Interesting and unusual things to do for a fiver or less this week. For more ideas have a look at our Free & Cheap page.
All Week
ART: Take a look at our August art events listing and find art openings happening this month. You should find the perfect fit to your creative side among painting, photography, drawing and more. Lots of free ones as well.
BRIDGE EXHIBITION: Museum of London Docklands's largest ever art exhibition, Bridge, is now open. It consists of historical and contemporary depictions of London’s bridges in the form of artwork, film and photography. It also considers how bridges are used in London today. Free, just turn up, until 2 November
GO TO THE BEACH: Camden Beach is back at the Roundhouse. Why not head there with friends and pull up a deckchair? It's free, and feels like being at the British seaside (it's even got the capricious weather). Free, just turn up, until 23 August
MUSIC: The epic BBC Proms are in full swing at the Royal Albert Hall. Consult our guide to making the most of your Proms experience and consider our top ten highlights from the programme. Promming tickets from £5.
Monday 11 August
WW1 COMMEMORATION: TestBed1 in Battersea hosts the visual installation Chronicles of Courage, which commemorates the First World War. The installation mixes life stories through filmed performance, archive footage, photographs, animation and music. Free, until 17 August
BRITISH LIBRARY: Benjamin Bankhurst talks about his book Ulster Presbyterians and the Scots Irish Diaspora, 1750-1764, which focuses on the relationship between Ireland and Irish America during the First World War. Free, prebook by email, 12.30pm
MUSIC PERFORMANCE: Former Feeder front-man Grant Nicholas presents his first solo album with a live performance and signing at HMV store in Oxford Street. Please note that the event is on a first come-first served basis and any schedule change will be notified on social media. Free, just turn up, 6pm
STORYTELLING SLAM: The Book Club in Shoreditch hosts an International Story Slam night. Five of the USA’s finest story slammers challenge five of Britain’s best. Free, prebook, 7.30pm
Tuesday 12 August
V&A TOURS: The Kensington museum is offering tours of its galleries led by expert volunteers. Meeting point is the entrance hall, check website for types and timing. Free, just turn up, all day
ALEXA CHUNG: The broadcaster, journalist and fashionista is at Westfield London (White City) to sign copies of her best-selling book IT, a collection of her personal writings, drawings and photographs. Free, prebook, 12.30pm
SPEAKEASY: Drink, Shop, Do in King's Cross hosts an evening featuring readings, vintage tunes and cocktails. We're sure you'll get the right inspiration after a drink or two. Free, prebook by email, from 7pm
LIARS' LEAGUE: The Phoenix on Cavendish Square hosts the monthly Liars' League. Actors and authors stand up to tell stories they have written along the theme of Beauty & Beast. £5, just turn up, 7.30pm
Wednesday 13 August
PHOTOGRAPHY: Dissolve: Reflections on Canary Wharf is on display at Long White Cloud. This café and art gallery located in Hackney Road launches a new exhibition featuring photographs by Marsha Dunstan. See the tall and grey buildings of Canary Wharf dissolving into colourful water reflections. Free, until 31 August
MUSIC NIGHT: The Social in Fitzrovia hosts a music night called The Deep Hum At The Heart Of It All. Expect emerging talents performing psych rock and special DJ guests. £5, just turn up, from 7pm
FILM SCREENING: Marmalade Me at South London Gallery is a screening event inspired by the writings of Jill Johnston and is connected to the exhibitions currently on at the gallery. £5/£3, prebook, 7pm
THE AWAKENING: Kate Chopin’s feminist novel The Awakening sent shockwaves through American society when it was first published in 1899. Now, over 100 years on, the novel and its modern relevance is being celebrated at Waterstones Hampstead. £5/£3, prebook, 7pm
FREE GIG: The Strongroom bar in Shoreditch hosts a free-entry music night. On stage is Albert Cerny, Dextric and Jovel. Free, just turn up, from 7.30pm
WOMEN WRITERS: Loose Muse, hosted by Agnes Meadow, is London’s only regular event for women writers of all genres. There are also open mic spots. Takes place at The Poetry Café in Covent Garden. £5/£3, just turn up, 8pm
Thursday 14 August
PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION: Oxo Tower Gallery presents Framing Hope, displaying photographic artworks by Jillian Edelstein. The exhibition celebrates FXB International, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to lifting people out of extreme poverty. Free, until 31 August
ART: Emblem is on display at Gallery 223. Expect an environment made of paint, sounds and machinery which explores themes of honour, industrialisation and consumerism. Free, until 30 August
POTTERY TALK: Join Rebecca Wallis, Curator of Sculpture, Metalwork, Ceramics and Glass sections at the V&A Museum, and learn more about French pottery art. Meeting point is the Grand Entrance. Free, just turn up, 1pm
SUMMER NIGHTS: The ever-popular Camden Lock Night Market is back. The main focus is international street food, accompanied by live music, film screenings and late night shopping. Every Thursday until 4 September
ARCHIVE TOUR: London Metropolitan Archive in Farringdon offers a free tour of its premises that explains how to use the research facilities. Free, prebook, 2pm
FILM SCREENING: Take a journey into the Sinai desert and join the screening of The Orchard Keepers at the Mosaic Rooms in Earls Court. The screening is followed by a Q&A session with the film’s director Bryony Dunne. Free, prebook by email, 7pm
BEHIND THE SCENES: Explore what's going on behind the scenes at the Horniman Museum. Join the curators and museum staff for an evening of talks and tours of the museum's collection. £5, prebook, 7pm
COMEDY CLUB: Comedy Knights presents a night of Alternative Live Comedy at Cafe 1001 in Brick Lane. £3, prebook, 7.30pm
Friday 15 August
JAZZ FESTIVAL: Canary Wharf's summer of free events continues this weekend with a free jazz festival. See website for full schedule (PDF). Free, just turn up, until 17 August
WALK IN THE PARK: Take a walk around Kensington Gardens and discover the connection between the park and its Peter Pan statue. Walkers are encouraged to dress up and children must be accompanied by an adult. £5, prebook, 11am
LAURA BATES: Writer and activist Laura Bates discusses her new book The Everyday Sexism Project at the ICA. £5, prebook, 1pm
FAMILY FUN: The touring Festival of Triangles holds an afternoon of creative fun at Abbey Community Centre in Kilburn. The activities are for children aged 5-12 plus their parents. Free, just turn up, 1pm-4pm
Saturday 16 August
FREE BIKES: To celebrate the fourth anniversary of the Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme (she doesn't look a day over three), the hire fee is being dropped this weekend, provided you dock every 30 minutes. There are also special cycling events taking place this weekend. More details here. Today and tomorrow
MID CENTURY: Bettina Scarlett’s Mid Century Market returns to Hammersmith with a strong focus on all things 50s. Stallholders are experts in the era, selling items such as authentic vintage clothing and unique handmade jewellery. £3, just turn up, 10.30am-4pm
FAMILY FESTIVAL: The Elephant and the Nun is a family festival in Burgess Park, Southwark. Expect the usual village fair events (stalls, pet show, live music) alongside Africa Live, an event showcasing African culture , and activities for children at the BMX track. Free, just turn up, 12pm-8pm
SEVEN DIALS: The shopping area in Covent Garden hosts Spotlight, a summer festival consisting of stage performances, a solar cinema and a literary salon. Shopping happenings include discounts in stores such as Pepe Jeans and Fred Perry, a pop-up Karine Jackson salon and shoe customisation at Superga. Free, just turn up, 12pm-7pm
FILM SCREENING: The whole family can watch The Lego Movie outdoors for zero pence at Regent's Place on Euston Road. Free, just turn up, 1pm
RECORD FAIR: Dig A Little Record Fair heads to a new location this month. Eltham GPO hosts the daytime meet up for anyone interested in music. As well as specialist sellers being on hand with records to sell and trade, there will be DJs providing the music. Free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm
CHARITY GIG: Oxjam Clapham presents Summer Shakedown, an afternoon of music, DJs, fun and games at the Bread and Roses pub, Clapham. Artists playing on the night include Forleigh and 3/4, Kenesha, Mark Mathews and Paul Freeland, alongside a raffle, face painting, various other stalls and special drinks promotions including an Oxjam Cocktail. £3, just turn up, 4pm-11pm
Sunday 17 August
GARDEN MARKET: Cottons Garden Market on Kingsland Road has food stalls and crafts. Free entry, just turn up, 12pm-6pm
GUIDED WALK: The Tudor manor and ancient bishop’s residence of Fulham Palace opens its gates to the public for a guided tour of its gardens. £5, just turn up, 2pm
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.
