Free & Cheap London Events: 12-18 August 2013

Ruth Hargreaves
By Ruth Hargreaves Last edited 127 months ago
Free & Cheap London Events: 12-18 August 2013

Interesting and unusual things to do for a fiver or less this week.

Pedal On UK takes place in Victoria Park this Friday

Monday 12 August

ICE SKATING: Ice skating in August? Why not. Cheap ice skating in August? Absolutely! The Alexandra Palace Ice Rink has a 'price freeze' on, meaning sessions are now a cool £5. Just turn up (but make sure you download the voucher beforehand), until 1 September

THAMES DISCOVERY: Explore the foreshore of the river Thames with the Thames Discovery Programme. Learn how to identify archaeological objects and discuss your finds. Wear suitable shoes! £3, prebook, 10.30am

Tuesday 13 August

KIDNAPPING: Join a discussion at Rich Mix about the bride kidnapping practice of Ala Kachuu. It is illegal, but still widely practiced. Why, and how, does it continue to happen? Free, just turn up, 12-2pm

FREE WALKS: Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this month Clerkenwell & Islington Guides Association are providing free guided walks of the area. Check the website for full details. Free, prebook.

OLYMPICS: Another chance to see the Olympics opening ceremony, at Shuffle Film Festival. Free, just turn up, 4pm

Wednesday 14 August

FASHION: Fashion Exposed at Rich Mix is an annual charity fashion show, with an aim is to bring all the different art forms together for young people to express their talents, poetry and of course, fashion. Free, just turn up, 7pm

Thursday 15 August

MUSIC: Four nights of live, outdoor, free music start tonight at Under The Stars in Central Park, East Ham. The genre changes each night, starting off with jazz and finishing with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. What a treat. Free, just turn up, from 6.30pm each evening until 18 August

FOOD: Rentokil (yes, the pest control organisation) hosts a pop-up restaurant (tantalisingly named Pestaurant) at One New Change, serving up a selection of free, edible insects. BBQ grasshoppers anyone? Free, just turn up, 10.30am

OPERATING LONDON: Visit the Old Operating Theatre for a family workshop discovering the difficulties surrounding St Thomas’ hospital admission in the 19th century. Free, just turn up, 2pm

Friday 16 August

JAZZ: Canary Wharf Jazz Festival launches for the weekend. Headlined by Soweto Kinch, Omar Puente and Carleen Anderson. Free, just turn up, until 18 August

PEDAL ON: Get on yer bike and pedal on down to Pedal On UK today in Victoria Park, held by the cycling charity Sustrans. Cyclists can get a free breakfast and there will be BMX displays, live music and free bike checks. Free, just turn up, 8am

LATIN LATE: Experience the vibrancy of Latin America at this special late opening for adults at the Horniman Museum. Relax to live music, hear Mexican stories, catch some circus acts, and even tango in the Victorian Conservatory. Book quick, Horniman events usually sell like hot cakes. £3, prebook, 6-9pm

Saturday 17 August

SOUTHWARK: The climax of The Elephant and the Nun, a Southwark-based festival of "stuff and nonsense", reaches its climax today with four free events: Azucar Flower Festival in St Mary’s Churchyard, Peckham Peace Picnic in Peckham Square, ComboNation on Camberwell Green, and The Village Hall Experience on Peckham Rye Common. Free, just turn up, see here for timings.

HERBS: An adult workshop focusing on herbs and their uses will take place at the Common Growth Community Garden in New Cross. £3 suggested donation, prebook via 07901 360321 or commongrowthuk@gmail.com, 10.30am-12pm

EID: Celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with a free festival in Trafalgar Square today. Live music, a street bazaar and a mini-food festival will join in the festivities. Free, just turn up, 1.30-6pm

Sunday 18 August

LIVE ARTS: Keep your eyes on this webpage for details of outdoor performances around London Bridge today, as part of London Bridge Live Arts. Free, just turn up, until 1 September

ART: Hack The Barbican takes over the Barbican's enormous foyer space this month with an array of installations, performances, workshops and discussions.  Free, just turn up, until 31 August

Check out our map of free things to do in London for more frugal fun.

Last Updated 11 August 2013