Free things to do in London this week.
Summer Sounds in King's Cross
It's party time in King's Cross as the free Summer Sounds festival offers a programme of shows throughout this week. Head to Coal Drops Yard for performances from the likes of Sudanese band The Scorpios, all-male choir The Chaps, jazz-pop duo Fonda and the Motown Gospel Choir. Queer Britain curates several events on the programme, shining the spotlight on LGBTQIA+ artists, and it's not just music — a giant wheel is paraded through the area as part of a dance performance on the final day (Sunday).
Until 23 August.
Routes, ruins and reconnaissance
Last chance to see the free Routes, ruins and reconnaissance exhibition at the Royal Geographical Society in Kensington. Newly-digitised images and other artefacts combine to tell the story of Gertrude Bell, the political officer, spy and traveller whose archaeological and geographical work proved invaluable to British intelligence in the First World War.
Until 24 August (weekdays only).
Tortoise Town workshop
Take the kids along to the Garden Museum in Lambeth on Tuesday for a free workshop led by RIBA. Model a tortoise house from recycled materials, based on a brief provided by 'Ian the Tortoise', and decide what he would like/need for his hibernation home or summer shelter. Ages three+.
18 August.
Harvest Family Day
On Wednesday, entertain younger members of the family at the Museum of the Home's Harvest Family Day. The Hoxton museum offers a series of creative workshops throughout the day including decorating your own ceramic pot, as well as outdoor play sessions in the garden.
19 August.
Summer by the River: Burlesque
The Summer by the River festival continues on the south bank of the Thames between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, and on Wednesday it offers a free screening of 2010 film Burlesque the Musical. Christina Aguilera, Eric Dane, Kristen Bell and Stanley Tucci star in the story of a small-town singer seeking success in a glamorous nightclub in the big city.
19 August. Additionally on Thursday lunchtime, folk musician Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne gives a free performance as part of The Pocket Garden Sessions on the Summer by the River programme.
Dickens Museum talk
Historian and author Lucinda Dickens Hawksley visits the Charles Dickens Museum in Bloomsbury on Thursday to discuss the life of Frances 'Fanny' Dickens. As the eldest sibling, and a talented musician who trained at the Royal Academy of Music, Fanny served as a major inspiration for several characters in her brother Charles' novels. Hear about the legacy of this often-overlooked Victorian singer followed by a short Q&A. You can attend either in person or watch online — the talk is free, but you'll need to pay museum admission should you wish to visit the rest of the house.
20 August.
Larks in the Parks
Author and south Londoner Chris Roberts leads a Larks in the Parks walk around Clapham Common on Friday evening. Expect obscure pop cultural references and an appearance from Spring Heeled Jack. Book a free/pay-what-you-want slot, and meet at the Common's Cavendish Road entrance.
21 August.
Boston Manor community walk
Join a small group for a walk around Boston Manor Park and the surrounding area in Brentford on Friday. Everyone's welcome, and you'll need to wear a suitable pair of shoes for walking and take a bottle of water to stay hydrated. It lasts about an hour.
21 August.
GDIF 2026
Free performing arts extravaganza Greenwich + Docklands International Festival (GDIF) is back from this Friday, offering two weeks of free outdoor shows and activities across south-east London.
It begins with 360, a dance performance taking place around and inside a circular cage in Woolwich, and continues with the popular Greenwich Fair and other events over this weekend, and plenty more happening next week and beyond. It's all free and family-friendly.
21 August-6 September.
Mosaktion
Mosaic artist Corinne Ashleigh Brown leads Mosaktion, a free community arts programme by Norwood JunkAction which combines community litter-picking with workshops exploring mosaic, sustainability and public art. This particular project is to make a street sign for Holmesdale Community Garden. Note that the workshop is happening at Stanley Arts, South Norwood, Saturday from 11am.
22 August.
Marionettes exhibition
Islington's Little Angel Theatre specialises in puppetry, and it's marking its 65th anniversary with a free exhibition about string puppets and marionettes. View a display of historic and newly-made marionettes created by makers across six decades, including the theatre's own founders John and Lyndie Wright.
22 August-6 September.
Slavery Remembrance Day
The National Maritime Museum and Queen's House in Greenwich mark Slavery Remembrance Day with an afternoon of free events and activities on Sunday, asking what role museums, artists and cultural institutions can play in addressing historical injustice today.
It begins with a keynote speech by historian, author and Chief Executive of the Black Cultural Archives, Dr Wanda Wyporska, followed by a performance by the Ethno Vox choir, a programme of short films about the legacies of slavery and colonialism, as well as talks, workshops and tours throughout the day.
23 August.
Lover's knot
Visit the Shoreditch branch of TOAST on Sunday between 12pm-4pm and straw worker Lu Towle will teach you how to make a 'lover's knot', traditionally gifted to one's partner at the end of the harvest. (Should look good with your gourds/pumpkins later on in the year too.) The workshop and materials are free, just drop in.
23 August.
