Vodafone London Fashion Weekend at Somerset House Anyone who longs to be part of the London Fashion Week action will love the Vodafone London Fashion Weekend, a stylish consumer event that takes place just after London Fashion Week itself. Set against the stunning backdrop of Somerset House, the four-day event offers catwalk shows, lectures and – of course – exclusive shopping opportunities. Tickets start from £15.50.21-24 Feb 

The London Super Comic Convention at ExCeL

A must for comic book fans, the London Super Comic Convention is the largest event of its kind in the UK. Exhibitors come from across the globe to display the latest in comics and comic memorabilia, whilst many of the world’s most famous comic creators will be on site to meet fans and sign autographs. Tickets start from £17.50. 23-24 Feb

Banff Mountain Film Festival Tour at the Union Chapel

Temperatures are plummeting in Islington this weekend, as the Banff Mountain Film Festival tour skis in to the Union Chapel. The festival is one of the most prestigious mountain festivals in the world, and celebrates adventure, human endurance and the great outdoors through the medium of film. The London screenings allow you to see the festival’s best short films and share in a world of high octane action, beautiful vistas and remote cultures without leaving the (comparative) warmth of Islington. Screenings vary depending on the evening and tickets are £13.50. 21 Feb-1 Mar

Chinese New Year Celebrations at the National Maritime Museum

Discover British East Asian heritage and how the sea aided the flow of ideas from Asia to Britain at the National Maritime Museum, which is hosting a day of free Chinese New Year celebrations. From 11am to 4pm, both adults and children can enjoy themed workshops, music and performances that celebrate the Year of the Snake and highlight the influence of Oriental culture on the UK. 23 Feb

Anton & Erin Go To Hollywood at The Barbican

Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag, stars of the enduringly popular Strictly Come Dancing, are bringing a dash of glamour to the Barbican this Saturday. The twinkle-toed pair are dancing in a new show that pays homage to classic MGM musicals such as Gigi. Featuring a 25-piece orchestra, memorable songs and show-stopping choreography, this is guaranteed to put a spring in your step. Tickets start from £19.50 and there are two performances to choose from. 23 Feb

More events in London

This gorgeous montage of London life was created by Greg Brummel and contains more than 6,000 pictures of the city. See how many landmarks you can spot!

The Lord Mayor’s Show, City of London

Marvel at this spectacular procession, which has been held (almost) annually for nearly 800 years. The extensive parade, which consists of floats, marching bands, musicians and cars, sets off from Mansion House at 11am. You can also watch the return route between Aldwych and Bank from 1 to 2.30pm – don’t miss the new Lord Mayor of London in his magnificent gold coach. 10 Nov

Cartier Bresson: A Question of Colour, at Somerset House

This fascinating exhibition displays 10 photographs by French photojournalist Henri Cartier-Bresson that have never before been on view in the UK. These important works are exhibited alongside those of 15 international photographers, allowing visitors the chance to trace Cartier-Bresson’s significant influence on his field. This exhibition is the first from The Positive View Foundation, a charity which works with disadvantaged young people and which is supported by Prince William. 8 Nov-27 Jan

The London Jazz Festival, Various Venues

London’s largest pan-city music event kicks off in style this weekend, and as many of the events are free there’s plenty of opportunity to be spontaneous.  Throughout the festival there are more than 30 jazz events per night to choose from: check the event website for full programme details and prices. 9-18 Nov 

Egypt in England, Wellington Arch

From Cleopatra’s Needle to Highgate Cemetery, London’s long association with Egypt is highly visible. Head to this interesting exhibition to learn about England’s involvement with Egypt and how it came to influence the country’s buildings and interiors. After the exhibition, pop upstairs to the roof for unique views of Buckingham Palace and the surrounding landscape. 7 Nov-13 Jan 

Ansel Adams: Photography from the Mountains to the Sea, at the National Maritime Museum

This exhibition presents a rare chance to see works by legendary landscape photographer Ansel Adams in the UK. Although Adams is best known for his pictures of the American Midwest, this exhibition explores his other passion – water. More than 100 photographs are on display, covering everything from waterfalls to rivers and confirming his reputation as a truly exceptional photographer. 9 Nov-28 Apr

More London events

If you’ve been planning to visit this summer’s must-see exhibitions such as Damien Hirst at Tate Modern or Yoko Ono at the Serpentine Gallery, be quick! It’s changeover time at London museums and galleries and the following shows are all set to close this month:

Closing this weekend

• Damien Hirst at Tate Modern
• Yoko Ono at Serpentine Gallery
• Royal River at National Maritime Museum
• London 2012 Medals at the British Museum

Closing later in September

• Stadia at Sir John Soane’s Museum
• BP Portrait Award at National Portrait Gallery
• Metamorphosis: Titian 2012 at the National Gallery
• Road to 2012: Aiming High at the National Portrait Gallery
• London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Posters at Tate Britain
• Heatherwick Studio at the V&A

But don’t worry there are plenty of exciting new exhibitions coming up this autumn, including Pre-Raphaelites at Tate Britain and Hollywood Costume at the V&A. Keep an eye on our Arts page for all the latest information.

We love this video of the best of London’s architecture by Mattia Bicchi via YouTube.

Locations featured include King’s Cross Station, Strata Tower, Palestra Building, Royal Albert Hall, British Museum, RBS Building, Wembley Stadium, Heron Tower, Broadgate Tower, O2 Arena, St Giles Building, Tower Bridge, The Shard, National Maritime Museum, Wellington Arch, St Paul’s Cathedral and Canary Wharf and the Houses of Parliament with Big Ben (or the newly named Queen Elizabeth Tower to give it’s correct monkier.)

You can see more London videos on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/VisitLondonVideo

Here’s a fun video tracing the history of the Thames in Royal events, and showing clips of various Jubilee celebrations throughout our Queen’s reign.

It’s a busy year for London’s largest waterway. If you’re a fan of the Thames, make sure you check out the following events:

• Head of the River Race, 17 Mar
• The Boat Race, 7 Apr
• Royal River at the National Maritime Museum, 26 Apr-9 Sep
• Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant, 3 Jun
• BT River of Music, 21-22 Jul
• Thames Festival, 8-9 Sep

One of the smallest nations competing in London 2012, The Cook Islands in the South Pacific is named after British Royal Navy Captain and East London resident James Cook.

Originally settled in the 13th century by migrants from what is now French Polynesia and Samoa, the islands were surveyed and charted by Captain Cook in 1773 and 1777.

As well as The Cook Islands (known as the Hervey Islands until the 1820s), James Cook also charted New Zealand, Hawaii and the eastern coast of Australia.

Cook’s ship The Resolution encountered The Cook Islands archipelago in 1773 while searching for the mysterious “Terra Australis”. On his return to London, Cook was promoted to the rank of captain and offered honorary retirement from the Royal Navy as an officer in the Greenwich Hospital, sited at the Old Royal Naval College.

However, he returned to The Resolution on his third and final voyage and revisited The Cook Islands in 1777. He was murdered two years later in The Sandwich Islands, now Hawaii.

Cook has a firm place in the history of many Pacific nations, and his navigational skill and legendary voyages are marked in museums and statues across the region.

In addition to The Cook Islands, his name has been given to places in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Kiribati and most recently a crater on the moon.

In London, artefacts from Cook’s voyages can be found at the Royal Museums Greenwich, including a replica of the famous H4 Marine Chronometer and there’s a statue of Cook in the grounds of the National Maritime Museum.

You can also see blue commorative plaques at Cook’s former London homes at Shadwell (340 Highway marks the site of Cook’s house at 126 Upper Shadwell) and Mile End (89 Mile End Road marks the site of Cook’s house at 7 Assembly Row).

Do you know of any other London connections with The Cook Islands? Let us know using the comments section below.

How will you entertain your kids in London over the school summer holidays? Luckily, London’s attractions are on hand to help with a host of fun activities…

The Science Museum is inviting families to spend their summer in space. Pick up a passport and make your way through the Solar System. Gaze at satellites, explore the Apollo 10 Command Module and see a telescope made from baked bean cans. There are lots of out-of-this world activities too.

Madame Tussauds is declaring a Marvel-ous summer in celebration of new film Captain America: The First Avenger. You can have your photo taken with the “star” of the movie, check out some authentic props, and step behind the superhero’s indestructible shield. Plus, the first 20 kids dressed as a superhero get in free on Mondays between 25 July and 22 August!

Ahoy there! The National Maritime Museum has a seaside theme this summer, with loads of events exploring what the sea means to young visitors. You can find out how people have interacted with the sea through the ages, have a go in a specially designed play area, and take part in hands-on nautical workshops.

Crafty kids can make everything from Japanese slippers to butterfly mobiles, koi-shaped biscuits and garden gnomes at the Geffrye Museum this summer. The brilliant creative workshops are themed around English and Japanese homes and gardens, to coincide with the current At Home in Japan exhibition.

When the sun comes out, head to the beach! There’s a 70m urban beach outside London’s Southbank Centre over the summer as part of the Festival of Britain celebrations. You’ll also find a row of colourful beach huts containing art exhibitions and installations, a pop-up Indian eatery, Dishoom Chowpatty Beach, and some great free events.

Have you spotted any other fun summer holiday events in London? Let us know in the comments below.

This stunning photo of the Panama Canal in the 1960s is currently on show in the National Maritime Museum’s Waterline exhibition.

The show looks back at the golden age of cruising from 1925 to 1970, featuring photos of conga lines, shark fishing, Victorian fancy dress and sumptuous banquets.

The 48-mile (77km) Panama Canal connects the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Travelling from one end to the other can take a whole day. This boat’s crewmen seem to be enjoying the view.

Do you know of more Panama culture in London? If so, let us know for our World in London challenge.

Waterline is at the National Maritime Museum until April. Admission is free

Ahoy there landlubbers! Set sail for the National Maritime Museum where the latest free exhibition features some of the most elegant and fascinating toy boats to have ever ventured forth across the mighty duck pond.

This nostalgic collection of traditional miniature yachts, submarines, battleships, paddle steamers and nautical toys is completely charming. I wanted to take them out of the cabinets and play with them. Is it nearly bathtime?

Take your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews to see the toy boats: they’ll want to spend the summer holiday making and sailing boats and you can pretend you’re doing it for their benefit.

Need boatbuilding tips? One section of the exhibition explains how toy boats can be powered with clockwork, steam, batteries or rubber bands, so you won’t be totally at sea. There are family workshops at the end of July where little sailors can make their own boats.

Some of my favourite exhibits included a metal Mechano submarine which was full of holes and didn’t look terribly seaworthy, a board game called The Dover Patrol and a tiny deep sea wreck reminiscent of the Titanic which was found at the bottom of the pond in Kensington Gardens when they drained it in 1923. Most of the boats look so realistic that it’s amusing to see a great big key sticking out of the deck for winding up the clockwork engine.

The exhibition opens this Saturday and the National Maritime Museum is holding a special free day of celebrations with 1930s theme, including dressing up, deck games and toy boat experts on hand to answer all your questions.

Admission free. Open daily 10:00 – 17:00, 1 May – 31 October 2010 www.nmm.ac.uk