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.
Admire Primrose Hill life drawings
Regent's Park Gallery in Primrose Hill is currently exhibiting Drawing from Life, a collection of drawings and paintings created by artists from across London over the past 15 years. Pencil, charcoal, pastel, paint and collage works all feature in this eclectic show. Maybe it'll inspire you to have a go...
Free, until 23 May (open Weds-Sun).
Tuck into 50p chicken wings
Buffalo, tonkatsu BBQ, garlicky — however you prefer your chicken wings, Bloodsports in Covent Garden — a shouldn't-work-but-does mash-up of a live sports and horror movie bar — is now serving them up at 50p a piece — a distinctly non-Covent Garden price. The deal's on all day every Monday. For non-meat eaters, there are plant-based Impossible nuggets.
50p per wing, 28 April and every Monday.
Stay late at Christie's
The St James's home of auction house Christie's stays open on Monday night for a Lalayi (Nights) themed late. It's an evening dedicated to the artistry and craftsmanship of the Islamic and Indian worlds, with workshops, live performances and panel discussions, including live Persian music and poetry, plus your chance to try calligraphy and carpet weaving.
Free, 28 April.
Celebrate Ukrainian culture and creativity
Woolwich Works hosts Vesna Fest, a programme of events celebrating spring, Ukrainian style. It launches with United For Ukraine, an art exhibition curated by the Ukrainian Arts Hub and featuring works by both adults and children.
Other events over the weekend include a launch party, a talk about the history of Ukrainian culture, and an open mic night with Ukrainian spoken word and music.
Most events free, 28 April-9 May.
Get inspired to fix the planet at Generation Hope
The Natural History Museum’s youth climate and nature programme Generation Hope is back for its third consecutive year, with young climate leaders from across the globe, climate and environment professionals, and several of the museum's 400 pioneering scientists taking part. The events are aimed at young people (though anyone's welcome) and include talks, workshops and science stations in the Hintze Hall.
Free, 29 April-3 May.
Roll the dice at this games night
Cure Thursday night ennui at the Gower Street branch of Waterstones, where the store's booksellers host games night Board in Bloomsbury, with a selection of games ready to play. No need to bring anyone — just head along and meet fellow players. Or simply a chat over a drink from in-store coffee shop Dillons.
£5, 1 May.
See Paul O'Grady's Lily Savage costumes
Get a close-up look at costumes worn by late comedian Paul O'Grady in the role of his drag alter ego Lily Savage. Simon Sladen, Senior Curator of Theatre and Performance at the V&A, hosts the free workshop, which is part of the museum's Performance Festival. It consists of several other free events this week, including a screening of The Wiz, a talk about David Bowie's final album, and a workshop focused on costumes from Netflix series The Crown.
Lily Savage event is on 2 May. Performance Festival takes place until 4 May and most events are free.
Go to this party on the canal
As is traditional on the early May bank holiday, the Canalway Cavalcade moors up in Little Venice, with more than 100 decorated boats taking part. It's a celebration of London's waterways, but sea legs (or your own boat) aren't necessary as plenty happens on dry land too, including live music, and entertainment. Our favourite part is the illuminated boat procession, taking place after dark on Sunday evening.
Free entry, 3-5 May.
Take part in the VE Day 80 celebrations
8 May is the 80th anniversary of VE Day, with many special events taking place around London and beyond to mark the occasion. They start this week:
- The National Army Museum hosts a debate, Is Remembrance Still Working?, bringing together two grandchildren of high-ranking army officers from opposite sides of the Second World War, for a discussion about Remembrance, and how the end of the war was portrayed to the people on each side of the conflict. Free, 2 May
- Stephens House and Gardens in Finchley aims to replicate the VE Day celebrations which took place there in 1945. Maypole dancing, war film screenings, and a Finchley Society display of objects relating to wartime are on the schedule, and at 6pm there's a recreation of this photo, taken in 1945. Free, 4 May.
Plenty happening next week too, including a military procession, a flypast with the Red Arrows, and live choir performances. Full details here.
