Something for the Weekend: July 15 - 17

Good things come to those who wait, the saying goes. And at Soho sensation BAO, those good things come in the form of light-as-air, fluffy-as-a-cloud Asian milk buns with fillings such as confit pork, soy chicken and lamb shoulder.

Trouble is, the waiting part can take up to an hour... Which is why we're now fans of that lesser-known proverb: 'good things come to those who go to Fitzrovia'. For there you will find a second, newly opened BAO, serving up all the classic buns plus an expanded menu of charcoal-grilled sharing plates and artisan cocktails…

And with DOUBLE the space of the original, meaning TWICE the amount of tables. We like those odds.

Now open

Bao, 31 Windmill Street W1T 2JN

Customisation, it's still THE thing. But while you may have your self-designed bag, monogrammed jumper and initial pendant, admit it: there's one crucial thing missing. In a word: GIN. Here to rectify this quite obvious void in the personalisation world are juniper genies Portobello Road, who have taken over the former Chanel boutique in Covent Garden and turned it into a market where you can create your own unique G&T. Choose from an array of botanicals, tonics and tinctures, plus garnishes covering everything from strawberries to starfruit. It's booze's answer to an Anya Hindmarch sticker satchel. And just as likely to involve a smiley face.

Thurs-Sat, until 30 July

Portobello Road Gin, Unit 3, The Market Building, Covent Garden, WC2

It's back: Victoria Park's annual two-day trip into beats-fuelled, hard-partying heaven. And with Major Lazer (yes) and LCD Soundsystem (double YES) topping the bill, plus sets by Diplo, Hannah Wants, Heidi, Jack Garratt and Jungle, not to mention a stage run by confetti-cannon-wielding crew Elrow and – by crikey – an actual roller disco, this year's Lovebox sure does have a lot to love. GO.

15-16 July; from £54.50

Lovebox, Victoria Park, London E3 5TB

Things that the Mad Hatter is known for: 1. A keenly developed sense of whimsy. 2. Natty millinery. 3. Throwing a damn fine tea party. And you can expect all of the above this Sunday, as the London food scene's own Mad Hatter – quirky pop-up supremo Christabel Beeson – hosts a very merry un-birthday brunch beside Regent's Canal. Surrounded by giant playing cards and oversized vibrant flowers, weird and wonderful edible surprises include rose popcorn, salted caramel glitter tarts and – we quote – the 'gooooooiest of chocolate brownies', plus Tea Pigs teas and cocktails galore. Curiouser and curiouser? You really should be.

17 July; £35

Mad Hatter's Brunch, Secret N1 location

There are markets, there are must-go markets – and then there is the Embankment Summer Market. So what makes it special, you may ask? At which juncture we might mention the190 stalls run by artisans, artists, and fashion and jewellery designers. We'd probably add that there's super-high quality street food, live music, a horsebox serving prosecco and a flower-power-themed festival bar. But all of this would be to digress from what surely sets this market apart… In two words: GIANT. JENGA.

15-17 July; free

Embankment Summer Market, Victoria Embankment Gardens, Westminster, WC2N 6PB

Everyone loves a Sunday social – which is why we're heading straight back to Victoria Park for this mighty fine this one-dayer with its lo-fi, folksy vibe. Music comes from Sigur Ros, Caribou and Lianne La Havas; feasting comes from chef Stephen Harris of Michelin-starred pub The Sportsman (we predict: NOM); and sack races and disco dodgeball come from Citadel's very own Sports Day. What's more, there's a pop-up pampering boutique, a mass yoga session… and we did mention disco dodgeball, right?

17 July; £54.45

Citadel, Victoria Park, London E3 5TB

Winnie the Pooh toting a machine gun. Frozen's Princess Elsa as an anarchist thug. Snow White snogging HM the Queen… Welcome to Disney, Herr Nillson-style. Known for his subversive and sinister takes on classic cartoon cartoons, the Swedish street artist tackles the dichotomies of good vs evil, living vs killing, charm vs violence – all via the medium of Piglet sniffing on pistol smoke. Obviously.

And he is never far from controversy . This weekend Nillson was due to take over Lights of Soho for his first exhibition involving neon- but £100,000 worth of his art has been stolen en route from Sweden. The exhibition has been reduced to only three works but show support and go see.

Until 31 July; free

Lights of Soho, 35 Brewer Street, London, W1F 0RX