Free things to do in London this week.
Earth Photo exhibition
This week is your last chance to view the free Earth Photo 2026 exhibition at the Royal Geographical Society in Kensington. On display are 50 images from around the world, highlighting issues relating to the climate and its effect on our planet.
Until 24 July.
Sportropolis
A free six-week programme of family sports and activities, Sportropolis has landed in Ealing Broadway, featuring a giant sandpit, rugby training, football challenges and Saturday Sports Club sessions offering the likes of martial arts, and tennis-inspired games. Check out the full line-up.
Until 4 September.
A new V&A South Kensington display
British Indian artist Bharti Kher's sculptural works, which explore the body, womanhood, mythology and cultural identity, are brought into conversation with objects from the V&A's historic collections, in a new free display at the South Kensington museum, open from Monday this week.
From 20 July.
Outlander auction exhibition
TV series Outlander wrapped up with this year's eighth and final series. Now, costumes and props from the historical fantasy show are being auctioned off, and you can see them in a free exhibition at Bonhams Bond Street before they go. Dresses worn by Claire and Brianna, and Jamie's costume from the Battle of Culloden are among the lots, along with an autographed script.
20 July-4 August.
The Power of Honey
Buzz over to the Bank of England Museum for new exhibition The Power of Honey, created in collaboration with Bompas & Parr. The centrepiece is the Bee-nomics Inspection Hive, managed by Bermondsey Street Bees and full of living bees. Watch the colony patrol, communicate, protect resources and respond to risk — as a metaphor for how trust is built, protected and deceived in financial systems.
20 July-28 August.
English cathedrals
A new, free display at Southwark Cathedral, The English Cathedral opens on Tuesday, bringing together Peter Marlow's photographs of the naves of all 42 Anglican cathedrals across the country. Shot on large‑format film using only natural light and taken from a consistent east‑facing viewpoint, the images emphasise architectural detail as dawn light streams through the windows.
21 July-31 August.
Steel pan sounds
Southbank Centre thrums with rhythm over the weekend, for the three-day Steel Scenes celebration of steel pan drumming. Nearly all of the events are free, including a day of open-air performances by youth ensembles on Friday, an interactive exhibition about the history of the instrument on Saturday, and a full day of steel pans in Jubilee Gardens on Sunday. Browse the full loud and lively programme.
24-26 July.
Summer Splash
Just in time for the school summer holidays, Royal Docks Summer Splash reopens at Royal Victoria Dock. The free open-water lido offers lifeguard-supervised swimming alongside sandpits and deckchairs, making it one of London's most budget-friendly pop-up beaches this summer.
From 24 July.
Caribbean takeover
The annual Caribbean Takeover at the National Maritime Museum is a free, family-friendly celebration of Caribbean culture. It's an extra-special one this year, marking 60 years of the legendary Notting Hill Carnival, with activities including calyspo and soca dancing, African drumming, an African headdress workshop, Black history talks and games of dominoes.
25 July.
Wire-walking and street circus
Certain Blacks is an east London-based arts development organisation which supports diverse artists from various cultural, socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds. This weekend, it takes over Royal Victoria Docks with Ensemble Festival, a free outdoor celebration of circus, dance and theatre. Highlights include Daughters of the Wire, an uplifting, all-female, wire-walking spectacle performed across interconnected multi-level wires, blending circus, music, spoken word and movement; and contemporary street circus duo Nacho Flores.
If the weather's looking decent, why not pair it with a trip to nearby Summer Splash (above)?
25-26 July.
Wembley Park Live
Wembley's known for live music, but it's not often you can experience it for free. Wembley Park Live is a free one-day music festival on Sunday, taking place on a pop-up stage alongside Olympic Way, with the famous stadium and it arch looming in the background.
Eight live acts are scheduled to perform soul, funk, folk, pop, disco and festival classics, with an appearance by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's string quartet too.
26 July.
Free outdoor film
Outdoor cinema season is in full swing (read our full guide here) and there are several free screenings happening this week.
🎬 Canary Wharf's Summer Screens shows superhero story Black Panther on Tuesday evening and family favourite Lilo & Stitch on Saturday.
🎬 Everyman on the Canal in King's Cross has a packed daytime and evening schedule, with highlights this week including The Greatest Showman, Back To The Future, Bend It Like Beckham and Some Like It Hot.
🎬 Vauxhall Summer Screens is back in the Pleasure Gardens showing '90s classic Clueless on Tuesday evening.
Free things to do in the summer holidays
With schools out for summer, finding ways to entertain the whole family, without breaking your budget, can be challenging. Bookmark our pick of free things to do in the summer holidays, to keep the fun coming all summer. It's packed with ideas for days out and special events which won't cost you a penny.
