Things To Do In London On The Cheap: 12-18 August

Lindsey
By Lindsey Last edited 151 months ago
Things To Do In London On The Cheap: 12-18 August

Friday: Canary Wharf Jazz Festival starts tonight at 7pm in Canada Square Park and goes on all weekend, free admission Let's hope it stays dry.

It's also Renaissance Night at the National Gallery this evening, from 5.30-9pm with live music, bar, tours and events and free entry.

Saturday: Watch the 10km Marathon Swimming Olympic test event in Hyde Park. Find your spot by the Serpentine for a day of amazing swimming, women's race at 10am, men's race at 2pm - free.

If you enjoyed our look round the British Postal Museum Store, go to the free open day at the Royal Mail Archive at Freeling House, Phoenix Place, WC1X 0DL from 10am-5pm.

Lea Valley White Water Centre opens its doors for a free activity day between 11am-5pm. Take the kids and try climbing, Parkour, welly wanging, cycling and canoeing.

Comedian Mark Steel opens Crystal Palace Overground Festival at 11.45am in Westow Park followed by an afternoon of fun.

Shepherds Bush Festival brings the community out onto the green in W12 with lots of food, live music and DJs all day, craft stalls and activity workshops from 1-7pm.

Sunday: The London-Surrey Cycle Classic is another Olympic test event, this time out on the roads. It's a 140km route that starts and finishes on the Mall, whizzing through Fulham, Putney, Richmond, Hampton Court - out to Surrey - and back via Kingston and is free to watch.

Live and Unamplified at the Book Club is a free entry acoustic night from 7.30pm.

Monday: Go to the Proms and prom it for a fiver. Experience the majesty of Swan Lake in the Royal Albert Hall or take in a Chamber Prom at lunchtime for

Tuesday: Get down to the Camden Fringe and see a stand-up show for just £5 with Mark Restuccia: Kiss Yourself at 9.30pm. Includes puppet and mild breakdown.

Wednesday: It's dance week at the free Watch This Space festival outside the National Theatre. Urban outfit Avant Garde Dance do Taxi! at 11.15am and 6.30pm. dANTE or dIE do La Fille à la Mode at 2pm, 3,30 and 5pm.

Thursday: Ron Arad's Curtain Call installation is on at the Roundhouse until the end of the month and open till 10pm on Thursday nights. Free admission, although donations are encouraged.

NB Elephant and Nun finale events have been postponed on advice of police. It is hoped they'll be rescheduled for 17-18 September.

Last Updated 11 August 2011