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
CANARY WHARF: Enjoy outdoor Shakespeare plays, live music, film screenings and opera in Canary Wharf this summer — all for free. See website for full programme.
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 7 August-4 September
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
SOUVENIRS: Fed up of the samey London tat shops dotted around the West End? Souvenir is a pop-up souvenir shop and showcase in Clerkenwell. Curated by Charlene Lam of Creative Clerkenwell, expect to find products inspired by the city and made in the UK. 5-10 August
SUFFRAGETTE FESTIVAL: This East London-based festival celebrates 100 years since the East London Federation of Suffragettes was independently established in Bow by Sylvia Pankhurst. Most of the events are free or cheap and include walks, talks and workshops. Check website for full events programme. Until 10 August
Monday 4 August
ART: The Honey Club in King's Cross presents Beetopia, an exhibition that brings together over 20 illustrators from across Europe. The participants were asked to translate their ideal of a bee-friendly community into a piece of art. Free, until 17 August
THAI HANDCRAFT: The alternative concept store 123 Bethnal Green hosts an exhibition of Maison Craft, showcasing Thai handcrafted objects. There will also be daily demonstrations and workshops. Free, until 10 August
FAMILY DAY: To celebrate the release of new film The Nut Job, the N1 Centre in Islington hosts child-friendly activities throughout the day. Face painting, balloon modelling and freebies will be available. Free, just turn up, 11am-4pm
BOOK TALK: Author Rachel Herrmann discusses her book No Useless Mouth at the British Library. In it, she discusses how Native Americans, free blacks and slaves used food to wage war and broker peace during and after the American Revolution. Free (tea and coffee provided), prebook by email, 12.30pm
WW1 TALK: Head to Royal Albert Hall and listen to its archivists, Liz Harper and Suzanne Keyte, talking about the role of the Hall during the First World War. For a higher budget (around £8), you can join a tour of the building after the talk. £3.57, prebook, 1pm
ART WORKSHOP: Join Italian artist Deisa Centazzo for a natural dye and illustration workshop at the Free Space Gallery in Kentish Town. She'll guide you through creating pieces of art from growing plants. Free, prebook by email, 2.30pm
Tuesday 5 August
ART: Still Alive: The Contemporary Still Life is on display at the Mall Galleries. See over 50 artworks by 20 members of the Federation of British Artists. These still lifes cover an eclectic range of subject matter. Free, until 23 August
CANDLE LIT MUSEUM: Every month, for one evening, the John Soane Museum in Holborn is lit by candlelight after its normal opening time. The event is on a first-come, first-served basis and we strongly suggest you get there early to avoid disappointment. Free, just turn up, 6pm-9pm
MUSIC NIGHT: The Social in Little Portland Street hosts The Fix music night, a regular event that happens each month. Tonight's music guests are Ronika, Delooze and The Family Monroe. Free, prebook by email, from 7pm
Wednesday 6 August
ARCHIVE TOUR: London Metropolitan Archive in Farringdon offers a free tour of its premises that will explain how to use the research facilities. Free, prebook, 11am
HISTORICAL TOUR: The Tudor manor and ancient bishop’s residence Fulham Palace opens its doors to the public for a guided tour of its premises. Explore this piece of London’s heritage — meeting point at the museum before the tour starts. £5, just turn up, 2pm
WW1 COMMEMORATION: Photographer Simon Gregor is at the Guildhall Library to talk about his latest work, The Remembrance Image Project. The project is focused on photographing First World War sites during the centenary of the conflict. Free, prebook, 2pm
FAMILY FUN: The touring Festival of Triangles holds an afternoon of creative fun at the Kentish Town Community Centre. The activities are for children aged 5-12 plus their parents. Free, just turn up, 4pm-7pm
FORTEAN LONDON: Mark the founder of Forteanism's 140th birthday with a reading and toast outside his house on Marchmont Street, followed by a Charles Fort chat in a nearby pub. Free, just turn up, 7.30pm
CINEMA NIGHT: Whirlygig Cinema's Spotlight is a cinema night focusing the attention on the work of new and creative film makers. The event takes place at the Hackney Picturehouse and focuses on creative animation. £4, prebook, from 7pm
Thursday 7 August
ART: Salon de Street Art at Stories in Broadway Market displays some of the most active contemporary street artists both inside and outside the gallery. Names include Zabou, Alexandra Gallagher, Cize One, HPN, John Clair, Vanessa Longchamp and Otto Schade. Free, until 25 September
STREET VELODROME: Watch amateurs and professionals competing for the Street Velodrome Super Series Final happening in Exchange Square today. During the day (11am-5pm), you can also try track cycling for free, with all material provided. Read Londonist preview. Free, just turn up, 5.45pm
FILM SCREENING: Dalston's CLR James Library hosts a screening of 1966 science-fiction Fahrenheit 451. Free, prebook, from 6pm
MUSEUM LATE: The Horniman Museum hosts an Edwardian Late. Celebrate the spirit of this bygone era with a tea dance, extravagant music hall acts, silent film with live piano, curious street performances, a period photo booth and special tours. Read Londonist preview. £5, prebook, from 6.30pm
POETRY SLAM: See a poetry slam featuring emerging talents aged 16-25 taking place at the Roundhouse in Camden. £5, prebook, 7.30pm
SCI-FI FILMS: Rocket Science film night happens at the 1001 Cafe in Brick Lane. Watch seven of the best contemporary science fiction short-film productions. Free, prebook by email, from 8pm
FRENCH MUSIC: Listen to the French duo of Carolyn Saint-Pé and her Accordionist playing at the Brasserie Blanc in Tower Hill. Travel in time and go back to Paris in the 1920s to 1950s. Free, just turn up, 7pm
Friday 8 August
ART: Joshua Raffell: Craft & Controversy is on display at Studio 1.1. Expect to be amused, invited to participate in the making of the artwork and, eventually, disgusted. Raffell’s art is awkward, brash and explorative. Free, until 31 August
DANCE: Head to Drink, Shop, Do in King's Cross for a night of dance and fun as the multi-purpose bar turns into a dance floor. Free before 11pm, £3 after, just turn up, from 8pm
RICH MIX: As part of their August Youth Takeover, Rich Mix arts hub in Shoreditch hosts an evening of music featuring Hackney's leading under-21s club night. Run by the Hackney Empire Youth Forum, expect live and DJ performances by Fis-T & Spinner. Free, just turn up, 7pm
Saturday 9 August
SOUTHBANK: This weekend at Southbank Centre's Festival of Love, the focus is on Philia love. To create the feeling of working as part of a team, activities include military fitness classes, group games and an attempt to make the biggest ever handmade picnic blanket. See full programme, some of the events are free or less than a fiver.
SOMERSET HOUSE: Children aged 6-12 and their families can take part in a Saloon Bar-themed craft workshop (free, just turn up, 11am-4pm) or watch the animated adventure Rango in the Somerset House screening room (free, just turn up, 12pm & 2pm)
ART WALK: Head to the Serpentine Galleries and join a walk with Maria Lisogorskaya and Fran Edgerly, two of the founders of Assemble, a London-based architecture and design collective. Free, just turn up, 3pm
COOL RUNNINGS: The whole family can enjoy a free outdoor screening of Cool Runnings, the infamous story of a Jamaican bobsledding team, at Regent's Place Plaza on Euston Road. Free, just turn up, 5pm
WINE FAIR: The 3 Crowns Public House and Restaurant close to Old Street tube station hosts a day-long Wine Fair. You will find their personal selection of wines from their favourite merchants, plus food, live bands and raffle and carnival games. The entrance is free but you have to pay for your drinks. Free, just turn up, 12pm-9pm
FAMILY FUN: The touring Festival of Triangles holds an afternoon of creative fun at The Winch in Swiss Cottage. The activities are for children aged 5-12 plus their parents. Free, just turn up, 2pm-5pm
Sunday 10 August
BREWERY OPEN DAY: Clarkshaws Microbrewery in East Dulwich opens its doors for tours and a chance to sample the beer or buy some to take away. There's also food from Capo Caccia, Pastificio Mansi and Avocado Cafe. Free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm
HISTORICAL TOUR: The Tudor manor and ancient bishop’s residence Fulham Palace opens its doors to the public for a guided tour of its premises. Explore this piece of London’s heritage — meeting point is at the museum before the tour starts. £5, just turn up, 2pm
GREEK FOOD: Learn about the intricacies of Greek food at this olive oil tasting session at The Mucky Pup in Islington, offering you a chance to taste the delicacy of Ancient Greek dishes, made from recipes over 2,0000 years old (hopefully the ingredients are fresher). £2, just turn up, 4pm
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.
