Things To Do This Weekend In London: 28-29 September 2024

The annual Sheep Drive, plus huge new exhibitions you won't want to miss.

All weekend

SHOREDITCH STREET ART: London Mural Festival is in full swing, with things to see and do all over the city, including at landmark Shoreditch development, The Stage. On Saturday, check out Sophie Mess' 'Together We Rise' — a permanent new piece of public art adding botanical beauty to a lift shaft — as part of an expert-led guided tour of this year's murals. On Sunday, you’re invited to get creative yourself with a flower stencil art workshop led by the artist. (sponsor)

TOTALLY THAMES: This is the final weekend of this year's Totally Thames festival, a celebration of London's main waterway. Highlights this weekend include a sketching session on the Thames Pathway, a talk about mudlarking, and a deep dive into the history of the River Westbourne. Browse the full programme to find events which take your fancy. Until 30 September

FOE TO FRIEND: Last chance to see the National Army Museum's free exhibition, Foe To Friend, about the British Army's presence in Germany since the end of the second world war in 1945. Hear about the lives of individual soldiers in Germany over the last 45 years, and how the Army helped rebuild a divided nation, provided protection during the Cold War, and later used Germany as a base from which to deploy troops across the world. FREE, until 29 September

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MARC QUINN: 17 stainless steel and bronze sculptures have been dotted around Kew Gardens — including inside the Temperate House. They're the work of sculptor Marc Quinn, who aims to reflect the relationship between nature and humanity, and this weekend is your last chance to see them. Until 29 September

STORYTELLER: The Imperial War Museum marks the 13th anniversary of the death of photojournalist, filmmaker and humanitarian Tim Hetherington. Photography from across his career as a war reporter, and a selection of his cameras and diaries are on display, with his film Sleeping Soldiers available to watch too. FREE, Until 29 September

MINI GOLF: Last chance to tee off on what may just be London's most photogenic golf course. Wild Swing Mini Golf at Greenwich Peninsula is decorated with species of wildflower found nearby. All equipment is provided, and it's only £2.88 per person — bargain! Until 29 September

CHELSEA HISTORY FESTIVAL: Returning for its 6th edition, Chelsea History Festival is extra special this year, as it celebrates the launch of the new Chelsea Heritage Quarter. Events include a preview of the new Soane Stable Yard at Royal Hospital Chelsea, which opens in October — the first time part of the RHC site has been permanently open to the public. Also on the programme are talks by bestselling author Kate Mosse, writer and broadcaster James Holland, and Horrible Histories author Terry Deary. 25-29 September

BRITISH ART FAIR: The British Art Fair takes place at Chelsea's Saatchi Gallery, showcasing Modern British and Contemporary British Art, with 70+ exhibitors selling works by names including David Hockney, Bridget Riley, Frank Auerbach, Alan Davie, Paul Nash, L.S. Lowry, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Grayson Perry, Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin and Banksy. 26-29 September

SILK ROAD: The British Library's new exhibition, A Silk Road Oasis: Life in Ancient Dunhuang, is a chance to learn about Dunhuang, at the edge of the Gobi Desert, once a bustling town on the Silk Road connecting China and the Mediterranean. Individual stories of people who lived there 1,000 years ago are told, thanks to the contents of the 'Library Cave', part of the Buddhist cave complex of Mogao, where manuscripts, documents and artworks remained sealed for nearly 900 years. From 27 September

SILK ROADS: Confusingly (yet happily), in addition to the British Library's new exhibition (above), the British Museum opens a new, separate exhibition about Silk Roads. It highlights the fact that there was more than one such route, joining places as far apart at Scandinavia, Madagascar, Britain and Japan, and delves into how the silk roads shaped history and cultures. 28 September-23 February

MONET AND LONDON: The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House also has a new exhibition, Monet and London: Views of the Thames. See paintings of Charing Cross Bridge, Waterloo Bridge and the Houses of Parliament, which were put on display in Paris in 1904, but have never been shown in London until now. 27 September-19 January.

CLASSIC CAR BOOT SALE: All manner of vintage vehicles park up at King's Cross for the autumn edition of the Classic Car Boot Sale. Ogle the wheels, while buying vintage fashion from the back of them. Other entertainment includes clothing repair workshops, live DJs, and motorcycle and scooter ride-ins. 28-29 September

BEE AND HONEY SHOW: Capel Manor Gardens in Enfield hosts its annual Bee and Honey Show, a chance to learn all about honeybees and the threats they face. Watch them going about their daily business in an observation hive, and speak with exhibitors and beekeepers to get further insight. Local honey is for sale, and children can take part in activities including candle rolling and bee badge making. 28-29 September

HALAL FOOD FESTIVAL: 150+ vendors pitch up at the London Stadium in Stratford for the World Halal Food Festival. As well as dishes from all of those vendors available to purchase, the event encompasses a cookery theatre, a live entertainment stage and a kids' zone. 28-29 September

Saturday 28 September

FARMERS' MARKER: Get up early and head to Wembley for the monthly farmers' market, where 25+ traders sell fruit and veg, meat, plants, homemade pies, organic wines, Italian deli food and more. 9am-3pm

TEDDY BEARS' PICNIC: Under-5s and their families are invited to the Teddy Bears' Picnic at Orchard Dry Dock near Trinity Buoy Wharf. Take part in instrument playing, singing and dancing, along with imaginary play, nursery rhymes, bubbles and parachutes — all with teddies in tow, of course. 10.30am-4pm

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JAPANESE MARBLING: Learn Suminagashi — the Japanese technique of painting on water to create marbleised effects on paper — in a workshop at Dulwich Picture Gallery. You'll also learn different bookbinding techniques, and create a book with your marbling designs to take home with you. 12pm-4pm

ALGERIAN CULTURE FESTIVAL: Rich Mix in Shoreditch hosts DzFest, a festival of Algerian arts and culture. Today's the final day, and it includes live music, dance workshops and a singing workshop. From 1.30pm

MULTI-STORY ORCHESTRA: Peckham's Multi-Story Orchestra is at Southbank Centre for a performance of current show, Verified. The show blends orchestral, R&B, reggaeton and rap music to explore the pressures of social media. 4pm

MERCURIAL: "Cocaine, crocodiles, and Australian soap operas: Welcome to London's strangest one night stand." It's your last chance to catch Mercurial at Hammersmith's Riverside Studios tonight. Rosaleen Cox's dark comedy explores why we want relationships and how far we go to keep their spark alive. 5pm-5.50pm

OTIS REDDING: Soul singer Reuben Richards teams up with The Jezebel Sextet for a tribute to the music of Otis Redding. Head to Camden's Jazz Cafe to hear covers of the American singer-songwriter's greatest hits, accompanied by an eight-piece band. 7pm-10.30pm

TINA TURNER: Tina Turner tribute show What's Love Got To Do With It? comes to Cadogan Hall. Dance the night away as a singer and live band perform hits including Proud Mary, Simply The Best and Private Dancer. 7.30pm

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN: Fans of musical film The Greatest Showman should head to Earl's Court for Come Alive!, a circus show inspired by the film. Expect a blend of musical theatre and circus performance including songs from the soundtrack such as This Is Me, Rewrite the Stars, and A Million Dreams. 7.30pm (and other dates until January 2025)

Sunday 29 September

SHEEP DRIVE: One of London's wackiest annual events is the Sheep Drive and Livery Fair. Each year, a chosen celebrity has the honour of herding sheep over Southwark Bridge — this year it's Damian Lewis. FREE, 10am-4pm

MORRIS MINOR CLUB: The Morris Minor Club parks up at Whitewebbs Museum in Enfield, showcasing models including saloons, tourers, vans, pickups and the Traveller estate to the public. The museum itself is open too — read about our visit for an idea of what to expect. 10am-4pm

VOTES FOR WOMEN: The Bow Street Police Museum offers a Votes For Women walking tour, transporting you back to Edwardian London via the locations linked to the Suffragette movement around Covent Garden and Westminster. Hear about Vandalism in the National Gallery, human smuggling, and an Indian princess who joined the cause. 10.30am

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CARDS AND COLLECTABLES: Trading card collectors and sports enthusiasts gather in Boxpark Wembley for the Cards and Collectables Show and London Trading Card Event. 100+ vendors from around the UK are exhibiting and selling objects spanning sports cards and Pokémon to Magic The Gathering, One Piece, and Yu-Gi-Oh! 11am-5pm

PECKHAM SALVAGE YARD: Vintage furniture, reclaimed industrial fixtures, lighting, and salvaged electricals, homewares, curiosities and collectibles are all up for grabs at Peckham Salvage Yard, which returns to Copeland Park. 11am-5pm

HARRISON FESTIVAL: The Harrison pub — which is currently running a crowdfunding campaign to keep it open — holds a fundraising festival at nearby Jamboree. Watch folk, world and jazz acts performing live, including Flotsam Orchestra, Nick Hart and Whiskey Moon Face. Your ticket includes re-entry, so you can pop over to the Harrison between sets for a Sunday roast if you like. 12pm-7pm

HARVEST FESTIVAL: The London Pearly Kings and Queens Costermongers Harvest Festival brings together pearly kings and queens from across London and beyond for a gathering in Guildhall Yard, followed by a church service at St Mary-le-Bow on Cheapside. There will likely be charity collections taking place, so worth having a few quid on you to make a donation. FREE, 1.30pm

BSL TOUR: The National Portrait Gallery offers a BSL tour of its collection for D/deaf and hard of hearing visitors, as well as BSL students. Join guide Alan Murray for the informal tour, to learn about some of the stories associated with the artworks. FREE, 2pm-3pm

PINK FLOYD: Pop-up venue Camden Cult Cinema screens 1982 surrealist musical film Pink Floyd's The Wall. The screening also features live performance footage of Pink Floyd, and features extracts from archive interviews with Gerald Scarfe and Alan Parker. 6pm

JAZZ IN NEW YORK: The Jazz Repertory Company and presenter Kerry Shale host a night at Cadogan Hall, shining a spotlight on the nightclubs, recording studios and radio stations of 1930s New York, when jazz and swing were at their peak of popularity. Hear songs by the likes of Louis Armstrong and Fats Waller. 6.30pm

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