Free And Cheap Events In London This Week: 22-28 July 2019

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Free And Cheap Events In London This Week: 22-28 July 2019

All week

Artist Lucy Pickford has a solo exhibition

SUMMER HOLIDAYS: With the kids off school for the foreseeable future, find ways to keep them busy in the holidays with our family-friendly guide to summer in London. We've covered exhibitions, theatre shows, days out, things do to on the cheap, and places to eat as a family.

MUSIC RESIDENCY: Six performers from the City Music Foundation take part in a summer residency, performing a series of concerts in the opulent setting of the Wallace Collection. Lunchtime recitals, a child-friendly concert and a performance designed with dementia sufferers in mind are all free to attend. The Wallace Collection (Marylebone), mostly free, just turn up, 22-26 July

Primate sanctuary photos go on display in Camden

BANK OF ENGLAND: Clap eyes on a real life one hundred million pound banknote, and a nuclear weapons effect calculator at Bank of England Museum's new exhibition. It marks the Bank's 325th anniversary by showcasing its history in 325 interesting and unusual objects. Bank of England Museum, free, just turn up, 22 July- August 2020

FOLLOW ME: Artist Lucy Pickford has her first solo exhibition, showcasing landscapes and streetscapes from her time in Japan. She uses her experience as a landscape architect to create the series of paintings. 253 Hoxton Street, free, just turn up, 24-30 July

Enjoy free summer concerts at the Wallace Collection

PRIMATE PHOTOS: Photographer Anne Heinonen volunteered at a primate sanctuary in South Africa for eight months, and now she's displaying some of the photos she took while she was there, alongside extracts from the diary she kept. The focus is on how much of herself she recognised in the monkeys she cared for, and the need to share those moments with other humans. Theatro Technis (Camden), free, just turn up, 25 July-11 August

GREEN FILMS: London Green Film Festival continues with a varied programme of documentaries, dramas and family films, all with a focus on living a more eco-friendly life. Highlights include graphic documentary Racing Extinction and inspirational sailing film Maiden. Regent's Place, free, just turn up, until 26 July

Monday 22 July

Adam Hess performs in Islington

COMEDY: Adam Hess, comedian and star of Comedy Central's Stand-Up offers a preview of his Edinburgh show. Expect quick fire laughs and a story about getting stuck in a lift for 25 hours. The Bill Murray (Islington), £5, book ahead, 6.45pm-7.45pm

RADCLYFFE HALL: Who was Radclyffe Hall? The LGBTQ+ icon and author is the subject of a Pride Month event, focusing on visionary LGBTQ novel The Well of Loneliness, and her lifer beyond her most famous work. Housman's (King's Cross), £5, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

TOUR DE FRANCE: Show off your cycling trivia at this Tour de France quiz. Swot up on past winners and details of this year's race, and you could lead your team to victory in the form of free drinks and cycling prizes. Look Mum No Hands! (Old Street), free, book ahead, 7pm-10pm

Tuesday 23 July

Watch a free film screening at Wembley Park

FRASIER: It's been 15 years since Frasier said a final goodnight to Seattle, and fans of the sitcom are invited to mark the anniversary with A Night of Frasier. Watch selected episodes of the show in full, followed by discussions with fellow fans. Genesis Cinema (Mile End), £2, book ahead, 6.30pm

STREET NAMES: City of London tour guide Julian Romain gives a talk about local street names and their origins. St George's German Church (Aldgate), £5, just turn up, 6.30pm

LA LA LAND: 2016 smash-hit film La La Land is screened for free at Wembley Park's alfresco cinema. Kick back on a deckchair and watch Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone singing and dancing their way through LA. Wembley Park, free, book ahead, 7pm

Wednesday 24 July

Find out about exploring Antarctica

MUSEUM COLLECTIONS: Go behind the scenes at Fulham Palace, where Roman archaeological items are kept, along with paintings, engravings and other items. Learn how they're cared for — and even handle some of the objects yourself. Fulham Palace, free, just turn up, 11am-12pm

EXPLORE ANTARCTICA: Explorer and record holder Ann Daniels swings by south London to talk about her experience being the first woman to ski to the North and South Poles, as part of all-female teams. She's since completed more than 10 polar expeditions and survived over 400 days on the ice. After her talk, she takes part in a Q&A session. Intrepid Travel (Brixton), free, book ahead, 6.30pm-9.30pm

FILM NIGHT: Little Shop of Horrors is shown at an open-air cinema on South Bank — powered by the audience. Hop on a static bike and get some pedal action going to power the film — or sit back in a deckchair and watch your fellow audience members do the hard work... but where's the fun in that? Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 9.15pm

Thursday 25 July

Rubber ducks and dragon boats take to the water in Paddington

ROOFTOP MUSIC: As part of City of London's Fantastic Feats festival, there's a free evening of music atop The Garden at 120. Expect to hear classical guitarist Sam Cave, saxophone radicalism from Ben Vince, and solo violin from Japanese artist Chihiro Ono and Ligeti Quartet violinist Mandhira de Saram as you enjoy the views from 15 floors above the City. The Garden at 120, free, just turn up, 6-9pm

CHURCH BUILDINGS: What do church buildings tell us? That's the subject of a free talk by Tony Tucker and Oliver Leigh Wood, who reveal what can be gleamed from the buildings, and why we should look after them.  St Mary's — Bow Church, free, book ahead, 7.30pm-9pm

DUCKS AND DRAGONS: If you go down to Paddington today, expect to see some odd sights on the water as the annual charity rubber duck race and dragon boat race take place (not at the same time — imagine the carnage!). The rubber duck race is £3 to enter (12.30pm-1.30pm) and if your duck is victorious you could win Eurostar tickets. Later in the evening, return to the canal to watch teams go head to head in dragon boats (5pm-9pm).

Friday 26 July

Fiesta de Mexico comes to Guildhall Yard

FIESTA DE MEXICO: The cultural traditions of Mexico come to the Square Mile for free three-day Fiesta de Mexico. Wander around street food stalls listening to a mariachi band, watch a lucha libre show, or take part in family-friendly activities. Guildhall Yard, free entry (some events charge and need booking), just turn up, 26-28 July

VICTORIAN LONDON: View a postgraduate student project about the lives of London’s destitute children in the Victorian and early Edwardian periods. Find out what it meant to be penniless, and discuss the challenges and ethical issues of the time. London Metropolitan Archives (Clerkenwell), free, book ahead, 26 July-22 August

MUSEUM LATE: It's the final Friday of the month, which means the Natural History Museum keeps its doors open late for after-hours fun. The theme this month is space, marking 50 years since the moon landings, so there's a chance to hold 4.5 billion year old meteorites, see a replica of Neil Armstrong's spacesuit, or simply browse the usual displays and exhibitions after hours. Natural History Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 6pm-10pm

Saturday 27 July

Nashville meets London in Canary Wharf

RAIN OR SHINE: Theatre Deli hosts Rain or Shine, a weekend of cultural events for all ages, from gardening to poetry to BMX taster sessions. Burgess Park, various prices, book ahead, 27-28 July

DOG MARKET: Pamper your pooch at the Chelsea Pop-Up Dog Market. Toys, treats, coats and collars for canines are just some of the items on sale, and the first free dogs through the door receive a free goodie bag. St Luke's Church Hall (Chelsea), free (charity donations welcome), 11am-6pm

COUNTRY MUSIC: Canary Wharf's country music festival Nashville Meets London consists of sets by both UK and US performers on an open-air stage. Bag yourself a spot in the park and watch American Idol's Lauren Alaina, and West End regular turned country star, Twinnie. Canada Square Park (Canary Wharf), free, just turn up, 2pm-10pm

Sunday 28 July

An open day at Opera Holland Park

FULHAM PALACE: Get hands on with archaeological objects at Fulham Palace. The open day is aimed at children age 3+ and their families, with a chance to tour the site, and help recreate the lost medieval chapel out of cardboard. Fulham Palace, free, just turn up, 11am-3pm

OPERA DAY: London's summer opera theatre, Opera Holland Park, opens its doors for a free family day. Get a better idea of how the opera works, with creative workshops, talks from performers and production team members — and a chance to have a go at conducting the City of London Sinfonia. Opera Holland Park, free, just turn up, 12pm-5pm

BANDSTAND MUSIC: Get yourself to Regent's Park and enjoy an afternoon of free live music as part of the summer music festival. It tales place at the bandstand, with the lake as a backdrop, and deckchairs are available to hire. Regent's Park, free, just turn up, 12.30pm-5.30pm

Last Updated 19 July 2019