Four Lives screening to the London International Mime Festival: Five things to do in London this weekend

Despite Blue Monday just around the corner, for Londoners there are still plenty of reasons to be cheerful.

It’s the beginning of a new year full of fun events and cultural activities to enjoy.

And for those keen to start filling up your social calendars again, we have plenty of fun stuff to recommend.

From Mime Festivals to cool light installations, here are five things happening in the capital this weekend, January 14 to 16, we think you should check out.

London International Mime Festival

Various Venues Till February 6

Following last year’s temporary move online, London’s International Mime Festival is back in full swing, featuring a wide variety of shows from dance to puppetry.

Festival highlights include Sean Gadini’s contemporary juggling show at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, from January 12 to 15.

Also from January 26 through 29 at The Peacock is one of Britain’s most popular circus companies Barely Methodical Troupe, who complete powerful acrobatics in their show ‘Kin‘.

Another highlight is ‘What Do You See?‘ which celebrates identity through a mixture of song, movement and costume at Shoreditch Town Hall, January 19 to 23.

Visit their website to find the full programme of events.

London Short Film Festival

Various Venues Till January 23

Catch hundreds of different British and international short films, alongside talks and workshops at the 19th edition of the London Short Film Festival.

The ten day event takes place in venues across the city including the British Film Institute on the Southbank, the Curzon in Soho and the Rio in Dalston.

Festival highlights include Touched, a series of sensuous shorts by female and non-binary filmmakers that celebrate women’s diversity and fluidity.

The popular New Shorts programme also returns this year with features dealing with issues of teen turmoil, mourning rituals and unjust incarceration.

You can download the full programme on the LSFF website.

Light festival at Battersea Power Station

Circus West Village, Battersea Power Station, SW11 8EZ Till February 27 Free

The Light Festival at Battersea Power Station will be brightening up the dark winter evenings from this weekend till February 27.

Come and enjoy six spectacular light installations, curated in partnership with the Light Art Collection.

Italian lighting designer Michaela Bonzi will be making her UK debut with ‘Antenna Sud’, a dazzling installation that repurposes antennae to emanate light.

Enjoy views from the Thames, while sampling tasty delights from the many food vendors along the riverside walkway. An event for all the family.

Visit London’s first alcohol free off-licence

59 Great Portland Street, W1W 7LJ Till January 30

Trying Dry January? Why not visit London’s first ever alcohol-free off-licence to stock up on alcohol-free craft beers, red wine alternatives and alcohol-free cocktail ingredients.

Run by Club Soda, this off-licence is more than a bottle shop. It’s also a social space, a place to meet like-minded people who are exploring low and no alcohol options.

Come and try incredible alcohol-free drinks, get advice from in-house experts and leave with a clinking bagful of new favourites.

Four Lives screening

Zodiac Bar, 119 Hampstead Rd, NW1 3EE January 14, 4pm to 8pm Entry Free

If you’ve been following the horrific story of the Grindr serial killer Stephen Port, this screening of the BBC true life drama Fours Lives starring Stephen Merchant and Sheridan Smith will be of interest.

The screening is followed by a panel discussion which includes Ryan Edwards, the neighbour of Port who features in the BBC drama, Adrian Hyyrylainen-Trett a representative for the Independent Office for Police Conduct and Monty Moncrieff, the CEO of LGBT charity London Friend.