 August-8 September

PARALYMPICS: The Paralympics are now underway in Paris with two weeks of sporting championships. Several venues around London are screening the action live from France -- you can see the full schedule here. Until 11 September

MEATOPIA: Barbecue cooking is celebrated at Meatopia, a food and drink festival taking place at Tobacco Dock in Wapping. Several respected chefs appear throughout the festival, cooking meat, fish and veggie dishes over live fire, using sustainable wood and charcoal and responsibly-sourced ingredients. Craft beer and other drinks are available in the TAPtopia hall, and entertainment comes in the form of live musicians and roaming bands. 29 August-1 September

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CUSTOM CLOTHING: September is upon us -- time to start thinking about your autumn/winter wardrobe. Edit Suits Co. is the leading made-to-measure menswear company in the UK, offering high quality custom garments without the bespoke price tag. The turnaround time is ridiculously fast, too! Book your personal appointment at their Bond Street or City showroom, where you can pick your fabric, get measured, and customise every detail. (sponsor)

BRENTFORD ART TRAIL: A variety of venues in the Brentford area open their doors for the Brentford Art Trail. As well as viewing paintings, ceramics, photography and other artworks, take guided tours of St Mary's Convent, watch live morris dancing performances, or tuck into a BBQ at the Musical Museum. 30 August-1 September

QUEEN'S PARK BOOK FESTIVAL: Taking place in the park itself, Queen's Park Book Festival brings together authors and famous faces including Michael Palin, Elif Shafak, Jay Rayner and Caroline Lucas for two days of talks and events, as well as a comedy night on Saturday night. 31 August-1 September

ANIME & GAMING CON: What claims to be the UK's largest anime convention comes to Hammersmith, with four floors of merch, gaming, comics and cosplay. Expect appearances from J-rock cover band Nattoheads, as well as a chance to meet voice actors from anime productions. 31 August-1 September

THE SELFISH GIANT: The Puppet Barge, a floating theatre usually located in Little Venice, has moored up in Richmond for the summer. Its current production brings Oscar Wilde's The Selfish Giant to life using marionettes, in a show that's suitable for age 4+. Until 22 September

Saturday 31 August

ANTIQUES MARKET: Rise and shine early and make your way to Wembley Park for an antiques market. The free-entry event brings together traders selling antiques, collectables, salvage, vintage homeware, jewellery, furniture and more. It takes place in a covered car park, so no need to worry about the weather. 9am-3pm

MUDLARKING FESTIVAL: Southwark Cathedral hosts a mudlarking and heritage crafts festival. Meet mudlarks -- including author Lara Maiklem -- to hear about their finds on the Thames foreshore, and watch demonstrations of crafts including stone and wood carving, flint knapping, bee keeping and falconry. 9am-5pm

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Chiswick House and Gardens hosts a bonanza of a launch today, for both its ongoing Black Chiswick through History programme, and a celebration of its Kitchen Garden art projects. There are special tours, clay tile workshops, cookery demonstrations, and a make-your-own-teabag session -- plus lots more. 10.30am-3.30pm

ROTISSERIE CHICKEN: Bar Levan in Peckham has the spits turning again, for another afternoon of rotisserie chicken action, with sharing portions of chicken served up with chicken fat roasted potatoes and summer salad. Booking recommended. From 12pm

TELEVISION CENTRE LIVE: The iconic forecourt at Television Centre in White City hosts a local artists market today, with over 30 artists and designers selling illustrations, paintings, ceramics, vintage clothing, knitwear and jewellery. There's also live music from Next Door Records. FREE, 12pm-6pm

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PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP: Take part in an architectural photography workshop, led by London Lighthouse Gallery & Studio's resident artist, Sokari Higgwe. It's aimed at those who already know a bit about photography, and you'll need a DSLR or mirrorless camera (no smartphone cameras). Meet at Douglass Tower on Trinity Buoy Wharf and begin with an introduction before taking a tour of the area snapping away as you go. 1pm-3pm

OPERA GREENWICH: Specialising in bringing opera to the local community, Opera Greenwich launches a new production of Puccini's La Bohème to St Alfege Church, as part of Puccini 100 opera week, which marks the centenary of the composer's death. 2pm/7pm

SOUL CITY PARTY: Regular Saturday night event Soul City breaks free from its home at Camden's Jazz Cafe, for a special summer afternoon at new venue Camden Courtyard. Dance the afternoon and evening away to house and disco, with cocktail bars and street food stalls nearby. At 10.30pm, the party moves back to the Jazz Cafe, and keeps going until the small hours. 3pm-3am

SHAMILTON!: Comedy group Baby Wants Candy presents Shamilton!, a Hamilton inspired hip hop show, in which the cast improvise a musical live on stage, based on a historical figure chosen by the audience. Could be Genghis Khan or Winston Churchill or Kim Kardashian. See it at the Leicester Square Theatre. 4pm/9.30pm

ICE SKATING FREESTYLER: The UK's first ever freestyle ice skating competition takes place at Alexandra Palace ice rink. Watch ice skating tricks, flips, dances and stops, all set to music and disco lights, before the event culminates in the Battle Skate-Off competition. 4.30pm

DIRTY DANCING: Watch classic 1987 film Dirty Dancing on a large screen at the Clapham Grand, in a special drink-along screening. The Grand's team offer themed entertainment before and after the film, and there's a costume contest, and hot dogs, nachos and watermelon cocktails to tuck into while you watch. 6.30pm-11pm

DEMI ADEJUYIGBE: Comedian, writer and filmmaker Demi Adejuyigbe is at Soho Theatre for a final performance of his current show, which involves original comedic songs, presentations... and one single backflip. 7.15pm

KOKO SUMMER CLOSING: KOKO in Camden holds a summer closing party, featuring a house and disco music marathon going on until the early hours. We're promised 'unannounced special guests' too -- in the past, the venue has hosted the likes of Skream, Roger Sanchez and Dusky. 10pm-5am

Sunday 1 August

SEPTEMBER IN LONDON: September gets underway today, kicking off a month of incredible events in London including festivals themed around murals, music, podcasts, classic boats and, er, Harry Styles, as well as new shows and exhibitions, Open House, and so much. Take a look at our curated September events guide and get booking!

VINTAGE CAR SHOW: Up to 500 vehicles dating back as far as the 1920s park up at Capel Manor Gardens in Enfield for the Classic and Vintage Car Show. Wander among them, and explore the 30-acre grounds, along with live music, a vintage horsebox bar, and food stalls. 10am-5pm

BELGRAVIA SCANDALS: Footprints of London guide Michael Duncan offers a guided walk around Belgravia, focusing on the scandals of the upmarket area. Meet at Victoria station and hear about a murder that led to one of the most famous disappearances in British history, a Peer who was friends with the Krays, and the pub where the Great Train Robbery was planned. 11am-12.30pm

BROMPTON CEMETERY: The Friends of Brompton Cemetery host their annual open day today, with a slew of tours (general, catacombs, trees, wild flowers), alongside birds of prey, pedicab rides, children's storytelling, dog grooming advice and a bunch more. FREE, 11am-5pm

UK AFRICAN ACROBATS: The African Acrobats are a performing arts troupe who trained in Ghana, and specialise in street dance, African drumming, traditional African dance, circus skills, fire eating, fire limbo and acrobatics. See them for free in two open-air performances at Woolwich Works today. FREE, 12pm/2pm

CRAFT FAIR: Browse and buy goods by independent designers and makers as the SoLo Craft Fair returns to Between the Bridges on South Bank. 60 traders showcase their wares spanning art, jewellery, fashion, kids' products, and more. There's also a free pet portraits workshop, operating on a first come, first served basis. 12pm-5pm

ALEX NEWELL: Tony Award-winning actor Alex Newell, who starred in TV series Glee as transgender student Wade "Unique" Adams, is at Cadogan Hall for their first solo show in London. Expect to hear a programme of musical theatre-style tracks, inspired by Newell's roles in Broadway shows Shucked, and Once On This Island. 2.30pm/6.30pm

OUTDOOR THEATRE: Take the family along to Fulham Palace for an outdoor theatre production of Beauty and the Beast. Take your own chair or rug along to watch the performance, with picnics and snacks available from the cafe. 3.30pm-5.30pm

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY: 2018 film Bohemian Rhapsody -- which chronicles the rise of Freddie Mercury and Queen -- is shown at Rooftop Film Club in Stratford. Head to Roof East and bag yourself a deckchair and headphones to watch the film, with food and drink available to buy from the venue's vendors. 4.15pm

SHOOT FROM THE HIP: Prepare to shout out silly suggestions, as the Shoot From the Hip improv clan take to the stage at Angel's Bill Murray to deliver an hour and a half of daft off-the-cuff comedy. 5.30pm-7pm

GILLIAN ANDERSON: At time of writing there are just a few tickets left to hear from actor Gillian Anderson as she discusses her new book, Want, an anonymous, honest collection of sexual fantasies from women around the world. Takes place at Southbank Centre. 7.30pm

BRUCKNER'S FIFTH SYMPHONY: Book yourself a civilised evening at the Royal Albert Hall, enjoying a performance of Bruckner's 5th Symphony, performed by the Berliner Philharmoniker. The performance is part of the BBC Proms schedule, and will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3. 7.30pm

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