Free And Cheap London Events: 18-24 July 2016

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Free And Cheap London Events: 18-24 July 2016

Skint? On a budget? Looking for cheap things to do in London? We hear you, which is why we've put together this list of things happening in London this week that cost £5 or less. You're welcome.

All week

Play volleyball in Canary Wharf with Action For Kids

BAR ON A BOAT: Sip cider aboard a boat and start summer the Swedish way, for the final week of Rekorderlig's Midsommarstång Festival. Free, just turn up, from 4pm (or noon at the weekend) until 24 July

BEACH VOLLEYBALL: Watch Olympians and Paralympians compete on sandy courts in Canary Wharf, and even have a go yourself. In aid of Action For Kids. Free (or £10/hour to hire a court), book in advance, until 30 July

ASTRONOMY PHOTOS: The Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition at The Royal Observatory has been extended until 7 August. We were pretty impressed by this year's photos and reckon it's well worth a visit. Free, just turn up, until 7 August

LONDON BRIDGE CITY FESTIVAL: Summer may not be all that we'd hoped for (yet!) but that's not stopping the Summer Festival going ahead down at The Scoop by More London. The programme is full of free film and sport screenings, theatre performances and more. Free, just turn up, until October

HARRY POTTER: You may not have tickets for the play, but you can still get your Harry Potter fix in London at this free Potter exhibition. See Hogwarts textbooks, issues of The Daily Prophet and the original Marauder's Map. Free, just turn up, until February 2017

Monday 18 July

LUNCHTIME LECTURE: Discover Dutch flowers in more detail and learn about life during the Dutch Golden Age with the National Portrait Gallery's Myojin-Nadar Curatorial Assistant. Free, just turn up, 1pm

HAPPINESS TALK: Look at the history of the human quest for happiness with a talk at New Acropolis, Islington. £5, book in advance, 7.30pm

Tuesday 19 July

ETHICAL FASHION TALK: Hear Kate Black, editor-in-chief of Magnifeco, in conversation with Observer columnist Lucy Siegle as they discuss how to be fashionable and environmentally responsible. Rizzoli Bookshop, the Strand. Free, book in advance, 6.30pm

FREE KORFBALL TRAINING: Learn how to play korfball (a sort-of cross between netball and basketball), with a weekly session on Clapham Common. Today's class is led by England Korfball player Ben King. Free, just turn up, 7pm

CRIME AUTHOR TALK: Hear top crime authors, including Sleepyhead and Scaredy Cat writer Mark Billingham, in conversation with the Telegraph's crime fiction critic, Jake Kerridge. Waterstones Tottenham Court Road. Free, book in advance, 7pm

Credit: beckorfballclub.

Wednesday 20 July

RIVER RACE: Cheer on six young watermen as they take part in the 300-year old Doggett's Coat and Badge Race down The Thames, starting at London Bridge ending at Cadogan Pier, Chelsea. The race sees them pass under 11 bridges as they row 7.4km down the river. Free, just turn up, 11am

SCI-FI SHORT FILMS: Travel to a range of times, places and realities with a series of short sci-fi films at Café 1001's Shorts on Tap Presents: Total Eclipse. There's also a chance to discuss the films and network with directors and guest speakers. £3, book in advance, 7pm (screenings start at 8pm)

TRANSLATOR TALK: Writer and translator Daniel Hahn will discuss his latest translated novel, A General Theory of Oblivion, which was shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize, in a talk at Waterstones Piccadilly. Free, book in advance, 7pm

BEATLESS GIG: Have a new musical experience, 'untethered from the rigidity of rhythm' at a drumless concert featuring The Begotten, Tolerance Manoeuvre and MFU. Takes place at Windmill Brixton. £3, just turn up, 8pm

Thursday 21 July

HUMAN FERTILITY LECTURE: Discover the human reproduction system and find out about the future of fertility treatment, as part of St George's free public lecture series, Spotlight on Science. Free, book in advance, 6pm

REFUGEE FUNDRAISER: Enjoy a night of comedy, music, beatboxing and poetry in aid of refugees at Conway Hall in Holborn. Line-up includes Chris Coltrane, Andy Zaltzman, Phil Nichol and Phil Jupitus. £5 (all proceeds to charity), book in advance, 7.30pm

COMEDY NIGHT: Head to The Dogstar in Brixton for a night of giggles (and pizza) with Spencer Jones, who won best show at 2015 Edinburgh Fringe, and Dylan Gott. Free (pizza is extra), just turn up, 8pm

Spencer Jones, best show at Edinburgh Fringe winner (2015) is a Dogstar Brixton on Thursday. Credit: Spencer Jones.

Friday 22 July

SPORTS DAY: Join Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle at the Ultimate Sports Day in East Village, Stratford. Try a range of sports including rollapaluza cycling (speed cycling over 50mph), basketball and athletics. Free, book classes in advance, noon-4pm

TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION: View the winning submissions for the international Travel Photographer of the Year competition for a taster of life around the globe. 10 Stockwell Street, University of Greenwich. Free, just turn up, until 4 September

Dagsenach girl by Rafal Ziejewski from Travel Photographer of the Year exhibition.

Saturday 23 July

PRAM RACE: Watch adults and kids alike race prams around Alexandra Palace in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Parkinson's UK — or for a fiver, bring a pram and get involved yourself. Free (or £5), just turn up, 1.20pm

INDEPENDENT RECORD LABEL FAIR: Head to Spitalfields Market for the annual Independent Record Label Market. Featuring over 100 record labels, you're certain to find a gem in this vinyl treasure trove. Free, just turn up, all day (from 11am)

BUSKING FESTIVAL: From street dance to magic, watch a range of performances in Trafalgar Square as part of Busk In London Festival. There will also be a series of free workshops to take part in. Free, just turn up, 23-24 July

Sunday 24 July

KIDS' DESIGN WORKSHOP: Kids can make a visual story, discovering photography and graphic design at the V&A. Free, just turn up, all day (from 10am)

POP UP ART FAIR: See street artists live in action at The Piece and Love Pop Up Art Fair for the East London Fringe Festival. There will be stalls, MCs and hiphop DJs, artisan food and craft beer. £3, book in advance, from noon

Last Updated 15 July 2016