Free things to do in London this week.
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.
Head to the seaside — without leaving London
Time's running out to visit To The Seaside!, a free outdoor exhibition curated by the Photographers' Gallery and on display in Granary Square and Pancras Square in King's Cross. View seaside inspired photos and artworks by artists Max Miechowski, Sophie Green and Ben Thomas, as well as images from the John Hinde Archive Collection. Perhaps pair it with a trip to the Summer Sounds music festival nearby (above).
Until 20 August.
Play with the Big Build Adventure at Outernet
Outernet London at Tottenham Court Road has teamed up with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity to create immersive digital experience the Big Build Adventure. The install features a giant virtual paint wall, where kids can leave their mark on massive digital screens using motion-tracked gestures and virtual brushes. There are also building-themed games, and a chance to snap selfies with construction-themed props, then appear on the big screen.
Until 31 August.
Visit London's most unusual chippy
Heard of the Bourdon Street Chippy? It's a new fish and chip shop down a back street in Mayfair — but you won't get a chippy tea here.
It's actually a free art exhibition, replicating a full-sized fish and chip shop, but everything's made of felt. That's the food, the cutlery, the condiment bottles, the drinks cans, the art and posters on the wall — all very realistic, and all made of fabric. It's free to visit (although the artworks are for sale if you fancy taking a bottle of ketchup or a pot of mushy peas home) and is well worth swinging by if you're in the area.
Until 14 September (Wednesday-Sunday 11am-4pm, as well as bank holiday Monday 25 August).
Catch a free open-air film screening
Cross your fingers for good weather, and head to Merchant Square in Paddington after work on Wednesday for the latest Summer Movie Night. ABBA musical film Mamma Mia! is shown on a large screen, with deckchairs available to flop into, and plenty of space to put down a picnic blanket, if that's your preference. Street food and drinks are available to buy nearby.
13 August.
Take the kids to a free seaside craft session
Camden Market's free summer holidays activities continue with a seaside-themed arts and crafts session. Take the kids along to Hawley Wharf on Wednesday afternoon for the sew and stick session, along with free face-painting and Lego workshops.
Find other free things to do in London in the summer holidays, including the many free playgrounds in central London.
13 August.
Rock up to Barbican's new Blondie exhibition
Barbican Music Library launches the exhibition Blondie in Camera 1978 this Thursday, featuring 50 prints of the band shot in New York, taken by photographer Martyn Goddard — in concert, backstage, in the recording studio, and for some seriously hip photo sessions. You can also ogle poster prints, album covers, tour and concert memorabilia, and retro photographic equipment.
14 August 2025-5 January 2026.
Mark VJ Day
VJ Day or Victory over Japan Day remembers the day that Japan surrendered in 1945, effectively bringing the Second World War to an end. Mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day at Chelsea's National Army Museum. Author and filmmaker Phil Craig gives a free lunchtime talk on Friday, about some of the geopolitical implications of the Allied victory in the Second World War, as portrayed in his latest book, 1945: The Reckoning.
15 August.
See classic cars on show in Waterloo
The monthly(ish) Waterloo Classics revs into Lower Marsh on Saturday lunchtime, with owners of classic cars and vintage sets of wheels parking their pride and joy, allowing the public to take a closer look.
16 August.
Warm up for Carnival
Notting Hill Carnival takes place next weekend, but before that, head to the Soho Photography Quarter (outside the Photographer's Gallery) this Saturday for Sounds of Reggae. Dr Aleema Gray, founder of House of Dread, hosts an afternoon of live music tracing the roots of reggae, with Black Obsidian Sound System and live DJ sets.
16 August.
Enjoy a free music festival in King's Cross
Free music festival Summer Sounds is back at King's Cross until the end of this week, with live concerts every evening. There's a Queer Britain takeover on Monday, lively renditions from the Brass Rascals on Wednesday, and YoLanda Brown in a Bob Marley tribute on Friday. It culminates in a family-friendly afternoon on Sunday, with several folk musicians taking to the stage.
Until 17 August.
Get In The Neighbourhood at All Points East
While you'll need a ticket to get into the gig days of All Points East festival, the free In The Neighbourhood programme of events is back from Sunday, running until next Wednesday. Get free entry to the festival site in Victoria Park, with family-friendly events including football sessions led by the West Ham Foundation, live music, DJs and theatre performances, bike maintenance workshops — and heaps more going on across all four days.
17-20 August.
Other cheap things to do in London this week
Learn about a very important London photographer
Ever heard of Frederick Tibbs? He began his service in the City of London Police in the 1920s, but during the Second World War he was assigned to work in the force’s photography unit alongside Arthur Cross. They worked together to record the bomb-damaged landscape created by the Luftwaffe’s aerial bombardment of the City of London, resulting in the ‘Cross and Tibbs Collection’ of several hundred wartime photographs. The London Archives offers a lunchtime talk on Thursday, telling Tibbs' story. Watch in person in Clerkenwell, or online via livestream.
£5, 14 August
