10 Unique Ways To Spend Your Weekend
A chill in the air has set in for good, evenings are getting darker, and you can either mourn the loss of Summer or embrace the shift to autumn and everything that comes with it. Thankfully, there is a heap of cultural, culinary and musical events on to keep us occupied. From the largest dance festival on the South Coast and an exciting new restaurant opening to brand new art exhibitions, here are 10 ways to spend your weekend in London and beyond.
Sample an exciting new restaurant opening
One of London’s best Sri Lankan restaurants has opened its second venue, located in buzzy Shoreditch. Kolamba has long been a favourite, bringing Colombo’s vibrant flavours to east London. The new spot also comes with a unique new menu showcasing a modern take on Sri Lankan home cooking.
Expect traditional hoppers, fluffy mas pan filled with slow-cooked black pork curry and pineapple jam, idli with sambar served with sweet and spicy chutneys, Jaffna lamb shank served in a rich and spicy tamarind sauce, and tangy red mullet in coconut.
Kolamba has long been a favourite, bringing Colombo’s vibrant flavours to east London
where: 12 Blossom Street, Norton Folgate, Shoreditch, London
website: www.kolamba.co.uk
Uncover the history of the Silk Roads
This major exhibition at the British Museum unravels how the journeys of people, objects and ideas that formed the Silk Roads shaped cultures and histories.
The Silk Roads were in use for millennia, but this visually stunning show focuses on a defining period in their history, from about AD 500 to 1000. This time witnessed significant leaps in connectivity and the rise of universal religions that linked communities across Asia, Africa and Europe, from East Asia to Britain, and from Scandinavia to Madagascar.
When: From September 26
where: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG
website: www.britishmuseum.org
Enjoy the final weekend of this festival
Totally Thames is an annual season of unique, diverse and accessible arts and culture throughout the month of September, with activities taking place on, along and even beneath the River Thames.
The month-long programme runs the 42-mile stretch of the Thames through working collaboratively with artists, local communities, river interest organisations and businesses. For the final weekend, you can head to a talk on the history of London Bridge from Roman times to now, a fashion walking tour or a move and sketch tour in Greenwich.
when: All of September
where: Across London
website: thamesfestivaltrust.org
Celebrate 400 years of history at Raffles
Take your seat at Mauro Colagreco at Raffles for an exquisite wine dinner this evening in partnership with Château Le Puy. This exclusive event will feature a carefully curated menu paired with exceptional wines from this estate.
Hosting will be Pascal Amoreau from Château Le Puy and a representative from Dynamic Wines – secure your place now to ensure you don’t miss out on an unforgettable evening of fine dining and exceptional wines.
when: September 26
where: Raffles London at The OWO, 57 Whitehall, London SW1A 2BX
website: www.Raffles.com/london
Explore the British Art Fair
Presenting British art since 1988, the British Art Fair takes place annually to showcase the very finest Modern British and Contemporary Art. Set within the iconic Saatchi Gallery in the heart of London’s vibrant Chelsea, leading dealers from across the UK exhibit various exciting, ambitious and rare works from Britain’s most celebrated artists.
The 2024 fair is set to showcase some of the greatest names in British Art, such as Albert Irvin, David Hockney, Bridget Riley, Frank Auerbach, Alan Davie, Paul Nash, L.S. Lowry, Paula Rego, Barbara Hepworth, Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, exhibited by the UK’s leading dealers who are on hand to offer their specialist advice on collecting.
when: September 26-29
where: Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Rd, London SW3 4RY
website: www.britishartfair.co.uk
Delve into the Chelsea History Show
This festival offers an exciting programme of talks, tours and free family activities from 25 to 29 September 2024 in the historic borough of Chelsea.
Located in the heart of picturesque Chelsea, this festival brings together three unique visitor destinations – the Chelsea Physic Garden, Royal Hospital Chelsea and National Army Museum, all of whom share a heritage dating back to the 17th century and are located together on the Royal Hospital Road, not far from Chelsea’s famous King’s Road.
This festival offers an exciting programme of talks, tours and free family activities
when: September 25-29
where: Across Chelsea
website: www.chelseaheritagequarter.co.uk
Explore Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum’s first major UK exhibition
In her first solo exhibition at a major UK institution, Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum fills The Curve with theatrical installations, building an imagined world to display her paintings.
‘It Will End in Tears’ features drawings, paintings and installations that reflect her experience of living across Africa, Southeast Asia, and North America. Her boundary-crossing practice is imbued with formative experiences of a life lived at, across, and in the liminal spaces between borders, alongside notions of home and wholeness.
When: From September 19
where: The Curve, Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS
website: www.barbican.org.uk
One to book ahead
Get a taste of Japan at this festival
Drink Japan is bringing the vibrant world of Japanese beverages to the heart of London for its inaugural festival at the stunning St Mary’s Church, Marylebone, and you don’t want to miss it.
This is more than a festival – it’s a celebration of craftsmanship, innovation, and the rich heritage of Japan’s finest drinks, set against one of London’s most beautiful venues. And if you’re curious to explore Japan’s latest liquid trends, Drink Japan is just the place for you.
when: October 4-6
where: St Mary’s Church, Marylebone, York Street London W1H 1PQ
book here
Two events worth travelling for
Head to the biggest dance festival on the South Coast
The biggest dance music festival on the South Coast, Boundary Brighton, returns to Stanmer Park this Saturday with its biggest lineup yet. The one-day party promises an electrifying mix of House, Drum & Bass, Jungle, Garage, Bass, and more, spread across four stages hosted by Brighton’s finest, including Supercharged, Patterns, Southpoint, Volks and ROX.
Wilkinson is joined by heavyweights such as Chaos in the CBD, Denis Sulta, Eliza Rose, Ewan McVicar, Flowdan, Shy FX, and Songer. In addition to the stellar music lineup, Stanmer Park will be transformed with funfair rides, food trucks, bars, and plenty of other attractions.
when: September 28
where: Across Brighton
website: boundarybrighton.com
Get moving at this Jazz festival
The Scarborough Jazz Festival is returning in 2024 for its 21st year. Festival-goers can visit the charming seaside town of Scarborough and enjoy an eclectic music programme in the grand Victorian surroundings of Scarborough Spa.
Taking place across three days, the event always tries to “put on a fresh and balanced programme and unashamedly relies on the plethora of outstanding British musicians”.
when: September 27-29
where: Across Scarborough
website: www.scarboroughspa.co.uk