All Week
TALKS AT THE TOWER: Hackney Historic Buildings Trust has organised a series of talks taking place in the Round Chapel and St Augustine’s Tower. Hear Iain Sinclair talk about the Overground in Hackney, Simon Inglis talking about sport in Hackney and more. See full programme. Free, just turn up, 15-19 June
MORE LONDON FREE FESTIVAL: From now until September, The Scoop at More London Riverside will be taken over by theatre, music, dance and film, as the More London Free Festival takes place. This month, the focus is on music. Take a look at the calendar to see what’s on this week.
FORENSICS: Only another week to catch Forensics: the Anatomy of Crime at Wellcome Collection. It’s not one for the squeamish, as it examines methods of forensic pathology throughout time. Weekends can be very busy, with long queues, so time your visit carefully. ★★★★★ Free, just turn up, until 21 June
WHAT IS LUXURY?: The V&A’s exhibition, What Is Luxury?, focuses on luxurious objects in everything from fashion to diamonds. The collection of items ranges from the elegant to the downright impractical ★★★☆☆ Free, just turn up, until 27 September
ILLUSTRATION AWARDS: See this year’s entries to the V&A Illustration Awards at the museum. Works consist of book, editorial and student illustration. Free, just turn up, until 2 August
Monday 15 June
FATHER’S DAY CARDS: You know Father’s Day is soon, right? Don’t panic. Head to Drink Shop Do in King’s Cross for an evening making Father’s Day cards, complete with glitter, stick on stars, the works. Free with a drink, just turn up, 7pm
THEATRE PLATFORM: Director Simon Godwin talks to Fiona Mountford about his new production of Farquhar’s comedy, The Beaux' Stratagem, at tonight's National Theatre Platform. £4/£3, prebook, 6pm
LAUGH OUT LONDON: Jessie Cave and Harriet Kemsley headline Laugh Out London comedy night at The Camden Head, both previewing their Edinburgh shows. £3, prebook, 8pm
Tuesday 16 June
LUNCHTIME KNITTING: Head to the Fleming Collection for a relaxing yarn and knit session where you can help to make clothing and blankets for Knit for Peace who supply those in need. Any level of experience welcome, supplies and refreshments provided. Free, just turn up, 1-3pm
DICKENS AND SCIENCE: Dickens showed considerable knowledge about the scientific developments of the 1850s and 1860s, which he wove into his stories and descriptions of London's life and environment. Hear more about it at this Gresham Lecture at Museum of London. Free, just turn up, 6pm
CRAP FILM CLUB: There's a screening of Gymkata, a 1985 martial arts film starring Olympic gymnast Kurt Thomas as Jonathan Cabot, an Olympic gymnast who combines his gymnastic ability with martial arts to enter a deadly competition in a fictional country, Parmistan. Takes place at The Book Club in Shoreditch. £3.50/£4.50, prebook, 7pm
MAIL RAIL: Chris Taft, historian and Head of Collections at The British Postal Museum & Archive, gives a talk about the world’s first electrified driverless railway, The Post Office Underground Railway (aka Mail Rail). Before you go, take a look at our video, offering a sneak peek inside Mail Rail. Free, prebook, 7.30pm
COMEDY: Get a dose of friendly politics at Camden’s Black Heart with Lolitics, hosted by Chris Coltrane with Bridget Christie, Jonny and the Baptists and Eleanor Morton. £3, just turn up, 8.30pm
Wednesday 17 June
WATERLOO WALK: As part of Waterloo Festival, take a guided walk around Waterloo, led by Chris Everett, qualified City of London Guide and Freeman of the City of London. See how the area in and around Waterloo Station has changed in 200 years. £5, prebook, 11am
WOMEN IN THE CORPORATE WORLD: Gloria Larson is at the University of Westminster to share insights and lessons learned from a career in the public, private and non-profit sectors, from young lawyer to President of Bentley University. She'll also discuss the current state of women in the corporate world. Free, prebook, 6pm-8pm
AUTHOR TALK: Author Anthony Sattin is at Stanfords book shop in Covent Garden to talk about his book, Young Lawrence, a portrait of the early life of Lawrence of Arabia and how it influenced his life. £3, prebook, 6.30pm
FILM QUIZ: You're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat film quiz is at the Assembly House in Kentish Town. The multimedia quiz tests you on pictures, posters, clips and soundtracks from the world of film. £5, 7pm
AUSTERITY BRITAIN: Head to Housmans book shop in King's Cross to hear Lisa Mckenzie talk about her book, Getting By: Estates, class and culture in austerity Britain, which looks at the positive aspects of estate life, despite the many hardships. £3, prebook, 7pm
FATHER'S DAY POEMS: The Poetry Society is at All You Read Is Love in Leytonstone for an evening of poems about parents and parenting. There's also an open mic, so bring your own poem to read if you're so inclined. Free, 7.30pm
BRASS BAND: The Trans-Siberian March Band, a London-based Balkan Brass Band bring their borderless bag of musical styles to Rich Mix. Free, just turn up, 8pm
Thursday 18 June
MACHE MONSTERS: Craft all manner of big bad beastly brutes from papier mache at Drink Shop Do. Imagination very much required, everything else provided. Free, from 7pm
DAVID MITCHELL: That's the author David Mitchell. He's signing copies of his novel The Bone Clocks at Blackwell's High Holborn from 2pm. Free (though you'll need a copy of the book), just turn up, 2pm
Friday 19 June
CHRISTINA BROOM: Museum of London Docklands today opens a new exhibition dedicated to Christina Broom, largely regarded as the UK’s first female press photographer. Free, just turn up, until 1 November
MORLEY MORSELS: Morley College offers a day of free, hour-long taster courses. Try anything from mime, to flamenco, to hypnotherapy. Free, prebook, 1o.30am-8pm
A WORLD IN LONDON: Southbank Centre presents A World In London. Hear our cosmopolitan city at its creative best through the magic of broadcaster DJ Ritu's A World in London radio show, in the first of two performances. Free, 1pm-2pm. The second performance takes place tonight at 5.30pm.
MAGNA CARTA: The Society of Antiquaries of London is holding a free Magna Carta Museum Late. Explore the exhibitions after hours while listening to medieval music and enjoying a drink from the bar and a special programme of activities. Free, prebook, 6pm-8.30pm
FOCUS ON FOOTBALL: Sports journalists and former players including Steve Claridge, Stuart Fuller (author of The Football Tourist) and Guardian journalist Amy Lawrence discuss the ideas in Patrick Marber’s new play, The Red Lion. At National Theatre. £4/£3, prebook, 6.30pm
Saturday 20 June
AMNESTY BOOK SALE: Once again the Greenwich and Blackheath branch of Amnesty International holds a fundraising book sale at Church of the Ascension in Lewisham. Free, just turn up, 9am-5pm
ABORIGINAL STORYTELLER: Renowned performer Francis Firebrace is one of Australia's foremost Aboriginal storytellers as well as an inspirational speaker and passionate humanitarian. Today, he performs a story created especially for 6-11 year olds at Rich Mix. £3 per child, prebook, 11am-12pm
CROYDON HERITAGE: Croydon Heritage Festival begins today, with a special Heritage Day. Expect events and entertainment across town celebrating Croydon including live music, dancing, open buildings, walking tours and stalls representing many of the Borough’s historic societies and community groups. Free, just turn up, 11am-4pm
SOUTHWESTFEST: St George's Square in Pimlico hosts SouthWestFest, a gala day complete with carnival parade, two stages, stalls, animals from Vauxhall City Farm and more. Free, just turn up, 12pm-6pm
CORNHOLING: We introduced you to the game of Alabama Cornholing last year, and there’s another chance to have a go at Beavertown Brewery near Tottenham Hale station. Email [email protected] to sign up to the tournament, or just have a beer and a play on the public boards. Free, just turn up, 3pm
Sunday 21 June
KITE DAY: Streatham Common Kite Day takes place with single and multi-line kite demonstrations, kite tuition, food and drink stalls and a chance to buy kites and equipment. Free, 11am-5pm
ALLSORTZ: Allsortz open mic evening at Rich Mix gives singers, rappers, dancers, comedians or spoken word artists a chance to perform their work in front of an audience. Free, tweet @Allsortz1 to gain entry 7pm-11pm
Check out our map of free things to do in London for more frugal fun.
