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Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 25 November-1 December 2024
Things to do for a fiver or less.
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Budget-friendly things to do in London this week for £5 or less.
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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.
Learn about the life of Sir Christopher Wren
Guildhall Library hosts a talk about the life and work of Christopher Wren, by City Guide and Lecturer Jill Finch. Hear the story of how Wren became Professor at Gresham College, a founder of the Royal Society and architect of St Paul’s Cathedral. Tickets to attend in person have sold out, but you can watch via livestream.
Free, 25 November.
See the V&A's 2024 Christmas tree
Never one to err on the side of tradition when it comes to Christmas trees, the V&A in South Kensington unveils this year's festive installation inside The Dome at the Cromwell Road entrance.
Artist and designer Anna Lomax was inspired by the room's columns, recreating one in light form in the shape of a tree. It's animated at different times throughout the day, and is free to visit.
Free, 25 November-5 January.
Bag yourself a free donut
Fancy bakery Donutelier, which has been on Charing Cross Road for a couple of years, opens a second branch on Carnaby Street, and it's giving away free donuts to celebrate. 100 free handcrafted donuts are available from 11am on Tuesday 26 November on a first come, first served basis, and you can also spin a wheel for the chance to win prizes.
Free, 26 November.
Get yourself a £2.50 pint
Carnaby pub The Shaston Arms, will be selling 250 pints at just £2.50 on Thursday 28 November, to mark the 25th anniversary of the boozer's opening in 1999. The Shaston will also be temporarily renamed ‘The Lady Shaston’, acknowledging the pub’s landlady, Sally Graham, who has run the pub since it opened. Sally has selected her favourite seasonal cask ale, Winters Tale by Badger, to be offered as a limited edition ‘Lady Shaston’ beer available at just £2.50 – a similar price to what a pint in London cost 25 years ago.
£2.50, 28 November.
Get the lowdown on how country music conquered the world
Aptly taking place on Thanksgiving, the British Library offers a deep-dive into the world of country music, how musicians such as Beyonce and Taylor Swift have brought the genre into the mainstream, and what that tells us about current American culture. The free lecture is part of America Now!, a new series of live events exploring the current state of the USA and its place in the world.
Free, 28 November.
Catch a free live jazz performance
Oxford House in Bethnal Green offers monthly jazz performances by up-and-coming young musicians in its cafe, including this Friday evening. Expect to hear a mixture of well-known classics, standards and new discoveries by a four-piece ensemble including sax, double bass, keys and drums. Entry is free though donations are welcome, and you need to book a ticket in advance.
Free, 29 November.
Immerse yourself in the sounds of the Silk Roads
Tying in with its current Silk Roads exhibition, the British Museum hosts an evening of music of the Silk Roads. Spread across three galleries, musicians give live performances which you can watch on a casual, drop-in basis. The programme includes Sogdian melodies, which were heard in China's Tang court; South Asian and Afghan instruments including the stringed lute, rubab and sarod; Maqam-based music from Turkey and East Turkestan; and Iranian classical dastgāh and tombak (a type of drum).
Pick up a full guide and programme from the information desk on the day.
Free, 29 November
See Winston Churchill depicted in cartoons
The Imperial War Museum marks 150 years since the birth of Winston Churchill with new exhibition Churchill in Cartoons: Satirising a Statesman. View satirical cartoons from Churchill's time in the public eye and find out how they influenced perceptions of him, and continue to shape our perception today. Allow 20-30 minutes to view the free exhibition.
Free, 29 November-23 February.
Join in a free carol service by the Thames
Head to Gabriel's Wharf (next to the OXO Tower) on Saturday for a free Carols by the River performance. A local choir performs festive tunes, interspersed with a steel band, and DJs playing Christmas songs too. It's free entry to watch, but if you do have some cash to spare, treat yourself to a mulled wine or hot chocolate from local businesses.
Free, 30 November.
See Greenwich recreated in gingerbread
Gingerbread buildings and candy-lined streets await at Woolwich Works, which opens its Gingerbread Greenwich exhibition on Saturday. See the south-east London neighbourhood recreated from festive biscuits, created by children from local schools.
Free, 30 November-6 January.
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