Interesting and unusual things to do for a fiver or less this week. For more free of charge London events, see our Free & Cheap page.
All Week
Check the week ahead with our guides to market and shopping events, art exhibitions and theatre events around town. Plenty of free ones, too.
WILDLIFE ART: Are you a nature lover, dreaming of escaping into the wild? Then find your corner of heaven in one of these free exhibitions about nature and wildlife. They take place in different venues across London. Free, until July at latest
JOHN LEWIS GARDEN: Visit the rooftop garden of John Lewis’ flagship store in Oxford Street, which celebrates its 150th anniversary. The popular department store hosts a special exhibition as well. Free, until 21 June
KEATS: The historical Keats House in Hampstead Heath celebrates the works and life of poet John Keats with a dedicated festival. Activities include poetry readings, workshops, talks and even guided tours. Many of the events are free, check website for prices and booking. Until 15 June
ART EXHIBITION: Guildhall Art Gallery celebrates the 120th anniversary of Tower Bridge with a dedicated exhibition featuring painting, photographies and projects from the time of its construction. Free, until 30 June
UNIVERSITIES WEEK: A week-long exhibition named Universities Week showcases some of the UK’s most cutting-edge university research. There will be 50 interactive exhibits, talks and demonstrations throughout the week and a special late opening of the museum on Wednesday 11 June (Free, just turn up, 6pm-10pm). See website for full programme. Free, until 13 June
Monday 9 June
MOTOREXPO: The annual free Motorexpo returns to Canary Wharf, for the delight of London petrolheads. See unique engineering, electric vehicles and super-expensive cars. Free, until 15 June
COMEDY: A night of experimental comedy takes place at The Proud Archivist in Hackney. While comedians Adam Larter, Bob Slayer, Gatis Kandis and Ian Smith are on stage, The Live Scriber artists create a mural...before your eyes. This is a pay-what-you-want event, with free music from 6pm. Free, just turn up, from 6pm
ART DISCUSSION: Connected to its current exhibition The Flux, and I, Gazelli Art House in Green Park presents a panel discussion about the influences of Asian culture on its art market both locally and internationally, and its artists. Free, prebook by email, 6pm
JOHN KELLY: Waterstone’s Gower Street host an evening with Irish author John Kelly to celebrate his new book, From Out Of The City. Free, prebook, 6.30pm
JASPER FFORDE: Bestselling author Jasper Fforde is at Big Green Bookshop to talk about his career in writing and his most recent book, The Woman Who Died A Lot. £3,prebook, 7pm
FATHER'S DAY: Show your dad how much you love him with a one-of-a-kind DIY card. Drink, Shop, Do in King's Cross hosts a free craft workshop for card making. Free (with a drink), just turn up, from 7pm
STORYTELLING: Hackney Picturehouse hosts Sparks London Storytelling evening. Tonight is all about father figures and fatherhood — during the evening you can write a letter to your dad as well. £4, prebook, 7.30pm
Tuesday 10 June
TRANSPORT TALK: Richard Parry-Jones, Chairman of Network Rail, speaks about the future of transport in Britain at the Imperial College Business School in South Kensington. Free, prebook, 6.30pm
PUZZLE IN A PUB: Puzzle lovers will have a fun time with Puzzled Pint, an interactive game to get you...to the pub. 24 hours before the event, a location puzzle is posted on the website, the solution leads you to a pub...where more puzzles await for you. Free, just turn up (if you can), 7pm
SPEAKEASY: Drink, Shop, Do in King's Cross presents a Speakeasy evening. The programme features vintage tunes, special cocktails and readings by authors MR Carey, Viv Groskop and Tyler Keevil. Free, prebook by email, from 7pm
ART TALK: Coinciding with the Museum of Water's temporary exhibition, artist Amy Sharrocks talks to theatre-maker and author Lucy Neal and discusses her unusual relationship with water. The event takes place at Somerset House, inside the Screening Room. £3, prebook, 7.30pm
Wednesday 11 June
ART NIGHT: A Martinelli and Artists event happens tonight at the Colonel Fawcett in Camden. This art installation features short art videos from artists from around the world, which you can enjoy while having a pint. Free, just turn up, from 6pm
FILM AND MUSIC: The Screen Social event at The Book Club in Shoreditch is an evening of creative films and music. Today, London-based Compulsory production company presents a series of screenings and videos — money raised will support charity Shelter. £3/£4, prebook, 7pm
GRANT MUSEUM: UCL's zoology museum hosts a talk about a recent re-wilding process of brown bears, Eurasian lynx and otters. Free, just turn up, 7pm
SUFFRAGETTE HISTORY: Jill Liddington and Katherine Connelly are at Housman’s bookstore in King’s Cross to discuss their books about the Suffragette movement. Connelly’s book looks in detail at the life of Sylvia Pankhurst, while Liddington’s tells the story of the Suffragettes’ controversial campaign to boycott the census. £3, prebook, 7pm
FOCUS ON SYRIA: Join internationally well-known Syrian artists and writers for an evening of readings and discussion of cultural resistance in the country, happening at Rich Mix in Shoreditch. £4, prebook, 7.30pm
FILM SCREENING: The Duke of Wellington in Dalston runs a screening of the film Nineteen Eight-Four (1984), inspired by Orwell's famous novel. £4, prebook, 8pm
Thursday 12 June
BRAZILIAN FESTIVAL: Joga Bola Brazilian cultural festival kicks off today at Rich Mix in Shoreditch. The free festival's line-up includes music and DJs from the UK, Brazil, and Europe, artists at the forefront of the contemporary Brazilian scene, film screenings, Brazilian culture and World Cup football. See website for full programme. Free, until 13 July
SUBWAY: In connection with London Festival of Architecture, the subway passage in Elephant and Castle will be transformed into an art installation. The Pungent Subway offers an 'immersive olfactory installation' that uses the fragrance of herbs and flowers to turn the subway into a...smelling experience. Free, just turn up, 6.30-8.30pm daily until 14 June
HISTORY TALK: Explore the history of St Paul's and Ludgate Hill with Dr Elizabeth Chase, who speaks at Guildhall Library. She travels through time covering the history of the area from the Middle Ages onwards. Free, prebook, 2pm
ROYAL SOCIETY: How Embryos Build Organs to Last a Lifetime is a free talk happening at The Royal Society in St James's. The event is on a first-come-first-served basis and we suggest you get there early. Free, just turn up, 6.30pm
LANDSCAPE INSTITUTE: A free talk about Water Sensitive Urban Design in London takes place at the Landscape Institute in Holborn. Part of a series of free talks connected to the London Festival of Architecture. Free, prebook, 6.30pm
COMEDY: The Camden Head pub hosts an evening of very cheap comedy, featuring Holly Burn, Sarah Campbell and Grainne Maguire. £1, just turn up, 7.30pm
STORYTELLING: The Old King's Head pub in Borough hosts an evening of storytelling about magical healing rituals in the Victorian countryside. Expert Julie Wakefield takes you back in time and tells you about mysterious popular traditions in the late 19th century. £2.50/£1.50, prebook by email, 8pm
BOOK TALK: Founders of the Cass Sculpture Park talk about their incredible story and their work with contemporary British
Friday 13 June
LUNCH BREAK: UCL PhD students showcase objects from the Grant Museum’s collection of 68,000 and tell you what they know. Today's session is themed about ancient DNA and lasts around 30 minutes. Free, just turn up, 1pm
NATIONAL THEATRE: Today at the National Theatre actors Rebecca Front and Michael Simkins present their new books, respectively called Curious and The Rules of Acting. The event is followed by a book signing. £4/£3, prebook, 6pm
MUSIC MARATHON: 93 Feet East in Brick Lane hosts a live music marathon featuring five performing acts. Music genres include indie, acoustic and alternative. £5, just turn up, 7.30pm
FEMINIST COMEDY: Join an evening of cheeky, naughty and girly comedy at Toynbee Studios in Aldgate East. £5, prebook, 7.30pm
ITALIAN MUSIC: The Tommaso Starace Quartet performs live at the V&A cafe, with a repertoire inspired by the work of photographer Gianni Berengo Gardin. The event is connected to their current exhibition The Glamour of Italian Fashion. Free, just turn up, 8pm
FIESTA: Drink, Shop, Do in King's cross hosts a Mexican-themed party night. There will be Mexican masks and skulls alongside Mezcal cocktails and local beers. And of course, a colourful home-made piñata. Free before 11pm/£3 after, just turn up, from 8pm
Saturday 14 June
ARCHIVE DAY: Cecil Sharp House in Camden Town celebrates The Full English Archive Day. Just for one day, you can see original rare manuscripts on display, listen to expert speakers Malcolm Taylor and Steve Roud and join free archive-focused workshops. See full programme on the website, some events need to be prebooked. Free, just turn up, 10am-4pm
OPEN WEEKEND: The Grade I listed building of the Royal College of Physicians in Regent's Park hosts the Bewitching Poison Weekend. The open weekend is an occasion to visit the brutalist building, enjoy an exhibition about the history of alcohol with curators, and visit their acclaimed medicinal garden. See full programme on the website. Free, just turn up, today & tomorrow 10am-5pm
FOUNDLING MUSEUM: The museum in Brunswick Square celebrates its 10th birthday with an open weekend. There will be free entry to the museum for the whole weekend and a mixed programmes of activities including a street party, music and family activities. Free, just turn up, today & tomorrow 10am-5pm
ST JAMES: Take a guided walk around one of the well-to-do parts of London, meeting at Green Park and taking in the aristocratic houses of the area. Free, prebook, 11am
OPEN STUDIOS: Make Space Studios in Lambeth North open their doors to the public for the whole weekend. See this unique artistic space and mingle with its residents. Artists will have their works on sale and on Sunday enjoy DJing, live musical performances and dance events from 3pm. Free, just turn up, today & tomorrow 11am-6pm
FAMILY FUN: The V&A welcomes families to create their own artworks inspired by the Prix Pictet Prize for Photography and Sustainability exhibition. Use contemporary technological media to create your own masterpiece to take away. Free, just turn up, today & tomorrow 11am-4pm
ARTS FESTIVAL: Enjoy music performances, poetry and storytelling, craft workshops and family activities at the whole-day Finsbury Arts Festival. Volunteering opportunities available. Free, just turn up, noon-8pm
FUN FAIR: The Fair is the Square is a one-day free event happening in Pond Square, Highgate Village. Expect live music, food and drink stalls, children's activities, local product showcases and live performances. Free, just turn up, 12.20pm-5.30pm
FREE WORKSHOPS: CoolTan Arts in Kennington hosts the Mad Hatters Tea Party, part of the Anxiety Arts Festival. During the afternoon, four workshops will stimulate your mind: Food and Mood, Understanding Panic Attacks, Postcard Making and Anxious about Painting. Plus, there's the launch of painting exhibition Summertime Blues. Free, just turn up, 1pm-6pm
COMEDY: Bec Hill and Pat Cahill perform their work-in-progress show at the Camden Head pub, as they're getting ready for Edinburgh. £2+bf, prebook, 8pm
WORLD CUP: Bounce, the ping pong and cocktail club based in Holborn, celebrates the start of the World Cup with a themed party. This is a free entry event — note that you'll have to pay for your food and drinks — and it repeats on 19 June and 24 June. Can't stand football? You can always play ping pong. Free, prebook, 10pm
Sunday 15 June
SUMMER FAYRE: Marylebone Summer Fayre takes over the area and brings food, drink, music, children’s activities, craft stalls, a farmers’ market and tombola. See website for full schedule. Free, just turn up, 11am-8pm
Check out our map of free things to do in London for more frugal fun. Or pop over to BrokeInLondon.com who also have plenty of great ideas.
