Things to do this week for £5 or less.
1) Last chance to see Londoners Underground
You've only got until Wednesday to see Londoners Underground: Private Worlds In Public Places, a free Barbican library exhibition of portraits of Londoners taking the tube. The images were gathered over a five-year period, and show the diversity of the capital, and the shared experience of using the tube.
Free, until 23 November.
2) Try your hand at archiving
From Tuesday, you can get involved in the archiving process at Southbank Centre. Its collection is home to documents, programmes, artworks and more relating to the history of Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and the Hayward Gallery — and the collection stretches for 1.4km.
Once again, the archive team are looking for volunteers to take part in drop-in sessions and help them to organise, document and preserve the collection — who know what gems you could be responsible for uncovering.
Free, 22 November-23 January
3) Explore the Ever After Garden
Head down to Mayfair's Grosvenor Square on Wednesday to see the Ever After Garden back in situ. The display of more than 20,000 glowing white roses illuminates the square after dark, and doubles as a garden of remembrance.
It's free to visit, but it's possible to dedicate one of the roses to a lost loved one, in exchange for a donation to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Free, from 23 November, 3pm-9pm daily.
4) Discover Westminster's Royal residences
City Guide Pete Smith gives a free talk about the Royal residences of Westminster, tracing the history of the British Monarchy in the area back to the time of Edward the Confessor. Find out about the Crown’s shift from the Palace of Westminster, to Whitehall, to St James’s and finally to Buckingham Palace, and learn about some of the key people involved.
Tickets to attend this Guildhall Library talk in person have sold out, but you can still sign up to watch it online.
Free, 24 November
5) Stay late at William Morris Gallery
Walthamstow's William Morris Gallery keeps its doors open for a free Winter Late on Friday, including the switching on of the Christmas tree lights by the Mayor of Waltham Forest. Enjoy tours of the gallery at 5.30pm and 7.30pm, carol singing, tree decoration crafts, spoken word and storytelling performances — and 10% off in the Gallery shop on the night.
Free, 25 November
6) Take part in one of London's greatest weekends
There are just two weekends left until Museum of London closes its current London Wall site ahead of relocation, and it's going out with a bang, hosting two of 'London's Greatest Weekends.'
This Saturday and Sunday is a family-friendly festival, with free activities taking place throughout the museum's galleries. Take part in a huge table football tournament, watch pop-up musical and theatrical performances, join tours of the museum, and enjoy arts and crafts, face painting and more.
Free, 26-27 November.
7) Take the kids to a dinosaur disco
Aimed at under-7s and their families, Poplar Union hosts a Dinosaur Disco. A live electro-folk band dressed as dinosaurs plays live, with plenty of dances to join in with. There's also a craft station, which makes use of recycled objects.
£5 per person, 27 November.
8) Catch up with Hackney Revealed
Illumination arts festival Hackney Revealed is now well underway, showcasing the work of local artists at key buildings around the area. On Thursday and Friday this week, see projections of artworks shone through the windows of Hackney Town Hall, and poster display My Protest can be seen at Sutton House from Friday, plus there's plenty more going on.
Free, until 8 December
9) Go for a wander along a sculpture trail
Did you know about The Sculpture Trail at Chelsea Barracks? It's a free walking trail and outdoor exhibition, with work by several artists, including two sculptures from the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. It's accessible at all times, but is illuminated at night, and some works have an accompanying soundtrack too.
Free, ongoing.
Looking for more free things to do in London? Here are 102 of em!
We've also compiled this epic map of free stuff in London.
