Things to Do in London This Weekend: Brews, Beats, and Bonkers Conker Battles

Welcome, listeners, to Things to Do in London with Oly Bennet—the only podcast that brings more energy than a Wimbledon thunderstorm and dives into weirder sports than cheese rolling in Gloucestershire! It's Friday, October 3rd, 2025, and London is buzzing like a wasp at a summer picnic. The air’s brisk, skies are teasing us with that classic ‘will it, won’t it?’ drizzle, but nothing can dampen the city’s mood because the weekend is knocking louder than a double-decker on cobblestones. Today, London is showing off its wild side with events for every style of sports enthusiast, culture chaser, and family fun-seeker out there. According to Time Out London, the city is about to burst with free events—my favorite price tag! Kick things off by cutting a rug at the Blackhorse Beer Mile Harvest Festival barn dance on Saturday, surrounded by craft brews, stomping boots, and a crowd that puts a rugby scrum to shame. If history and transformation are your jam, the Royal Docks Originals is throwing open the doors on Compressor House, a newly minted community space hosting epic art installations, craft sessions, and film screenings—all weekend long. Calling all rockers and groove-hunters! Saturday night, the O2 Academy Islington is electrified by AC/DC UK and Dizzy Lizzy, two of the UK’s loudest tribute bands ready to shake London’s foundations. Meanwhile, Catch A Groove, throwing its legendary birthday bash in Ladbroke Grove, promises wall-to-wall R&B and singalong antics—bring your best dance moves, or invent a few! If you’re craving something outdoors, how about swinging at the annual Hampstead Heath Conker Battle this Sunday? Legend has it this event is fiercer than a Premier League derby—and just as satisfyingly nutty. Don’t forget to check out the epic Photomonth festival in East London, celebrating the power of photography with over fifty exhibitions and enough creative inspiration to fill the Thames. And for my fellow culture vultures, the city is seriously upping its exhibition game this October. Swing by the Tate Modern, especially during their newly-extended Friday and Saturday hours, for late night art, jazz, and natural wines—the only place you’re encouraged to swirl both paint and pinot at the same time. Make sure to check out Lee Miller’s powerful photography at Tate Britain or catch the mind-bending installations at Hayward Gallery, as reported by Londonist. But wait, Oly’s spidey senses detect some tasty local news! Fresh on the scene, the historic Compressor House has reopened after a £1.7 million makeover, promising an innovative new space for creatives and community events—perfect for both quirky newcomers and total London lifers. Transit tip: TfL says there’s extra Jubilee Line service running this weekend—so zip around those attractions without losing your umbrella to the wind. Now, let’s talk must-do activities for maximum London vibes. Take in iconic sights like the British Museum and Natural History Museum—still free, always fab This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.