All weekend
Photo by Ren Forrest from the Lambeth Country Show.
JAPAN FESTIVAL: Feel the bright lights of Tokyo at the Hyper Japan Festival at Olympia. Complete with cosplay, an anime area, and a lot of cosplay, this is the closest we'll get to Japan without the 12 hour flight. £15-23, book in advance, 15-17 July
SUMMER MARKET: Head to the river front for 180 stalls of artisan products, clothes and jewellery at the Embankment Summer Market, at Victoria Embankment Gardens next to Embankment station. There's also giant Jenga, live music and street food. Free, just turn up, 15-17 July
WALTHAMSTOW GARDEN PARTY: Listen to music from around the world, try craft beer and see the best Walthamstow has to offer at this family-friendly festival in Lloyd Park. Over 30,000 visitors attended last year, so it's worth getting there early. Free, just turn up, all day (16-17 July)
COUNTRY SHOW: Visit Brockwell Park for the 42nd Lambeth Country Show to experience the best of the countryside and city, including sheep-shearing, a home-grown vegetable competition, and owl displays. Where else could you drink locally made cider next to animals in the mini zoo while listening to soul music? Free, just turn up, 16-17 July
STAR WARS EXHIBITION: There's a celebration of everything Star Wars at ExCel this weekend, with celebrity guests like Peter Mayhew, Jeremy Bullock and Warwick Davis. Autograph signings and an interactive stage floor are just a couple of things happening. £30, book in advance, 15-17 July
Saturday 16 July
The Chap Olympiad in Bedford Square Gardens.
NIGHT-TIME ECONOMY: A new exhibition opens at Rich Mix in Shoreditch today with photography and poetry offering an insight into the nightlife of the town of Newport. Free, just turn up, 16-28 July
CHAP OLYMPIAD Don your dandiest tweed and pop down to Bedford Square Gardens in Bloomsbury for The Chap Olympiad, an eccentric garden party with games, cocktails and live music. £25, book in advance, noon-9pm
EXPLORATION OF DATING: Southbank Centre hosts an interactive installation about dating, and how technology is making dating less traditional. Free, just turn up, 2pm-7pm
THE CORRS CONCERT: Listen to Irish pop/folk band The Corrs (and support band Ten Millennia) for the penultimate event of Kew the Music, a music festival taking place in Kew Gardens. Bring your own picnic or treat yourself at the food and drink stalls on site. £45 (child £31), book in advance, 6pm
COMEDY NIGHT: Join political stand-up comedian Chris Coltrane and guests Matt Winning and Sooz Kempner as they perform their new stand-up shows before heading to the Edinburgh Fringe. Takes place at the Carpenter's Arms on Seymour Place, near Marble Arch. Free, just turn up, 7pm
DJ SET: Kevin Rowland, frontman of band Dexys (previously known as Dexys Midnight Runners) plays a DJ set at How Does It Feel. Expect a range of music from indie to 60s pop — and Rowland might even take to the mic himself. Takes place at The Phoenix on Cavendish Square £6 (+booking fee) book in advance, 9pm
Sunday 17 July
The Friends of Brompton Cemetery hold an open day.
CLIMB A SKYSCRAPER: Race up more than 1600 stairs to the top of the Walkie Talkie tower and raise sponsorship money for Mencap. If your thighs are burning after the 36 floor climb, sit and relax in the Sky Garden at the top. £20, book in advance, 10am
CEMETERY OPEN DAY: Explore 176 year old Grade I listed Brompton Cemetery with a guided tour and a rare chance to visit the cemetery's catacombs. Free, just turn up, from 11am
CITADEL FESTIVAL: Have a day of fun at Citadel Festival in Victoria Park, where you can hear the likes of Lianne La Havas and Sigur Rós. There's also a family-friendly sports day taking place, with tugs of war, disco dodgeball and a volleyball tournament. £55 (+booking fees), book in advance, noon
SPEED DATING: Spend your afternoon meeting new people at Last Night A Speed Date Changed My Life at The Book Club in Shoreditch. At the end of the event, write down the name of anyone you'd like to see again, and see if you have any matches. £15/£17, book in advance, 2pm-5pm
SOMERSET HOUSE GIG: At the final night of Somerset House's Summer Series, experience an audiovisual extravaganza from UNKLE:REDUX, supported by Golden Globe and Olivier-nominated Jocelyn Pook. £35, book in advance, 7.30pm
DIRTY DANCING: Catch a screening of classic film Dirty Dancing at Rooftop Film Club at Queen of Hoxton. Watch the sun set over the City before the screening begins. £15, book in advance, 9pm
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Our pick of Funzing events
NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY: Discover how to take high quality photos at nighttime and learn how to take advantage of camera settings like exposure and white balance on this evening photography course. £40, 16 July
POTTERY CLASS: Take to the pottery wheel and learn how to make your own clay pot under the guidance of a pottery expert on this afternoon workshop. All materials included, and you'll be able to take your pot home. £35 16/23 July
VEGETARIAN COOKERY CLASS: Find out how to make and plate a fresh, healthy menu to impress your family and friends at a vegetarian cookery class in Wandsworth. £70, 24 August