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.
Check out the budget options at London Festival of Architecture
London Festival of Architecture is on all month, celebrating the capital's buildings through walks, talks, exhibitions and the like. There's a charge for many of the events but there's a decent free programme too — browse it here. Options this week include a walking tour focusing on the Bank of England's architecture, a late night opening of the Royal College of Physicians, and a series of giant inflatable sculptures taking over The Mall Wood Green
Free, until 30 June.
Visit an open-air exhibition on climate change
Climate Changed My Home is an al fresco exhibition on at London Bridge City near Tower Bridge. It combines photography and interviews of people in countries which are already facing challenges brought on by climate change. They include pastoralist Abud Haq, a father of six children who lives in the drought-affected Badghis province of Afghanistan.
Free, until 30 June.
Catch a free screening of Mean Girls
The Summer by the River festival is on until September, offering free outdoor entertainment. This week, that includes a screening of the new Mean Girls film, a remake of the 2004 film about a new student arriving at a high school and finding herself tangled up with the most popular girls in school.
Free, 4 June.
Take yourself to a free wellness festival
Canary Wharf hosts a four-day wellbeing festival Wharf Wellness, with free events such as group runs, padel taster sessions, outdoor workouts, and yoga classes. Several stores around the area also have free events going on, including skincare advice sessions.
Free, 5-8 June.
Get lost in Southbank Centre's Disappearing Rooms
Rumour has it that summer might be coming — and that means the return of one of London's best-loved play fountains. Jeppe Hein's Disappearing Rooms is back outside Southbank Centre, with jets of water shooting into the air to create 'rooms' — which disappear just as quickly when the water stops. Very popular with kiddos in the hot weather — just don't forget a towel and change of clothes!
Free, 5 June-8 September.
Get stuck into free activities at the Aperidisco
The front of Battersea Power Station gets an orange makeover for two weeks, with the arrival of Aperol's Aperidisco — an pop-up offering disco yoga, bucket hat customisation, nail painting (orange, surely?), DJs and karaoke for nada. There's also Italian-inspired food, and tacos — and we daresay one or two Aperol spritzes being poured too — although these are not, alas, on the house.
Some activities free, 6-19 June.
See this year's Serpentine Pavilion
This year's Serpentine Pavilion opens to the public on Friday, giving you a chance to go inside the shooting-star shaped pop-up structure in Kensington Gardens. Officially known as 'Archipelagic Void', it features five themed 'islands' designed around an open space, inspired by a form of traditional Korean house.
Free, 7 June-7 October.
Watch (or take part in) the World Naked Bike Ride
Heads up: if you're in central London — or along certain routes beyond that — on Saturday, you may well stumble across some naked cyclists. The World Naked Bike Ride is back, with cyclists letting it all hang out as they ride in a group on one of several pre-agreed routes. It's free to view — though please act respectfully towards those taking part — and also free to take part if you're so inclined. Just turn up at one of the start points at the designated time with your wheels.
Free, 8 June.
Celebrate the East End at the Festival of Communities
Created by Queen Mary University London, the Festival of Communities is a celebration of everything great in east London. Taking place in Stepney Green Park, events include sports trial sessions, hands-on science and craft activities. Try Thai Boxing, make herbal tea, learn about tropical butterflies and more at the family-friendly event.
Free, 8 June.
Mark World Oceans Day
Royal Museums Greenwich and Greenwich Park team up for a free, family-friendly celebration of World Oceans Day. Events throughout Saturday include a trail around the area, where you can meet scientists and experts along the way, learning about the work they do to protect our oceans: Plymouth Marine Laboratory is among the organisations taking part. Workshops and live music are also part of the fun.
Free, 8 June.
Take the family to a festival in Bankside
A huge free, unticketed street party, Bankside Open Spaces Festival takes place across venues including Red Cross Garden, Crossbones Graveyard and Flat Iron Square. Expect live music, sports and craft workshops, a pop-up murder mystery tour, Irish dancing and more.
Free, 8 June.
Show what you're made of at Bearpit Karaoke
A phenomenon which started in Berlin, Bearpit Karaoke is back in London for four dates this summer. Head to the mini amphitheatre in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens and strut your stuff with karaoke anthems. All sorts of folk get involved, including professional singers and West End stars, as well as non-professionals — each trying to coax the audience into joining in.
Free, 8 June.
Head along to the Lambeth Country Show
The annual two-day (free entry!) Lambeth Country Show pitches up in its usual spot in Brockwell Park this weekend for all manner of entertainment spanning sheep shearing, vegetable sculptures, live music and... a wall of death.
Free, 8-9 June.
See this Everest exhibition before it closes
This is the final full week of Everest 24, a free exhibition at the Royal Geographical Society commemorating the centenary of the 1924 British Mount Everest expedition during which Man Bahadur and Lance-Naik Shamsherpun died, and George Mallory and Andrew Irvine disappeared. There's also a special free exhibition tour by curators Jamie Owen and Vanessa O'Brien on Thursday.
Free, until 11 June.
