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Shut down your work computer and sack off replying to that annoying email that came in at 5:31 – the weekend is officially here. Make the most of your two days off work with these ten ace things to do. Head to an Oktoberfest with a lip-syncing drag queen and don’t miss all the bearded pups as they take over Hampstead Heath for Schnauzerfest on Sunday!
Saturday October 12 2019
1. Black Girl Festival
The third edition of Black Girl Festival is taking over the mahoosive space of Angel’s Business Design Centre and is putting on a day jam-packed with workshops, screenings, exhibitions and performances celebrating black women and girls. Bag one of the last tickets before it sells out completely!
Business Design Centre. Tube: Angel. £27, under-16s £13.20.
2. Festifeel
The one-day event run by breast cancer awareness charity CoppaFeel turns ten this year, and to mark the anniversary it is throwing its best bash yet. Bombay Bicycle Club and James Bay are swinging by the do acoustic sets, while Sara Pascoe will be bringing the lols on the comedy stage. Tickets have sold out online but will be available on the door from noon.
House of Vans. Tube: Waterloo/Lambeth North. £35.
3. Pink Oktoberfest
This huge Germany beer fest is getting a big ol’ LGBTQ+ makeover for the night. Oompah bands are being swapped out for sickening drag queens, but there will still be lots of booze and leather lederhosen galore.
Dock X. Tube: Canada Water. From £15.
4. Grown & Thrown
House plants meet jazzy pots at this Hackney Flea Market x DIY Art Shop collaboration that will leave millennials in a meltdown.
129 Shacklewell Lane. Rectory Rd Overground. Free entry.
5. Diwali Mela
Get your Diwali celebrations off to an early start and celebrate all things Festival of Light at this pop-up featuring food stalls, kids’ activities and a shopping bazaar.
Sacred Heart Church. Tube: Wimbledon. £8.
Sunday October 13 2019
1. Schnauzerfest
Celebrate all things schnauzer and gather with dozens of the bearded pups to raise money for schnauzers that have experienced the terrible conditions of puppy farms. You’d be barking mad to miss it.
Hampstead Heath. Tube: Hampstead. Free, donations welcome.
2. Japanese Textiles and Craft Festival
Don’t miss the chance to buy some Far Eastern craft essentials direct from their creators. And, if you want to immerse yourself in the arts of saori weaving or sashiko embroidery, there will be demonstrations and the chance to have a go yourself.
The Forge. Mudchute DLR. £5.
3. Ride the Roundhouse
Get on yer (stationary) bike and put your pedal to the metal to raise money for the Roundhouse Trust. Complete the 100 miles solo or in a group while losing yourself in the live bands and DJs performing on the famous venue’s stage.
Roundhouse. Tube: Chalk Farm. £25, minimum £250 fundraising.
4. Little Nan’s Deptford Car Boot Sale
Rummage through stalls and snap up some second-hand bargains as more than 50 stalls pitch up at this Deptford institution.
Little Nan’s Bar. Deptford Bridge DLR. Free entry.
5. New Scientist Live
Have your mind blown as the worlds of cosmology, earth science, biology, tech and engineering converge on the ExCel for the publication’s big annual bash.
ExCel London. Tube: Custom House DLR. From £31.
Find even more top things to do today in London, as selected by Time Out editors.
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