This Week in E20: 31 August – 6 September

This is the week the summer programme winds down. Schools are back after today's bank holiday, Toy Story 5 closed on Sunday, and the focus shifts to September. It's a slow start before one of the busiest Saturdays the park has seen all summer — three simultaneous headline events — and some quietly excellent programming on Thursday at V&A East.

Tuesday 1 September

West Ham v Wolves

West Ham are back at London Stadium for a Championship home fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Evening kick off means road closures will run into the night. Residents in E20 and surrounding streets should allow extra time if travelling during the match window. Tickets via the London Stadium website.

Thursday 3 September

V&A East: Who invented Grime?

V&A East hosts the first public listening of Who Invented Grime? — the debut album by The Grime Journalist — followed by a live conversation and Q&A with special guests from grime's past and present. Presented with Ruff Sqwad Arts Foundation as part of Making Sound, V&A East's youth music programme. The album traces the cultural roots of grime through the Windrush generation and the communities that shaped the genre. The event is now fully booked.

upperground

Also at V&A East on Thursday evening, upperground continues its weekly DJ residency. Each edition places one guest DJ in the museum space for an extended set moving across genres, generations and geographies. Free, no ticket, walk in from 6.30pm.

Saturday 5 September

East Village Dog Day

East Village's annual community dog day returns to Victory Park and Victory Parade. Dog show, agility, an indie market and dog tarot. Free — book in advance as capacity is limited. Dogs on leads throughout.

Dancing City

The Greenwich and Docklands International Festival brings Dancing City to the park for a free outdoor dance festival across multiple outdoor stages. Performances run from 1pm to 6pm with no ticket needed. The same afternoon as Dog Day and the West Ham match, so the park will be exceptionally busy.

West Ham v Derby County

West Ham host Derby County for a Saturday afternoon Championship fixture. Road closures around the stadium are expected from about 1pm. With Dog Day and Dancing City running simultaneously, this is the busiest afternoon in E20 this summer — plan travel well in advance.

Skate Gals & Pals

Skate Gals & Pals, the BPOC and LGBTQ+ skate community, runs its weekly inclusive session at City Mill Skatepark on Saturday morning — conveniently ahead of the afternoon crowds. Boards, pads and helmets provided. Sessions are capped at 15 and book up, so register on Eventbrite in advance.

Sunday 6 September

The Giant Summer Flea

Over a hundred traders across the multi-storey car park next to Here East, selling vintage furniture, antiques and collectables. Free to browse. A good option for a quieter Sunday morning after Saturday's crowds.

Also running this week

Black Arsenal Exhibition

In its final week: the Black Arsenal Exhibition at UCL East Marshgate traces the communities and cultural movements behind Arsenal FC's Black British identity. Developed with Dr Clive Nwonka's research, presented alongside Arsenal FC and Adidas. Free, no booking.

Music is Black: Industry Insights

Starting this Thursday, the Good Growth Hub launches a series of free sessions connecting young east Londoners to the creative music industry — panels with artists and producers, peer networking and hands-on career guidance. Open to young people looking to break into creative industries.

The Music Is Black: A British Story

V&A East's flagship free exhibition — a multi-sensory journey through 125 years of Black British music — continues throughout the week and beyond.

Looking ahead

Next weekend brings Black to the Future to East Bank on 12–13 September — a genre-bending closing party for The Music is Black Festival. Abstract Painting at Barge East has its final session on Tuesday 8 September (7–9:30pm, ticketed on Eventbrite). And Sketch and Sip at Barge East continues through 15 September.