Free And Cheap London Events This Week: 15-21 May 2017

Laura Reynolds
By Laura Reynolds Last edited 82 months ago
Free And Cheap London Events This Week: 15-21 May 2017

Things to do for £5 or less in London this week.

All week

Dulwich Park Fair is part of Dulwich Festival

DULWICH FESTIVAL: Dulwich Festival's on all week, and while not all events are budget-friendly, plenty clock in at £5 or less, including this open mic night, the West Dulwich Street Fair, Dulwich Park Fair and the Burial Ground Open Day. 12-21 May

PHOTO FESTIVAL: FIX Photo Festival at Oxo Tower showcases photos taken in response to the political shifts of the last year. Oxo Tower Wharf, free entry, just turn up, 12-21 May

FREE MINIGOLF: Get swinging at Columbus Courtyard in Canary Wharf, where a free-to-use 9-hole mini golf course has popped up. All equipment is provided, and it's open to everyone, regardless of age or golfing ability — a win-win situation really. Columbus Courtyard, free, just turn up, ongoing

Monday 15 May

PINT OF SCIENCE: For three days, venues across London will be taken over by light-hearted science-themed talks and events, for Pint of Science festival. Topics include cell research, neuroscience, space walking, animal testing, creating maps and more. Various venues, most events £4 each, book ahead, 15-17 May

LUNCHTIME RECITAL: St Margaret's Church at Westminster Abbey puts on free lunchtime music recitals, giving young soloists a chance to perform. Today is the turn of Matilda Lloyd on the trumpet, and pianist Cameron Richardson-Eames. St Margaret's Church, free, just turn up, 12.45pm

GHETTO SURVIVOR: Animal rights activist and Patron of the Jewish Vegetarian Society Dr Alex Hershaft will be talking about his life, making the transformation from the Warsaw Ghetto and surviving the Holocaust to advocating for farm animals. Jewish Museum (Camden), free, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

Tuesday 16 May

Find out more about policing on horseback

POLICE HORSES: At this special Police Museum event, learn about the various roles played by the City of London Police's Mounted Branch, including ceremonial events and its day-to-day role. Guildhall Library, free, book ahead, 2pm-3pm

ROYAL LECTURE: Today's Gresham Lecture focuses on the life of Queen Elizabeth II, and the changes that have taken place in her record-breaking reign, including the development of the Commonwealth. Museum of London, free, just turn up, 6pm-7pm

LOLITICS: Robin Ince and Eleanor Morton are among the comedians on the bill at this month's Lolitics, a 'friendly lefty political club'. It's different from other comedy clubs in that heckling is banned, and you can rest assured the comedians won't be picking on anyone in the audience. The Black Heart (Camden), £5, just turn up, 8pm

Wednesday 17 May

POWER OF YOUTH: 18-15 year olds can take part in a pre-election debate with politicians from across the political spectrum about the power that young people have. Southbank Centre, free, book ahead, 7.30pm

Thursday 18 May

Find out about London's condom-making past.

BORN INTO BROTHELS: As part of its Photography In Film series, House of Vans screens Born Into Brothels, a documentary by a film-making duo who visited and got to know child prostitutes in Calcutta. House of Vans (Waterloo), free, just turn up, 5pm/7pm

CAPITAL CONDOMS: Hear the story of the London Rubber Company, a condom company established in London in the 20th century, at a time when marketing of contraceptive products was heavily restricted. Wellcome Collection, free, book ahead, 6pm-7pm

SPIES IN THE SKY: You've probably heard of Bletchley Park, but what about RAF Medmenham? Similar top secret intelligence work was carried out there during the second world war, predominantly using aerial photography. Hear all about this aerial intelligence effort. RAF Museum (Hendon), free, book ahead, 6.30pm

MUSEUM LATE: Forest Hill's Horniman Museum is open late for a Museums at Night.  Browse the exhibits after hours, enjoy storytelling in the garden, take part in craft sessions, hear talks about the garden and museum, and more. Age 18+. Horniman Museum, £5, book ahead, 6.30pm-9.30pm

WHEN SPECIES MEET: Join Grant Museum of Zoology for a discussion about the problems that occur when two different species meet, how this can cause a loss of animal life, and what can be done about it. Wellcome Collection, free, book ahead, 7pm-8.30pm

Friday 19 May

A celebration of the Sitar is part of Alchemy Festival, which begins today.

ALCHEMY: Southbank Centre's Alchemy festival begins today, showcasing cultural connections between South Asia and the UK. Free events include a light-wall installation, satirical comedy, short films and more. Southbank Centre, prices vary, 19-29 May

WESTERN FRONT MUSIC: Hear about the role that music and musical entertainments played for airmen on the front line in the first world war. RAF Museum, free entry, book ahead, 12.30pm

MUSEUMS AT NIGHT: The Bank of England Museum is open late for Museums at Night, with special events taking place, including talks about some of the more interesting objects, an insight into the new banknotes and a chance to handle a real gold bar. Bank of England Museum, free entry, just turn up, 5.30pm-9pm

MUSEUM LATE: Elsewhere for Museums at Night, the National Gallery has a Renaissance-themed late with live music and performances, workshops, food, drink and more. National Gallery, entry is free but there are charges for some activities/events/exhibitions, from 6pm

GIRLS' SKATE NIGHT: Female skaters are invited to House of Vans to take to the ramps for an all-girl get-together, plus an hour of free yoga and complimentary cocktails. House of Vans (Waterloo), free entry, book ahead, 6pm-10pm

Saturday 20 May

Classic cars park up in Waterloo

SICILYFEST: A Sicilian-themed market is popping up in Spitalfields, with food and drink from the region, traditional performances, cooking sessions, a traditional puppet theatre and more. Bishops Square, free entry, just turn up, 20-21 May

OPEN STUDIO: Thames-Side artists' studios is home to over 420 different studios, and they're throwing open their doors to the public this weekend. Activities on offer include wax and print workshops, and trapeze classes. Thames-Side Studios, free entry (charge for some activities), just turn up, 20-21 May, 12pm-6pm

ODE TO NATURE: A new exhibition opens today, showcasing work by four different artists on the theme of the diversity of nature to celebrate the Chelsea Fringe Festival. Oxford House, free, just turn up, 20 May-4 June

CLASSIC CARS: If you're into classic cars and motorbikes, get yourself to Lower Marsh in Waterloo where vintage motors will be parking up alongside the market stalls for passers-by to admire. Lower Marsh, free, just turn up, noon-4pm

TAXIDERMY LATE: Live taxidermy demonstrations take place at this museum late, alongside a short film screening and a pop-up bar. Grant Museum, free entry, book ahead, 6pm-9pm

SOUND BATH: We're promised a three-hour long 'immersive performance installation and participatory experience' at St Leonard's Church in Shoreditch. Make of that what you will, but rest assured you can exit, enter, linger and lounge at your leisure throughout the duration. St Leonard's Church, £5, book ahead, 6pm

Sunday 21 May

Urban Village Fete comes to Greenwich

INSIDE OUT: Wear the kids out with an hour-long skate session in the railway arches, before plonking them in front of Disney Pixar film Inside Out — grown-ups will probably like this one too. House of Vans (Waterloo), free, just turn up, 12.15pm

URBAN FETE: The best in design, music, art and craftsmanship is celebrated at Urban Village Fete, a marketplace with street food, art and craft workshops, live music and talks. Greenwich Peninsula, free entry, just turn up, noon-7pm

Last Updated 11 May 2017