Free And Cheap London Events: 20-26 July 2015

By Londonist Last edited 104 months ago
Free And Cheap London Events: 20-26 July 2015

All Week

Be part of a world record attempt to complete the largest ever Paint by numbers at Old Royal Naval College


PAINT BY NUMBERS:
Head to the Old Royal Naval College to take part in an attempt to break the record for completing Britain's largest Paint by Numbers. Turn up between 1pm-4pm to join in; the canvas has 7,500 numbered shapes to colour in so take along plenty of stamina! Free, just turn up, until 25 July

SHUBBAK FESTIVAL:
A festival celebrating contemporary Arab culture which features over 100 international artists. Sixteen days worth of concerts, performances, installations, exhibitions, screenings and debates across a variety of London locations. Many events are free, check the website for a full programme of events. Until 26th July

STAYING POWER:
This crucial exhibition at the Black Cultural Archives has been extended to the end of July. Through portraiture and documentary photography it charts the experiences of Black British people from the 1950s through to the 1990s. Listen out for previously unheard oral testimonies which accompany the photos. Free, just turn up, until 31 July

THE SPARK FESTIVAL:
The Spark is a week long festival of free workshops, discussion, art, music and more which focuses on building positive change in our society. The Festival is based at the Brady Arts and Community Centre near Whitechapel. Check out the programme for a full calendar of events and register for sessions. Free, until 26 July

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 sport. Take a look at the calendar to see what’s on this week.

CHRISTINA BROOM:
Museum of London Docklands’s current exhibition is all about the UK’s first female press photographer, Christina Broom, a self-taught novice who turned photography into a business venture to support her family. Free, just turn up, until 1 November

Monday 20 July

Gin Off at Graphic Bar


LEARN TO CODE WORKSHOP:
Learn how to build your own home page at this three hour workshop in Clerkenwell. You'll be learning the digital ropes via an experienced professional web developer. Don't forget to download the materials you'll need before you arrive. Free, just turn up, 6pm-9pm

THE GRAPHIC GIN OFF:
Lovers of gin will be crazy to miss what has been described as The FA Cup of Gin. Graphic Bar in Soho has invited distinguished gin brands Whitley Neill Gin and East London Liquor Company to compete with each other. Participants will get to vote on their favourite gin cocktail and there'll be FREE GIN. Free, prebook, 6pm-9pm

ASIAN POETRY:
Head to Barking Learning Centre to explore the pleasures of Asian poetry with prizewinning poet Moniza Alvi. As well as her own poetry, Alzi will be introducing a new audience to a range of Asian poets. This event is part of the Arts Council funded project, A Year of Reading More Dangerously. Free, just turn up, 6.30pm-8pm

FREE SKETCH COMEDY:
Well Sketchy is a great night for those wanting to try out new material or occupy some stage space and gain new audiences. This relaxed evening at The Water Poet pub in Shoreditch features acts Next Best Thing and Thunderbards. Free, just turn up, 8pm

Tuesday 21 July

ARTISTS FILM INTERNATIONAL:
Whitechapel Gallery’s season of film and video produced by international artists starts today. Check the website for details of each film. Free, just turn up, until 27 September

COMEDY:
Sketch and character comics Alison Thea-Skot and Lazy Susan preview their Edinburgh shows at The Betsey Trotwood in Clerkenwell. £4, just turn up, 7.30pm

POETRY:
The Emma Press is launching new poetry collections Slow Things and The Dead Snail Dairies at Rambert HQ on the South Bank. Free drinks available on the night. Free, just turn up, 7.30pm

CINEMA EXHIBITION:
Film fans will be suitably impressed with this interactive exhibition at Coningsby Gallery showcasing contemporary film posters. More excitingly there will be a custom built cinema made entirely out of lego on show. Free, just turn up, until 7 August

Wednesday 22 July

EXHIBITION AT WELLCOME COLLECTION:
Artist Alice Anderson will be exhibiting over 100 sculptures at the Wellcome Collection. Memory Movement Memory Objects showcases her stunning work cast in copper. Free, until 18 October

ROUND TABLE EVENT:
The furore that surrounded the Are You Beach Body Ready adverts on the London Underground provided an opportunity to open the discussion about women's bodies, body image and obesity. Playwright and paediatrician Dr Serena Haywood will be hosting a panel discussion ahead of her play Goddess on the same themes. This event is at St George's University of London. Free, prebook, 6pm

SHORT FILM SCREENING:
Memento Mori short films programme is taking place at Corbet Place near Spitalfields market. The films explore the extremes of life and feature sportsmen, protestors and political refugees. The night also includes theatrical elements, art installations, themed décor and a special memento mori themed cocktail and food menu. £3.95/£4.95, prebook, 7pm

Thursday 23 July

Kitten Shower at the London Cattery


BATTERSEA DOGS AND CATS HOME KITTEN SHOWER:
Spend the day playing with adorable kittens, making toys for them and engaging in craft and quiz activities. We're sure you won't be able to tear yourself away when home time comes! £3/£5, just turn up, 10.30am-4.30am

SWISHING CLOTHES SHOP:
Canal and River Trust has put together a programme (PDF) of free summer evening events. If you're in need of updating your wardrobe but are strapped for cash then go swishing instead where you get to swap your old clothes for someone else's old clothes. You never know, you might find a few gems! Free, prebook, 6pm-8pm

DROP IN ART TOUR:
On the last Thursday of every month the public are invited to see a unique art collection displayed at University College Hospital. This tour focuses on art created with young people in mind. Free, prebook, 4pm

Friday 24 July

FREE FOOTBALL:
Head to Spitalfields market for this pop up football match hosted by Footy for Good, in aid of Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. This promises to be the biggest game of street footy London has seen: don't miss out — register your team. Free, prebook, 10am-8pm

BALHAM FREE FRINGE FESTIVAL:
No need to travel to Scotland to see this year's Edinburgh Festival shows, you can catch them right here at Balham Free Fringe Festival at The Bedford in Balham and all for free. Expect standup and sketch comedy from new and established acts. Rest assured you'll be laughing all weekend and it won't cost you a bomb. Free, just turn up, until 26 July

CAT EXHIBITION:
If you're crazy about cats, then get to Civic Suite in Catford. It's your last chance to see an exhibition inspired by our feline friends. Free, just turn up, until 24 July

PENNY LECTURES:
The phrase, 'a penny for your thoughts' has never been more true. This lecture Musicians in the shadow of war and tyranny explores musicians caught up in the midst of political conflict. It forms part of series of lectures put on by Morley College to celebrate its 125th anniversary. £0.01, prebook, 6.30pm-8pm

Saturday 25 July

SEA CADETS:
Every Saturday you can try out sailing, rowing and paddlesports for free with the Sea Cadets. The club is open to 10-18 year olds who live in Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Barking and Dagenham boroughs. A great way for kids to have fun, make friends and learn a new skill. All safety equipment is provided, contact Lisa at lgoodey@ms-sc.org to book a place. Free, prebook, 10am-1pm

MEET THE GRUFFALO:
Make your dreams, ahem, your kids' dreams come true by taking them to the fifth floor of Debenhams on Oxford Street for a fun morning of free storytelling and activities. Keep an eye on the Debenhams blog for more details. Free, just turn up, 11am

FREE BEER FESTIVAL:
We can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday than at a FREE beer festival. Howl at the Moon in Hoxton will be revealing the winners of their 100HottestBeers competition, (you have until 24 July to cast your vote via Twitter) and you'll be spoilt with a choice of up to 40 of the beers from the winning list. Free, just turn up, noon-1am

ABBEY GARDENS SUMMER FETE:
Spend a sunny afternoon relaxing in Abbey Gardens in Stratford listening to Regent Community Brass Band. There's plenty of activities for kids and opportunities to buy fresh local produce as well as see an exhibition of archive images from the garden. Free, just turn up, 1pm-4pm

Sunday 26 July

TALK ON COMICS AND THE GRAPHIC NOVEL:
The British Library hosts a talk on the changing landscape of Arab literature — where comics and graphic novels are increasingly becoming popular. £5, prebook, 11am

HORNSEY TOWN HALL TOUR:
Crouch End Walks are running 50 minute tours around Hornsey Town Hall. Come and see the 1930s Modernist interior which is full of original features and interesting history. £5, prebook, 2pm

CARDBOARD CITIES, KIDS' ACTIVITIES:
We all remember the fun we had building dens out of cushions piled high, much to our parents dismay! So kids will absolutely love this event. Head to the roof of Boldtendencies in Peckham where they'll be building their very own cardboard city before creating their own music with trained drummer Tom Morely. Free, prebook, 1pm-5pm

FOYLES SUMMER OF FUN BEGINS:
Foyles is bringing books to life over summer with a series of fun-packed events. The series kicks off with Where's Wally, who has hidden himself around the Charing Cross store. Every child who helps find the bespectacled hero will receive a FREE Where's Wally poster as well as some exclusive Wally stickers. Free, prebook, 2pm-4pm

Check out our map of free things to do in London for more frugal fun.

Last Updated 21 July 2015