The 12 best things to do in London this weekend (24-25 February)

It’s the last weekend of the shortest month of the year, and you’re looking for ways to pass the time.

Not to worry, we’ve found entertainment for all budgets, with some great options if you love beer, music, or drinking beer while listening to music.

That’s not all, though - the selection below covers all bases, so you shouldn’t be found wanting on Saturday or Sunday,

1. 1.Après London

   You’re still not sick of the Winter Olympics and all things winter sports, and you’ve been reminiscing about that skiing holiday you had when you were 21. You can’t replicate the two-month relationship you had with that French girl, but London Bridge-based chalet Après London at least lets you enjoy the feeling of getting drunk near people who look like they can ski without actually skiing yourself.

   https://www.apres.london/ - Free, Saturday 12pm-11.30pm and Sunday 12pm-10pm, Southwark Street SE1

2. 2.The Big London Flea

   Everyone loves flea markets, and this one is both (a) huge and (b) free. It’s taking place at EPIC Dalston on Sunday, and you’ll be able to stop by at the food market while scrawling the place for unlikely bargains. There will be plenty of local traders in attendance, as well as veterans from flea markets elsewhere, so who knows what you’ll find.

   https://www.facebook.com/events/148657842412292/ - Free, Sunday 11am-6pm, Stoke Newington Road N16

3. 3.Independent Label Market

   Kings Cross’ Canopy Market – the one just off Granary Square – is playing host to a wide array of independent record labels. The all-weekend event will also feature music, food, craft ale and more, to it’s well worth stopping by to check out what’s going on.

   http://www.independentlabelmarket.com/site/events/independent-label-market-kings-cross1 - Free, Saturday and Sunday, 11am-6pm, Wharf Road N1C

4. 4.Mardi Gras at Pop Brixton

   Sure, the ‘Mardi’ in ‘Mardi Gras’ might literally mean Tuesday, and this might be happening on a Saturday, but we don’t care. Pop Brixton is being turned into a version of New Orleans’ French Quarter for the day – that means Louisiana-style music and food specials, and plenty of alcohol.

   https://www.popbrixton.org/events/mardi-gras/ - Free, Saturday 12pm-Midnight, Brixton Station Road SW9

5. 5.Camden Beer Fest

   It was probably worth getting yourself down to Proud Camden before it shuts anyway, but the promise of beer surely makes it even more worthwhile. The fiver’s entry fee gives you half-price beers for what’s essentially a farewell piss-up, with live music and German food all day and night.

   https://www.designmynight.com/london/bars/camden/proud-camden/camden-beer-fest?t=tickets - £5, Sunday 12pm-10pm, Chalk Farm Road NW1

6. 6.Football for a Fiver at Charlton Athletic

   It’s rare that you’ll get to watch a league football match – or even a non-league match – for as little as a fiver, and it’s even rarer that such a clash involves two teams pushing for promotion. Charlton are in the League One play-off places, and victory on Saturday could put a serious dent in opponents Shrewsbury’s attempts to go up automatically.

   https://booking.cafc.co.uk/match-tickets.aspx - £5, Saturday 3pm, Floyd Road SE7

7. 7.Made in North Korea

   North Korea is a little less secretive than the cliched image we were introduced to a few years ago, but we’re still learning things about the country. Case in point: this event at the house of illustration is the first ever exhibit of graphic design from the DPRK, which feels like a pretty big deal.

   http://www.houseofillustration.org.uk/whats-on/current-future-events/made-in-north-korea-everyday-graphics-from-the-dprk/ - From £7.50, Saturday and Sunday 10am-6pm, Granary Square N1C

8. 8.'Rick and Morty' Pub Quiz

   We see you there, twiddling your thumbs in the knowledge that Rick and Morty isn’t returning until 2019, angry that the Szechuan sauce is only coming back to American branches of McDonald’s, rewatching the previous seasons to create your own personal headcanon and get to the bottom of those layered fan theories. Well, there’s some good news, namely that you can put that obsessive knowledge to the test with a themed quiz at the Macbeth Hoxton.

   https://www.fatsoma.com/themacbeth/6j7thdat/rick-and-morty-pub-quiz - £5, Sunday 5pm-10pm, Hoxton St N1

9. 9.Classic Cocktail Masterclass

   The folks at the Bar With No Name are known for their experimental cocktails, but they also know their way around the classics. This masterclass gives you the secret to drinks like the Bloody Mary, Negroni, Old Fashioned and Sidecar… as well as a chance to sample your creations.

   http://www.69colebrookerow.com/masterclass/classic-cocktail-masterclass-february-24th-2018 - £50, Saturday 2pm-4pm, Colebrooke Row N1

10. 10.Craft Beer Rising

    The final day of this craft beer festival at the Old Truman Brewery is likely to be busy, based on who’s attending. Some of the best-known breweries from the UK and beyond including the likes of Brewdog, Camden Town Brewery and Goose Island are being joined by street food vendors and live bands and DJs, and (at the time of writing) there are still tickets available for the Saturday night session, though the day session is sold out.

    https://www.craftbeerrising.co.uk – £20, Saturday 6.30pm-12.30am, Brick Lane E1

11. 11.Hell is for Heroes

    2003 was a pretty good year, right? We got the third Lord of the Rings film, Superstars was back on TV, and Hell is For Heroes released their stunning debut album ‘The Neon Handshake’. All of a sudden it’s now 2018 and they’re playing a set of 15th-anniversary shows in Shepherd’s Bush to remind us of our own mortality. Support comes from A, of “didn’t they do that Starbucks song?” fame, and Vex Red.

    https://academymusicgroup.com/o2shepherdsbushempire/events/1013552/hell-heroes-tickets - From £26, Saturday and Sunday 7pm, Shepherd’s Bush Green W12

12. 12.Gareth Gates at Pizza Express

    Hell is For Heroes aren’t the only 2003 superstars playing in London this weekend. Pop Idol runner-up and lovable scamp Gareth Gates is performing a run of solo sets at… Pizza Express. It’s a departure from the jazz we’re used to seeing at the restaurant chain, but who wouldn’t want a reality star serenading them as they chow down on their Pollo ad Astra? (Other toppings are available.)

    https://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on/gareth-gates - £30, Sunday 6.30pm, High Holborn WC1V

(Images: Artem Pochepetsky/Unsplash/Rex Features/iStock)