Central Avenue Street Party

A free end-of-summer community street party for residents, families and friends. Lots of activities – free food, BBQ and drinks, plus music, live band and amusement games for children and adults.

Grove Green Road, Leytonstone, E11 4EN, Sunday, September 9, 2pm to 7pm. Details: events@oasesfoundation.org.uk

Money for Nothing – The Music of Dire Straits

Prepare to be captivated by the authentic sounds of one of the most successful rock bands of all time. Featuring Money for Nothing, Romeo & Juliet, Sultans of Swing, Walk of Life, Brothers in Arms, So Far Away and many more much-loved classics.

Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT, Sunday, September 9, 7.30pm. Details: 01708 443333 queens-theatre.co.uk

Woman on Fire

This explosive one-woman show celebrates the centenary of women first winning the vote. A journey that will take you from Preston to Manchester, London to Glasgow and back. Enter the fiery heart of one of the most dangerous women in history. Terrorist or impassioned freedom fighter? This dynamic solo-performance lets you decide. The turbulent history of the suffragettes, told through the eyes and life of unsung suffragette Mrs Edith Rigby – mild-mannered doctor’s wife with a secret identity – arsonist, bomber and militant suffragette.

Chelmsford City Theatres, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG, Friday, September 7, and Saturday, September 8, 7.45pm. Details: 01245 606505 chelmsford.gov.uk

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly

The People’s Theatre Company bring one of the world’s best loved nursery rhymes to life just in time to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Pam Adams' bestselling book. From the creators of Don't Dribble On The Dragon, this magical show has been written especially for grownups to enjoy with their children, so come along and relive the delights of this most charming of tales complete with a feast of sing-along songs, colourful animal characters and heart-warming family fun.

Harlow Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Harlow, CM20 1LS, Saturday, September 8, 1pm and 3pm. Details: 01279 431945 playhouseharlow.com

Videogames

A major exhibition revealing the complexity of videogames as one of the most important design fields of our time. This exhibition will explore the design and culture of videogames since the mid-2000s, investigating ground-breaking contemporary design work, creative and rebellious player communities and the political conversations that define this movement.

V&A Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 2RL, from Saturday, September 8. Details: 020 79 422000 vam.ac.uk

I Object: Ian Hislop’s Search for Dissent

Private Eye Editor Ian Hislop has hand-picked a range of intriguing objects that explore the idea of dissent, subversion and satire. A wide variety of objects will be on display in the exhibition – from graffiti on a Babylonian brick to a banknote with hidden rude words, from satirical Turkish shadow puppets to a recently acquired ‘pussy’ hat worn on a women’s march. See what tales these objects tell – sometimes deadly serious, often humorous, always with conviction. Unlock the messages and symbols these people used, and get closer to understanding them. This history in 100(ish) objects shows that people have always challenged and undermined orthodox views in order to enable change. Ultimately, it will show that questioning authority, registering protest and generally objecting are an integral part of what makes us human.

British Museum, Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, WC1B 3DG, Thursday, September 6, to Sunday, January 20. Details: 020 7323 8299 britishmuseum.org

Landscapes: Les Williams

An exhibition of drawings and paintings by Les Williams, inspired by the ever-changing landscape of London. For as long as he has been drawing and painting Les has loved the ever-changing landscape of London. It seems that most weeks there are new buildings adorning the skyline, however the City still has its glorious churches and cathedrals to beautify it.

Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS, until Wednesday, September 26. Details: barbican.org.uk

Tales from the Shed

Kids are encouraged to make a lot of noise and help make a story happen. There’s fun and silliness as well as colourful puppets – from a beautiful bird to a laidback lion and The Thing That Goes Blurgh!

Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT, Saturday, September 8, 10am and 11.45am. Details: 01708 443333 queens-theatre.co.uk

Working with People No One Wants to Work With

News from Nowhere Club invites you to their next meeting. Founded in 1996, the club challenges the commercialisation and isolation of modern life. Charlie Weinberg is Executive Director of Safe Ground, the award winning national charity using arts education and therapeutic group work to challenge people in prison, professionals and policy makers to do relationships differently. She will talk about how working with people who struggle to trust is a lifetime's mission. As well as bringing extraordinary wit and dazzling social commentary, she is likely to involve the audience in a conversation about social change.

The Epicentre, West Street, E11 4LJ, Saturday, September 8, 7.30pm. Details: 0208 555 5248

Tower of London Food Festival

Come along for a fabulous food and drink festival in the iconic moat. Watch some of the UK's top chefs and experts in live cooking demos, from Michel Roux Jr to Nadiya Hussain, Melissa Hemslsey to Dr Rupy Aujla. There's lots of tasty options for eating and drinking, from street food dishes, ales, gin and tonic to an array of delicious food-to-go snacks from artisan food and drink producers — something to suit all taste buds! Tower of London Food Festival is a fantastic family event, with plenty of activities on offer to keep children of all ages entertained. Don’t miss the lovely bandstand with deckchairs for all to relax on.

Tower of London, EC3N 4AB, Friday, September 7, to Sunday, September 9. Details: hrp.org.uk

SicilyFEST

A colourful, super tasty and mouth-watering invasion of odours and tastes from the beautiful pearl of the Mediterranean, including a wide selection of arancini, wine, cannoli, cheese, pasta and much more. Come and have a condensed, unique experience of Sicily, only for three days in London.

Boiler House, Brick Lane, E1 6RU, Friday, September 7, to Sunday, September 9. Details: trumanbrewery.com

The Great River Race

The Great River Race is London's River Marathon. A spectacular boat race up the River Thames, it attracts over 330 crews from all over the globe. The Great River Race appeals to every level of competitor, from dedicated athletes who like winning, to those who enjoy laughter, fancy dress and charity stunts. It's a great fun day out for both competitors and spectators.

From London Docklands to Ham in Surrey, Saturday, September 8. Details: greatriverrace.co.uk

Heritage Open Day

Celebrate the 56th birthday of Chelmsford City Theatres with a personal tour backstage at the Civic Theatre and Cramphorn Studio led by the experienced technical theatre team. Meet some of the brilliant staff and maybe try on a costume or two.

Chelmsford City Theatres, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford, CM1 1JG, Saturday, September 8, various times. Details: 01245 606505 chelmsford.gov.uk

Suffragette City

London was at the centre of the suffragette protests just before the First World War, when the capital was rocked by arson attempts, hunger strikes and massive demonstrations. The walk will visit the church where Emily Wilding Davison’s funeral cortège began, and the headquarters of the Women’s Social and Political Union, and the site of the Suffragette Hospital where all the staff, including surgeons, were women, dealing with soldiers straight from the trenches.

Holborn Station, Kingsway, WC2B 6AA, Saturday, September 8, 2pm to 4pm. Details: eventbrite.co.uk