Things to do in London this week for £5 or less.
1. Sup on a free coffee from Perks & White
If you live around Tulse/Herne Hill, perhaps you've already supped a Perks & White coffee. Now, the company — who use local suppliers and producers where possible — are branching into central London, and for one day only, handing out free brews at their latest spot in St James's Market. (Alternative milk charged at full price.)
Free, 28 February.
2. Fake it 'til you make it at the Royal Society
The Royal Society stays open late for a free event on the theme of fakes. At its headquarters just off The Mall, delve into stories of inaccurate scientific information that has been spread through history, including fakes, forgeries, fraud and misinformation.
Hear experts talking about cryptocurrencies, false memories and faking it in the natural world; get up close to AI-generated art; and learn the story of the first Fellow ejected from the Royal Society for 'diverse frauds'.
Free, 2 March. Age 18+.
3. Take your kid for a free spin on the London Eye
To (book)mark World Book Day, the London Eye is letting kids dressed up as their favourite literary characters ride on the attraction for free. Expect to see plenty of Tracy Beakers and Harry Potters spinning around from Thursday to Sunday. You'll need to book in advance.
Free (with full-price adult ticket), 2-5 March.
4. See a free outdoor photo exhibition
Head down to More London near Tower Bridge for a free outdoor exhibition by sanitation charity WaterAid. 22 photos by award-winning British-Egyptian photographer Laura El-Tantawy are on display, telling the stories of mothers and babies in Malawi's Ntchisi district, which is impacted by dirty water, poor sanitation and a lack of hygiene in health centres.
Free, 3 March-14 April.
5. Get your belongings repaired for free
Bikes, kettles, clothes, phone screens, vacuum cleaners, lamps and toasters are among the items you can get fixed — for free — at a repair cafe on Saturday.
Take your broken household items along to Makers Cabinet in Cambridge Heath, where 10 professional 'fixers' (designers, crafters and creators) are on hand to do their best at reviving your goods. Have a chat with them — you may learn a thing or two to keep your possessions ticking over nicely in the future.
There's also live music, plus free tea and coffee at the event.
Free (book in advance), 4 March.
6. Celebrate International Women's Day with the whole family
We're huge fans of Barbican Cinema's regular Family Film Club for a cheap way to entertain the whole clan. Tickets are always just £3.50 per adult or £2.50 per child (though note that all children must have an adult with them, and vice versa).
This week it's a special International Women's Day screening, showing a programme of short films made by female directors and filmmakers from all over the world. The programme is suitable for age 5+, and includes films from Germany, Canada, Switzerland and other countries, many of which have no dialogue making them easy for everyone to follow.
£3.50 adult/£2.50 child, 4 March.
7. Get a last glimpse of Battersea Light Festival
We love that the evenings are getting lighter, but it does mean the end of this year's winter light festivals. This week is your final chance to wander around Battersea Power Station Light Festival, a free trail of eight glowing installations around and inside the iconic building.
Though the festival has taken place before, this is the first one since the Power Station reopened to the public as a new shopping centre in October. Installations include a glowing washing line, and the giant rainbow slinky pictured above.
Free, until 5 March.
8. Go on a Swiss Cottage sci-fi adventure
Artist Ruth Beale has worked with her father David to create LIKE GODS at Swiss Cottage Library. The exhibition sees the library's entire sci-fi section transferred to eight letter-shaped bookcases, spelling out 'LIKE GODS' — a nod to science fiction creators of worlds and futures, and HG Wells's novel Men Like Gods. There are also paintings inspired by illustrations of spaceships, and a video showing David exploring the basement stacks of the library.
Free, until 30 March.
9. See the women of east London at work
As Women's History Month begins, make time to see current Oxford House exhibition, Women of Bethnal Green at Work. Peruse photos by Tower Hamlets-based photographer Sarah Ainslie depicting local women at work, in roles including tradeswomen, community organisers, faith leaders, artists, and shopkeepers.
Free, until 31 March.
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.
