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 on where to see art in London for free, and where you can catch cheap and free comedy.
Sniff out Snoopy before he slopes off
You've only got until Friday to see the free Snoopy in the City art trail around the Fleet Street area. A dozen sculptures of the cartoon beagle snoozing atop his kennel have been dotted around the area, each individually designed by a different artist. Download the map to tick them all off, or just have a wander and see what you can find.
Until 16 January.
Catch a last glimpse of Winter Light at Southbank Centre
This is the final week of Winter Light, a free illuminations trail in the vicinity of Southbank Centre and the river. Follow the map around the outside of Royal Festival Hall, Hayward Gallery and Queen Elizabeth Hall to seek out small pockets of light and colour in the form of glowing artworks.
Don't be too upset that it's leaving though — free illuminations festival Canary Wharf Winter Lights returns next week to brighten up our evenings!
Until 18 January.
Visit this immersive exhibition in its final week
A video game commission and multiplayer immersive experience is Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley's current exhibition at Serpentine North Gallery. The Delusion explores themes of polarisation, censorship and social connection, inviting visitors into a post-apocalyptic world. In this imagined future, society has broken into factions, each clinging to its own version of truth, providing a space for players to pause, discuss and reconnect.
Until 18 January.
Soak up London literature in a golden chapel
The gilded Fitzrovia Chapel is a dazzling sight, and right now it's also an audio treat — thanks to new exhibition, Souvenir. Built around Michael Bracewell's atmospheric recollections of the capital of the 1970s and 80s, Souvenir uses narration from actor Paul Kaye, accompanied by a new composition from piano inventor Sarah Nicolls.
Until 8 February.
Swot up on all sorts at these free lectures
London's packed with institutions offering free talks and lectures several days a week. These are some of your options this week:
ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY: Learn about the life of Aru Sultan, a young Central Asian woman brought to England by merchant adventurer Anthony Jenkinson in 1560, who soon became lady in waiting to Queen Elizabeth I. (12 January)
GRESHAM COLLEGE: Professor Daniel Susskind discusses the relationship between AI developments such as ChatGPT and the world of work (13 January). Milton Mermikides, Gresham Professor of Music talks about how we 'see' music or 'hear' images, and how composers have explored the connection between sound and vision (14 January). Gresham Professor of Law Clive Stafford Smith JD OBE reveals the legal lessons learned from visiting Afghanistan, drawing parallels to US involvement in other drawn-out conflicts (15 January).
GUILDHALL LIBRARY: Arts Society Lecturer Val Woodgate talks about the many ways in which artists in Britain in the 18th century depicted William Shakespeare, and how images of the famous playwright vary from generation to generation. (14 January)
V&A: Natalie D Kane, Curator of last year's Design and Disability exhibition at the V&A South Kensington, talks about the importance of embedding disability access into the forefront of design. (15 January)
NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM: Dr Grace Huxford presents a fascinating account of the social history of British military bases in Germany during the Cold War. Each military base became its own community, right on the front line of the conflict. (16 January)
See London Museum Docklands' new textile artwork
London Museum Docklands unveils a new textile art project created by artist Tisna Westerhof and art producer Cristiana Bottigella, in collaboration with the Iranian & Kurdish Women's Rights Organisation (IKWRO). More than 30 women survivors of domestic abuse took part in the creation of Women Life Freedom, resulting in the three collaborative quilts on display. Note: this exhibition is at the London Museum Studios site in Smithfield, NOT at London Museum Docklands.
13-22 January.
Watch a free show at the Royal Opera House
Tickets to see a show at Covent Garden's Royal Opera House can be very spendy... but they don't have to be. In fact, you can see a show for free, via the Live at Lunch series of events.
These are free performances featuring Royal Ballet and Opera stars, and guest performers, taking place in Paul Hamlyn Hall on selected Friday lunchtimes. It's unticketed but capacity is limited so make sure you arrive in plenty of time to get a space. The artists performing aren't revealed in advance, though the event description does state whether it's a music or dance performance — this week it's music.
16 January.
Get a bespoke poem written for you
Keen to double down on your intentions for the year? Share them with Beth from The Poetry Machine, who'll be set up in Liberty's atrium this weekend, and she'll spin them into a bespoke poem on seeded paper, which you can either frame (so you can remind yourself of your intentions whenever you like) or plant — and watch blossom. Each session takes around 15 minutes, and you'll need to book in advance.
17-18 January (and again on 24 January).
Visit the Hampton Court Palace Gardens for free
This weekend, you can visit part of the grounds of a royal palace for free, at the first Hampton Court Palace garden opens days of 2026. On these occasions, areas which you'd normally need a paid admission ticket to visit are open for free, including the Great Fountain Garden, the Pond Garden and the Kitchen Garden. There are a few such days throughout the year, so why not attend a handful and watch how the gardens change through the seasons.
Note that you'll still need a paid admission ticket if you want to visit the palace itself, the Maze or the Magic Garden Playground.
17-18 January.
Get creative with the kids
Two free, family-friendly crafting events this week:
Head to Walthamstow's William Morris Gallery on Saturday for a family craft workshop where you can create your own colourful glowing lantern inspired by Collier Campbell's iconic Bauhaus textile design to take home with you. Recycled plastic cups, battery-operated tealights, and coloured tissue paper are provided. Age four+.
On Sunday, Lambeth's Garden Museum hosts a drop-in shadow painting session. Trace around the shadows of tulips then use watercolour paints to colour them, inspired by the current exhibition. Rory McEwen: Nature’s Song
17/18 January.
