Free And Cheap Events In London This Week: 13-19 January 2020

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Free And Cheap Events In London This Week: 13-19 January 2020

All week

Winter Lights returns to Canary Wharf

DATA DATING: New exhibition Data Dating takes a look at finding love in the internet age and how it's reshaping our relationships, through the work of several artists. Find out how our screens are affecting our sexual intimacy, and what romance could look like in the future. Watermans (Hounslow), free, book ahead, 15 January-1 March

PHOTOWORKS AWARDS: See new photographic works by two up-and-coming artists, Silvia Rosi and Theo Simpson. Rosi's work explores her family history drawing on her Togolaise heritage, and the idea of origins, while Simpson focuses on evolving environments and elements of the world we live in today. Jerwood Arts (Southwark), free, just turn up,15 January-8 March

See the Jerwood/Photoworks Awards 2020. Photo: Silvia Rosi

WINTER LIGHTS: We're thrilled that free illuminations festival Winter Lights is returning to Canary Wharf for a sixth year. Wander among the skyscrapers seeing colourful installations, some of which are new for this year, and others which will be familiar from previous years. And did we mention it's free? Ideal January fodder. Canary Wharf, free, just turn up, 16-25 January

ON EDGE: It's the final week of Science Gallery's On Edge exhibition, which looks at the causes and effects of anxiety in modern-day life. Artwork and scientific research combine for a look at people's individual experiences of anxiety, and offers some opportunities to take action. Science Gallery (London Bridge), free, just turn up, until 19 January

Monday 13 January

Join Fiction Lab at the RI

CHRISTIE'S LATES: Auction house Christie's keeps its doors open late, and invites the public inside for a snoop around. Browse an exhibition of work from the upcoming Modern British Art sale. Take part in talks, demonstrations and classes, including still-life lessons, and a tasting of low ABV drinks brand London Essence. There's also a charity auction, raising money for refugees. Christie's (Mayfair), free, book ahead, 6pm-8.30pm

FICTION LAB: Love science fiction? Join Fiction Lab, a monthly meet up for anyone interested in fiction with a science theme. This month's book is Trinity by Louisa Hall, about the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the scientist who defended the use of the atomic bomb he helped create, before ultimately lobbying against nuclear proliferation. Royal Institution (Mayfair), free, just turn up, 7pm

UKULELE JAM: Looking for a new hobby in 2020? How about playing the ukulele? Every Monday, Queen of Hoxton hosts a free ukulele jam, with musicians of all abilities welcome, including complete newbies. Take your own instrument along, or borrow one for the night at the venue, and strum along to well-known tunes. Queen of Hoxton, free, just turn up, 7pm-11pm

Tuesday 14 January

Find out how coral reefs can be protected from climate change

ARTEFACT HANDLING: Fulham Palace invites the public in to get up close and personal with some of the historical artefacts in its collection. Have a look at items ranging from Roman archaeology to postcards, with an expert on hand to tell the objects' stories. Fulham Palace, free, just turn up, 11am-12pm

UNSUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION: Environment Professor Jacqueline McGlade looks at the problem we have with consumer addiction, and how we can end it. Hear about how we can change our habits to become more sustainable, and find out how patterns of consumption vary in different communities across the world. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm

CLIMATE CHANGE: It's no secret that the coral reefs are in danger, but what can be done to protect them from bleaching and other effects of climate change? Hear a panel of experts discuss the new technologies that can be used to conserve them. Speakers include representatives from ZSL, Horniman Museum and Natural History Museum. ZSL (Regent's Park), free, just turn up, 6pm-7.45pm

Wednesday 15 January

There's a free lunchtime lecture at the V&A.

LUNCHTIME LECTURE: Get an insight into the V&A's Tim Walker: Wonderful Things exhibition at this free lunchtime talk by Curator of Photographs, Susanna Brown. Learn about the things which sparked Walker's imagination, and the research he undertook at the museum, which resulted in 10 new series of photos being produced. V&A Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 1pm-1.45pm

TEA DANCE: Dancers of all ages and abilities are welcome at this free social tea dance. Twist and jive the afternoon away to salsa, waltz and jive tracks played by a DJ. No need to bring a partner. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 1.30pm

THE POWER OF MAPS: Hear the culmination of a decade of work at UCL Geography, as Professor James Cheshire gives a talk about the power of maps. He talks about why maps are useful in displaying data, why we need more of them, and how they are created. UCL, free, book ahead, 6.30pm-7.30pm

Thursday 16 January

Gresham College presents a history of the breast

CURATOR TALK: Drop into The Jewish Museum for a brief tour of the current John Offenbach exhibition, led by a curator. The exhibition has 33 large-scale photographs of Jewish people from all walks of life, from 12 different countries. The Jewish Museum (Camden), free, book ahead, 3pm-3.15pm

HISTORY OF THE BREAST: Gresham College holds a free lecture about changing ideas of the healthy breast. Social and cultural historian Professor Joanna Bourke discusses notions of beauty, sexual pleasure, and age, and also asks what happens when we turn our attention to the male breast. Barnard's Inn Hall (Holborn), free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm

HIP HOP KARAOKE: Live out your rap star fantasies at the Hip Hop Karaoke club night. Choose from hundreds of songs, from classics to new releases, and belt them out onstage to the crowd. Queen of Hoxton, £5, book ahead, 8pm

Friday 17 January

Têtes de Pois perform at Southbank Centre

ESCAPING WITH HIS LIFE: Hear from Sir Nicholas Young, whose book Escaping With His Life tells the story of his father, Major Leslie Young, from Dunkirk to D-Day and beyond. Major Young took part in a raid on the Lofoten Islands in Norway, fought and was captured in Tunisia, and escaped from an Italian prisoner-of-war camp before it was taken over by the Nazis — it's quite a tale to hear. National Army Museum (Chelsea), free, book ahead, 11.30am

LIVE MUSIC: Leeds-based seven-piece band Têtes de Pois play a free Friday evening gig. Kick your weekend off with a blend of jazz fusion, world grooves and some of the band's original music from their debut EP. Southbank Centre, free, just turn up, 6pm

SK8 FRY-DAYS: Head to the skate park underneath Waterloo station for an evening of tackling ramps and courses. It's completely free — including the fried chicken and beer available at the cafe. House of Vans (Waterloo), free, just turn up, 6pm-10pm

Saturday 18 January

Get stuck in at the Mindful Drinking Festival

MINDFUL DRINKING FESTIVAL: One for all you non-drinkers, Dry January participants, and anyone looking to cut down their booze intake. The Mindful Drinking Festival offers an insight into the alcohol-free drinks available these days, including teetotal beers, wines and ciders. Try and buy the drinks, speak to the people who make them, and take part in workshops and masterclasses. The Truman Brewery (Brick Lane), free entry, just turn up, 18-19 January

STUDIO TOURS: On the third Saturday of each month, Somerset House offers free tours of its artist workspace, Somerset House Studios. Visit a wing of the building that's usually off limits to the public and see where the artists work. Somerset House, free, book in person from 10.30am on the day, tours at 1.15pm and 3.15pm

BRENT BOROUGH OF CULTURE: Following Waltham Forest's tenure, Brent takes up the mantle as London Borough of Culture for 2020. The big launch event is Rise, a free, outdoor event telling the story of Brent through dance, theatre and projections, with Wembley Stadium as a backdrop. Wembley Park, free, just turn up, 7pm

Sunday 19 January

Refresh your wardrobe at the East London Vintage Kilo Sale

VINTAGE SALE: Refresh your wardrobe and do your bit to help the planet at the East London Vintage Kilo Sale. Stock up on second-hand retro and vintage togs, and pay by weight — meaning you could get a whole new outfit for just a few quid. York Hall (Bethnal Green), £3/£1.50, book ahead, 10am-4pm

ANTIQUES FAIR: Antiques experts and complete novices are invited to the monthly Adams Antiques Fairs. Over 140 stalls by traders from all over the UK and beyond are present, selling jewellery, artworks, homewares, furniture and more. Royal Horticultural Halls (Westminster), £4, book ahead, 10am-4.30pm

FROST FAIRS: Learn about the frost fairs which used to take place on the frozen River Thames. Create a collage inspired by the cold winter of 1820 at this family-friendly craft session. Keats House (Hampstead), free, book ahead, 2pm-4pm

Last Updated 10 January 2020