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.
Do Christmas in London for free
Christmas can be an expensive time in London... or it can be rather cheap. If you're looking for something festive to do, but don't fancy the price tag of some of the city's seasonal events, have a browse of these free festive things to do. Follow a free light trail, hunt down sculptures or visit an ice palace — and those are just some of your options
See London's best Christmas lights
London's looking FANTASTIC right now, with the Christmas lights giving the capital a real glow-up. Want to see them but don't know where to start? This festive self-guided walking route takes you past the West End's most glittering displays, including Oxford Street's stars, Regent Street's angels, and Covent Garden's giant bells. Pick and choose which sections you like the look of, or do the whole route in one big walk.
Alternatively, hop on a TfL bus route and see the lights of Oxford Street and Regent Street rolling past the windows.
Visit the Ever After Garden
This Tuesday is the final evening of this year's Ever After Garden, a glowing field comprised of 30,000 illuminated white roses, on show at Duke of York Square in Chelsea. It's free to visit, though it's in aid of the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, so consider making a small donation if you can.
Until 16 December, 3pm-9pm each day.
Seek out Snoopy around Fleet Street
A reminder that a dozen sculptures of Snoopy, each depicting the cartoon dog asleep on top of his kennel, have been unveiled in the Fleet Street Quarter. Each one has been individually decorated by a different artist or designer, creating a free art trail through the area. Use the free map to help you find them, or simply wander the area and see what you come across.
Even if you've not got time this week, bookmark this for later. The trail's in situ until mid-January so plenty of time to see it throughout the Christmas period.
Until 16 January.
Catch free choir performances down by the river
As part of this year's Winter by the River festival, free pop-up choir performances take place inside Hay's Galleria (near London Bridge station). This week, the Constanza Chorus appear on Monday evening, followed by the Mind and Soul Choir on Wednesday, each performing carols beneath the Christmas tree.
15 and 17 December.
Delve into a Tudor Christmas
The final Gresham College lecture of the year takes place on Wednesday evening, and it sounds like a good'un. Though it's commonly said that modern-day Christmas was "invented" by the Victorians, the season was very much celebrated in Tudor times. Siobhan Clarke of Historic Royal Palaces delves into what festivities looked like during that period, spanning feasting, carols, gifts, mince pies and merrymaking. Watch in person at Barnard's Inn Hall (Holborn) or online via livestream.
17 December.
Celebrate Hanukkah with the Jewish Museum
Though it no longer has a physical home, London's Jewish Museum lives on through a programme of events, including a free object handling session at the Museum of the Home on Thursday, to celebrate Hanukkah. At the family-friendly event, get up close to objects from the Jewish Museum's collection, or have a go at playing the dreidel, with doughnuts from Rinkoffs Bakery for sale, and a special lighting of the Chanukiah (a nine-branched candle) at 4pm.
18 December.
Get your fill of fa-la-las at a free carol service
London's full of carol services this time of year, but few are as popular as carols at All Souls Langham Place (no doubt in part due to the fact that the events are free!) — 14,000 attended last year.
Make your way to the beautiful church, just north of Oxford Circus, for its annual festive singalongs, on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday this week. Each hour-long service is packed with nativity readings, solo performances and joyful carol sing-alongs. There's no booking, and entry is on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early for your chosen event (though if you don't get in, the full service is shown on a giant projection screen outside the church).
18, 20, 21 December
Hear the story behind A Christmas Carol
Lucinda Hawksley, descendant of Charles Dickens, gives a free talk about his festive masterpiece, A Christmas Carol, on Friday lunchtime Hear how, under financial strain, and pressure from his publishers, he wrote the book in just six weeks. You can watch in person at the Charles Dickens Museum (Bloomsbury) or online.
19 December.
Watch Weatherman for free at the Shacklewell Arms
Show up at the Shacklewell Arms on Saturday, and soak up the dark, intense indie strummings of Glaswegian group Weatherman. They're supported by ambient slowcore outfit MRY, and the meditative Robinson's Village. It's a world away from Wham! and Shakin' Stevens.
20 December.
