Things To Do In London This Weekend: 5-6 July 2014

All weekend

London Illustration Fair takes place in Hoxton.

CASH FREE BUSES: Don't forget, London buses go cash-free from Sunday. Make sure you're prepared and know about the 'One More Journey' scheme.

FEEL THE LOVE: Why not try out the playground slides, animated fountains and various other activities and installations at Southbank Centre which collectively form the Festival of Love? Free, until 31 August

ILLUSTRATION FAIR: The London Illustration Fair takes place in Hoxton Arches this weekend, with a 'Tropicana' theme (we assume that means the cabaret and club in Havana, not the juice). Illustration fans can meet their favourite artists, and artworks and gifts from as little as £10 will be available to buy. £5 per day, prebook, 5-6 July

FILM BIENNIAL: The  Artists’ Film Biennial is at the Institute of Contemporary Arts on The Mall . It’s a celebration of artist film and moving image, consisting of screenings, new performance commissions, talks and panel discussions. See the full programme and prebook here. Until 6 July

WATCH THIS SPACE: The mostly free, family-friendly festival of outdoor theatre continues in the beautiful gardens of St John's Church, Waterloo and pays a visit to Waterloo Jamboree on Millennium Green on Saturday. Find out more about their summer-long programme here.

FLEA MARKET: Hackney Flea Market takes over Abney Hall with over 50 traders, from professionals usually found in Brick Lane and Bermondsey Antique Market, to locals having a clear-out. All traders are handpicked, so expect a good mix. A local “musicologist” (only in Hackney) will be DJing the event. 11am-6pm, 5-6 July

JESTER FESTIVAL: The 42nd annual Jester Festival takes place on Fortune Green in West Hampstead with a multitude of stage performances as well as stalls from arts and crafts people and local community organisations. Plenty of children's activities will be taking place, as well as a dog show on Sunday. See the full programme here. Free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm, 5-6 July

SPACE FUN: If you're fascinated by space exploration, astronomy and all things out of this world, book into SpaceUp, a two-day informal get together to talk space. It's in an 'unconference' style, where attendees choose the talks and speakers they want on the first day. £35, prebook, 5-6 July

ROMAN ROAD FESTIVAL: The Roman Road Market in Tower Hamlets concludes its week-long festival this weekend with a plethora of events.Saturday sees a night of music, storytelling, henna, ethical clothing, and arts & crafts. The closing party takes place on Sunday. 5-6 July

STREET ART: Meeting of Styles brings street art and hip hop to Shoreditch for an all-weekend takeover. Based in Rockwell House, street artists will be taking over walls all around the area, and painting their own designs on to them. 5-6 July

Saturday 5 July

The Queens Parade Summer Festival continues.

NEW DESIGNERS: The New Designers Fair 2014 concludes at the Business Centre in Islington today. It's mainly aimed at design students, but some family activities are taking place too. Free, prebook, from 10am

BUS GARAGE OPEN DAY: The latest in the series of London Bus Garage open days sees Potters Bar Bus Garage open to the public for one day only. Free, just turn up, 10am-5pm

FESTIVAL FROCKS: So Vintage brings a festival theme to this month’s market at Spitalfields, giving shoppers a chance to revamp their wardrobes before heading out to the summer’s festivals. Whisper ‘Vintage Festival’ to a trader with a So Vintage poster on their stall for a 10% discount, plus roaming street snappers will be rewarding stylish shoppers with vouchers, so throw your glad rags on. Free, just turn up, 11am-5pm

GARDEN PARTY: The Curious Cat Market launches in Wimbledon this month, and throws agarden party to celebrate. Expect a modern market with plenty of activities such as face painting, a kids’ area, food stalls and more. Free, just turn up, 11am-5.30pm

CREATIVE SHOPPING: Queens Parade in Willesden Green has been transformed into a space for creative independent businesses. The first Saturday of every month is a day of activities, workshops, entertainment, special offers, live music and more. Free, just turn up, 11am-6pm

JAMBOREE: Join Waterloo Jamboree on Millennium Green for a fun, community celebration including games, stalls, plenty for the kids, food, music and more. Free, just turn up, from 12pm

MUSEUM BIRTHDAY: The Design Museum on Shad Thames celebrates its 25th anniversary at its current home. Food and drink will be available and there is a Memory Lane workshop exploring the museum's unwritten history. Guests with pieces of history or memorabilia linked to the Museum are encouraged to bring these along. Included in admission, RSVP by email 12pm-5.30pm

SUMMER BEE-ZAAR: The Mill in Walthamstow has a Summer Bee-zaar, giving the public a chance to learn about bees through games, stalls, refreshments and music. Free, just turn up, 2pm-5pm

ALTERNATIVE COMEDY: There's a mini festival of silly and smart alternative comedy at The Carpenter's Arms near Marble Arch. Nat Metcalfe, Chris Coltrane and Will Seaward each perform a show, ranging from bizarre stories to political comedy to ghosts. Free, just turn up, 7pm

FRINGE THEATRE: She Was Probably Not A Robot, a theatre show by Stuart Bowden, received five-star reviews at last years Edinburgh Fringe and has been touring internationally ever since, coming to Soho Theatre tonight. The premise of the story is the world has ended in flood and fire. One man asleep on his air mattress floats out to sea to find his lost love and save humanity. £12.50, prebook, 8.45pm

Sunday 6 July

Celebrate the Wimbledon finals at an Alice in Wonderland themed tea party.

SUMMER STREETS: Today is the first of four Summer Streets events, when Regent Street goes traffic-free for the day. Today's theme is The Regent Street Garden Party when the street will be transformed into a real life garden with sections of lawn, live jazz music and performances by  entrants to the Mayor of London’s busking competition. Free, just turn up, all day

BAR ITALIA: The popular Soho all-night cafe turns 65 this week. To celebrate, Frith Street will be closed to traffic with stalls selling food and drink. Members of The Bar Italia Scooter Club will be there plus vintage Ferrari’s and Fiats. Also, a pasta cooking demonstration by Gino D’Acampo. And there's live music from the likes of Suggs, Ray Gelato and more. Free, just turn up, 10am-6pm

PIMP YOUR PAD: Moved house recently, or just looking to pimp your pad? Judy’s Vintage Furniture Flea comes to York Hall in Bethnal Green, giving retro-lovers a chance to match their homes to their wardrobes. From the crucial, such as tables and chairs, to the whimsical (crockery, kitchenalia, cameras), the theme is “Kitsch and the Collectible”. We’re tempted to pop along, just to watch people trying to get their new dining tables and chairs home on the Tube. Entry is £2 from 11am, or £3 for keen beans who want earlybird access at 10.30am. 10.30am-4.30pm

TOTTENHAM FESTIVAL: Tottenham Ploughman in Bruce Grove hosts CloudFest, to celebrate the best of the local area, with live music and food stalls. There's an event focusing on the life of local scientist Luke Howard, and an open letter to English Heritage and Haringey Council will be available to sign asking them to  save No 7 Bruce Grove, which has a bus plaque dedicated to Howard, before it crumbles. Free, just turn up, 11am-5pm

WIMBLEDON WONDERLAND: Watch the men's tennis final at a rooftop tea party inspired by Alice in Wonderland! With strawberries galore and featuring oversized edible tennis balls amongst many other home-made treats. Takes place in Maida Vale. £35, prebook, 12pm

TUBE WALK: Follow tour guide Mark Mason (who once walked the length of every tube line) overground along the central London route of the Piccadilly Line, where he'll point out oddities and make connections that you'd never believe. As a bonus, the tour concludes in Covent Garden's best historic pub just in time for the men's Wimbledon singles final. £8, just turn up, 12.30pm

CARNIVORE TOUR: Walk Eat Talk Eat's Urban Carnivore Tour is one for meat lovers. Walking around the Shoreditch and Spitalfields areas of London, sample delicacies such as roast pork, sausage rolls and chicken and chips, while you learn about the area. £35, prebook, 2pm

MAYFAIR'S HISTORY: From corporate Berkeley Square to calming Mount Street Gardens, Mayfair is a secretive town within a town. Whilst walking this exclusive enclave you'll hear tales of faded glory and urban regeneration, aristocratic landlords, fearless flappers and a host of eccentric and charismatic characters from the past. Berkley Square.£8, prebook, 2pm

PIRATES OF WAPPING: Explore the history of Pirates in Wapping, on this walk taking in various riverside pubs in the area. Explore the cobbled streets to find the lost pirate execution dock, share stories of treasure, parrots, walking the plank, and mutiny. £2 per person, £3.50 for two, £6.50 for four, 4pm-7pm

SONG PROMENADE: Take a walk through the historic borough of Southwark led by well-known tour guide Nigel of Bermondsey. Walk through Bermondsey to Rotherhithe with entertaining songs performed at the locations where the events inspiring them occurred. Begins at the gates of the Crossbones Burial Ground on Redcross Way. £5, prebook by email, 4pm

SUMMER CONCERT: Belsize Commuity Choir teams up with Fleet Singers for a summer concert. Takes place at Gospel Oak Methodist Church, Agincourt Road, NW3. Free (donations welcome), just turn up, 7.30pm

EDINBURGH PREVIEWS: With so many Edinburgh previews flying round at the moment, it's hard to choose between them. Chortle Presents Fast Fringe at Leicester Square Theatre solves that problem. 28 top comedy and variety acts perform ridiculously short sets in one furiously fast-paced showcase. £15/£12, prebook, 7.30pm


Come and Feast with us

feast
Feast food festival returns to Tobacco Dock at the end of July with top London restaurants, street food and food traders all tempting you with their delicious fare. There’ll be plenty to sip and savour too, plus music, masterclasses and and nice places to hang out. Feast takes place from 31 July to 3 August: get tickets here.

Londonist is proud (hungry and thirsty) media partner to Feast 2014.


Other good stuff

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