Interesting and unusual things to do in London for £5 or less this week.
All week
NEON ART: Soho and neon lights go hand in hand, and the death of neon signmaker Chris Bracey is marked with a special exhibition, featuring work by Chris and his family. Free, just turn up, until 31 January
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, until 3 January
ISIS AND EBOLA: Two of the biggest worldwide issues are united for an exhibition at Imperial War Museum, focusing on work that British troops do overseas. Free, just turn up, until November 2016
Monday 7 December
SIR CHRISTOPHER RICKS: Professor Sir Christopher Ricks is one of the most important and influential literary critics active today, and tonight he's giving a talk at Senate House with the New College of Humanities. He'll be talking on the topic "the medium of drama is not words". Free, prebook, 6pm
DUMMY JIM: The Swedenborg Society holds a BSL interpreted screening of film Dummy Jim, followed by director Matt Hulse in conversation with Gareth Evans. Free, prebook, 6.30pm
CHRISTMAS JUMPER SWAP: Bored of last year's Christmas jumper, and want to switch up your wardrobe on the cheap? Head to Stories on Broadway to swap it with someone else. Free (voluntary donations to Centrepoint), just turn up, 7pm
BRIXTON BOOK JAM: Head to Hootananny Brixton for free quarterly literary event Brixton Book Jam. Writers talking at the event include Jenny Stallard, Eleanore Etienne, Jacqueline Crooks, Richard Skinner and Fraser McAlpine. Free, just turn up, 7.30pm
COMEDY: Simon Munnery headlines Hello Comedy at the Catford Constitutional Club, with more sets from Grainne Maguire, Amy Howerska and Stephen Bailey, among others. Free, just turn up, 7.45pm
DEATH CAFE: Head to Ziferblat in Shoreditch to take part in a Death Cafe — an honest and open discussion about all things to do with death. £3, prebook, 8pm-10pm
Tuesday 8 December
CANNABIS LECTURE: UCL holds a lunch hour lecture about cannabis — both its effects and its potential as a medicinal drug. Free, just turn up, 1.15pm
CLIMATE CHANGE FILMS: Shorts On Tap screens a selection of short films on climate change at BFI South Bank. Screenings are followed by a panel discussion with special guests and experts. Free, prebook, 2.30pm-4.30pm
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: There's a free screening of classic 1946 film It's A Wonderful Life at Chapel Cinema in Bethnal Green. Free, prebook, 6.30pm
MODERN SLAVERY ACT: Professor Gary Craig is at Conway Hall to talk about links between the historic slave trade and its modern equivalent, which is present in the UK today. £3-£5, prebook, 7pm
LIARS LEAGUE: Storytelling event Liars League moves to a different venue, The Albany on Great Portland Street, for its Christmas shindig. Tonight's theme is kith and kin — head along to hear heartwarming family tales. £5, just turn up, 7.30pm
Wednesday 9 December
DAVID DE BRITO: Rich Mix in Shoreditch opens a new exhibition today, focusing on street artist David de Brito who is originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, but now lives and paints in London. Free, just turn up, until 1 January
MICHAEL FARADAY'S CHRISTMAS LECTURES: UCL delivers a Christmas lecture, delivered in period costume, including live experimental demonstrations of candles, re-enacting Michael Faraday's Chemical History of a Candle series of Christmas lectures. Free, just turn up, 6.30pm
LIVE MUSIC: Soumik Datta Arts Club is at Rich Mix for a mixture of live tribal, classical, punk, electronica, house, soul and retro rock music. Free, just turn up, 8pm
Thursday 10 December
SHELL-SHOCKED BRITAIN: Head to the National Archives in Kew to hear from researcher Suzie Grogan about treatments which were on offer for First World War soldiers who were suffering from shell shock and what happened to them after they came home. Free, prebook, 2pm
THE ROYAL SOCIETY: The Royal Society is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious scientific bodies, but what has it done in the last 50 years? Find out in this free lecture given by Dr Peter Collins, Emeritus Director of the Royal Society. Free, just turn up, 6.30pm
CRIES OF LONDON: Bishopsgate Institute holds a illustrated lecture by The Gentle Author about the Cries of London — people whose only form of income was to sell wares and perform in the street. Free, prebook, 7.30pm. Due to high demand, the event is repeated tomorrow.
LIVE JAZZ: The Dolphin in Sydenham hosts a free night of live jazz featuring local jazz singer Harriet Eaves. Free, just turn up, from 8pm
Friday 11 December
MORLEY MORSELS: Morley College in Lambeth offers a day of free taster courses. Sign up now to take an hour long course in activities including jazz dance, acting for beginners, Polish and more. Free, prebook, 9am-6.30pm
SEASONAL STROLL: Take a seasonal stroll through Kensington Gardens and learn why holly was protected by kings and why robins are often found on Christmas cards. £5, prebook, 12pm
Saturday 12 December
BRIXTON MARKET: Join The Brixton Society for a guided tour around the indoor and outdoor markets of the area. £3, prebook, 2.30pm
Sunday 13 December
PANTO HORSE RACE: The London Pantomime Horse Race takes place on the streets of Greenwich today, beginning with a pre-race opening ceremony. More details here. Free to spectate, just turn up, from 12pm
