All weekend
OPEN HOUSES: As part of Dulwich Festival, over 200 local artists are throwing their doors open, allowing members of the general public to take a good snoop around their studios and workspaces. Various locations in Dulwich, free, just turn up, 13-14 May & 20-21 May
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE: Head to Barnes for a weekend dedicated to children's literature. There are author talks, workshops, story time, craft sessions, music, film and much more; all keeping the little ones entertained. Barnes, £5 per event, book ahead, 13-14 May
BEER FEST: The Underdog Gallery is turning into London Bridge's biggest party this weekend, with live music, DJs, food and a wide selection of craft beers from FourPure Brewing. The Underdog Gallery, free, just turn up, 13-14 May
CREATIVE HUB: Creativity vs Commerce. That's the theme for FYI The House Party, a series of panel discussions, workshops and a pop-up shops championing independent businesses. Shacklewell Lane, various prices, book ahead or just turn up to the pop-up shop, 12-15 May
ART DECO FAIR: Surround yourself with art deco decadence at Eltham Palace, with thousands of objects exemplifying the style from the thrilling thirties. Eltham Palace, £8.60-£14.40, book ahead, 13-14 May
Saturday 13 May
LEGO MOVIE: Wear the littl'uns out with an hour-long skate session, then park them in front of a screening of The Lego Movie. Choose between watching the film yourself, or tucking into brunch at the cafe. House of Vans (Waterloo), free, just turn up, 10.30am/12.30pm
OZ & KIWI: London Big Day Out brings a touch of Australia and New Zealand to us. Expect plenty of food (even a BBQ, we hear), drink, sports, music and more. Grasshoppers RFC (Syon Lane), £25, book ahead, 10.30am-8.30pm
FAMILY CHEMISTRY: It's Family Fun Day at The Royal Institution. Explore the chemistry of life, through exciting talks and hands-on experiments. The Royal Institution, £14/£7, book ahead, 11am-4pm
POETRY MAGAZINE FAIR: Browse a hall full of UK poetry magazines at the first Poetry Magazine Fair. There will also be pop-up readings throughout the day. Holy Redeemer (Clerkenwell), free, just turn up, 11am-4.30pm
EUROVISION PARTY: It's that time of year again, everyone's favourite song contest is back. It's not always easy to take seriously so why not have a good time with it at this party, where you can also indulge in a touch of karaoke. Luxe Club, £10, 6pm-3am
PITCH BLACK: Watch contemporary cult classic film Pitch Black — in which a group of space travellers are marooned on a mysterious world, with a vicious criminal in their midst — under the stars at Royal Observatory's Planetarium. After the film, there's a short talk on the science behind the fiction. Royal Observatory Greenwich, £10/£8.50, book ahead, 6pm-8.30pm
PUPPET CLOWNS: Be entertained by the macabre Boris & Sergey's Astonishing Freakatorium. Follow the tragic story of Pierre le Petit Tête Gustav and his wildly deranged tap dancing companion Juan Tamino. Wilton's Music Hall, £17, book ahead, 9pm-10pm
FRESH TUNES: If Eurovision isn't your scene, get your groove on at Dalston Supersotre's Fèmme Fraîche instead. The night celebrates female DJs redressing the balance of inequality in electronic music, but most importantly it's the perfect place to dance away your worries. Dalston Superstore, free before 10pm, £6 after, just turn up, 9pm-3am
Art review: a goldmine of interior design
The Wallace Collection is known for its opulent interiors so this exhibition is ideal, with a glittering array of gilded objects from clocks to candelabras. It's filled with over the top bling and we loved it. Gilded Interiors: French Masterpieces of Gilt Bronze at Wallace Collection, until 30 July, free ★★★★☆ Tabish Khan
Sunday 14 May
INTERACTIVE HISTORY: Go on a theatrical walking tour, retelling how women got the vote on this march through central London. Steps of National Gallery, £11, book ahead, 10.30am-noon
BERMONDSEY TOUR: This guided tour of Bermondsey explores the life of Ada Salter, a former mayor — and Britain's first ever female mayor — for the area. Bermondsey Station, £10/£8, book ahead, 11am-1pm
DULWICH FESTIVAL: Food and drink stalls, bars, craft stalls, face painting, a bouncy castle, live music and donkey rides are just some of the things on offer at Dulwich Festival Fair. Goose Green, free entry, just turn up, 11am-4pm
PUPPET FESTIVAL: The annual (and excellent) May Fayre and Puppet Festival celebrates the roots of Punch & Judy puppet shows, believed to have originated in Covent Garden. St Paul's Church, free, just turn up, 11am-5.30pm
KITE DAY: Eyes up, as a host of kites take to the skies in Streatham. Watch displays of power kites and pairs kites, and visit the stalls at Streatham Common Kite Day. Streatham Common, free entry, just turn up, 11am-5pm
CHESTNUT SUNDAY: Watch the traditional Bushy Park Chestnut Sunday Parade, followed by the funfair with rides, stalls, historical re-enactments, live music, arena shows and more. Bushy Park, free entry, just turn up, 12.30pm-4.30pm
GUIDED TOUR: Caledonian Road is affectionately known as Cally by locals. This guided tour is a walk Up the Cally taking in the sights and explaining the area's history. Meet outside McDonald's on Pentonville Road, £9, book ahead, 1.30pm-3.30pm
JAPANESE HOUSE: As a tie-in with the fantastic Japanese House exhibition, the Barbican is screening films exploring the nation's architecture on screen. Today it's the nightmarish Woman of the Dunes. Barbican, £5-£10.50, book ahead, 4pm
