What To Do This Weekend, From New Exhibitions To Immersive Pop-Ups

Don’t miss Somerset House’s new exhibit

Somerset House has just unveiled its latest giant exhibition takeover and it’s one of the best yet. Titled The Missing Thread, it explores the stories of Black British fashion from the 1970s through to the present day. 

Curated by the Black Orientated Legacy Development Agency (BOLD), it will take a look at the impact of the cultural, counter-cultural, political and socio-economic backdrop of the 20th and 21st centuries that have shaped the identity of Black style, and in turn, mainstream fashion culture.

Get interiors inspo at the London Design Fair

Home to over 200 designers and brands, the largest exhibition during the London Design Festival returns this weekend. The London Design Fair is set to take over Truman Brewery, offering Londoners the chance to explore the hottest new trends, hear from experts and immerse themselves in cutting-edge installations. 

From interactive workshops and world-class talks to 2023’s new sustainable interiors feature, there are a host of things to get involved in. Wander around the Fair uncovering new talented designers and never-seen-before pieces before immersing yourself in the striking pop-up installations. Visitors can enjoy a free sample cocktail from the Cocktail Bar too, a perfect spot for refuelling and catching up with friends. 

The Handbook readers can get an exclusive 40% off all ticket types. Simply use the code HANDBOOK40 at checkout.

Book in for an immersive light display

Calling all car lovers: this weekend iconic car brand, Lexus, is inviting Londoners to embark on a sensory journey through light and sound with its special immersive experience. 

Marking the launch of the eye-catching LBX, a hybrid compact SUV that’s great for city driving, Lexus is transforming an ordinary London car park into an extraordinary light installation.

This unique experience takes the familiar process of driving into a multi-storey and turns it into an art experience. Visitors will follow a walking route of discovery through a series of LED arches and canopies of lights. It’s all triggered by voice activation that’ll see a light display spring into action while a display of LED batons pulse in rhythm with the viewer’s heartbeats.

Shop stylish footwear at this new opening

On the hunt for a new pair of boots to see you through autumn-winter? Legendary American footwear brand, Steve Madden, has just opened a brand new flagship store on Oxford Street, giving shoppers the chance to peruse and try on new designs and best-sellers in person. 

The second Steve Madden location in London, the new store captures the city’s rebellious and authentic fashion scene with a curated selection of styles on display. Expect a wide range of footwear for both women and men, including best-sellers like the JEWELER heel and DOUBLETAKE-R sneakers, and a selection of Steve Madden handbags.

Don’t miss F Cooke’s one-day pie and mash pop-up

The oldest family-run pie and mash house, F Cooke, is set to return to its Broadway Market former home for a special one-day takeover this Saturday. 

With a long history of serving up quality pie, mash and liquor, this Saturday will be the first time F Cooke is dishing up its famed good since closing its doors in 2019. The pop-up will be hosted by Cubitts who made the Grade II listed building its home earlier this summer, whilst still honouring F Cooke’s 120 heritage by preserving its original signage, food counter and dining benches. 

All made from scratch in F Cooke’s Essex branch, Londoners can look forward to sampling family-owned recipes until stock runs out. It’s cash only so remember to bring some pennies along.

Celebrate Oktoberfest

From steins filled with German beers to dancing on the tables, Munich Cricket Club knows a thing or two about hosting an epic Oktoberfest celebration. 

Celebrations will be running until the end of October, with live music running Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Canary Wharf’s venue and an oompah band Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Victoria and Tower Hill. 

Grab your friends, order in a round of beers and bratwurst and party in true Bavarian style.

Catch Dorfman Theatre’s latest must-see play

If you’re on the hunt for a new theatre production to catch this autumn, let us introduce you to Dorfman Theatre’s Death of England: Closing Time. 

Following a mother and daughter-in-law, it sees the pair left to pick up the pieces of their relatives’ mistakes following the closure of their family shop. 

Under the watchful eye of Client Dyer (Othello) and Roy Williams (Sucker Punch), the narrative stars Jo Martin (Doctor Who) and Hayley Squires (I, Daniel Blake).

Hold onto LFW at Harvey Nichols’ terrace takeover

We may have waved goodbye to London Fashion Week for another season, but you can still soak up the spirit at Harvey Nichols’ Fifth Floor Terrace takeover. 

Celebrating 30 years of NEWGEN designer talent, Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge’s terrace has been transformed for the month. The space is abrim with NewGen prints, complete with a curated afternoon tea and cocktail menu sponsored by Seedlip. 

Sip into the sunset on drinks such as Pa-No-Ma, made with Seedlip Spice 94 with sugar syrup and topped with Fever-Tree pink grapefruit soda and a grapefruit slice; and the Grove Margarita, with Seedlip Grove 42, agave syrup, fresh lime juice and garnished with a Maldon salt rim and lime wheel. 

Catch Sam McKnight’s special wig exhibition

Hot on the heels of London Fashion Week, head over to Selfridges to catch the special retrospective of celebrity hair stylist, Sam McKnight’s wild wig collection. 

Running until this Sunday 24th, eight wigs from his styling archive will be on display at the luxury retailer. You’ll be able to see some of his infamous looks come to life, including styling Lady Gaga and Karlie Kloss to unforgettable shows with Chanel, Vivienne Westwood and Dries Van Noten.

Visit Greenwich Peninsula’s free festival

Summer may be over but that doesn’t mean festival season has to be. Proving that September is a prime time for activity-packed festivals is Greenwich Peninsula’s Turning Tides. 

The free weekend-long festival is packed with a line-up of live music and DJs from around the globe, including headliners Afriquoi and Los Bitchos. Expect plenty of fun to be had, from performing artists and entertainers to pop-up bars and street food vendors.

Boogie into the night at Soultasia

Following two successful shows in Windsor and Cheltenham, Soultasia lands in Kent this weekend for another night of soul. 

Showcasing four decades of the world’s best soul and disco singers, this is the party to bookmark this weekend. Returning to Mote Park, this Saturday’s line-up includes Gabrielle, Kenny Thomas, The Real Thing, Heatwave and Uncle Funk’s Disco Inferno.

Star gaze in Wales

The Dark Day Festival is taking place this weekend in the Brecon Beacons. Open to all, you’ll have the chance to see the Milky Way, major constellations, nebulas and even a special meteor shower. 

Events and talks will be running throughout the day, while the stargazing will commence around 7pm complete with telescopes and binoculars.

Stop by this new exhibition

Cultural hot spot, De La Warr Pavilion will be celebrating the launch of its newest exhibition this Saturday. Titled Hélio Oiticica: Waiting for the Internal Sun, this is the first major exhibition of the artist’s work in the UK for over 15 years. 

This landmark exhibition will “centre on the artist’s life and work throughout the late 1960s and 1970s”. Expect immersive installations and an archival section bringing together photography, film and writings by the artist.