Free things to do in London this week.
The Power of Honey
Bees and the Bank of England aren't an obvious combination. But the on-site museum's temporary exhibition (which closes this Friday) centres around the Bee-nomics Inspection Hive, a custom-built observation hive, using their way of life to show how trust is built, protected and deceived.
Until 28 August 2026
Costa del Croydon
This is the final week of this year's Costa del Croydon, a free-entry pop-up beach. Make for the top of the Centrale car park for a giant sandpit and giant chess, plus chill-out areas and splash zones suitable for all ages.
Until 31 August.
Future of Food
Also closing soon is Science Museum's free Future of Food display, which explores how food production must change in order to protect the planet for future generations. Find out how food gets to our plates today, how that's changed from food production in the past, and how biotechnology could change this in the future.
As it's the school holidays, the museum will be very busy this week, so book a (free) ticket in advance to avoid queuing.
Until 1 September.
All Points East: In The Neighbourhood
While All Points East festival takes place in Victoria Park across two weekends, this week in the middle sees the festival site used for free events programme In The Neighbourhood. Everyone's welcome, regardless of whether you have a ticket for the main festival, so head here for free activities for all ages including yoga, boxing and dance sessions, bike maintenance workshops, theatre performances, music showcases and more.
24-27 August.
Karate Kid
The Karate Kid is shown at London Bridge City Pier, as part of Summer by the River. The classic 1984 movie is about a 12-year-old boy who learns martial arts from a sagacious janitor, after becoming the target of a bully at his new school.
25 August.
Lower Marsh Lates
Another chance to watch a film in the open air for free! On Thursday evening Waterloo's Lower Marsh screens the last in its '90s film series: watch Mrs Doubtfire on a large screen in the traffic-free street. Deckchairs are available on a first come, first served basis, poppets.
27 August.
Market music
Head to Old Spitalfields Market between 5.30pm-7pm on Friday, and be treated to live jazz and blues to accompany your street food/Friday sips. It's courtesy of the Spitz; once a music venue at the market, and now a charity bringing performances to hospitals, care homes and community spaces. The musicians in question are Mussinghi Brian Edwards, Miles Danso and Pete Wareham — all regulars from the original Spitz venue.
28 August.
Speaker Box Street Party
Samovar Space in Wembley Park transforms into an open-air dance floor for a multicultural celebration of music and movement on Saturday. The free-entry Speaker Box Street Party features five hours of live DJs and workshops, ranging from Latin social dancing at midday to Bollywood grooves, and a Michael Jackson birthday tribute later in the afternoon. Dip in and out, with a summer market selling handmade crafts and street food located next door in Market Square.
29 August.
Efectos Especiales at GDIF
The free Greenwich + Docklands International Festival (GDIF) continues offering free open-air performances and events this week, including Efectos Especiales at Greenwich Peninsula this weekend. The experience gives you the chance to be part of a live action film shoot, with an everyday street transformed into a film set complete with thunder, wind and snow.
29-30 August.
Notting Hill Carnival 2026
This weekend is the August bank holiday, which means... CARNIVAL! Notting Hill Carnival takes over the streets of west London — including Notting Hill, Westbourne Park and Ladbroke Grove — for its 60th anniversary edition. It's free to attend, though be aware that it gets VERY busy. Then again, that's all part of the fun.
Whether you're a seasoned carnival-goer, or this is your first time, our Notting Hill Carnival guide contains everything you need to know.
29-31 August.
