This Week in E20: 27 July – 2 August

Water Sports Week: Monday to Friday at the Park

London Youth Rowing is running five days of water-based activity on the Park's waterways this week, from Monday 27 July to Friday 31 July. Open to 11–15 year olds, the sessions run from 8:30am to 5:30pm each day and cover rowing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and canoeing — with lunch included. It's a properly packed day out on the water, right on the doorstep. Book via Eventbrite; contact Info@londonyouthrowing.com for more details.

The Urban Listening Room: Tuesday evening at UCL East

On Tuesday 28 July, UCL East Marshgate hosts The Urban Listening Room: Spatial Audio Experience — part of the Music is Black Festival at East Bank. The event takes place in the Black Box at Marshgate and presents a series of original spatial audio compositions developed by students from the Designing Audio Experiences MA. The works respond to The Music Is Black: A British Story, the ongoing exhibition at V&A East, exploring how sound connects us to Black British music and memory. A drinks reception follows, with a chance to meet the composers. Book via the UCL Bartlett events page.

Last weekend: Flea London at Hackney Bridge

This Saturday and Sunday (1–2 August) are the final days of Flea London at Hackney Bridge, which has been running every weekend since April. If you haven't made it yet, now's the time — pre-loved furniture, fashion, ceramics, art and more, right on the canal. Free entry, all welcome.

Black Unity Bike Ride London: Saturday

Saturday 1 August is a big day on the Park. The Black Unity Bike Ride (BUBR) London starts and finishes at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, bringing thousands of cyclists together in a celebration of Black culture, community, and unity. Everyone is welcome — first-timers and seasoned riders alike. The ride runs from 9am to around 5:30pm, and when the wheels stop, BUBR Fest begins: a free, family-friendly celebration with live music, food, and a proper community atmosphere. Tickets to ride start at £15 for adults; under 18s ride free. Book at blackunitybikeride.com.

Also worth knowing this week

Bola Beach Tennis on the Park closes on Sunday 2 August — if you've been meaning to try it, this is your last weekend. Pop-up padel tennis continues through to August Bank Holiday, and the Black Eats Festival and Planetarium Go are both open across the Park all week. The Music Is Black: A British Story exhibition at V&A East is open daily and runs through to January 2027.

Something happening?

If you know about an event, market or community gathering in E20 that we've missed, let us know and we'll add it to the listings.