Top 5: Unmissable Events in London This WeekendBy Angelica Malin
The weekend is in sight, and that can only mean one thing: time to get the diary out. Whether you want to chug down beer or find your inner calm, we have an event for everyone. Have a good’un, pals:
Friday 21st September
For Beer and Bratwursts: Hoxtoberfest
What: Running from Friday to Saturday (22nd), Hoxtoberfest will be creating a multi-room Bavarian extravaganza, taking over a whole block of canal side warehouses and yards at Hoxton Docks. The legendary Herman Ze German, will be on hand to deliver mouth-watering Germanic delights straight from the bratwurst grill, with Berliner and Erdinger goodness on tap to wash it all down.
Why: Within the Hoxton Docks Timber Warehouse, Hoxtoberfest are building a full sized alpine chalet to contain ludicrous amounts of Erdinger Fest Bier. As with all great alpine chalets, ticket holders will find a large biergarten alongside it, covered so Hoxtoberfest-ees can gleefully jig around, stein-handed, without the fear of the outside elements. And if that’s not enough, dive into the main warehouse; a live music space, decked out like a traditional Oktoberfest tent where visitors will stumble across the first Berliner Pilsner bar (for East German balance).
Price: Tickets are £30, and include a 1 litre stein of genuine Bavarian Fest-Bier, alongside a German snack courtesy of Herman ze German and a whole host of other Germanic wonders. Tickets here.
Where: Hoxton Docks, 55 Laburnum Street, London, E2 8BD
For a Special Event: Bloomsbury Festival
What: Bloomsbury Festival is back this year with an explosive five-day programme of arts, culture and science events, celebrating the theme of ‘language’ in one of London’s most culturally exciting neighbourhoods. Store Street’s night-time street party with a twist will also be making a welcome return for a second consecutive year, as part of this year’s exciting festival line-up, on Friday 21st October from 6.30-9.30pm.
With a host of new entertainment in line with this year’s theme of Language, Step Out Store Street will explore the language of dance, with the street transformed by more than 100 artists and dancers, to become a vibrant public stage for different forms of dance, from Bollywood and Swing to B-boy and Line dancing. There will be plenty of food available from the street’s cafés and restaurants, as well as from street food stalls and pop-up bars throughout the evening. For more information on Step Out Store Street please visit here.
Price: Free
When: Friday 21st October, 6.30-9.30pm
Where: Store Street, Bloomsbury, WC1
Saturday 22nd October
For a Boozin’ Good Time: Rum Fest
What: Pulling out all the stops for an impressive 10th anniversary year, RumFest will host a myriad of rum-related offerings with the spirit’s leading brands and aficionados all jam-packed into two days at London’s ILEC. The comprehensive programme will see rum tastings, in-depth seminars, The Rum Auction sponsored by Christie’s, incredible food and a party atmosphere to boot.
Why: Over 400 rums from around the world will be on offer, with a vast array of exhibitors including Diplomatico, Havana Club, Don Q, Bacardi, Mount Gay, Pussers, St. Nicholas Abbey, Richland Rum and many more. Seminars and workshops take place across the two days where brands, ambassadors and leading industry figures give an in-depth insight into the world of rum including rum and food pairings and the making of rums. Top blenders, mixologists and distillers will be on hand to teach ticket-holders the art of cocktail making, as well as more ways to enjoy their favourite tipple.
Price: Standard day tickets are from £39.50, which includes access to all areas of the the event and tastings from all exhibitors.
Where: ILEC Conference Centre, Ibis London Earls Court, 47 Lillie Road, London SW6 1UD
For a Wellness Event: The London EDITION
What: This weekend, The London EDITION is hosting ‘A Weekend of Hygge’ with the author of How to Hygge, Signe Johansen. ‘Hygge’ roughly translates as cosiness, warmth, conviviality and kinship. Discover the secrets of this Nordic tradition, and snuggle up for a series of Scandinavian events with partners including Secret Yoga Club, Drink Shop Do and Skandium.
Why: The programme of events will guide you through taking pleasure in the simple things in life, being sociable and looking outward. Kick start your journey by focusing on wellbeing and mindfulness with Secret Yoga Club on Saturday, who will be hosting a relaxing group class, bringing generosity and warmth into your practice. Drink Shop Do will take the reins on Saturday afternoon, embracing the Nordic love of nudity, naturism and art with a two-hour tutored life drawing class. Then settle in for Saturday night for a special screening of Love Is All You Need with Arrow Films introduced by How to Hygge author, Singe Johansen. Pierce Brosnan and Trine Dyrholm star in this Danish romantic comedy directed by Susanne Bier, perfect for snuggling up in front of.
Price: From £10-£25. Some events are free. To book a place at any of the How to Hygge events visit here.
Where: 10 Berners St, London W1T 3NP
London EDITION Image: Nikolas Koenig
Sunday 23rd October
For a Plant Power Party: VegFest UK
What: After record-breaking stints in Brighton and Bristol earlier this year, Vegan festival, VegfestUK, is once again returning to the capital this weekend (22nd-23rd). This year will see the superfood mecca arrive bigger and bolder than ever with a colourful selection of over 250 health-focused activities, entertainments and mouth-watering international cuisine.
Why: Culinary delights will include London-based, luxury food brand, London Falafel, Sicilian street- food aficionados, Just Fab, and indulgent organic dessert brand, Pana Chocolate. The weekend will also play host to live cookery demos, the Vegan bodybuilding contest (actually a thing), Kids cookery classes, a Pro-Intersectional Vegan Conference looking at entangling social justice issues from a vegan perspective, live music and Animal rights workshops, and of course, a plethora of stalls full of ethical fashions, cosmetics and on-trend bodycare items.
Price: Tickets are available here
Where: Olympia London, Hammersmith Rd, London W14 8UX
For a Colourful Celebration: Dishoom
What: Dishoom will be honouring the special occasion of Diwali this year with an atmospheric afternoon-to-evening event under the West Handyside Canopy in King’s Cross. The actual date of Diwali falls on Sunday (30th October) this year. Dishoom will be kick-starting the festivities a week before (23rd) with some extremely cool live music, fantastic dishes from some of London’s best street food providers, and entertainment for friends and family of all ages.
Why: As evening approaches and darkness falls, enjoy a soul-stirring line-up of live performances from first-class artists who will entertain the crowd with an eclectic fusion of Eastern and Western music. Dishoom will be joined by headline act and top musician, Shammi Pithia, as well as Vibs Bhatia and Vik, Sabiyha Rasheed and Alisha Kadir.At the heart of any Indian celebration is plenty of good food. Street-food vendors include Horn OK Please, Sticky Bundits, Born and Raised, Oli Baba’s, Curry On, You Doughnut and Simmons Creperie. Wash these down with the classic Indian soft drinks; Thums Up and Limca, and Dishoom will also be serving their delicious House Chai and mithai (Indian sweets). Dishoom love bringing people together to celebrate each others’ cultures. It doesn’t matter whether you traditionally celebrate Diwali – people of all ages, faiths, nationalities and persuasions will be welcomed with warmth.
Price: Dishoom drinks, mithai and activities will be free of charge, but guests will need cash for the street food stalls. (No alcohol will be served at the event.)
Where: West Handyside Canopy, King’s Cross, London
