A change of perspective: Yinka Ilori’s new exhibition comes to the Design Museum
(Picture: Creative Courts, Yinka Ilori, photographed by Matt Alexander)One of the most historic events in London’s modern era will take place on Monday September 19, as the late Queen Elizabeth II is laid to rest at Westminster Abbey.
The funeral will be marked by a bank holiday, and although many of the nation’s workers will be given the day off as a result, London’s attentions will be focused on the royal proceedings, meaning a great deal of the city’s planned events have been postponed.
For more details of where to pay your respects, head to this page.
On the weekend prior however, there is still a good amount going on, ranging from new art exhibitions to family-friendly raves. Here’s the best of it, with a warning to check ahead in case of any last-minute cancellations.
Pay tribute to the Queen
With the Queen’s funeral scheduled for Monday, many Londoners will be looking to pay their respects across the weekend. There are plenty of ways to do that, from laying flowers near to Buckingham Palace, to dining and drinking at one of the Queen’s favourite restaurants. Read our full guide for more.
Greenwich Comedy Festival
Some top comics are coming to south-west London this weekend for the Greenwich Comedy Festival. Hosted at the National Maritime Museum, it kicks off on Wednesday and a few of the biggest gigs have already sold out, but there are still tickets left for the likes of Milton Jones, Rosie Jones, Tim Key and others.
Various prices, until September 18, National Maritime Museum, SE10 9NF, greenwichcomedyfestival.co.uk
Yinka Ilori at the Design Museum
If you like your art big, bright and beautiful then this new exhibition at the Design Museum is bound to appeal. Celebrating the work of Yinka Ilori — an Islington-raised artist whose aesthetic is defined by the bold use of colour — the show will comprise more than 100 objects, covering Ilori’s own creations and his many inspirations.
Free, from September 15, Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High Street, W8 6AG, designmuseum.org
Decolonise Fest
First held back in 2017, this annual, non-profit DIY punk festival is “collectively organised by and for punx of colour”. With a hard and heavy 15-act line-up, a number of workshops are also running in conjunction with the festival, from an exploration of the Black history of the banjo to a badge-making class.
From £8.50 for day tickets, September 16-18, Signature Brew Haggerston, Railway Arches, 340 Acton Mews, E8 4EA, decolonisefest.co.uk
Sounds Queer #003: An All Night Music Queertopia
A night of queer live music is coming to this Shoreditch spot on Saturday, with London-based dance duo NIMMO headlining. Emerging acts Toby Corton and Amaroun are on support duties, Bestley and D’Vey drop in for DJ sets and drag artist Barbs hosts.
From £11, 7.30pm, September 17, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, E1 6LA, richmix.org.uk
Open House Festival
Each year, some of London’s most fascinating structures — from privately owned townhouses and houseboats to chapels and cinemas — open up their doors and welcome in the public to have a peek inside. Many of the ticketed events have sold out, but there are plenty of free drop-in events this weekend; check them out here.
Until September 21, various locations, open-city.org.uk
Totally Thames Festival
Running along the 42-mile stretch of the River Thames throughout the month of September, this festival brings together all sorts of events in celebration of London’s watery centrepiece. This weekend, the festivities range from a sightseeing cruise along the river, to live music and dance performances. Organisers are advising attendees to check the website in case of any last-minute cancellations.
Until September 30, various locations, thamesfestivaltrust.org
Waterworks Festival
This electronic music festival established itself as one of the city’s best when it landed for its inaugural edition last year, and now it’s back to help close out the summer season. Expect some top-notch DJs — Or:la, Peach, Moxie, Ben UFO, Jane Fitz, Yung Fitz and many, many more — playing across seven stages.
From £49.50, September 17, 12pm-10.30pm, Gunnersbury Park, W3 8LQ, waterworksfestival.co.uk
London Podcast Festival
The London Podcast Festival wraps up this weekend, meaning this is your final chance to see some of your favourite behind-the-mic talents up on stage. Head down to Kings Place to see the likes of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK favourite Crystal doing a live recording of her The Things That Made Me Queer podcast (with special guest Tia Kofi), and Nick Helm’s Film Quiz.
Until September 18, various prices, Kings Place, 90 York Way, N1 9AG, kingsplace.co.uk
Big Fish Little Fish
The hugely popular family-friendly rave series comes to Lewisham this weekend for its latest party. The key here is making sure kids will have a good time — safe volume levels, no strobe lighting — as well as the parents, with a licensed bar and the same type of music you’d hear in normal nightclubs. The time, Mr Switch gets behind the decks for a classic drum’n’bass and jungle set (a pirate dress code is in place, but optional).
