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.
1. We all scream for (free!) ice cream
Monday is the best day of the year for ice creams fans; Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day. The Vermont-based company gives away free scoops of its frozen goodness at various venues around the UK — and for us Londoners, it's the Ben & Jerry's parlour at 74 Wardour Street in Soho. Head there during opening hours (leave plenty of time — there will probably be a queue) and get a scoop of your favourite flavour (or try a new one) for free. Best of all, you can join the line as many times as you like for a free scoop each time.
Free, 3 April 1pm-10pm.
2. Laugh your head off in Kentish Town
The Rose & Crown in Kentish Town is a mecca for free comedy — with nights throughout the week, including open mic at Pegasus Comedy (Mon), new act/material show Freedom Fridge (Thurs) and then more excellent open mic hijinks with Sunday Shtick. Check out the website, and get planning some free chuckles.
Free, 3, 5 and 9 April.
3. Send the kids off to games night
Teenagers getting under your feet during the school holidays? Send them off to Chelsea Library — it hosts a free games night for 13-18 year olds every Tuesday evening. They can chose between traditional board games, Nintendo Switch games, and tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons and Warhammer.
Free, 4 April (And every Tuesday).
4. Gather at the StoryTent for Our Journeys
Rich Mix opens a free new exhibition, Our Journeys, celebrating local history. Parents from Tower Hamlets primary schools worked with artists Teresa Hare Duke and Jakia Khanom, Tracy Barbe from Rich Mix, and Sanjida Alam of Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives, to explore their personal stories of heritage and migration.
They then embroidered, collaged, drew, painted and printed representations of their own journeys onto a StoryTent, which is on display from Tuesday, and which you're invited to sit inside.
Free, 4-17 April.
5. Eat for free in the PEAple's Cafe
Anyone for a pea cocktail? Frozen food brand Bird's Eye hosts The PEAple's Cafe for one afternoon only, with a petits pois-based menu by chef Miguel Barclay. Head to the Skinny Kitchen restaurant in Islington to sample three canapes and a pea cocktail.
Free, 5 April.
6. Last chance to see Treason
You've only got until this Thursday to see The National Archives' current major exhibition, Treason: People, Power & Plot. It uses documents which rarely go on public display to cover the history of treason from 1352, including famous incidents such as the Guy Fawkes plot, and lesser-known historical chapters such as women who were tried as witches. Learn about various plots, the people involved, and the punishments dealt out.
Free, until 6 April.
7. See a Haunting new exhibition
Another new free exhibition opening this week is Hauntings at Newington Green Meeting House. Artists Gülseren Aksoy, Nicola Pritchard and Zilan Imsek displays works which reflect the human emotions linked to loss.
Following the death of her mother, Aksoy seeks answers to existential questions with art while Imsek traces the unsolved political murders in Turkey. Pritchard focuses on the memories that were lost after displacement of people from their homes.
Free, 6-28 April (Thursday and Fridays only).
8. Witness the Passion of Jesus
It's something of a London tradition for thousands of people to gather in Trafalgar Square on Good Friday and watch a reenactment of the Easter story. The Passion of Jesus is a play by the Wintershall Players, with a 100-strong cast and BSL interpreters. It's free and you don't need a ticket, but you'll want to get down there early to get a good spot — there are two performances, at 12pm and 3.15pm, each one lasting around 90 minutes. It's open to everyone, but bear in mind that it might not be suitable for younger kids.
Free, 7 April.
9. Kickstart your weekend with an open mic night
On the first Friday of every month — which happens to be Good Friday this month — Poplar Union hosts a free-entry open mic night. Friday Sessions features music, poetry and other live performances, and if it gets you inspired, you can put your name down to perform on the night.
Free, 7 April
10. Meet the animals at a mobile farm
Throughout the Easter holidays, there's a Spring Festival at Battersea Power Station, with a giant flower trail, pop-up playground, and other free activities. This week, even more is happening, including a mobile farm courtesy of Vauxhall City Farm on Friday-Sunday. Meet alpacas, sheep, goats and other animals in Power Station Park.
Free, 7-9 April.
