Things To Do This Week In London: 30 September-6 October 2024

London Cocktail Week, wildlife art, conker championships...

Things to do this week is sponsored by Elle.

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REMBRANDT AND CHILDREN: Last chance to see the British Museum's current, free exhibition, New life: Rembrandt and children. It's centred around a drawing of a sleeping child, an artwork which was in a private collection for over two centuries, before the British Museum acquired it, and is showcased alongside other drawings of children in Dutch and Flemish art. FREE, until 6 October

UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY: No swimwear required for the Underwater Photography of the Year exhibition. Simply wander down Glasshouse Street (near Piccadilly Circus) to get an eyeful of the snaps, which features wildlife including seals, orcas and jellyfish. Some of the photos come to life through AR filters too. FREE, until 6 October

MONTH OF THE DEAD: As October gets underway, so does London Month of the Dead, a festival of events on the theme of death, spanning talks, tours, film screenings and more. Highlights this week include a torchlit walk in West Norwood Cemetery, and a guided tour of Tower Hamlets Cemetery. Be quick though, as events tend to sell out in advance. Until 2 November

AUTUMN WALKS: Feeling autumnal yet? As the leaves start to turn, consider getting out and about to one of these spots where you can see the autumn foliage at its best.

KEN KIFF: A Hundred Suns is a new exhibition of works by the late Ken Kiff. The distinctive pieces — described by the critic Andrew Lambirth as "everyday invaded by the unknown" — might appear childish at first, but belie a complexity that reflects the political and social happenings of the time. FREE, 2 October 2024-5 January 2025 (open Thurs-Sun, other days by appointment only)

DRINK OF THE WEEK: A new cocktail bar for you to dip your beak at; Cosy is a speakeasy-style joint tucked away in the foundations of a 1780s coffee house in Euston. In keeping with the building's history, they serve the Pharmasuitical No. 1, a take on the classic espresso martini; as well as a salted Biscof martini. Open Tues-Sat weekly

Monday 30 September

NAIMA BOCK: Head to Rough Trade West in Notting Hill for a stripped back performance from Naima Bock, performing tracks from her new album Below A Massive Dark Land. There'll be a chance to get copies signed after the show. 5pm

ENGLISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA: The English Chamber Orchestra is at Cadogan Hall in Chelsea to perform two pieces written by contemporary composers, united by a theme of the seasons. The programme features Max Richter's The Four Seasons: Recomposed, and Astor Piazzolla's The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. 7.30pm

COMEDY FUNDRAISER: Today's Happy Mondays Comedy at the Amersham Arms is a fundraiser, with 50% of profits donated to Lewisham Foodbank. Alex Martini, Lee Peart, Isabelle Farah, Colin Etches and Faye Treacy are among the comedians on the line-up, along with a special guest. 8pm

THE RIPPER ENIGMA: Footprints of London guide David Charnick offers a Jack the Ripper walking tour... with a difference. Rather than focusing on the gory side of the crimes, as other walks do, this one looks at the buildings which bore witness to the murders, and which still exist today. You can take part in the live walk at 2pm, or take a virtual version of the tour at home at 9pm

MONDAYS IN LONDON: Looking for something else to do, today or any other week? Take a look at our guide to things to do in London on a Monday — we've gathered together live music venues, comedy and cabaret clubs which keep going on what is usually the quietest day of the week, along with guided walks and tours scheduled on a Monday, and a few special offers too.

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Tuesday 1 October

DECORATIVE FAIR: Furniture, lighting, art, textiles, jewellery and other items are available at The Decorative Fair, which takes place in Battersea Park. 130 stands sell items dating from 1700 to the 1970s. 1-6 October

THE GENTLEMEN'S CLUB: Catch the international premiere of India's first ever show about drag kings, as The Gentlemen's Club opens at Soho Theatre. Set in a fictional nightclub, it offers an insight into Mumbai’s thriving underground club scene exploring gender fluidity and queer performance, via a cabaret show that combines dance, music and visual projection. 1-12 October

IMMERSIVE 1984: Everything you say or do is scrutinised. Even your innermost thoughts are probed. Such is the set-up at Immersive 1984, an interactive theatre show in Hackney Town Hall, AKA the Ministry of Truth, set in the world of George Orwell's novel 1984. The action moves through the building, with the audience following it from location to location. 1 October-22 December

NET ZERO: The need to achieve Net Zero in reference to greenhouse gases is becoming increasingly urgent, but at the same time, the issue is becoming increasingly politicised. Tonight's Gresham College talk looks at how we can stop climate change becoming a political issue, and why we need climate solutions which appeal to the broadest possible political spectrum. Watch in person at Barnard's Inn Hall, or online. FREE, 6pm

QUEER LIFE: What was life like for gay men in London in the middle of the 20th century? Peter Parker draws on letters, diaries, novels, plays, films, newspaper articles, parliamentary debates, medical journals and police reports to paint an impression of gay life between 1945 and 1967, in an event at the British Library. 7pm-8.30pm

FUNDRAISING DINNER: Arrive hungry at Honey & Smoke in Fitzrovia: it's hosting a one-off dinner to celebrate the fifth anniversary of food education charity TastEd. Enjoy a welcome drink followed by a three-course vegetarian menu including dishes from Honey & Smoke’s Middle Eastern repertoire. A raffle with food and drink themed prizes is also part of the evening. 7pm-10.30pm

COMEDY SHORT FILMS: Eggbox is an evening of short films and new writing, taking place at the Pleasance Theatre in Islington. Watch 10 short comedy films, including offerings by the evening's curators Joz Norris and Miranda Holms, followed by a chance to hear live script readings from the pair, as well as Cody Dahler. Look out for a couple of special guests too. 7.30pm

DRAWING ROOM AFTER DARK: The Drawing Room at Brown's Hotel in Mayfair is transformed into a live music venue. The Drawing Room After Dark series kicks off tonight with a performance by the Sam Braysher Quartet, with other performers taking to the stage other evenings this week and next. Full schedule on the website. 8pm-11pm

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Wednesday 2 October

WILDLIFE ART: Wildlife charity the Born Free Foundation takes up residence at Mall Galleries for an exhibition by wildlife artist Gary Hodges. Drawn From The Heart features dozens of Hodges' photorealistic pencil drawings of species including lions, elephants and leopards. They're all available to buy via auction, starting at £400, but don't worry if your pockets aren't that deep, as the exhibition is free to view. FREE, 2-5 October

BELONGINGS: King's College London opens new exhibition Belongings, by artist Susan Aldworth. She challenges anti-immigration narratives through a display of 35 objects, the imagined contents of the suitcase her grandmother brought with her when she migrated from Northern Italy to London in 1924. FREE, 2 October-8 November (Monday-Friday)

WHY WAR?: Second world war historian Richard Overy is at the Imperial War Museum to discuss his latest book, Why War? He explores the topic of why humanity is repeatedly drawn into conflict despite knowing what the outcome will be, looking through the lenses of biology, beliefs, psychology and security. 6pm-8pm

SONGS OF SOLIDARITY: The Beck Theatre in Hayes, Hillingdon hosts a night of songs of war and peace, as performed by the Beck Community Choir. Expect tunes from Keep The Home Fires Burning to Stand By Me. 7pm

BBC SINGERS CONCERT: Exactly 100 years to the day since the BBC Wireless Chorus gave its first performance, the BBC Singers, as the group is now known, marks its centenary with a special concert at Barbican. Clive Myrie and Georgia Mann host, with performances of works you'd expect to hear (think Bach's Lobet den Herrn alle Heiden and Bernstein's Chichester Psalms) as well as a whistlestop tour of musicals by Iain Farrington. 7.30pm

Thursday 3 October

LONDON COCKTAIL WEEK: Shakers at the ready! London Cocktail Week is back from today. The annual boozefest has 200 bars from across London taking part, all serving up signature cocktails which you can enjoy for £8 a pop once you've bought yourself a festival wristband (£20). There are also special events including tastings, masterclasses, bar takeovers... in short, this is not the week to decide to go teetotal. 3-13 October

FRENCH TOAST: A new adaptation of Jean Poiret's play French Toast is performed on the English stage for the first time, at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith. It's set in Basingstoke in 1977 and tells the story of a director trying to make his comeback, and a wannabe leading lady who can't sing or dance. 3-26 October

GIGI & DAR: ”Did we want to join the army? Would you want to eat a wolf’s testicle?” The World Premiere of Gigi & Dar opens at Dalston’s Arcola Theatre today - a tragic comedy about what we bury to survive. Written by Josh Azouz and directed by Olivier Award Winner Kathryn Hunter. Tickets from £12. 3 October-2 November (sponsor)

LATE NIGHT KEATS: Hampstead's Keats House stays open late for an evening focusing on the women who once lived there, including the poet's sister Fanny Keats. It ties in with the current exhibition, Hidden Histories of Keats House, and includes a talk about the lives of ordinary women in Regency England, craft workshops and a pop-up bar. 6pm-8pm

GLASS PENCIL: Tonight's the opening of the Glass Pencil Gallery at Stockley Park in Hayes, and you're invited. Discover artworks from 20+ local artists, and connect with fellow art enthusiasts. All artworks are £50 or under to purchase, too. FREE, 6.30pm-10pm

TIDEWAY: Learn about the history and engineering behind London's new super sewer, in a London Society talk about this still active construction project that should greatly improve the Thames's water quality. 6.30pm-8.30pm

HISTORICAL WOMEN: The spotlight is also shone on historic women at Conway Hall tonight, where comedian and author Eleanor Morton uncovers the stories of women whose achievements shaped our world. Author Louise Raw and YouTube historian J Draper also take part, covering topics from clothing with pockets to reaching the summit of Everest. 7pm-9pm

MUSICALS BY CANDLELIGHT: Tracks from Aladdin, Hamilton, West Side Story, Oklahoma and Guys and Dolls are among the songs being performed by candlelight at Cadogan Hall. Musicians from London Concertante do the honours. 7.30pm

SOUNDS QUEER: Late Night Jazz is back at the Royal Albert Hall, and tonight's show is curated by Sounds Queer, which platforms and champions diverse voices from the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Singer-songwriter Shivum Sharma, pianist Barbs and DJ Toby Corton are on the line-up. 8.30pm

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Friday 4 October

DRINK JAPAN: For two days, St Mary's Church in Marylebone is awash with Asian beverages. Drink Japan spans sake, shochu, whisky and biru, and is open to seasoned connoisseurs and newbies. Sample new drinks, stock up on your favourites, and learn how they're made. 4-5 October

EAST LONDON GROUP: Ever heard of the East London Group? They were an historic group of artists, mainly from working class backgrounds, recreating the streets of the East End. The Nunnery Gallery in Bow has a new exhibition of works by 22 painters from the Urban Contemporaries group, who were inspired by the East London Group, showcasing how the city has changed in the intervening years. FREE, 4 October-22 December

KING TROLL: "A dystopian tale about the corrosive impact of state racism and the monster within two migrant sisters." Dark and otherworldly thriller King Troll (The Fawn) opens at New Diorama Theatre near Great Portland Street tonight. 4 October-2 November

FASHION RENEGADES: The Fashion & Textile Museum's anticipated new exhibition opens today. Outlaws: Fashion Renegades of 80s London centres around legendary nightclub Taboo, opened by designer and performance artist Leigh Bowery in 1985, and looks at how its dress code and hedonistic philosophy influenced fashion. 4 October-9 March

BRITISH MUSEUM LATE: Coinciding with its recently opened Silk Roads exhibition, the British Museum stays open later for a 'barter and bazaar' evening, themed on the communities and cultures that shaped centuries of exchange along the Silk Road route. Keep an eye on the website for the full programme when it's announced, including origami sessions and a new trail through the galleries. Age 14+. FREE, 5.30pm-8.30pm

THE JIMI SESSIONS: Handel & Hendrix in Mayfair launches a new series of live music experiences, the Jimi Sessions. Head to the former home of Jimi Hendrix for performances by cellist and composer Francesca Ter-Berg, and performer and visual artist Storry. 6pm-8pm

INTO THE UNCANNY: London Fortean Society is back at Conway Hall for an evening looking into the Uncanny. Journalist Danny Robins, psychologist Chris French and folklorist Deborah Hyde spend the evening debating as to whether ghosts exist or not, before letting the audience decide. 7pm-9pm

BOB MARLEY: Don't worry, 'bout a thing... just head on down to Fairfield Halls in Croydon for Legend: The Music of Bob Marley. The tribute show covers the songs of the Jamaican reggae artist. 7.30pm

Saturday 5 October

FESTIVAL OF THE GIRL: Islington's Business Design Centre hosts the Festival of the Girl, timed to coincide with the International Day of the Girl. Aimed at girls aged 7-11 and their families, the event seeks to inspire, engage and to break down harmful gender stereotypes. Coding, art, sports, periods, experiments, activism, engineering, body confidence, friendships and sustainability are just some of the topics covered. 5-6 October

ARTISTS' OPEN HOUSE: If you missed Artists' Open House at Crystal Palace last weekend, fret not — it's happening again this weekend! Pop your head into the studios of over 50 local artists in the Crystal Palace Triangle, admire their work, and have a chat. If you fall in love with an artwork, maybe you'll even end up buying it. FREE, 5-6 October, 11am-6pm

FAMILY KNEES-UP: Cor blimey! Queen's Theatre Hornchurch invites you and the little 'uns to gather around the Joanna, and join in with cockney songs like The Lambeth Walk, and Let's All Go Down the Strand! Inflatable bananas, puppets and bubbles make this one extra fun. 11am-11.45am

CHELSEA DOG DAY: A dog-themed market is the centrepiece of Chelsea's Dog Day, where you can buy all manner of canine food, drink and accessories. Talks on dog behaviour, handling and training are also part of the fun in Duke of York Square, and there's a giant sausage dog bench for photos. FREE entry, from 10am

BLACK HISTORY MONTH WALK: Book ahead for Hammersmith's Black History Month guided walk, led by guide Guy, and focusing on topics including the founder of Afrobeat, a poet who inspired Gandhi, a famous concert venue and a Caribbean music record label. Begins outside Shepherd's Bush Market, and lasts around an hour. FREE, 11am-12pm

DEAF RAVE FESTIVAL: Rich Mix in Shoreditch hosts the Deaf Rave Festival, an event showcasing Deaf culture through learning and entertainment. The daytime session is family-friendly with a children's workshop and a gaming zone, but after 8pm it's 18+ only. All activities and performances are designed to be accessible to both deaf and hearing attendees. 11am/8pm

OKTOBERFEST: London's not short of Oktoberfest events and parties over the coming weeks. Today's it's Flat Iron Square's turn. Head there to get your fill of German beers, pretzels, bratwurst, currywurst, live music, DJs, games and the like. From 12pm

Sunday 6 October

THEATRELAND WALK: Take a walking tour of the West End's theatre district, focusing on the hidden Black and African history in the area and the industry. Hear about Black magicians and performers, enslaved people on the West End stage, US Civil Rights connections, and how far back in history the African/Caribbean presence on stage goes. 10am-12pm

JAPAN MATSURI: The sights, sounds and scents of Japan fill Trafalgar Square for the all day Japan Matsuri extravaganza. Immerse yourself in cuisine, cosplay, taiko drumming and so much more. FREE, 10am-7pm

APPLE DAY: Fulham Palace holds an Apple Day to celebrate the orchard harvest. Expect a market with autumnal goods, a tombola, and a baking competition, among other entertainment. The palace's cafe will be open, so if the weather's looking good you can purchase a picnic and enjoy it on the lawn. 11am-4pm

WALTHAMSTOW FLEA MARKET: Over 60 traders pitch up at Big Penny Social for Walthamstow Flea Market, selling all manner of items. The good news is that the venue's a beer hall, so there's plenty available in the way of food and drink while you shop. 11am-5pm

CONKER CHAMPIONSHIPS: It's autumn, which means it's conker season here in London. Hampstead Heath is one of few places in the capital which still hosts a conker championship each year, with participants competing as per the rules set by the Grand Conker Meister. There are prizes to be won, as well as nature activities, stalls and live music for those who turn up to watch. 12.30pm-4pm

SUNDAY CONCERT: Finish up your weekend with a performance by the Brompton Quartet, accompanied by pianist Simon Callaghan. Hear works by Haydn, Bacewicz and Dvořák and, as an added bonus, enjoy a pre-concert recital with the Tondo Duo. 5.30pm-8.30pm

COLLYWOBBLERS COMEDY: Gispy Hill Brewery hosts Collywobblers Comedy tonight. Among the performers is, fittingly, James Dowdeswell, "possibly one of the most passionate beer loving comedians out there". Others on the line-up include Lateef Lovejoy, Sarah Mills, Cheekykita and Currer Ball. 7pm-10pm

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