1 GREENWICH & DOCKLANDS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

London's biggest free festival of open-air spectacle and performance. The Observatory becomes a vibrant African marketplace, a massive Chinese landscape will appear at the O2 and a giant 20-metre caterpillar will “swallow” members of the public as it crawls along.
Greenwich & Docklands (www.festival.org 020-8305 1818), Thur-Sun

2 LONDON FESTIVAL OF ARCHITECTURE

Celebrating the city's streets, buildings and spaces with a programme of exhibitions, lectures, public installations, guided walks, debates and more.
Various London venues (www.lfa2008.org), from Fri, until Jul 20

3 THE CITY OF LONDON FESTIVAL

An eclectic programme of music performances, including Valery Gergiev conducting the LSO in Mahler's Eighth Symphony, and the excellent Bishi with the LSO Strings, as well as visual art exhibitions, architecture, film, walks and talks.
Various London venues (www.colf.org), from Fri, until Jul 10

4 GREENWICH OPEN STUDIOS

See the makers and artists in their studios and pick up an original work, from paintings, prints and ceramics to photography and jewellery.
Various venues around the UK (www.refugeeweek.org.uk), from Mon, until Jun 22

5 THAI @ TRAFALGAR SQUARE FESTIVAL

A celebration of Thai arts and culture, with performances of street theatre, puppetry, music, folk and traditional dance and Thai martial arts.
Trafalgar Square, WC2 (www.tfsq.co.uk/Thai@TrafalgarSquare.swf), Sat