Things To Do In London This Weekend: 14-15 May 2016

Things To Do In London This Weekend is sponsored by Zürich Meets London: A Festival of Two Cities — scroll down to find out what's on.

Take a trip back to childhood with Quentin Blake.

All weekend

UDDERBELLY: The comedy festival hosted inside a big purple cow is still on the South Bank this weekend. We love the sound of the kid-friendly Bec & Tom's Awesome Laundry and Card Ninja — Javier Jarquin's journey from mild-mannered card player to silent assassin. Various prices and times, check website for details.

QUENTIN BLAKE: The House of Illustration launches its permanent Quentin Blake gallery with Seven Kinds Of Magic — an exhibition curated by Blake himself. See original illustrations from seven very different books about magic. £7, just turn up, 10am, until 24 August

GOOD SHIP BENEFIT: Benefit cosmetics and RS Hispaniola celebrate all things summery with six themed rooms aboard this London landmark at Victoria Embankment. You can even grab afternoon tea or three-courses while you're aboard. Three-course meal, plus prosecco: £28, prebook, 11am-midnight (11pm Sunday)

Saturday 14 May

Learn all about the mammals that live in Bushy Park. Image: Hiltsuk

MAMMAL HUNT: Discover the creatures who make Bushy Park their home, at this family day. Search for signs of activity and find animals caught in the park's humane traps — and set them free again. £15 per family, prebook, 10am-12.30pm

HACKATHON: Join the fun and creative ideas marathon in Hammersmith. Young people and their families can get stuck into tricky challenges, working together to solve them. There's a £20 gift card just for taking part, so come and get stuck in this exciting way to exercise. Free, prebook, 10am-6pm

BROADGATE FAMILY DAY: It's all things literary at Broadgate Circle's Family Fun Day. It's a packed Saturday of Roald Dahl-inspired activity, including a candy cane walk way, whimsical wonderland, storytelling and games — and everyone's welcome. Free, just turn up, 11am-4pm

CHIPMUNKS: Alvin, Simon and Theodore — yep the chipmunks are on the big screen at the Phoenix Cinema's Kids Club this week, starring in Road Chip. Expect silliness, cuteness and squeakiness. £3, prebook, 12pm

MUSEUMS AT NIGHT: It's part of Museums At Night, but this is Daytime Discovery at Epping Forrest. Discover, discuss and draw the curiosities from the Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge and The View, such as a giant Magic Lantern projector and a huge carp. Free, just turn up, 1pm-4pm

OLYMPIC PARK WALK: New London Architecture invites you to explore London's Olympic past at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. From the architecture (the Orbit, Copper Box, London Aquatics Centre, plus more), to the lush parkland, take a tour of the Olympic legacy. £12-£15, prebook, 2pm

CABARET: It's showtime at Cafe de Paris and there are sequins and sparkles at this celebration of burlesque and circus. If you fancy adding some glamour to your Saturday, look no further. £30, prebook, 6pm

TAXIDERMY: Get under the skin of the Grant Museum with this taxidermy late. From live taxidermy to animal-themed cocktails, film screening and music. Take a chance to browse their fascinating collection, after hours. Free, prebook, 6pm

EUROVISION: Yep, it's that time of year again. The final's being broadcast on BBC One, but if you want to get really involved, get yourself to one of these Eurovision parties happening around town. Various times, broadcast from 8pm

DIRTY DANCING: Take a trip to the Catskills with the cult 80s movie at The Lost Format Society, starring the dancing instructor we wished we’d had, Patrick Swayze. You know the moves with this one — plenty of watermelon carrying and a great soundtrack. Nobody puts baby in the corner. £10, prebook, 8.45pm

MUSIC WITH MATUKI: One of the UK's most progressive Afro-funk bands, Matuki, storm the stage at The Magic Garden tonight. This 11-piece will have you firmly heading into summer with their blend of Nigerian Afrobeat and JB-style funk. £7 (free before 8pm), just turn up, 9pm

100 VOICES: Debra Stephenson is one lady with a huge talent. Her uncanny impersonations have seen her starring on The Impressions Show, Newzoids and Dead Ringers — plus some serious acting too. Tonight she brings the hilarious 100 Voices to London Wonderground. £17.50, prebook, 9.30pm

More things to do after this sponsor message.


Discover Swiss ingenuity at Zürich Meets London festival

There's a lot more to Switzerland than cuckoo clocks and army knives, as the myth-busting Zürich Meets London: A Festival of Two Cities seeks to prove.

The multi-venue festival hits London 17-21 May and celebrates the Swiss capital's multitude of innovations, from Dada art to cutting-edge technology via pop-up restaurants and unusual gigs.

From a free four-day art performance to a Michelin-starred Dada Gala Dinner, there's something for every interest and every budget. Check out the events programme now.

Things To Do In London This Weekend is sponsored by Zürich Meets London: A Festival of Two Cities.


Sunday 15 May

Go and fly a kite on Sunday. Image: R_A_L

SUN RUN: Make Sunday a run day in aid of Volunteers Foundation. Taking place across Europe, join the jog at Bushy Park and complete a 5k or 10k challenge. Children welcome too. £20/£15, prebook, 9.30am

CAMPFIRE COOKERY: Join the ranger team at Lee Valley and get cooking over a campfire. Discover edible plants and go Bear Grylls for the morning with Spring Wild Food and Campfire Cookery sessions. £15, prebook, 10am

KITE DAY: Make like those Mary Poppins kids and go fly a kite. Streatham Common Kite Day will see the skies crammed with all types of professional kite-wielders. Plus there'll be food and drinks vans galore, live music, face painting and a bouncy castle. Free, just turn up, 11am

GARDEN TOUR: Take a garden tour of Strawberry Hill House's majestic green spaces. It's been restored (as far as possible) to its days of glory under former owner, Horace Walpole, complete with his shell bench and lime grove. Free, just turn up, 2pm

MACARONS: Take a stroll through the mews of Belgravia and Knightsbridge while you sample macarons at five locations on this guided walk, Macarons & Mews. Plus you'll learn the story of a secret river and a haunted pub. £20, prebook, 2pm

EVENING MARKET: Brixton East lights up with the vibrant Gbanjo Gbanjo Afrikan and Vintage Fayre. Expect clothing stalls, jewellery, beauty, health foods, natural haircare, and live performances. You can also feast on a selection of treats. Donation, prebook, 4.30pm-10.30pm

JAZZ: The Chandos Arms presents a smooth finish to your Sunday with jazz from Jamie Safiruddin. He regularly works with chart-topping singers, has played at festivals all over the UK plus the world-famous Ronnie Scott's. £7, prebook, 6pm

SOUP WALK: Take a soupy tour of east London, discovering the rich Jewish heritage of this fascinating area. Raise money for After School Clubs in Israel, while finding out about local history. There's free soup for every walker too. £20, prebook, 7pm

HIDEAWAY COMEDY: Chase away the Sunday blues as Axel Blake and Kane Brown bring their stand-up shows to Sunday Comedy Club at Hideaway, plus three more acts guaranteed to get you chuckling into next week. £12, prebook, 8pm