This week in E20: 17–23 August

It's one of the busiest weeks of the summer on the park. The Music is Black Festival reaches its weekend peak with Queer Frequencies and the V&A East Sounds & Stories Showcase, Toy Story 5 lands at Westfield, and West Ham return to the London Stadium for their first home Championship fixture. Here's everything happening in and around E20 this week.

All week

Black Arsenal Exhibition

Part of The Music is Black Festival, this free exhibition at UCL East Marshgate explores the people, communities and cultural movements that have shaped Arsenal Football Club's Black British identity. Developed alongside Dr Clive Nwonka's Black Arsenal research project and presented in collaboration with Arsenal Football Club and Adidas, it brings together visual works and installations tracing the connections between football, music, fashion and community.

No booking required — it's a natural addition to any visit to the park this week.

Planetarium Go

Less than two weeks left to catch Planetarium Go at the ArcelorMittal Orbit. The mobile planetarium uses a 360-degree dome, advanced projection systems and immersive sound to take you through space — from the history of astronomy to adventure-filled animated films.

Friday 21 August

The Dance Floor Takeover: PlayLab Day Festival

Sadler's Wells East opens up The Dance Floor for a free all-ages day festival on Friday morning. A brilliant option if you have children home for the last week of the school holidays, or if you want to start your Friday with something a bit different.

Toy Story 5: Bonnie's Playtime, The Experience

Woody, Buzz and the gang have taken over The Arena at Westfield Stratford through 31 August. The free interactive experience runs all day and is perfectly timed for the final stretch of the summer holidays — no booking required, just head in.

Saturday 22 August

Skate Gals & Pals Inclusive Skate Sessions

The BPOC and LGBTQ+ skate community Skate Gals and Pals runs weekly pay-what-you-can sessions at City Mill Skatepark every Saturday. Boards, pads and helmets are all provided, and experienced coaches are on hand. Sessions are capped at 15 participants, so book your spot on Eventbrite to avoid missing out.

V&A East Sounds & Stories Showcase

Part of the Queer Frequencies weekend, this drop-in showcase sees 14 young east Londoners present short films and a collaborative zine developed in response to The Music is Black exhibition — created working with writer and artist DJ Elijah and music journalist Laviea Thomas.

The drop-in runs 2–6pm in the Park Gallery on the top floor of V&A East Museum, with DJ Elijah on the decks throughout. Before that, at 1:15pm on the Waterfront Stage, two participants will interview DJs Seb Odyssey and Fiyahdred in a panel conversation. Contributions to the community zine are welcome on the day.

Queer Frequencies

The headline event of the weekend. Queer Frequencies brings together London's most vibrant LGBTQ+ collectives for a free two-day takeover of East Bank — a joyful celebration of music, identity and community as part of The Music is Black Festival series. Running from 10am to 10pm across both days, it's a full day out on the park. Come ready to dance, connect and be moved.

West Ham v Charlton Athletic

Championship football returns to the London Stadium this Saturday. The Hammers host Charlton Athletic at 3pm in what will be one of the most anticipated home fixtures of the new season. The West Ham fan zone at Riverside East is open from midday before the match — and after full time, if you want to make a day of it on the park.