Things To Do In London This Weekend: 7-8 June 2014

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All weekend

The London Map Fair returns.

LIT FEST: Stoke Newington Literary Festival begins on Friday, and we're quite stoked (sorry) for this one. Hip-hop Shakespeare, food writers and a sci-fi vs fantasy debate are just some of the highlights of the weekend-long event. Various prices, prebook, until 8 June

KEATS FESTIVAL: The historic Keats House in Hampstead Heath celebrates the works and life of poet John Keats with a dedicated festival. Activities include poetry readings, workshops, talks and even guided tours. Many of the events are free, check website for prices and booking. Until 15 June  

ART AND ANTIQUES: The Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair takes place at Olympia London. There will be 150 dealers from the UK and abroad, presenting over 30,000 unique  pieces. From £15, prebook, until 15 June

THEATRE: Incoming Festival at New Diorama Theatre has at least two different shows every day this week, and all tickets are £5. For information and to book, click here. Until July

WILDLIFE ART: Are you a nature lover, dreaming of escaping into the wild? Then find your corner of heaven in one of these free exhibitions about nature and wildlife. They take place in different venues across London. Free, until July at latest

UGLY ARCHITECTURE: Take a theatrical tour of the ugliest buildings in London as part of London Festival of Architecture. £10, prebook, Saturday and Sunday, 10am/2pm

LIFT: There are several events going on as part of LIFT Festival 2014, including an exhibition at Somerset House and a game on a roof. More information here. Various prices, prebook, until 28 June

FOODIES: Both Streatham and Clapham have food festivals going on this weekend with stalls, tasters and more. See our preview for more information. Tickets £12 for Clapham (prebook), Streatham is free. Both until Sunday

POLO IN THE PARK: Chesterton's Polo in the Park tales place all weekend at Hurlingham Park, with polo matches, bars and a street food market and children's activities. From £30, prebook, until Sunday

CANOE SLALOM: Lee Valley White Water Centre hosts the Canoe Slalom World Cup, with paddlers from across the world competing on the London 2012 Olympic course. From £5, prebook, until Sunday

ART BOOKS: The Institute of Contemporary Art on The Mall has an art book fair with with zine aficionados, legendary specialists, magazine experts, and artist book connoisseurs. £1, just turn up, until Sunday

BEER FESTIVAL: There are two beer events taking place this weekend. The Northumbrian Beer and Music Festival is at The Finborough Arms in Earl's Court, while Wild Card Brewery in Walthamstow also has a beer festival. More information here. Both until Sunday

CULTURE FESTIVAL: Wandsworth Heritage Festival kicks off today with a rich programme of free events, bringing back to life the history of the borough. Expect guided walks, talks, family activities and so on. Free, prebook suggested, until Sunday

MAP FAIR: The Royal Geographical Society on Kensington Gore hosts the London Map Fair, where map fans can dig trough rarities from all over the world. The fair lasts two days and is open Saturday noon-7pm and Sunday 10am-6pm. Free, just turn up, until Sunday


Saturday 7 June

See bike races at Smithfield Market

CHILDREN STORYTELLING: The V&A Museum of Childhood hosts two free children's storytelling and play sessions about the World Cup and Brazilian culture. The sessions will be: 9-11am for children aged 4-6 and 11am-1pm for children aged 7-9. Free, prebook, 9am-11am & 11am-1pm

ARTS FESTIVAL: Greenwich Community College has organised a whole-day Creative Arts Festival, which displays artwork by the college students. During the day there are family activities, taster classes and workshops. Free, just turn up, 10am-4pm

FLOWERS: Head to King's Cross near St Martin's for a take-away of 35,000 flowers. Donate as little as 50p for your inflorescence, with all proceeds going to charity. Just turn up, 10am-6pm

LEARN A CRAFT: Learn how to create marbled paper and make a contemporary geometric artwork to take home at this taster class at The Turpentine in Brixton. £10/£12, prebook, 10am

SOHO STREETS: Walk every street of Soho in a day on this 10 mile guided tour, taking in the streets, mews, courts and other thoroughfares of the area, and seeing nearly 50 pubs. £35, prebook, 10am-5.30pm

OPEN BUS GARAGE: As part of the Year of the Bus celebration, Alperton Bus Garage in north west London opens its doors to the public in the second of a series of bus garage open days across the capital. Expect free rides, family activities and the secrets of the bus depot — all money raised will go to charity. £2, just turn up, 10.30am-4pm  

PECKHAM: Pocket Places Peckham Spaces is a whole-day event happening along Rye Lane that aims to unite the community. Street artists lead workshops, plus food and drink stalls, live music, yoga classes and outdoor screenings. Free, just turn up, from 11am

PHOTOGRAPHY: Photography lovers are invited to meet outside The Curzon Soho cinema on Shaftesbury Avenue for #NOWportrait photo walk around Soho and Chinatown area. Bring your camera with you, shoot and share. Free, just turn up, 11am

SCAVENGER HUNT: Team up with your friends and take part in a big scavenger hunt across London. The Great Contiki Challenge meeting point is at Russell Square Gardens, and participants could win £1,000, or tickets for various events. There will be a party after the hunt with food and drinks, in a secret venue. Open to 18-35 year olds. Free, register online to participate, from 11.30am

ART SALE: The Art Car Boot Fair takes place on Brick Lane with over 80 artists selling work straight from their car boot. Plus food stalls and live entertainment. £5, just turn up, 12pm-6pm

OPEN DAY: The quirky London Sewing Machine Museum opens its doors to the public today. Free, just turn up, 2pm-5pm

CYCLE RIDES: London Nocturne sees cyclists take part in races around Smithfield Market, including races on Brompton bikes and penny farthings. Free to watch, with street food stalls and live entertainment for spectators, just turn up, from 4pm

COMEDY: Award-winning comedians Bridget Christie and John Kearns from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival are on stage at the Camden Head pub. £5+bf, prebook, 7.30pm

INDIE MUSIC: Old School Indie is at O2 Academy Islington to celebrate 10 years since the release of The Killers album Hot Fuss. Every track from the album will be played tonight, alongside other indie classics. £5.55, prebook, 8pm

BLITZ PARTY: Head to Waterloo Vaults for a 1940's themed Blitz Party, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of D-Day. The underground venue will be decked out with sandbags, searchlights and blackout curtains, and entertainment will centre around clues, maps and code-breaking. £25, prebook, 8pm

POP UP DINING: Skip Garden Feasts is back for a pop-up dining experience created from seasonal produce, giving diners a chance to eat under the stars, inside a polytunnel or yurt near King's Cross. £35, prebook, 10.30pm


Sunday 8 June

The Prince's Trust Family Festival takes place today.

FESTIVAL OF SPORT: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park marks the arrival of the Queen's Baton Relay ahead of the Commonwealth Games with an all-day Festival of Sport. Lots going on, whatever your fitness level or favoured activity. Free, just turn up, 9.30am-5pm

OPEN DAY: Visit Harmondsworth Barn, rescued by English Heritage after years of neglect and named as the 'cathedral of Middlesex'. Free, just turn up, 10am-5pm

MR ETHICAL: Conway Hall Sunday Lectures has "Mr Ethical" Nicolas Wilson telling his story. His career ended when he reported his employers to the Solicitors Regulation Authority for illegal practices and was immediately dismissed.£5, prebook, 11am

FAMILY FUNDRAISER: The Prince's Trust has a Family Festival at the Artillery Garden of Armoury House on City Road. There will be fairground rides, a Laser Quest and children's entertainers, a soft play area and singing and drama classes. £15/£10, prebook, 11am-5pm

MADE IN LONDON:JW3 cultural centre presents its London-themed summer festival, which celebrates the city with quirky London films, an artisan market, storytelling and live performances. Some of the events are free, see events programme for more information. Free, just turn up, from 12pm

GARDENS FESTIVAL: The Horniman Museum in Forest Hill has a Gardens Festival as part of Chelsea Fringe, with gardening and craft workshops, planting activities, live music and garden acrobatics. Free, just turn up, 12pm-5pm

AFRICAN CULTURE: Open The Gate’s African Market and music event returns to Rich Mix, with stalls selling ethical fashion items, natural beauty products, arts and crafts, eight live bands and a Ghanaian drum & dance performance and workshop. Free, just turn up, 12pm-12am

OASIS IN THE CITY: Choumert Square, an enchanting green space in Peckham built in the latter half of the 19th century, is open to visit today. Once in there, discover the 46 tiny cottages leading to a communal walled garden. £3, just turn up, from 1pm

DAY OUT: Whittington Park Community Association's Big Day Out takes place in Upper Holloway with live music, stalls, a dog show and more. Free, just turn up, 1pm-5.30pm

CENTRAL LINE WALK: Starting outside Bank station, this walk follows the route of the Central Line, with historical stories such as Mark Twain taking the Underground and Oliver Cromwell's trial at the Old Bailey. £8, just turn up, 2.30pm

LATIN FUNDRAISER: Hippodrome Casino hosts Fernando Montaño's Latin Extravaganza, a showcase of Latin American music and dance in support of Children of the Andes charity. From £35, prebook, 7pm


Other good stuff

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