Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 22-28 October 2018

By Maire Rose Connor Last edited 65 months ago

Looks like this article is a bit old. Be aware that information may have changed since it was published.

Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 22-28 October 2018

All week

Get tangled up with disobedient knitwear at King's College

LORE OF THE LAND: Explore humanity's relationship with nature in Horniman's shiny new gallery space. Serena Korda's large-scale ceramics may just be the nicest smelling art works you've ever encountered — each accompanied by a scent inspired by plants from the museum's gardens. There's also a soundscape inspired by the chemical processes that occur in plants and trees. Horniman Museum (Forest Hill), free, just turn up, until 28 April 2019

CELEBRATE THE CIRCUS: It's 250 years since circus as we know it was born in London. Find out more about the science behind acts including highwires and beds of nails in this family-friendly show. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 20-28 October

NIGHTMARE KNITS: Disobedient AI meets experimental knitwear in the form of this interactive sculpture at King's College. Six contemporary artists collaborated with leading King's academics to create New Thinking, New Making.Bush House (Aldwych), free, just turn up, 23 October-15 December 2018

HALLOWEEN: Looking for spooky things to do in London? Check out our guide to Halloween events, or if you’re feeling really brave, book tickets to one of these Halloween film screenings.

HALF TERM: Got little ones to entertain over the school holidays? Take a look at our half term event listings for things to keep them busy, whatever their age and whatever your budget.

Monday 22 October

Fly away to 1920s France with The Sparrows of Paris

THE SPARROWS OF PARIS: Add some Parisian chic to your lunch hour at this vintage French jazz concert. The Sparrows of Paris's repertoire includes 1920s-1950s chansons and jazz musette. Central Hall, St Thomas' Hospital, free, just turn up, 1pm-2pm

COOKERY CLASS: Discover the culinary art of Korean temple food with Ji Young Kim, the executive chef of Michelin-starred restaurant Balwoo Gongyang in Seoul. His free cookery class will introduce you to the original slow food — expect plenty of pickled and fermented goodies. Le Cordon Bleu (Bloomsbury), free, book ahead, 6.30pm

MUSICAL SHOWCASE: ReBalance, a programme that provides female musicians with recording time and guidance from top female producers, wants to introduce you to some of its best emerging talent. Tonight you'll see Æ MAK, Maya Kally, Mary Miller, and Tamzene take to stage. Old Blue Last (Shoreditch), free, book ahead, 7.30pm

THE NIGHT OF NIGHTS: See four comedians for the price of one (and a very cheap one at that!) Ben Target, Dan Cook, Stevie Martin, and Adam Riches are here to tickle your funny bone with material no-one would ever think to actually say out loud. The Bill Murray (Islington), £5 to reserve a seat/pay what you want OTD, 9.30pm-10.30pm

Tuesday 23 October

Explore Ottoman shipwrecks at the Wellcome Collection

THAMES TARGET PRACTICE: Keep an eye out for some fleeting 007-style thrills on the River Thames. The Royal Marines are conducting military exercises involving speeding black boats firing guns at each other (don't worry, there are no actual bullets involved). Upper Pool (Between London Bridge and Cherry Garden Pier), free, just turn up, 10.10am-10.20am

DEEP BLACK SEA: This afternoon event is dedicated to one of the most ambitious maritime archaeological projects ever undertaken. You'll learn all about the Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Expedition and discover what lost treasures lie on the ocean's floor with the help of an interactive VR display. Wellcome Collection (Euston), free, book ahead, 1.30pm-4pm

IT FROM BIT: What if, at its heart, the universe is not a collection of particles, forces and fields but rather a collection of bits? Pretty trippy stuff, right? Plunge into the world of digital physics with Professor Richard Harvey. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm

Wednesday 24 October

Get American football tips from NFL legend Mark Brunell

FUNKY GIBBONS: It's International Day of the Gibbon so the Grant Museum of Zoology hosts a whole day of monkey business. Start your morning with a yoga session inspired by animal movement, before unleashing your creativity at the Gibbon writing workshop. Grant Museum of Zoology (Bloomsbury), free, book ahead, 10am-4pm

AUTUMN AMBLE: Get back to nature on this guided walk through Epping Forest with environmental educator Cathy McLoughlin, who'll teach all about the plants you pass on your wander. The View (Epping Forest), free, just turn up, 1.30pm-3.30pm

NFL TRAINING SESSION: American football fans, here's an event that's almost too good to be true. Jacksonville Jaguar's legendary quarterback Mark Brunell leads a free NFL training session. You'll learn throwing techniques, tackles, and even witness a world record attempt for the longest throw and catch of a hot dog sausage into a bun. Millennium Arena (Battersea Park), free, book ahead, 6pm-8.30pm

CAMDEN SOUP: Tuck into a hearty meal of soup, salad and bread while learning all about exciting London-based community projects. At the end of the night, you get to vote for your favourite — with the most popular taking home the evening's proceeds. Camden Hub (Swiss Cottage), £5 suggested donation, just turn up, 6.30pm

Thursday 25 October

Discover Dia de los Muertos with Theatre Deli

FISHY THURSDAY: Seafood lovers, make a date with Borough Market, where Paul Day from Sussex Fish will be joining Borough Market Cookbook author Ed Smith in the demo kitchen. They're showcasing spiced mackerel, whipped hot smoked salmon, scallops, curried monkfish and clams. Borough Market, free, just turn up, 1pm-2.30pm

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS: Your kids already know Halloween, but what about Dia de los Muertos? Take them to learn all about the Mexican festival of remembrance, encounter rituals, folklore and make traditional sugar skull masks in preparation for a carnival procession this Saturday. Old Library (Camberwell), £5 for ages 8-18/free for accompanying adults, book ahead, 2pm-5pm

AGELESS DAY: From babes-in-arms to nonagenarians, everyone is welcome at Lambeth's first ageless party. Organised by Age UK, the intergenerational knees-up has music, performances, talks, and plenty of refreshments. Pop Brixton, free, book ahead, 3pm-8pm

THE RAILWAY ADVENTURES: Join our very own Geoff Marshall and Vicki Pipe for a chat about their new book, The Railway Adventures: Places, Trains, People and Stations, about their journey to visit every railway station in Britain. You'll traverse unknown routes, discover the stories behind branch lines, and meet the folks who fix engines and tuck the trains in for the night. Southwark Cathedral, £5, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

Friday 26 October

Celebrate London's night life at this museum late

HALLOWEEN MAKEOVER: Got a spooky shindig to attend? Allow blow-dry bar Duck & Dry and cava connoisseurs Freixenet sort you out with a free makeover. Choose between three glamorous yet ghoulish looks while you sit back, relax and knock back a couple of glasses of Cordon Negro. Duck & Dry (Oxford Circus), free, book ahead, until 31 October

FEMME FATALE: Is the female of the species really deadlier than the male? Find out after hours at the Natural History Museum, at an event exploring the role of females in nature and the role of women in science. Natural History Museum, free, just turn up, 6pm-10pm

NOCTURNAL LONDON: The Museum of London is staying up late for an evening of live art, talks, and trashy club tunes. But that's not all — for one night only, their photography exhibition exploring the capital after dark is completely free.  Museum of London, free, just turn up, 7pm

THE HERRON BROTHERS. Two voices. Two acoustic guitars. One London date. The Herron Brothers fly into the Gallery Cafe for a live performance of their debut album. Gallery Cafe (Bethnal Green), £5, book ahead, 7.30pm-10pm

Saturday 27 October

Could bike yoga be the most east London event ever?

CHAIN REACTION: Big on bicycles? Pedal along to this east end celebration of cycling, featuring free tune-ups, yoga for cyclists, and a cult 70s film screening. St Margaret's House (Bethnal Green), suggested donation £5, book ahead, 10am-4pm

STICKY NOTE SCULPTURES: There are better uses for post-its than leaving passive aggressive messages by the washing up for your slovenly flatmates.  Help create a giant papery sculpture at the Royal Society of Sculptors by folding, sticking and balancing post-its into playful 3D shapes. Royal Society of Sculptures (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 12pm-8pm

PETRIFYING PUMPKIN TRAIL: Witches, warlocks, spectres, and skeletons — who knows what kinds of sinister creatures lurk in the shadows of London's oldest allotments? There's only one way to find out, though. Follow the light of the Jack'O Lanterns and make your way down the Halloween pumpkin trail...if you dare. Northfields Allotments (West Ealing), free (donations welcome), just turn up, 3pm-7pm

NATURAL BORN THRILLER: Are you a Michael Jackson fan? Do you like dressing up? What about supporting brilliant causes and setting world records? If you answered 'yes' to all, you absolutely must get down to Covent Garden for Thrill the World, a worldwide simultaneous dance performance of the 1983 mega hit. Covent Garden Piazza, free, just turn up, 10pm

Sunday 28 October

Vimala Rowe and John Etheridge perform at the Royal Air Force Museum

WINGS OF WINDRUSH: Pay homage to the contributions of African-Caribbean RAF service personnel at the Royal Air Force Museum. There's traditional Caribbean storytelling, talks, and calypso performances. Royal Air Force Museum (Colindale), free, just turn up, 11am-4pm

APPLE DAY: Enjoy fibre-rich fun on the farm with apple pressing, apple arts and crafts, an apple-themed treasure hunt, and a longest peel competition. Plus, visit all of Kentish Town City Farm's usual residents, including piglets Wilma and Betty, and Melody the goat. Kentish Town City Farm, £1, just turn up, noon-4pm

PHOTOWALK: Is your Instagram lacking a little lustre? Join lifestyle and fashion photographer Eva Thompson for a wander around the pastel-hued neighbourhoods of Notting Hill and Holland Park as she dishes out tips on how to best capture them. Meet at Holland Park station, free, book ahead, 1pm-4pm

Last Updated 19 October 2018