Things To Do This Weekend In London: 1-2 October 2022

All weekend

TRAIN STRIKE: At time of writing, a strike by the ASLEF and RMT Unions is due to take place across 12 train companies — including several operating in and around London — on Saturday 1 October. Expect disruption if you're travelling any of these services, including into Sunday morning, as disruption is likely to overrun — particularly important if you're trying to get to the London Marathon start line.

FUN PALACES: It's that time of year again, when Fun Palaces pop up all over the capital. They were the brainchild of theatre director Joan Littlewood and Architect Cedric Price, and see dozens of venues offering free, family-friendly and community focused activities. Check out the map to find your nearest Fun Palace. FREE, 30 September-2 October

CATFORD LITERARY FESTIVAL: Hear from 15 authors in 30 hours at the Catford Literary Festival. They include Evening Standard restaurant critic Jimi Famurewa, who discusses his new book, Settlers: Journeys Through the Food, Faith & Culture of Black African London, and local food writers Rinku Dutt, Helen Graves and Rebecca Seal, who have all released books. It's not all about food though — browse the full programme.1-2 October

BLACK CULTURE MARKET: As part of Black History Month, there's a Black Culture Market in Brixton this weekend, celebrating African Caribbean culture. Browse and buy food, clothes, jewellery, art, toys and more from specially selected Black-owned businesses. 1-2 October

HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN: Music and philosophy festival How The Light Gets In was postponed from last weekend, and now takes place this weekend at Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath. Over 200 events take place across the festival, with talks from David Hare and Esther Freud, comedy performances from Ahir Shah and Tatty Macleod, and a curated stage from East London music collective Woodburner. 1-2 October

MEXICO: Kew Gardens is hosting a month-long celebration of Mexico and all things Mexican within its Temperate House. Art and plant installations are dotted throughout the glass house, showcasing different aspects of Mexican culture. There are also special events including live music from an all-female mariachi band, and a special Mexican menu at the gardens' Pavilion Bar and Grill. 1-31 October

STREATHAM FREE FILM FESTIVAL: Streatham is the latest slice of London to host its own Free Film Festival, with screenings going on at venues around the area. This weekend, catch Encanto at Streatham Drop In, Belfast at The British Home, and more — full programme on the website. FREE, until 5 October

STORIES OF ENFIELD: The outer courtyard at Forty Hall hosts the Stories of Enfield travelling exhibition. Explore 13 stories of Enfield’s past, from the lost Tudor palace of Elysing, to Bangladeshi migration, a famous poet in Palmers Green, and Forty Hall Vineyard. FREE, 27 September-11 October

O BARCO/THE BOAT: Large-scale installation O Barco/The Boat by interdisciplinary artist Grada Kilomba has taken over the courtyard at Somerset House. The 32-metre-long installation consists of 140 wood blocks, laid out to depict the outline of the hold of a historical European slave ship. 29 September-19 October

FREE EXHIBITIONS: Head over to Canary Wharf to see not one but two free exhibitions currently taking place there. Scale Matters is a series of paper installations by Angela Glajcar, found in the lobby of One Canada Square, and State of Play is an exhibition of contemporary sculptures on the theme of playing, dotted throughout the Canary Wharf area. FREE, until 11 November

BACKYARD CINEMA: 'A mystical train journey towards the top of the world' is what we're promised at Backyard Cinema's autumn season, which begins on Saturday. The Wandsworth-based cinema company's productions rarely disappoint, with giant beanbags provided, and a choice of cult classic and new-release films to choose from throughout the run. 1 October-15 November

Saturday 1 October

CAPITAL CRIME: Love a good crime thriller book? You need to know about Capital Crime, a literature festival pitching up in Battersea Park and giving the public a chance to meet writers and filmmakers from the genre through talks, panel discussions and meet and greet sessions. Louise Candlish, Paula Hawkins, Adele Parks and Ben Aaronovitch are among those on today's programme. 29 September-1 October

BEER MILE OKTOBERFEST: The Blackhorse Beer Mile in north east London is getting into the Oktoberfest spirit, with some of the breweries pouring special beers, dishing up German grub and playing Bavarian music. Check individual brewery sites and social for times and details. FREE, all day

PINTEREST BEAUTY SCHOOL: For one day only, Pinterest opens the doors to its first Beauty School, showcasing the beauty trends which the social media platform predicts will be big this winter. It's a day of masterclasses, seminars and workshops, taking place at The Vinyl Factory in Soho. FREE, 10am-6pm

SUNFLOWER BRUNCH: Ochre — the restaurant inside the National Gallery — has launched a new bottomless Sunflower Brunch, available every Saturday. Bloody Marys are served from a trolley at your table, with mimosas and pomegranate bellinis also available, as well as cocktails inspired by works inside the gallery, including Van Gogh's Sunflowers. Food focuses on British ingredients, with options including eggs royale, American-style pancakes, or harissa spice lamb burger — and a live DJ provides the soundtrack. 11am-3pm

ALGERIAN FESTIVAL: Get a taste of Algerian culture at Rich Mix in Shoreditch, which hosts Algerian festival DzFest. Art, exhibitions, theatre, talks, literature, food, dance, performances, history, films and music are all on the day-long programme, which was compiled by Algerian creatives and professionals in London. Some events FREE, from 11am

BALLOONIANA: Last chance to see Balloniana!, a theatre show about the invention of the hot air balloon, told through physical theatre, original music and spoken word poetry, at New Wimbledon Theatre. 2.45pm/7.45pm

AFTERNOON TEA CONCERT: Searcys at 116 Pall Mall has launched a concert series in partnership with the London Chamber Orchestra, with the chance to enjoy afternoon tea before the concert begins. Tuck into savoury snacks and cakes before an evening of relaxed, meditational music inducing Philip Glass' String Quartet No. 3, Radiohead's Motion Picture Soundtrack, Arvo Pärt's Spiegel im Spiegel and Jessie Montgomery's Strum and Sigur Ros' Hoppipolla. From 4pm (concert 6pm)

ICE HOCKEY: London's ice hockey season is underway, and tonight there's a chance to support one of the capital's teams. Head to Ally Pally to watch the Haringey Huskies take on the Oxford Rising Stars in their third game of the season — if you're new to ice hockey, it's fairly fast-paced, but a lot of fun. Doors 5pm

DANCE TRIPLE BILL: Rubicon Dance Company presents three brand new works by exciting new choreographers Jamiel Laurence, Anna Watkins and Marcus Jarrell Willis. Eight dancers from the newly-minted company perform at The Lanterns Studio Theatre on the Isle of Dogs.7.30pm

BEARCAT COMEDY: The Bearcat Comedy Club is celebrating 38 years of making Londoners laugh. This night will be no exception, starring the likes of Esther Manito and Jeff Innocent. 8pm-11pm

Sunday 2 October

LONDON MARATHON: It's Marathon Day! Due to the Covid situation earlier this year, the huge running event is once again taking place in October, with thousands of runners wending their way along a 26.2-mile course, from Blackheath to Buckingham Palace. Read our guide to the London Marathon 2022 for all the info — even if you're not planning to take part or watch, there are road closures all over the capital to be aware of today.

SHIRLEY WINDMILL: Built in 1854, the picturesque Shirley Windmill is one of only a handful left in Greater London. It's an open day today — and although it's FREE, you will need to book a slot in advance. 12pm-5pm

YOUNG MUSIC: The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra is an introduction to orchestral music for audiences aged 6+ (and their parents/carers). Head to Southbank Centreto hear a rendition of Benjamin Britten's work of the same name, performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. 12pm

SOUL JAZZ RECORDS: Lewisham's Fox and Firkin hosts independent record label Soul Jazz Records Takeover for an afternoon of DJs and sound systems in the garden. There's also a jerk barbecue. Free entry, 2pm-9pm

UNBELIEVABLE SCIENCE: Take the kids along to ArtsDepot in North Finchley to see Morgan & West: Unbelievable Science. The family-friendly magical duo perform all manner of experiments on stage, bound to get children interested in chemistry, physics and biology. 2.30pm

BRAHMS: The beautiful St Cyprian's Church Clarence Gate near Baker Street hosts Evoke, a choir comprised of young professionals, who are also joined tonight by the Bach Choir Wiesbaden. Together, they're performing Ein Deutsches Requiem by Brahams. 7pm-8.45pm

AFRICA VS. CARIBBEAN: Head to Rich Mix in Shoreditch to see African and Caribbean comedians go head to head, at a Black History Month comedy night. Junior Booker hosts, with Victor Daniels and Lateef Lovejoy among the African team, and Darran Griffiths and Sista Reen among the Caribbean line-up. 7.15pm

NEWSREVUE: See out the week that was at Comedy Cafe, with NewsRevue, the current affairs parody song and sketch show that's been going 40 years. And let's face it: they ain't short on material right now. 9pm

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