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, and have a helpful guide to where to see art in London for free, and where you can catch cheap and free comedy.
Keep the kids entertained in half term
It's half term in London, meaning that parents and carers all over the capital will be scrambling for ways to keep children entertained — ideally on a budget. Fear not, our guide to things to do in half term has you covered, and we've also included a section on free events and activities. If the weather's on your side, try our map of playgrounds in central London, or how about this free maze out west?
Step into MGA's Miniverse at Selfridges
Visit The Toy Shop at Selfridges on Oxford Street right now, and you'll find MGA's Miniverse, where you can admire the Mini Food range (feat. adorable versions of snacks and desserts) and Make It Mini Make-up, complete with eye shadow and lip gloss. There's also a huge bowl of cereal which'll bring you down to size, and is grrrr-eat for selfies.
Free, until August.
Go wild in Kingston
Sculpture artists Gillie & Marc have installed 10 animal statues around the Kingston area, for the free Go Wild in Kingston art trail. One of their famous Dogman and Rabbitwoman sculptures features, alongside representations of endangered species including elephants and gorillas.
Free, 26 May-1 June.
Celebrate 80 years of the Moomins
This year marks 80 years since the first Moomins book was published, an anniversary being marked with a series of special events at Southbank Centre, coinciding with half term. The centrepiece is a recreation of the Moominhouse on Riverside Terrace, which visitors can help to decorate. It culminates in a free party with music and storytelling on Sunday.
Free, 27 May-1 June.
Head to this huge free family festival
Free family festival Brockwell Bounce takes over Brockwell Park for a day of family-friendly entertainment, music, dance, workshops and creative arts and crafts. Watch Britain's Got Talent winners Twist & Pulse dance on the main stage, or enjoy a Paradise Circus performance. Take part in instrument lessons in the Music Making Zone, and get twisting at hula hoop workshops. Alternatively, head for the Adrenaline Zone and let the kids trampoline, parkour and skateboard off all that extra energy.
Free, 28 May.
Spend an hour playing with Lego
Stanley Arts in Norwood hosts The Brick People for a day of Lego. Book an hour-long session and get involved with building and creating, using the bricks provided — or try your hand at the timed tower or speed build contests. There's also a display of official and custom Lego creations.
£5, 28 May.
Solve the mystery of the Rogues' Gallery
For one night only, the Cockpit Theatre hosts Rogues' Gallery, a "who didn't do it?" mystery. The fast-paced comedy show is set in a prestigious art gallery, where a priceless sculpture has been destroyed. The suspects include art thieves, clueless tourists, mischievous pranksters and overzealous custodians, and it's for you to work out who was — or wasn't — responsible. Tickets are free, but donations for Barnardo's will be collected at the start of the show (suggested donation £5).
Free/donation, 28 May.
Spend an evening with illustrator David Fathers
David Fathers, who's just published this wonderful book on green walks around the capital, is at the London Canal Museum in King's Cross, talking about his creative journey, and sharing how he researches, writes and illustrates his much-loved walking guides. For a fiver, you can watch the talk, join in with a Q&A, and explore the museum's permanent collection. For an extra fiver, you can go on a short boat ride.
From £5, 29 May.
Dive into London Rivers Week
A series of events focused on celebrating and improving the capital's waterways, London Rivers Week features activities such as boat trips, river clean-ups and expert talks. Many of the events are free, including a walk along the Lea Valley, and a plasticblitz to help clean out the Pymmes Brook (all equipment provided).
Some events free, from 30 May.
Munch on free cookies
The cookies are on the Chocolate Dino Company in Lambeth North, celebrating its first birthday by giving away 1,000 of its signature quarter-pounder choc chip cookies on Saturday and Sunday. Made with silky Belgian chocolate, they've got a soft, gooey centre — and look the perfect accompaniment to a punchy cup of coffee. The giveaway is from 8am on Saturday-4pm on Sunday on a first-come, first-served basis. You need to download the Chocolate Dino Company app, and enter the code DINOCOOKIE, but no purchase is necessary.
Free, 31 May-1 June.
Visit London's newest museum
The latest outpost of the V&A Museum, V&A East Storehouse opens on the eastern side of the Olympic Park in Hackney Wick on Saturday. It's a cavernous warehouse stacked with seemingly endless crates and pallets, taking the public behind the scenes of some of the museum's many objects and collections, an eclectic mix including huge architectural structures, vintage football shirts, a Glastonbury Festival Archive, a chunk of Elton John's wardrobe, Roman frescoes and so, so much more.
We had a sneak peek last year. It's not to be confused with the V&A East Museum, which is now expected to open in Spring 2026. General entry is free, though there will be a charge for some special exhibitions.
Free, from 31 May.
Visit the farm for a spring fair
Vauxhall City Farm holds a spring fair, with Tyers Street closed to traffic for the day, making room for sheep shearing, live music, animal talks (presumably people talking about animals, rather than animals actually talking...), spinning demos and other entertainment. Entry is free, though donations are encouraged, going towards the 50th anniversary appeal to pay for improvements to keep the farm going for another 50 years.
Free entry (donations welcome), 31 May.
Visit the free installations at London Festival of Architecture
A celebration of architecture and 'city-making', the London Festival of Architecture has a theme of 'Voices' for 2025, and the programme is packed with events throughout the month. Some (though not all) are free, predominantly the exhibitions and installations popping up around the capital, such as Palace Uncovered, a free exhibition about Alexandra Palace's role in the First World War, and Blowing in the Wind, an installation of giant paper boats suspended above Brixton Market. Browse the programme to see what takes your fancy.
Some events free, 1-30 June.
Blast off for the final week of this space gallery
This week is your last chance to see Science Museum's free Exploring Space gallery, before it closes for a major refurb. Part of it already closed a few weeks ago, but the north side is still open for a few more days. As it's half term, the museum will be very busy, so it's a good idea to book (free) entry tickets in advance, to avoid having to queue.
Free, until 2 June.
