A short, sharp guide to what’s on in Hackney this week:

Friday

Enjoy up to 50 per cent off goods at Boxpark. From 11am, at 2-4 Bethnal Green Rd, Shoreditch, E1. Free, email info@boxpark.co.uk.

Check out the staging of three one-act plays by American playwright Eugene O’Neill El Train. From 8pm, at Hoxton Hall, Hoxton Street, N1. Costs from £10, email info@thefound.co.uk.

Dance to a medley of hip hop, old skool R’n’B anthems, UK garage, rap hits, slow jams and a splash of hot pop. From 7pm, at The Macbeth, 70 Hoxton Street, Hoxton, N1. Free, call 020 7749 0600.

Saturday

Watch Hollywood legend Robert Redford in All is Lost about a lone sailor struggling to survive. From 3.45, 6.15 and 8.50pm, at 107 Kingsland High Street, Dalston, E8. Costs from £7, call 020 7241 9410.

Celebrate the Winter Solstice with African-inspired music from the likes of electric 11 piece band Mulele Matondo Afrika featuring traditional sanza guitars and African jazz riffs. From 7pm, at Passing Clouds, 1 Richmond Road, Dalston, E8. Costs £10, call 020 7241 4889.

Enjoy some eclectic grooves from regular Switched DJs Montana Cruz and Louise Goodson. From 6pm, at Cargo, 83 Rivington Street, Shoreditch, EC2A. Costs £15, call 0207 739 3440.

Sunday

View some short queer films from Spain. From 8pm, at Hackney Attic, Hackney Picturehouse, Mare Street, E8. Costs £5, call 0871 902 5734.

Laugh your sides off at Hackney’s Christmas panto Puss in Boots. From 7pm, at Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, E8. Costs from £10, call 020 8985 2424.

Monday

Take your tots to an interactive storytelling event featuring shadow puppets. From 12pm, at V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green, E2. Free, call 020 8983 5200.

Listen to British South African singer/songwriter Estelle Kokot perform a soulful and powerful set of poetic songs as part of a preview for her up-and-coming album. From 8pm, at The Vortex Jazz Club, 11 Gillett Square, N16. Costs £12, call 020 7254 4097.

Tuesday

Look forward to some “magic” at a New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball featuring swing, jazz, Latin and world music performed by some of the UK’s top musicians From 7pm, at Looking Glass Cocktail Club, 49 Hackney Road, Haggerston, E2. Costs £10, call 020 7613 3936.

Transform yourself into your favourite shamed star at The Book Club Disgraceland New Year’s Eve party. From 8pm, at 100–106 Leonard Street, Shoreditch, EC2A. Costs £15, visit http://www.wegottickets.com/event/250024.

Enjoy a night of Grime, Garage, Jersey, Bashmen, RnB and Hip Hop with Midlands producer Preditah. From 9pm, at Birthdays, 33-35 Stoke Newington Road, Stoke Newington, N16. Costs £15, call 020 7923 1680.

Wednesday

Nurse your hangover with a Marx Bros comedy double bill featuring Duck Soup and A Night at the Opera. From 2.30pm at 107 Kingsland High Street, Dalston, E8. Costs from £8, call 020 7241 9410.

Listen to promising house producer Huxley do a New Year show. From 9pm, at XOYO, 32 Cowper Street, Shoreditch, EC2A. Costs £1, call 020 7729 5959

Enjoy a 10 hour house and techno dance session at From 8pm, at Cargo, 83 Rivington Street, Shoreditch, EC2A. Costs £10, call 0207 739 3440.