Free And Cheap London Events: 23-29 November 2015

By Londonist Last edited 100 months ago
Free And Cheap London Events: 23-29 November 2015

Interesting and unusual things to do in London for £5 or less this week.

All week

See Christmas as it was in 1965 at Geffrye Museum

CHRISTMAS PAST:
See what Christmas has looked like (and how it's changed) over the last 400 years at Geffrye Museum in Hoxton. Take a walk through living rooms decorated with authentic lights, decorations and music. Free, just turn up, 24 November-3 January

LAST CHANCE:
It's the last week to catch this free exhibition about the Barbican estate. Covering 1950-1982, the exhibition showcases rare photographs of the estate's construction. Free, just turn up, until 29 November

WORLD PRESS PHOTO EXHIBITION:
Southbank Centre hosts its annual free World Press Photo exhibition. See award-winning photos from 131 different countries, used in reporting news and sports events, as well as a selection of portraits. Free, just turn up, until 29 November

TINTIN:
Somerset House currently has an exhibition dedicated to intrepid reporter TinTin and his faithful dog Snowy, and for fans of the books, it's worth a visit. Free, just turn up, until 31 January

NOVEMBER ART:
Some cracking exhibitions have opened in London this month. Not sure which ones to visit? We've tried them all to find out which ones are worth it — and best of all, they're all free.

Monday 23 November

FILM MAKING:
Fancy yourself a film maker? Head along to this DSLR workshop in White Hart Lane where you can learn the basics of using your DSLR to create films, including shooting styles, lenses and settings. Free, prebook, 6pm-8pm

YOUNG WRITERS EVENT:
Young Writers are in the spotlight at Foyles on Charing Cross Road, with an evening celebrating the return of the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award. Past winners Helen Simpson, Adam Foulds and Andrew Cowan will be reading and talking about their work along with three writers shortlisted this year. Plus there's free beer and pizza. Free, prebook, 6pm-8.30pm

JOHN HIGGS:
Author John Higgs is at Conway Hall in Holborn to talk about his latest book, Stranger Than We Can Imagine, which aims to make sense of the 20th century. £5, prebook, 7.30pm

Tuesday 24 November

The Royal Exchange tree lights are switched on today

D H LAWRENCE:
Although it's widely recognised today, D H Lawrence's The Rainbow was classed as obscene and banned in the UK when it was first published in 1915. This UCL lunchtime lecture looks at the reason behind the banning and the effect it had. Free, 1.15pm

WAS EINSTEIN RIGHT?:
It's over 100 years since scientist Albert Einstein completed his Theory of Relativity, and his theories have been supported by other research ever since. Head to Museum of London for a Gresham College lecture about the scientist's life and work. Free, just turn up, 6pm

ROYAL EXCHANGE CHRISTMAS TREE:
The Royal Exchange near Bank switches on its Christmas lights tonight. TV presenter and model Jodie Kidd is guest of honour, while The East London Chorus sing carols to get everyone in the festive mood. Mulled wine and mince pies available. Free, just turn up, from 6pm

SLAVERY:
Slavery is often seen as something limited to exotic and far-flung places, but this Conway Hall talk suggests otherwise. James Walvin (Professor of History at University of York) talks about how slavery was part of, and has shaped, Western culture. £3-£5, prebook, 7pm

FROST FAIR CRAFT NIGHT:
The Make Escape is a regular free craft night at Hackney Attic. Tonight, the theme is Frost Fairs, so go along to get messy with wool and glitter while you make messy festive creations. Free, just turn up, 7.30pm-11pm

Wednesday 25 November

BILL AND TED:
Relive the 80s at House of Vans in Waterloo, by watching a free screening of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Be excellent to each other. Free, just turn up (100 seats on a first come, first served basis), 5pm/7pm

TOWN HALL TALKS:
Local historian Tony Belton is at Battersea Art Centre to talk about the history of the Town Hall Building, including London's first black mayor. He's joined by Dr. Michael Short, Urban Planning lecturer at UCL, who will discuss the wider impact of town halls in the community. Who are they for and why do we need them? Free, prebook, 6pm

BARONESS THATCHER:
Charles Moore, biographer of the late Baroness Margaret Thatcher, is at the Institute of Economic Affairs in Westminster to mark 25 years since she left office. He'll discuss the legacy she left behind. Free, prebook, 6.30pm

SCIENCE MUSEUM LATE:
Science Museum in South Kensington is open late for an adults-only evening exploring the world of maths. It marks the launch of new exhibition, What's your angle. Expect live music, a silent disco, comedy and more. Free (charge for some events and exhibitions), just turn up, 6.45pm-10pm

JAWDANCE:
Jawdance is a free open mic night at Rich Mix in Shoreditch when poets, spoken word artists, musicians and more are given the chance to do their thing on stage. Free, just turn up, 7.30pm

Thursday 26 November

Shorts on Tap film night celebrates its second birthday

PETRIE FILM CLUB:
It's Doctor Who night at London's home of all things Egyptian, UCL's Petrie Museum. It's 40 years since Doctor Who serial Pyramids of Mars was unleashed onto the world, and tonight Egyptologist John J Johnston uses objects from the museum to talk about it. £5, prebook, 6pm-8.30pm

AUDIO DESCRIBED TOUR OF TIBET'S SECRET TEMPLE:
Learn all about body, mind and meditation in Tantric Buddhism at this major new exhibition at The Wellcome Collection. The centrepiece is a spectacular life-sized digital artwork, by photographer Thomas Laird, presenting intricate murals found in the Lukhang, the 17th century temple to the Serpent Spirits of Tibet. Free, prebook, 6pm-9pm

SHORTS ON TAP:
The monthly short film screening event celebrates its second birthday by showing the very best short films of the last year. 93 Feet East, £4, 7pm

LEWIS CARROLL:
The author is best-known for Alice in Wonderland, but he had a fascination with the macabre too. Author of The Mystery of Lewis Carroll, Jenny Woolf, is at The Bell in Aldgate to talk about some of the weirder things that Carroll wrote. £4.40, prebook, 7.45pm

Friday 27 November

50 YEARS OF LONDON BOROUGHS:
Valence House in Dagenham hosts the launch of a new exhibition, 50 Years A Borough, which shows off objects from the last 50 years in Barking & Dagenham, including the famous etched glass from Pesci’s fish and chip shop. Free, prebook, 4pm-6pm

CITIZEN SCIENCE:
Astrophysicist Chris Lintott (who has appeared on In The Night Sky) is at the Royal Institution to talk about citizen science, and how volunteers have been involved in science projects including the discovery of other galaxies. Free, just turn up, 6.30pm

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM:
The Natural History Museum in South Kensington is open after hours for adults only. Explore the exhibitions after dark, enjoy comedy and other entertainment, and buy food and drink from the stalls. Free (charge and booking required for some exhibitions), from 6pm

Saturday 28 November

The Film London KinoVan comes to Enfield

TREE TALKS:
The Conservation Foundation takes over Somerset House for a weekend of free talks and events around elm trees (Ulmus Londinium) ahead of National Tree Week. Free, just turn up, 28-29 November

CHRISTMAS FAIR:
Lady Margaret School in Parsons Green hosts a Christmas Fair, with affordable Christmas presents to buy, the school choir singing Christmas carols, mince pies, mulled wine and a variety of stalls. £1 entry, just turn up, 11am-3pm

ENFIELD REGISTER OFFICE:
Learn all about the Enfield Register Office at this open day, including the history of the building and the local area, and the services it offers. The Film London Kinovan will be parked outside all afternoon screening heritage films of the local area. Free, just turn up, 12pm-4pm

JUMBLE AND PEARLS:
Jumble and Pearls pop-up fayre returns to The Book Club in Shoreditch, providing an opportunity for you to get a headstart on the Christmas shopping with paintings, screen prints, jewellers, kitsch gifts, underwear, scarves and hats, vintage, crafts, designer wear, 80s fashions, memento mori, tattoo inspired glass paintings and painted glassware, art and more. Free entry, just turn up, 12pm-5pm

LONDON TYPE-IN:
Typewriter aficionados rejoice: head to The Jones Family Project in Shoreditch and spend the afternoon talking typewriters and tapping away. Meet collectors, take a look at some cool machines, test your skills in a typing contest, or try some old-fashioned letter writing. Free, just turn up, 2.30pm-4.30pm

Sunday 29 November

RURAL ENGLAND:
Head to Conway Hall for a discussion about the future of the English countryside. It will cover the threats that rural England faces, including overdevelopment, as well as hopes for the future. £3, 11am

CHRISTMAS FAIR:
Dulwich College's Christmas Fair takes place today with over 160 stalls selling Christmas gifts, festive food and drink and a street food market, charity raffles, a Santa's grotto and more. £2.50 adults (under 18s free), just turn up, 11.30am-4pm

Last Updated 22 November 2015