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 July 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 open now. 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.
YOUNG FESTIVAL: In 2017 Ovalhouse arts centre is moving to Brixton. To celebrate the move, they present the Brixton-specific young festival I Am Your Neighbour: expect spoken word evenings, community art workshops, dancing in the street and even plays inside people’s houses. All the events take place in Brixton and most of them are free or very cheap. Check website for programme and prices, 21-26 July
LAST WEEK: Head to Beers Contemporary gallery and see the show of contemporary Italian artist Lucia Pizzani, The Worshipper of the Image. Free, until 26 July
Monday 21 July
FALKLANDS: We Are Falklands is on show at The Mall Galleries in Charing Cross. This exhibition displays photographs showing all the aspects of living in the Falkland Islands: their nature, their wildlife, their economy and social identity. Free, until 27 July
COMEDY: Enjoy some Edinburgh previews tonight at La Favorita Freestival, taking place at The Prince of Wales in Covent Garden. On stage: Alexander Bennett, Viv Groskop, Paco Erhard and Bren & Jenny. Free (donations welcome), just turn up, from 7pm
MOVIE QUIZ: Following this year's reunion of Monty Python, The Monarch in Camden hosts a movie quiz about the surreal comedy group's films. Team up with your friends (maximum six people per team) and book a table at the pub. £2, pay on the door, 8pm
FREE GIG: Latvian indie-pop band Carnival Youth present their new EP Never Had Enough tonight at The Lock Tavern, in Chalk Farm. Other performers will take the stage, too. Free, just turn up, from 8pm
Tuesday 22 July
FOOD MARKET: The Lunch Market returns to its waterside location at Wood Wharf, serving up an enticing array of authentic dishes from around the world. Find over 30 stalls brimming with exotic treats: entrance to the market is free but you need to pay for food. Free, just turn up, 11am-3pm
MARITIME WORLD: Join a free talk about shipping, shipwreck and the merchant navy. Guildhall Library's expert Jeanie Smith introduces you to Lloyd's Marine Collection. Free, prebook, 2pm
FILM QUIZ: Hackney Picturehouse hosts the touring cinema-themed quiz You're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat. £4, prebook, 6.30pm
ART TALK: Listen to artists Simon and Tom Bloor talking about the relationship between art and vandalism at the South London Gallery in Peckham Road. £5/£3, prebook, 7pm
AUTHOR TALK: Hear authors of Camden Lock & the Market and The Regent's Canal talk about their respective books at The Spread Eagle in Camden. The event is free and the there will be a book signing session, too. Free, just turn up, 7pm
Wednesday 23 July
JAZZ FEST: Global Local’s next London festival is Ealing Jazz Festival, taking place in a big-top tent in Walpole Park and kicking off today. Hear Latin tunes, jazz and funk fusion, bebop, hard bop, contemporary jazz and more. £4/£5 per day or £8 all weekend, just turn up, until 27 July
IDEAS SHARING: Would you like to help developing the business of an ice cream parlour? Ideas Hack presents a one-day event where people aged 18-24 are welcome to get stuck in a problem solving session. Lunch and a small bag of goodies will be provided. Free, prebook, 9am-5pm
LUNCH BREAK: How can historical objects improve health outcomes? This is the topic of today's talk at the Royal College of Nursing's Library, in Cavendish Square. Free, prebook by email, 12.30pm
BREW ON THE ROOF: Camden Town Brewery pops up on Selfridges's rooftop for a whole day of beer brewing and tasting, as part of Meet The Makers campaign. Free, just turn up, 1pm-8pm
BAKE-OFF: Portman Village in Marylebone celebrates the nation's love of baking with the PV Bake-Off and Street Fest. There will be top-class chefs, loads of cakes and free food samples, family games and shop discounts. Free, just turn up, from 4pm
BOOK LAUNCH: Housmans Bookshop in King's Cross hosts the launch event for the new edition of Arthur Machen’s long out of print The London Adventure, a classic of psychogeographical writing. £3, just turn up, 7pm
OPEN MIC: Shoreditch arts hub Rich Mix hosts Jawdance, an evening of open mic, poetry and much more. Arrive early at Rich Mix’s bar to secure an open mic slot, or just come along to enjoy some fantastic spoken word. Free, just turn up, from 7.30pm
COMEDY: Join The Uncliqueables while they record a comedy podcast at The Camden Head. On stage, Paul Gannon plus Eli Silverman and special guest Nathaniel Metcalfe. Free, just turn up, 7.30pm
Thursday 24 July
ARCHAEOLOGY DIG: Young archaeologists and their parents can take part in a 45 minute dig with Museum of London experts at The Charterhouse, learning about the tools of the trade, near to where archaeologists working on Crossrail recently unearthed a Black Death burial ground. The event is part of London's Festival of Archaeology. Free, but prebooking essential, 24 and 25 July, 10am-4pm
KITTEN SHOWER: On the same day of Prince George's first birthday, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home celebrates with a Kitten Shower. Activities on the day include the opportunity to meet some of the kittens in a kitten crèche, name some new arrivals and family activities. The event is on a first-come first-served basis so arrive early to avoid disappointment. £5/£3, just turn up, 10.30am & 2pm
OPEN DAY: The Freud Museum in Finchley Road hosts its annual open day and offers free-of-charge entrance to the public. On the day there are house tours, special insight talks by curators as well as delicious cream teas and creative activities in the garden. Free, just turn up, noon-5pm
HISTORICAL TOUR: The Tudor manor and ancient bishop’s residence Fulham Palace opens its doors to the public for a guided tour of the Bishop's Park. Explore this piece of London’s heritage — meeting point at the museum before the tour starts. £5, just turn up, 2pm
FREE SPEED DATING: Fancy the idea of attending a speed dating event in a relaxed summer garden? Then head to the Grand Union in Wandsworth, you will also get a free drink on arrival. Free, prebook, 7pm
GIG: Folk band Winterhours and other guests are on stage tonight at the Servant Jazz Quarters in Dalston. £4+bf, prebook, 7.30pm
Friday 25 July
ROYAL MARINES: This year is the 350th anniversary of the Royal Marines, who celebrate the event first with a marathon and then with a parade across The City of London. There will be short road closures of Finsbury Pavement, Moorgate, Prince's Street, Bank junction, Poultry, King and Gresham Streets — get your chance to watch the parade. Free, just turn up, 11am-2pm
NATIONAL THEATRE: Comedian Francesca Martinez talks to Clive Anderson about her last book, What the **** is Normal?!, as part of National Theatre's Platforms. £4/£3, prebook, 6pm
OPEN AIR CINEMA: Chinalife bar in Camden screens the film Chungking Express in its garden. Alongside the film, the bar will be serving alcoholic tea cocktails, Chinese comfort food and single estate tea. £3, just turn up, 7pm
MUSIC: Somewhat Damaged is a music night taking place at The Unicorn Camden Live. Expect some of the rawest London bands to perform. Free, just turn up, 7pm
EP LAUNCH: Nottingham trio Three Girl Rhumba celebrate their EP launch with a late night get-together, happening at Dalston's Power Lunches. Your ticket will assure you a free EP. £4, prebook, 8pm
Saturday 26 July
GARDEN PARTY: Barbican hosts two days of music, theatre, arts and crafts, food and family activity in Walthamstow’s Lloyd Park for Walthamstow Garden Party. See the full Saturday and Sunday programme. Free, just turn up, 26-27 July
CAMPUS CRICKET: The Red Bull Campus Cricket World Final takes place at The Oval. Eight of the best cricketing universities in the world battle to be crowned Red Bull Campus Cricket world champions. £5, prebook, 10am
CHEAP CIDERS: Head to The Miller in Borough this weekend for Ciderdog, a free-entry cider festival, with pints for just £3. There will be 100 ciders and perries, real ales, London brewed beer, hot dogs, BBQ and music until late. Free, just turn up, noon-1am
Sunday 27 July
MAGNUM 25: Today is the final day of Summer Streets, when Regent Street goes traffic-free with special events for shoppers. It’s a celebration of the 25th anniversary of ice cream brand Magnum. 25,000 ice creams will be distributed to hungry shoppers, with live music played all day. Free, just turn up, all day
ECO CRAFT FAIR: The Garden Museum in Lambeth has a summer craft fair, with sustainable, eco-friendly crafts and produce on offer. £2.50 (includes entry to the Museum) just turn up, 10.30am-5pm
ANIMAL SOUNDS: Head to Horniman Museum in Forest Hill to celebrate the opening of the new sound installation, the Great Animal Orchestra, with a day of music and family activities inspired by the animal world. Free, just turn up, 11am-5pm
STREET STYLE: African Street Style Festival is due to transform Shoreditch streets into a vibrant mix of fun activities today. Expect African-themed catwalks, music, food and children's activities. Gents can also take part in The Dandy Lion Project photo session: all they need to do is to send a photo of themselves in their planned sartorial outfits to this address. Photos selected will be part of a dedicated book to be exhibited worldwide starting with The Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago. Free, just turn up, noon-7pm
KIDS STORYTELLING: Those word wizards at London Dreamtime have a storytelling event for children at Sutton House in Hackney, as part of the free family day at the venue. Free, just turn up, noon-4pm
VILLAGE FETE: Brick Lane Village Fete is now in its second year with a tongue-in-cheek take on the traditional English classic village fete. Local traders will be selling food, children’s entertainment includes face painting and hip hop dancers, plus there’s a dog show and, most intriguing of all, Lou Lou the cosmic hoola hooper. Full programme details. Free, just turn up, noon-7pm
POETRY AFTERNOON: Keats House in Hampstead has an afternoon of poetry and spoken word with performances by the Keats House Poets and poet Miriam Nash, plus an open mic. Free, just turn up, 2pm
VELVET TONGUE: Erotic literature evening Velvet Tongue returns to The Book Club in Shoreditch with readings and performances from Pat Cash, Jacob V. Joyce and Susana Medina. £5/£3, just turn up, 7pm
COMEDY: Enjoy some stand-up and improvised comedy at the Duke of Wellington in Dalston. On stage, three mystery guests. £4+bf, prebook, 7.30pm
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.
