Budget-friendly things to do in London this week for £5 or less.
Looking for more free things to do in London? Here are 102 of em! We've also compiled this epic map of free stuff in London.
See Luke Jerram's scale model of Mars
Artist Luke Jerram has previously installed his models of Earth and the moon in various London locations. Now it's the turn of Mars, as part of the Kensington and Chelsea Festival. Mars: War & Peace is installed at St John the Baptist Church in Shepherd's Bush, and is a 1:1 million scale model of the Red Planet, using detailed NASA imagery of the planet's surface.
After its stint in Shepherd's Bush, the installation moves on to other venues around area, and is free to visit at all locations.
Free, 22-30 July at this location.
Catch free al fresco live music
'Tis the season for al fresco culture, and we've got two free outdoor live music performances to recommend in London this week, both taking place over lunchtime, with spectators welcome to bring their sarnies.
First up, Aldgate Sounds is a free concert taking place every Tuesday until the end of August, putting a different musical act in the spotlight in Aldgate Square each week. This time, chamber group The Dionysus Ensemble perform a programme of classical music.
Then, Friday is this year's last edition of Songs on the Steps in Holland Park, where performers from Opera Holland Park give free 40-minute lunchtime recitals in the park for picnickers or anyone who's just passing by.
Free, 25 July (Aldgate)/28 July (Holland Park). No ticket required for either.
Enjoy free performances at Festival14
Music, theatre, dance, comedy and children's activities are all part of Festival14, which returns to parks and open spaces around Canary Wharf from today. Head to Canada Square Park for the main stage, or explore the Crossrail Place Roof Garden, Westferry Circus and other areas for alternative entertainment.
Most — though not all — events on the programme are free and don't require tickets, but check details of each one.
Most events free, 26-30 July.
Play late at Science Museum's gaming evening
This month's free-entry late-night opening at the Science Museum has a dual purpose; marking 75 years of the NHS, and celebrating the launch of the museum's new Power Up video games gallery.
Enter the museum after the normal opening hours, for events including talks, a pub quiz and a silent disco, as well as a chance to explore the galleries and exhibitions without the usual crowds.
Free, 27 July. Age 18+.
Watch a rubber duck race and dragon boat race
If you go down to the canal on Thursday, you're in for a big surprise... in the form of 1,000 rubber ducks and 21 dragon boats (though not both at the same time).
The charity rubber duck race takes place at lunchtime in Paddington Basin, with said ducks thrown into the canal from above; the first to bob its way to finish line 100m away is declared the winner. It's free to watch, though anyone can sponsor a duck for £3, which goes to local charity Cosmic (Children of St Mary’s Intensive Care) — and prizes include Eurostar tickets if your little pal is victorious.
Later on in the day, 21 teams take on the same stretch of water in the dragon boat race, which is also free to watch.
Free, 27 July.
Visit the London Art Biennale for free
London's art scene can come across as rather exclusive, but events like the London Art Biennale are aiming to change that. The art fair, taking place in Chelsea Old Town Hall is completely free entry and open to everyone, offering a chance to browse contemporary works by more than 400 artists from all over the world, across several different mediums.
That said, we can't vouch for the price of the artworks if anything takes your fancy...
Free, 27-30 July.
Brush up on Barbie's cultural impact
Thanks to the release of a certain pink-hued film, Barbie's having her moment in the spotlight — but how did the doll become such an icon of 20th century pop culture? That's the topic of an online discussion hosted by Shoe Lane Library, which looks at why Barbie became so popular, and why she remains it today.
Free, 28 July.
Explore the legacy of the Korean War
70 years after the Korean War ended, Dr Grace Huxford — Senior Lecturer in Modern History at the University of Bristol — gives a talk about the conflict's legacy. Find out about Britain’s role in the Korean War, the response to the war in Britain, and how it has been remembered over the past seven decades, as well as how the conflict shaped British and international history.
Watch the talk in person at the National Army Museum in Chelsea, or online.
Free, 28 July.
Take part in free activities at the Copper Box Arena
Stratford's Copper Box Arena celebrates 10 years since reopening after the 2012 Games, with a day of free activities — including fitness classes, volleyball and badminton. People of all ages and abilities are invited to join from 9am-3pm — no need to book in advance.
Free, 29 July.
Join the celebrations at Croydon Carnival
It's been Party Central down in Croydon this month, and the celebrations aren't over yet. Croydon Carnival parades through town on Sunday, closing London Road to traffic for a series of stages which will host — among others — garage legend Artful Dodger. The whole event is a celebration of the diversity of food, religion and culture in West Croydon.
Free, 30 July.
Try out a brand new craft event
Colour therapist and Londonist contributor Momtaz Begum-Hossain launches a new crafting event, Colourful Crafternoons, offering Londoners somewhere to step away from distractions and immerse yourself in a creative project.
It'll be a monthly event, with a different project to work on each time. All materials are provided, and no crafting experience is necessary.
Sessions take place at Well Bean Co Café in Royal Docks and operate on a pay-what-you-can basis. Age 16+.
Pay what you can, 30 July.
Get a final glimpse of The Big City
This is the final week of The Big City, a free Guildhall Art Gallery exhibition showcasing some of the largest paintings in the gallery's collection, including several large-scale paintings of London itself, and many which aren't usually on show to the public. It's also a chance to see new painting, Pomp and Circumstance Adversus, by British contemporary artist Dan Llywelyn Hall, depicting King Charles III's coronation procession.
Free, until 30 July.
