Free things to do in London this weekend

The cabaret night spotlighting queer performers of colour decamps to Clapham’s Omnibus Theatre. Expect burlesque, drag and sideshows set to neo-soul, RnB and Motown. Oh, and lots of voguing.

Street parties get a bit of a bad wrap, what with all the bunting and awkward chat with neighbours you never usually speak to. The above wasn’t an issue at The Oval's night market this summer, and the party will be returning again to warm up your autumn evenings. Expect street food traders, live DJs and plenty of hot cocktails for when there’s a chill in the air.

A lovely hall on Stoke Newington’s Church Street is transformed into a knick-knack hunter’s paradise, with tables and rails brimming with anything from vintage dresses to jewellery to antique suitcases and furniture. And it’s not all second-hand – local creatives can also be spotted selling their wares at reasonable prices too. An on-site café selling homemade food and a swinging soundtrack provided by live DJs makes it a sweet place to linger.

Take a peek at the National Poetry Library's collection at this open day. Browse hidden gems, see the latest poetry from the new acquisitions from this year, see displays and listen to specially commissioned live readings. This year’s open day is focusing on the theme of ‘disruption’ and it’ll be celebrating the ways modern poetry challenges the status quo.

Swap till you drop at this clothes exchange where you can trade in your old clobber for someone else's pre-loved garms. Fashion blogger Katie Towle will be on-hand to sih out sartorial advice and the processo will be flowing. Register your interest in advance to find out more details about the event. 

Each season, the London Artisan curates a nifty lineup of designer-makers, packing its markets with jewellers, ceramicists, textile designers, graphic artists and heaps more creative types. Head along to get your mitts on items for your home, or commission one-off gifts direct from the makers. 

On the banks of the Thames and in the shadow of Battersea Power Station’s bombastic towers, you couldn’t ask for a more atmospheric setting for this weekly market. Head along to stock up on independent produce, tuck in street food, browse craft stalls and listen to live music. 

Formerly Flea at Flat Iron Square, this weekly vintage and makers market has moved to Vinegar Yard SE1, bringing its heaps of antiques, clothing, homeware, books, bikes and cameras with it. It's hunting ground for treasures and pre-loved artefacts. Can't make it this weekend? Visit its range of pop-up shops, open every weekday. 

You crafty so and so. Want to get your mitts on heaps of gorgeous gifts? Well, the Crafty Fox Market is a great place to start. Whether you're after original homeware or artwork, cards and handmade toys, you're sure to find something special even for those that are notoriously hard to buy for. 

Noses at the ready! This immersive exhibition tells the story of Barking’s industrial past through the power of smell. Sewage, fish and the scent of a fizzy pop factory will all be on display for you to take a whiff at, so you can discover what the streets of the east London suburb smelt like 200 years ago. It's certainly not to be sniffed at. The smelly exhibition can be found at Valence House Museum, Dagenham. A further exhibition (which doesn’t include the smell feature) can be found outside the National Theatre until Oct 5.