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: If this week's arty suggestions are not enough for you, then take a look at our July art events listing and find more art openings happening this month. You should find the perfect fit to your creative side amongst painting, photography, drawing and more.
BRIDGE EXHIBITION: Museum of London Docklands’ 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
BEACH VOLLEYBALL: Action For Kids' Beach Volleyball Championships has returned to Wood Wharf in Canary Wharf. Teams of 5-12 people compete against each other over three weeks. Free to spectate (with a charge to take part), until 18 July
BRAZILIAN FESTIVAL: The Joga Bola! Brazilian cultural festival is well underway at Rich Mix in Shoreditch. The line-up includes music and DJs from the UK, Brazil and Europe, artists at the forefront of contemporary Brazilian scene, film screenings, Brazilian culture and World Cup football. See website for full programme. Free, until 13 July
Monday 7 July
EXCHANGE SQUARE: Just a few steps from Liverpool Street station you can watch the Tour de France and admire some temporary art — both for free. Exchange Square hosts a screening of the famous cycling competition alongside the giant sculpture installation Cyclus, by Croation artist Vasko Lipovac — part of its Summer of Sports event series.
NATIONAL THEATRE: Writers who took part in this year's Connections Festival talk about their experience at Lyttelton Theatre. £4/£3, prebook, 6pm
TALK: Professor William P. Jones talks about the American Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its historical, political and social consequences until the present day. The event takes place at the British Library. £5/£4, prebook, 6.30pm
READ & MUSIC: The Social in Oxford Circus hosts an evening of literature and music. David Quantick reads from the novel Memoirs Of A Shoegazing Gentleman, alongside live and DJ performances from special guests. Free, just turn up, 7pm
COMEDY: Enjoy an evening of comedy with laughter professionals Comedy Knights, taking place at the AAA in Kensington. The event is free so show up early to avoid disappointment. Free, just turn up, 8pm
Tuesday 8 July
VIDEO ART: Whitechapel Gallery hosts Artists Film International, a showcase of creative film from around the world. On display are films by Yuri Ancarani, Mattias Härenstam, Masooda Noora, Uudam Tran Nguyen and Amir Yatziv. Free, just turn up, until 12 October
GUIDED WALK: Get out the office earlier and explore sites connected to Dr Crippen, the notorious Victorian murderer. Meeting point is GoToMidtown shop at 56 New Oxford Street and the walk ends at Holborn station. Free, just turn up, 5.30pm-7pm
BOOK TALK: Writer Bonnie Greer reveals her early influences and struggles for equality in her touching and thought-provoking memoir A Parallel Life. The event takes place at the National Theatre, part of its Platforms series, followed by a book signing. £4/£3, prebook, 6pm
FOREIGN LANGUAGES: Interested in learning a new language? Lingua Diversa Group offers an introductory lesson to Italian at its offices in Holborn. £5, prebook by email, 6.30pm-7.30pm
Wednesday 9 July
ART: Oxo Tower Gallery presents the social-focused exhibition Reclaiming Childhood, which is about the child labour situation in India. The exhibition aims to raise the debate on the ongoing exploitation of children in third world countries. Free, until 20 July
LUNCHTIME LECTURE: Join the free historical-themed lecture about The Faith of the Huguenots, taking place at Christ Church Spitalfields in Commercial Street. This event is part of the Huguenot Threads 2014 festival. Free, prebook, 1.05pm
FOREIGN LANGUAGES: Feeling World Cup fever? Lingua Diversa Group offers an introductory lesson to Brazilian Portuguese at its offices in Holborn. £5, prebook by email, 6.30pm-7.30pm
POETRY: Hampstead-based Keats House hosts Poems on the Underground, a celebration of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas with readings and music. £5, prebook, 7pm
Thursday 10 July
FOOTBALL FORUM: Clipped Football Forum is a three-day event featuring screenings and panel discussions at SOAS University in Russell Square. Filmmakers and speakers from over 20 countries share their experiences of how football empowered them and their communities. The event is free, although a donation of £5 for each event is recommended, check website for full programme. Free, until 12 June
OPEN DAY: The Royal College of Physicians opens its beautiful Medicinal Garden to visitors. There will be guided tours throughout the day explaining the story of the plants and their use in the past. £4, just turn up, 10.30am-4pm
LUNCHTIME LECTURE: Join another free historical-themed lecture about the history of the Huguenots, taking place at Christ Church Spitafields in Commercial Street. This event is part of the Huguenot Threads 2014 festival. Free, prebook, 1.05pm
ART EVENT: The Contemporary Art Society hosts a preview of paintings and works on paper by Lothar Götz, whose artworks can be seen at the Southbank's Festival of Love and at the House of St Barnabas later this summer. Free, prebook necessary, 6.30pm
WEATHER TALK: A free panel discussion about climate change, global warming and actions taken to stop it takes place at the Free Word Centre in Farringdon. Free, prebook, 7pm
HISTORICAL HERITAGE: Historian Ann Robey talks about the heritage project Collecting Cultures, which enriched the local heritage collection of Barking and Dagenham. The event takes place inside National Trust's Eastbury Manor House in Barking. £5, prebook by email, 7pm
COMEDY: Joseph Morpurgo and Sarah Campbell are on stage at the Camden Head for an evening of stand-up comedy. £1, just turn up, 8pm
Friday 11 July
ART: See unique design pieces at Jerwood Makers Open 2014. Objects displayed include ceramic, glass and even LED signs. The exhibition takes place at Jerwood Space in Bankside. Free, until 31 August
OPEN AIR: Floating Cinema presents its Chinese Open Air Weekender, which lasts for three days and focuses on contemporary Chinese culture. The events include film screenings, workshops, music and more. Check website for full programme. Free, until 13 July
CAMDEN LOCK: Enjoy a day out at Camden Lock Live: this whole-day free festival include loads of music acts — expect reggae, rock and folk — food, drink and shopping. Free, just turn up, 10am-10pm
AMPHIBIANS: The Grant Museum invites UCL PhD students to choose and showcase objects from its collection. Today the focus is on amphibians, and the talk is led by Helen Meredith. Free, just turn up, 1pm
GUIDED WALK: To mark the upcoming World Cup final, GoToMidtown Walks has organised a football-themed walk around Holborn. Meeting point is outside Holborn station. Free, just turn up, 1pm
Saturday 12 July
BANK SECRETS: Go backstage at the Bank of England at this open door day, part of the City of London Festival. Both the Bank and the museum will be open to visitors, with 30-minute tours conducted throughout the day, plus there’s a chance to try lifting a genuine gold bar. Free, just turn up, 9.30am-4pm
OCEAN RACING: After racing for 40,000 miles over 12 months, the Clipper Round The World teams return to London and St Katharine's Dock, celebrating the event with a special outdoor family event. Enjoy a sail parade, music and food stalls. Free, just turn up, 10am-5pm
SKIPPING EXTRAVAGANZA: Choreographed dance meets school playground skipping in Greenwich Park. Professional dance-skippers and local performers will be strutting their stuff to a soundtrack created specifically for the event. Free, just turn up, 11.30am-2.30pm
FAMILY DAY: Mint Street Music Festival is a family-focused event happening inside Mint Street Park in Southwark. See website for full schedule. Free, just turn up, noon-5.30pm
COCKTAIL MASTERCLASSES: The Little Shop of Gin pops up in Marylebone offering gin-themed events. Learn how to make the perfect G&T, or go to a gin tasting session. £5, prebook, 1pm-4pm
Sunday 13 July
BASTILLE DAY: Head to Borough Market and Bankside for a whole day of French-themed celebrations: Bastille Festival is back again this year. Expect themed food stalls, music, street performers and even a guillotine. Free, just turn up, all day
SUMMER STREETS: Today is the first of four Summer Streets events, when Regent Street goes traffic-free for the day. Today’s theme is The Regent Street Garden Party.The street will be transformed into a garden, with sections of lawn, live jazz music and performances by entrants to the Mayor of London’s busking competition. Free, just turn up, all day
SUMMER STOCK: Frock Me vintage fair makes its final sojourn of the summer at Chelsea Town Hall, so stock up on 1950s print dresses and summer essentials for the holidays while you can. Designer pieces such as Ossie Clark, Dior, Pucci and YSL are also available to the beady-eyed bargain hunter. Entry is £4 (£2 for students) and tickets can be purchased in advance. 11am-5.30pm
WAITER’S RACE: The annual Soho Waiters Race takes place today, starting outside French House on Dean Street and continuing around the area before finishing in Old Compton Street. Free, just turn up, 3.30pm
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.
