Things to do in London this weekend is sponsored by Pact Coffee. Scroll down for details of how to get a free filter coffee package.
All weekend
GEEK FEST: Meet more than 50 authors, dress up as your favourite character and meet other fans of comics, gaming and cosplay at Nine Worlds Geekfest at Novotel London West in Hammersmith. £50 per day, book in advance, 12-14 August
COUNTRY MUSIC: Canary Wharf's Canada Square Park hosts a line-up of American musicians for country music festival Nashville Meets London. Free, just turn up, 13-14 August
18TH CENTURY ROME: See Watercolours of Rome, painted in the 1700s by British artist Francis Towne as a moral warning to Britain not to make the same mistakes as Ancient Rome, on display at the British Museum. Free, just turn up, until 14 August
SHANGHAI OPERA: Immerse yourself in Old Shanghai with Thunderstorm, an opera about family, society and corruption. The performance at the London Coliseum is a collaboration between Shanghai Opera and Shanghai Ballet. £50-65, book in advance, 7.30pm 13 August/ 3pm 14 August
CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL: Sample unlimited small pours, widen your beer-based knowledge and listen to live music and DJs at Oval Space. £33.50-38.50, book in advance, 13-14 August
BRIXTON CITY FESTIVAL: Discover different theatre in unexpected everyday locations in Brixton. Why not get your face drawn on the currency of your choice, or watch reggae-inspired majorettes on rollerskates. Free (some events are £3), just turn up, from 1pm, 11-14 August
BAJAN CELEBRATIONS: The Caribbean is to the Museum of London Docklands, because there's a range of activities (like traditional music, storytelling, crafts) to celebrate 50 years of Bajan independence. The winners of Barbados's National Independence Festival of Creative Arts will also be performing and leading workshops. Free, just turn up, 13-14 August
Saturday 13 August
RAT RACE: Swim, run and crawl your way through one of the UK's wettest obstacle races. Rat Race involves 35 obstacles over 10km in aid of Shelter charity. £80 (if you raise £200 your entry fee is refunded), book in advance, from 9am
BEER FESTIVAL: Head to Olympia for the final day of the Great British Beer Festival. Taste beers from around the world, listen to live music and take part in a big pub quiz. £11-39, book in advance, 11am-6.30pm
BRAZILIAN FITNESS CLASS: Get fit Brazilian style at Floripa, then watch samba and capoeira performances. £15-25, book in advance, 11am
STEAM AND CIDER: Ciders, steam engines and classic cars are on offer at Old Dagenham Park. There's also sheep racing and acrobatics on horses. Free, just turn up, all day from 11am
HOLI FESTIVAL: Head to Wembley Park and prepare to get covered in colours as you listen to live music at Holi Festival. From £30, book in advance, from noon
WAR MEMORIAL: See artefacts from the first world war and hear about the proposed war memorial at East Street Market in Walworth. Free, just turn up, noon
ROOFTOP BRUNCH PARTY: Have brunch at a carnival on a secret rooftop in London. Good food and good tunes will help you start your weekend the right way. £30-100, book in advance, noon-6pm
CHARITY TREASURE HUNT: Explore the capital in teams of up to six on a treasure hunt raising money for young Sri Lankan girls affected by the tsunami. Solve clues and riddles as you discover some of London's lesser-known gems. £20, book in advance, 1pm
PYROGRAPHY WORKSHOP: Try the art of burning leather or wood to create beautiful designs. If your artistic skills are limited, don't worry because London Craft Club has plenty of templates to help you out. £27.30, book in advance, 2pm
FAMILY CULT FILM: Watch 1956 classic sci-fi film Forbidden Planet at Somerset House, as part of the Behind The Screen season. Free, just turn up, 2pm/4pm
NOSES OF SOHO: Legend says that if you see the seven noses of Soho, you'll receive unlimited fortune. This two-hour walking tour visits these noses and other gems of the West End. £12-15 book in advance, 3pm
QUEER DISCO: Indie, post punk and new wave music will all by played at Glove disco night at The Victoria, Dalston. Wear something pink and tight. £5, book in advance, 10pm
Sponsor message
Free filter coffee package worth £10
Anyone who knows about good coffee will tell you: fresh is best. Pact hunts down the best, ethically-produced [pdf] coffee from around the world, and delivers it to you free, within seven days of hand roasting at its Bermondsey base.
And if you sign up with Pact today, you'll get a free filter coffee kit plus delivery worth a total of £10 with your first order (£6.95). It includes the v60, filters, welcome booklet plus your 250g bag, ground to be best for the v60.
Visit the website and quote 'Londonist54', to claim your free filter coffee kit.
Sunday 14 August
TUNNEL BOAT TRIP: Travel by narrowboat through the Islington Tunnel, which was built in 1820. A guide will talk you through the history of the tunnel. Ticket includes entry to the London Canal Museum. £8.40, book in advance, various times from 11am
INDONESIA DAY: Head to Trafalgar Square for a celebration of everything Indonesian: folk dancers, spicy food and sandy beaches. Have a go at traditional arts and crafts from the world's largest group of islands. Free, just turn up, all day from noon
CARNIVAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL: Listen to live music from Rico's All Stars, Gaz Mayall and many others at 1973 Remembered Community Festival, celebrating the lives of people from Ladbroke Grove. There'll be Caribbean food and kids' activities at the event on Portobello Green. Free, just turn up, from 1pm
FILM TOUR: Somerset House has starred in many films, as settings such as a Victorian prison and even Buckingham Palace. Find out about its theatrical past with a guided film-themed tour. £6, book in advance, 1pm/3pm
WRITERS' ROOM: Have your screenplay read aloud by actors to industry professionals at Old Blue Last in Shoreditch. The theme is 'home'. Free, book in advance, 2pm
PINEAPPLE DANCE STUDIOS: Try your hand at Ragga Jam style dancing with international dancer and choreographer Laure Courtellemont, who has racked up millions of views on Youtube. Sashay along to Pineapple Studios in Covent Garden. £25/30, book in advance, 2pm/4pm
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Our daily pick of Funzing events
SOUTHWARK'S SAUCY SECRETS: An award-winning history blogger will regale you with tales of Chaucer, brothels, boozers and everything in between, so you can discover the raunchy history of Southwark on this guided tour. £12, 27 August/18 September
GLUTEN-FREE ITALIAN COOKING: Discover the difference between gnocchi and gnudi, and learn how to make farinata, a Ligurian flatbread made from chickpea flour, at a gluten-free Italian cooking masterclass. £60, 31 August
OUTDOOR DOG CINEMA: Take your pooch to Mayhew Animal Home to watch comedy film Best In Show. There'll be 'pupcorn' and a photo booth so you and your dog can take a cute snap to remember the day. £15/£8, 3 September
