All week
THE WORLD'S OLDEST BOAT RACE: London hosts the world's oldest continually competed sporting event. The Race for Doggett's Coat and Badge dates back to 1715, having been passed down generations of Thames watermen. Dive into its history at this outdoor exhibition, part of Totally Thames 2018. You can also catch the race itself on Tuesday (details here). Riverside Walkway (South Bank), free, just turn up, all day, until 30 September
LOVE FEST LONDON: From Hoxton to Brixton, things are going to get mushy across the capital this week, with a multimedia festival all about lurve. Through discussions, performances, and exhibitions, explore the multi-faceted experience of love, be it romantic or platonic. Various locations, book ahead, 3-9 September
THE NEW BABYLONIANS: This politically charged exhibition from Gil Mualem-Doron covers themes of belonging, memory, place and identity. Its centrepiece is The New Union Flag Project, a proposal for a new flag in celebration the UK's cultural diversity — and the backdrop to your very own photoshoot. Rich Mix (Shoreditch), free, just turn up, 5-27 September
ELEMENTAL SHAPES: Pop in to the Theatre Deli bar and mull over Sarah Beck Mather's new art exhibition over a drink. The actor-turned-artist explores the patterns in water in her latest series of paintings, and if you join her on opening night this Wednesday, you'll get a free cucumber and pepper G&T. Theatre Deli (Broadgate), 5 September-12 October
Monday 3 September
TOTES AMAZEBALLS: Jazz up your arm candy with glitter, gems, sequins and sharpies at this laid-back workshop. The best bit is that it's in a bar, so you can drink while you craft (just take care not to spill that glass of red wine over your creation). Drink, Shop & Do (King's Cross), £5, just turn up, 6pm
NEW MOON: This bluesy edition of the Half Moon pub's new music night sees The Dean Parker Band take to the stage their signature blend of moody rock. Other guests include folksy singer-songwriter and jazzy alt-pop act Sansha and singer-songwriter Ryan Burman. Half Moon (Putney), £3, book ahead, 7.30pm-11pm
Tuesday 4 September
LAMBETH TOWN HALL TOUR: Have a nose around an Edwardian architectural gem in celebration of its 110th anniversary. Lambeth Town Hall recently reopened after a two-year refurbishment project, so it's also a chance to chat about the recent revamp. Lambeth Town Hall (Brixton), free, book ahead, 10am/6pm
SHORT STORY EVENING: Encounter shadows, doubles, and ghosts of both past and future as May-Lan Tan reads from her debut short story collection, Things to Make and Break. She's joined by fellow author Rowan Hisayo Buchanan. Pages of Hackney, £4, book ahead, 7pm-9pm
LONDON BRIDGE LORE: From poltergeists to phantom Robin Reliants, there are plenty of ghostly goings-on in SE1. Hear about those and other urban legends at London Fortean Society's meet up. If you prefer cold hard facts, you'll also hear the true tale of the US oil tycoon who bought London Bridge. The Miller (Borough), £5, book ahead, 8pm-10.30pm
Wednesday 5 September
WASTE FREE LUNCH: Fancy an extra £800 a year? That's how much you could save if you're a bit smarter with your meal planning, according to the Wise Up to Waste campaign. Learn more at this food waste prevention event, and get free food made entirely from leftovers, as well as some snazzy portioning gadgets. Angel Central (Islington), free, just turn up, 11am-3pm
HONEYBEES OR HAIRWORMS: The campaign to save the honeybee has received plenty of attention of late, but what about the humble hairworm? Explore conservation priorities with ecologist and writer Dr Rebecca Nesbitt over a pint at PubSci's latest outing. Old King's Head (Borough), free (donations welcome), just turn up, 6pm
DIRTY DANCING: It's Merchant Square's last outdoor film night of the summer, so have the time of your life with Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing. There are blankets in case it gets chilly. Merchant Square (Paddington Basin), free, just turn up, 6pm-8pm
MOURNING MOTHERS: Hear the varied voices of mourning British mothers during the first world war and discover how mothers of soldiers presented their form of service and sacrifice in their deepening engagement with public political debate. Institute of Historical Research (Bloomsbury), free, book ahead, 6.30pm-8pm
Drink our new Londonist beer at our Fourpure Brewery party
If anyone can organise a piss-up in the brewery it should be us, right? We regularly write about London's unrivalled craft beer scene, spend a decent amount of time indulging in it, and now we've created our very own London-y brew (with the help of the fantastic folks at Fourpure). Join us to celebrate the launch of Londonist beer in style on Sunday 16 September at the Fourpure Brewery. For just a tenner you get an eight hour party, live music, the chance to win Londonist goodies, and four cans of one-off Londonist beer to take home. Find out more here, or go ahead and book your tickets.
Thursday 6 September
RADICAL KITCHEN: Architects and urbanists Territorial Agency look at the relationship of fossils to time, empire, and landscape at the Serpentine Pavilion. Join them for an informal lunchtime discussion. Serpentine Pavilion (Kensington Gardens), free, just turn up, 1pm
INDIAN SUMMER KITCHEN: Discover the vibrant flavours of South India with Monisha Bharadwaj. She'll be cooking in Borough Market's demo kitchen, with treats including lemon rice, salmon moilee, and green peas thoran. Borough Market, free, just turn up, 1pm-2.30pm
POPLAR CLOTHES SWAP: Got loads of clothes but nothing to wear? Revamp your wardrobe without paying a penny at the Poplar clothes swap. Exchange up to 10 pieces of unwanted clobber for tokens, and then swap those for whatever takes your fancy. The Cabin (Poplar), free, book ahead, 5pm-8pm
TEENAGE DREAMS: Inspired by the quotability of teen movies like Heathers and Clueless, a photographer and stylist duo have collaborated to reimagine the wisdom of coming-of-age film heroines through photographs and text. See it for yourself at this three-day exhibition. The Chopping Block Gallery (Peckham), free, just turn up, until 8 September
Friday 7 September
LAMBETH PALACE GARDEN OPEN DAY: This garden open day is your last chance to check out the grounds of the Archbishop of Canterbury's city residence (aka Lambeth Palace) before it closes for winter. Kids go free. Lambeth Palace (Waterloo), £5, just turn up, 12pm-3pm
NIGERIA'S READING REVOLUTION: Learn how Universal Learning Solutions in enabling children in Nigeria to access their right to literary at this premiere documentary screening. Nunn Hall (Fiztrovia), free, just turn up, 5.30pm-8pm
THE BEAUTIFUL OCTOPUS CLUB: London's longest running inclusive club night returns to Southbank Centre. It's free, open to everyone and features live performances from artists with and without learning disabilities. Royal Festival Hall, free, just turn up, 7pm-12am
Saturday 8 September
MUSEUM OF NOSTALGIA: Have a nose around an 15th century barn that's packed to the rafters with all sorts of 20th century curiosities and agricultural machinery. With its chaotic layout, who knows whether you'll actually learn anything, but its well worth a visit for the novelty factor alone. Upminster Tithe Barn Museum of Nostalgia, free, just turn up, 10.30am-4pm, until 9 September
THE GREAT RIVER RACE: See over 330 boats from all over the world race up the River Thames for London's annual river marathon. They'll be going all the way from Millwall to Ham in Surrey, so where you spectate is up to you. Free, just turn up, 1pm-2pm
LESSNESS: Artist Candida Powell-Williams' tarot-inspired performance explores the encounter between storytelling, symbolism, and magical thinking. See it for yourself at the Serpentine. Serpentine Gallery (Kensington Gardens), free, just turn up, 1pm-3.30pm
SOHO JAZZ JAM: Come rain or shine, some of the finest jazz musicians in the capital are spilling out onto the streets of Soho for a full day of live jazz, soul, and be-bop. Carlisle Street, free, book ahead, 3pm-8pm
Sunday 9 September
WIMBLEDON AND PUTNEY COMMONS OPEN DAY: Watch dazzling displays from birds of prey, travel back to ancient Rome, and let the kids take a mini Land Rover for a spin at Wimbledon and Putney Commons. The highlight of the day is a dog display team performing daredevil tricks — just take a look at this mutt jumping through a series of flaming hoops. Wimbledon Common, free, just turn up, 10am-5pm
DEBUTOTS: Your little ones' imaginations can run riot at the interactive storytelling and drama session for the under fives. There's also music, bubbles, and parachute fun. Jewish Museum (Camden), free, book ahead, 10.15am-11am/11.15am-12pm
BRIXTON HILL WALK: Follow a Blue Badge guide around Brixton Hill's oldest surviving windmill, glimpse a 19th century reservoir and learn about Brixton Prison's celebrity inmates on a guided walk. Meet at Brixton Windmill, £5, just turn up, 1pm
