Budget-friendly things to do in London this week for £5 or less.
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.
Go to free gigs at the Old Blue Last
The Old Blue Last near Old Street is a dab hand at putting on free gigs. This week alone you can treat your ears to post-hardcore, Celtic folk, Latin jazz, live singing with a personal trainer (!), Northern Soul, garage — and loads of other exciting sounds. Check out their listings.
Free, 30 July-4 August.
Watch Shakespeare in an outdoor amphitheatre
Assembly, a pop-up amphitheatre in King's College London's historic Maughan Library courtyard has been hosting free outdoor Shakespeare shows this summer, and Wednesday marks the last of them, with Troubadour Stageworks presenting their unique take on A Midsummer Night's Dream. You'll need to book.
Free, 31 July.
Stay late at Horniman Museum
The monthly Horniman Museum Lates event takes place on Thursday, inviting you to explore the galleries and collections after hours, including the World and Music Galleries, and current free display Adolescent Wonderland, about First Nations young people living in Queensland, Australia.
Entry to the late is free to most of the museum, and as part of the event, you can get a discounted ticketed to areas with an entry fee, including the Aquarium, and the current Dinosaur rEvolution exhibition — visit them both for just £5.
Free, 1 August.
Mark African Remembrance Day
Museum of London Docklands holds an African Remembrance Day ceremony, honouring the African victims of enslavement. The event consists of a speech by Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, a three-minute silence, opening libation/prayers, drumming, poems and readings, and a closing circle and singing of Bob Marley’s Redemption Song.
Free, 1 August.
Join in at a Swiftie Summer Sing Off
The free programme of events at Summer by the River is ongoing, including free film screenings and live music. On Thursday, it's a Swiftie Summer Sing Off — an open-air karaoke session led by drag hosts Bonk & Pasty, featuring Taylor Swift songs.
Free, 1 August. That's not the only free event for Swifties in London this week — the Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail exhibition is now open at the V&A, and there's also an exhibition of photos of Taylor Swift in Wembley Park. Both are free.
Visit the Barbican's new area, Our Street
The Curve at the Barbican is taken over by Our Street, a free-entry installation designed to replicate a London neighbourhood. All sorts of free, family-friendly events and sessions are going on throughout the summer holidays, including art and craft workshops, sensory sessions and street parties on Saturday (despite its name, the 'street' is indoors, so you're safe whatever the weather). You can book your slot in advance online.
There are a few events on the programme such as a family rave, and adults-only lates, which incur a charge, so do check pricing info when you book.
Free, 1-23 August.
Get stuck into Inside Out Festival
Inside Out is a month-long celebration of culture and the arts in the City of Westminster, featuring plenty of family-friendly events and activities. Free walking tours by the Westminster Guides Lecturers Association, a Fitzrovia Fete, and art activities in Trafalgar Square are some of the options on offer.
Free, 1-31 August.
See the last Songs on the Steps of 2024
On Friday, the final Songs on the Steps performance of 2024 takes place. Head to Holland Park to see performers from Opera Holland Park giving a free show on the stairs outside the venue, featuring music from the current season. Everyone's welcome — take along a picnic blanket and your lunch to enjoy while you watch.
Free, 2 August.
Find out how King James II influenced the British Army
King James II was instrumental in the creation and development of the British Army — find out how and why in a free talk by historian and author Stephen Ede-Borrett. He discusses why the Army was so effective under King James II's direction, and why the monarch's roles in creating the Army we know today is often ignored.
Takes place at the National Army Museum in Chelsea.
Free, 2 August.
See photos of the Barbican, on display at the Barbican
Monumentality is a new photography exhibition opening at Barbican Library, showcasing images of buildings and objects depicted on a larger-than-life scale. It includes some photos of the Brutalist Barbican Estate itself, as well as Norfolk windmills and historic castles.
Free, 2-28 August (closed Sundays).
Enjoy live music by the canal
Singer-songwriter Matt Ginno performs at Saturday's Summer Live Music Session, taking place by the Grand Union Canal in Alperton. Head for the narrowboat PAVO to find the show — it's one of several free music sessions on Saturdays this summer.
Free, 3 August
Visit London's Sewing Machine Museum
The monthly opening of London's Sewing Machine Museum in Balham takes place on Saturday. Visit a collection of dozens of historic sewing machines — the personal collection of sewing machine salesman Ray Rushton — including one from 1865 which belonged to Queen Victoria's firstborn daughter. Read about our trip to the museum for an idea of what to expect.
Free (charity donations welcome), 3 August.
Take to your wheels for a Skate Jam
Cygnet Square in Thamesmead hosts a silent disco skate jam, open to both beginner and experienced skaters. Free skate hire is available on a first come first served basis, and there are free skate lessons, as well as silent disco headsets to borrow once you've got the hang of the moves.
Free, 4 August.
