Mela

Don’t miss one of the biggest South Asian festivals in East London, showcasing traditional and modern music, dance, fusion fashion, kabaddi and a range of arts and crafts.

Chestnuts Field, Waltham Forest Town Hall, Sunday, August 5, 2pm to 8pm. Details: walthamforest.gov.uk

The Wizard of Oz

Quirky Youth Theatre present the smash hit family musical The Wizard of Oz. Based on the classic film of the same name, this production features some of the areas most talented young performers.

Chelmsford City Theatres, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG, Saturday, August 4, and Sunday, August 5, 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Details: 01245 606505 chelmsford.gov.uk

The Total Who Show

Get ready for two hours of hits and classics by The Who, including Won’t Get Fooled Again, My Generation, Pinball Wizard, Who Are You, The Seeker and I Can See For Miles.

Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT, Sunday, August 5, 7.30pm. Details: 01708 443333 queens-theatre.co.uk

Mingus Elastic band

Tony Mingus and his excellent band make a welcome return to The Coppermill. This lively country blues outfit are back with fabulous harmonies over foot-stompingly good music and it’s sure to be a great night. Fine songsmiths themselves but great covers, too.

The Coppermill Pub, 205 Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow, E17 7HF, Saturday, August 4, 8.30pm. Details: 020 8520 3709 coppermillpub.co.uk

Russell Joslin

Joslin really knows how to get the most out of a guitar, and this, along with his multiple vocal textures, brings to life the characters and tragedies of his tales. He reframes folk’s storytelling tradition and brings it kicking and screaming into the 21st century, and is one of the most versatile and riveting young talents on the scene.

Luna Lounge, 7 Church Lane, Leytonstone, E11 1HG, Saturday, August 4, 6pm. Details: 07904 525639 lunalounge.info

CRXSS PLATFXRM Weekend

Uncover the new wave of multi-disciplinary UK street artists with a free weekend of performance from Peckham-founded showcase CRXSS PLATFXRM. In an event curated by dancer and choreographer Ivan Blackstock, discover fresh perspectives in street culture and marvel at an experimental hip-hop dance battle presented in partnership with internationally acclaimed Rain Crew.

Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, Lambeth, SE1 8XX, Friday, August 3, to Sunday, August 5. Details: 020 7960 4200 southbankcentre.co.uk

Free Outdoor Summer Screenings

Look no further for a free activity to enjoy with the kids this summer because London’s home of entertainment will be rolling out the red carpet for films fans and will stage inaugural free outdoor cinema events in Leicester Square Gardens. The screenings will be interspersed with a series of free fun activities including interactive quizzes, competitions and spot prizes. As part of the event, local businesses are also offering a number of exclusive discounts that will be running throughout the summer screening weekends for visitors to enjoy. Films include The LEGO Movie, Finding Nemo, The Lion King and The Incredibles.

Leicester Square, WC2H 7LE, Saturday, August 4, Sunday, August 5, Saturday, August 11, and Sunday, August 12. Details: leicestersquare.london

Women Making BAFTA History

As the British Academy of Film and Television Arts counts down to its 75th anniversary in 2022, they are delving into their archive to uncover some of the stories it contains. These stories not only illuminate the history of BAFTA, but explore the nature of our relationship with film, games and television. Since the establishment of the Academy in 1947, many ground-breaking, talented women have steered the course of BAFTA. This exhibition, featuring over 100 images and ephemera from the BAFTA archives, plus a host of external libraries and collections, highlights a selection of these women and the work they have created. All of them represent a ‘BAFTA first’ of some kind - from the first women to be recognised in various awards categories and the first female Fellows to the first woman President of the Academy and the creator of the iconic BAFTA mask.

BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, Saturday, August 4, 1pm to 6pm. Details: bafta.org

Pirate Training

A pirate life is not an easy one and you’ll be put through your paces to see if you have what it takes. You'll train in sword fighting, and learn how to fire a cannon, important when attacking ships for treasure! And you can't be a real pirate without knowing a sea shanty or two. Suitable for children aged 6 - 11.

Golden Hinde, Cathedral Street, SE1 9DG, Saturday, August 4, to Friday, August 10, various times. Details: goldenhinde.co.uk

Paint Starry Night

PopUp Painting invites you to unleash your creativity – wine glass in one hand, paintbrush in the other! No experience needed. This event will be themed around Van Gogh’s iconic Starry Night painting. Vincent Van Gogh’s work is characterised by his bold brushstrokes and expressive use of colour – perfect to play with! You’ll be guided step by step by a practicing artist, while you drink, paint and create your way to becoming an artist for the night.

Horniman at Hays, London Bridge, SE1 2HD, Saturday, August 4, 7.30pm. Details: popuppainting.com

Textile Masterclass

Inspired by Jodie Carey’s exhibition Sea, create your own textile and plaster figure in response to the Foundling Hospital story. This masterclass is led by Marian Murphy, a textile artist whose own practice responds to museums and historic collections, and representations of the human form. Her current work combines materials using plaster, together with fabric and stitch. Some crafting or stitching experience would be useful, but not essential.

Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ, Sunday, August 5, 1pm to 4pm. Details: foundlingmuseum.org.uk

The Show’s the Thing!

Regent’s Park is one of London’s finest public spaces. Created by John Nash in the early 19th century it is credited as the city’s first garden suburb. In its creation, Nash obsessively reworked plans to conjure a landscape, where stately villas, palatial terraces, rolling hills and curious monuments all play a role in conjuring scenes of delight. Yet behind the stucco, it was a venture into the Regency housing market marked by bitter arguments, nepotism, fudge and compromise. From illusions of Versailles, to incarnations of ancient Greece and modernism, this walk explores the artfully spun fictions and showstoppers of the park through the story of its making, its best buildings, finest views and greatest dramas.

Regent’s Park Station, Marylebone Road, NW1 5HA, Saturday, August 4, 10.30am to 12.30pm. Details: eventbrite.co.uk

Street Eats

London has some of the finest street food in the world, and Street Eats celebrates the best of this vibrant foodie community. Last year’s festival attracted over 67,000 visitors. First and foremost, this festival is about great food. The list of vendors is carefully curated to make sure there is a wide variety of cuisines. You can expect to find traders like Da Ja Chicken, Oli Baba’s Halloumi Fries, Wafflestick, London Smokehouse, Khao London and Chaatit. The alcohol free bar will be run by Square Root London, a local Hackney-based drinks specialist. A good foodie experience doesn’t end after eating, and the ethos of Street Eats includes a commitment to a close to zero waste target. Working with local recycling organisations, Street Eats aims to ensure that all materials are recycled after the event.

Old Spitalfields Market, 16 Horner Square, E1 6EW, Friday, August 3, and Saturday, August 4, 10am to 9pm. Details: halalgems.com

London Tequila Festival

Upon arrival, your tequila tasting journey will commence and you will be handed a complimentary shot along with your tequila bible, which will guide you through your tequila experience. Make your way down to the bar of 30 tequilas listed from A-Z. Expect live music, DJs, performers, Mariachi and surprises in the mix.

Acklam Village, Acklam Road, W10 5TY, Saturday, August 4, 12.30pm to 10.30pm. Details: acklamvillage.com

Dark Arts Fayre

A summer fayre for all your occult needs. Browse a macabre miscellany of dark arts and witchy crafts. Sample a range of dark delights, from Tarot readings to taxidermy, occult tomes, comics and zines, original art, fashion and accessories.

Nightclub Kolis, 1 Archway Close, Archway, N19 3TD, Sunday, August 5, 12pm to 6pm. Details: 07401 174074

London Street Photography Festival

London Street Photography Festival is a non-profit international event based in London showcasing Street Photography. The goal of the Festival is to build a community and to establish and develop a platform for networking, learning and development through exhibitions, workshops, lectures, competition and associated events.

Stour Space, 7 Roach Road, E3 2PA, Friday, August 3, to Sunday, August 5. Details: lspf.co.uk

Recipe Exchange

An afternoon of exploring heritage and contemporary food culture. Show and tell your recipes, stories and food traditions, hear from others, and enjoy a selection of snacks inspired by the garden.

Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1P 4RG, Wednesday, Saturday, August 4, 12pm to 2pm. Details: 020 7887 8888 tate.org.uk