Things To Do In London This Weekend: 12-13 July 2014

All weekend

A Lego dress is one of the features at Ram Place Fashion Market.

POP-UP FASHION: Barbican is opening a cutting edge pop-up fashion market for nine days in July. Ram Place Fashion Market will open in a derelict warehouse off Morning Lane in Hackney, with new graduates and up-and-coming designers exhibiting their work. 12-20 July

ARCHAEOLOGY FESTIVAL: Get digging in London events at the Festival of Archaeology. This weekend, Get your hands on some real Roman archaeological artefacts at Guildhall Art Library, or learn about Merton Priory at Wimbledon Museum. Various prices, some events require pre booking, until 27 July

BRIDGE: Have you seen the new exhibition at Museum of London Docklands yet? Incredible photos, paintings, film and visualisations about London's bridges past and present. While you're there, don't miss out on the permanent exhibition upstairs and call in at Sailors' Alley. Free, just turn up, 10am-6pm

LONGITUDE MARITIME QUEST: National Maritime Museum in Greenwich opens a major new exhibition, Ships, Clocks and Stars.  It celebrates the 300th anniversary of the passing of the Longitude Act in July 1714, which helps sailors to navigate. Various prices, prebook, until January 2015

GARDENS & BLOOMS: There are still tickets left for RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, Chelsea's laid back big sister. Explore award winning gardens, linger in the Rose Marquee, get gardening tips from experts and be inspired by fantastic floristry. Open to the public from Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 July, advance tickets from £19-£34, open from 10am

POP UP STORIES: A children's literature festival pops up in Swiss Cottage this weekend, with children’s writers, illustrators, poets and storytellers hosting free events, activities and art workshops. Saturday and Sunday, 11am-6pm

ROUTEMASTER 60: The First Lady of London’s transport system turns sixty this weekend, and there's a free party in Finsbury Park, with all manner of bus-themed happenings. Free, just turn up, Saturday and Sunday, 10am-6pm

PEXMAS: Following on from the success of Pexmas, the Christmas food festival in Peckham, the event has been reincarnated as The Peckham Festival of Food And Culture. Creative, cultural and foodie organisations come together for a street market, tasting tour, performances, talks and more.  Free, just turn up, Saturday and Sunday

CURIOUS TEA PARTY: There's an eccentric weekend of Edwardian inspired dance, music, frivolity and food at Horniman Museum.  take part in tea dances, go on a singing treasure hunt, experience immersive fantastical art installations, enjoy ragtime jazz, watch circus acts and more. Free, just turn up, Saturday and Sunday

CHINESE FESTIVAL: Floating Cinema moors up in King's Cross this weekend for two days of Chinese culture, with film, workshops and music curated in partnership with Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art. Many events are free, but pre booking is required for some, Saturday and Sunday

PLEASURE GARDENS: Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens Summer Festival  brings music (including Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks performed by Lambeth Wind Orchestra at 8pm), dance and theatre to Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens on Saturday (12-late), and a Family Sports Day including tug-of-war on Sunday (12-6pm). Free, just turn up.

STREATHAM FESTIVAL: Poetry-reciting rickshaws, a giant dress and free gigs come to Europe's longest high street all this weekend for the Streatham Festival, taking place along the street and around the common. Most events free, 10-13 July

HORNSEY MUSIC FESTIVAL: A mix of outdoor and indoor Musical Events on Hornsey Green and in New River Village, combined with street performance, a variety of stalls and food and wine events. Free, turn up, 11-13 July

Saturday 12 July

Get involved in the Skipping Extravaganza in Greenwich.

BANK SECRETS: Go backstage at the Bank of England at this open door day, part of the City of London Festival. Both the Bank and the museum will be open to visitors, with 30 minute tours being conducted throughout the day, plus there's a chance to try lifting a genuine gold bar. Free, just turn up, 9.30am-4pm

ABSEIL FOR LIONS: ZSL London Zoo's fundraising events reach new heights this weekend (sorry!) when supporters abseil down Earl's Court to raise money. There's still time to sign up, with a £30 registration fee and minimum sponsorship of £95, or it's free to watch. 10am-4pm

OCEAN RACING: After racing for 40,000 miles over 12 months, the teams competing in the Clipper Round The World come back to London and St Katharine's Dock celebrates the event with a special outdoor family event. Enjoy a sail parade, music and food stalls. Free, just turn up, 10am-5pm

SLOW YOUR PACE: Battle against your Londoner instinct for pace by taking part in this London in slow motion walk, which celebrates all things slow in the West End. Witness examples of seasonal change and gradual erosion in the city. £12/£9, prebook, 11am

PLANT SALE: Roots and Shoots at Walnut Walk in Lambeth has an end of season plant sale, with annuals, perennials and herbs grown on site on offer. Plus herbal specialist Amanda Rew will be available for consultation. Free entry, just turn up, 11am-3pm

SKIPPING EXTRAVAGANZA: Choreographed dance meets school playground skipping in Greenwich Park. Professional dance-skippers and local performers will be strutting their stuff to a soundtrack created specifically for the event. Free, just turn up, 11.30am/2.30pm

TEDFEST: The London Irish Centre in Camden Square celebrates all things Father Ted. Dress up as priests, tea ladies and ‘lovely ladies’ then join in with events such as Human Buckaroo. £30, prebook, 12pm

LIVE AT THE BANDSTAND: Head to Battersea Park's Central Drive for an afternoon of free live music and performances alongside local food and crafts. Free, just turn up, 12pm-7pm

FAMILY DAY: Mint Street Music Festival is a free family-focused event happening inside Mint Street Park in Southwark. See website for full schedule. Free, just turn up, 12pm-5.30pm

CHAP OLYMPIAD: Bedford Square celebrates Britain’s sporting ineptitude at the tenth incarnation of the Chap Olympiad, which includes classic events like umbrella jousting, butler baiting and the tug of hair. £20, prebook, 12pm-dusk

LEWISHAM PEOPLE'S DAY: The annual festival is back in Mountsfield Park with live music and performances, food, fitness, a family area and craft market. Free, just turn up (though you may need to queue), 12pm-8pm

NO SWEAT SPORTS: Queen of Hoxton holds its third annual No Sweat Sports Day. Teams compete in events such as Fatty Wrestling, Exotic Fruit Bowling and Limbo to win prizes. Registration required, £35 per team (5 people), from 12.3opm

COCKTAIL MASTERCLASSES: The Little Shop of Gin pops up in Marylebone offering gin-themed events. Learn how to make the perfect gin and tonic, or go to a gin tasting session. £5, prebook, 1pm-4pm

NIGHT MARKET: StockMKT night market in Bermondsey Square is back this weekend. 40 street food stalls cater to a World Cup theme, and for those not football-ed out, there's Brazilian music and ‘Forro' dancing classes, and a table football tournament zone, as well as the usual homeware and craft stalls. Free, just turn up, 4pm-10pm

MIDNIGHT APOTHECARY: Head to the historical Brunel Museum in Rotherhithe for an afternoon of natural and wild cocktails in their rooftop garden. Today's creations are dedicated to Bastille Day — and there's a Souvlaki food stall as well. £5+bf, prebook, from 5.30pm

COVENT GARDEN SECRETS: Learn about the sinister secrets of Covent Garden in this guided charity walk, which will raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Meet outside London Transport Museum. £10 (all goes to Macmillan), just turn up, 6.30pm

YOGA RAVE: No, we’re not sure either, but if you head to TripSpace Projects in Haggerston, you’ll find out. Participants are given a chance to request a favourite yoga position and accompanying song, with some of the music provided by live DJs. £16/£18/£20, prebook, 7pm

GREENWICH ARCHAEOLOGY: Get your feet dirty on an evening archaeology walk in Greenwich and discover the remains of medieval and Tudor palaces. Adults only, meet outside the Old Royal Naval College. All money raised goes to the Greenwich Foreshore Observation Group. £8.07, prebook, 7.30pm

ZIMBABWE MUSIC: St Ethelburga's Centre on Bishopsgate hosts an evening of Mbira music, a sound made using a traditional instrument of Shona people from Zimbabwe. £12, prebook, 7.30pm

SONGLINES: London's most eclectic world music choir sings The Travelling People, songs exploring the lives of gypsies and travellers in their own voices plus Celtic-inspired balladry followed by optional dancing at the Nave, Islington. £12/£8, 8pm

BLITZ SPIRIT: Village Underground in Shoreditch gets a wartime makeover for the latest Blitz Party. Vintage 1940s outfits very much encouraged. £25/£30/£35, prebook, 8pm

Sunday 13 July

Frock Me Vintage Fair comes to Chelsea Town Hall.

SUMMER STREETS: Today is the second of four Summer Streets events, when Regent Street goes traffic-free for the day and the foodies are taking over with over 60 stalls lining the street. Free, just turn up, all day

BASTILLE DAY: Head to Borough Market and Bankside for a whole day of French-themed celebrations: Bastille Festival is back again this year. Expect themed food stalls, music, street performers and even... a guillotine. Free, just turn up, all day  

MEDICINAL HERBS: Surrey Docks Farm has a talk about Growing and using medicinal herbs, with a chance to touch, smell and taste herbs grown on the farm. Led by medical herbalist Melissa Ronaldson, you'll also learn about cooking with medicinal herbs. £15, prebook, 10am-1pm

LISTEN TO LONDON: Take part in a two mile sonic stroll through the City of London, listening to church bells, road crossings and other noises which control the area. £12/£9, prebook, 11am

SUMMER STOCK: Frock Me vintage fair makes its final sojourn of the summer at Chelsea Town Hall, so stock up on 1950s print dresses and summer essentials for the holidays while you can. Designer pieces such as Ossie Clark, Dior, Pucci and YSL are also available to the beady-eyed bargain hunter. Entry is £4 (£2 for students) and tickets can be purchased in advance. 11am-5.30pm

AFTERNOON TEA: Today sees the launch of the new afternoon tea sessions at Queen's House in Greenwich. Take part in this stereotypically  British meal-that's-not-quite-a-meal in historic settings, with views of Greenwich Park. £22-£35.50, prebook, 1pm/2.25pm/3.30pm

GHOST SIGNS: Learn about the ghost signs (fading advertisements painted on walls) of Stoke Newington on this walking tour (which we tried out ourselves) led by lifelong Stoke Newington resident and ghost signs obsessive Sam. £15/£12.50, prebook, 1.20pm

WAITER'S RACE: The annual Soho Waiters Race takes place today. Starting outside French House on Dean Street and continuing around the area before finishing in Old Compton Street, the waiters must complete the circuit without spilling a single drop of champagne. Free, just turn up, 3.30pm. Part of the annual Soho Village Fete, which is free and takes place 12pm-6pm.

ASTRONOMY: The Rooftop at Queen of Hoxton hosts a pop-up astronomy club, giving stargazers a chance to watch the sunset, then see planets emerging into the night sky. £6, prebook, 7.30pm


Have You Tried …

Wingit? If you want even more ideas on things to do in London then this new app should be able to help. Using an algorithm to scan social networks, Wingit checks your location and promises to find great London events happening near you in real-time. From performances to pop-ups, screenings to street art, download the free app today to see what’s going on just round the corner.

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This week’s Things To Do In London This Weekend is sponsored by Wingit.


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