Free things to do in London this week.
Catch the final days of this outdoor photography exhibition
You've got until Thursday to view The Living Neighbourhood, a free outdoor photo exhibition around Wembley Park featuring shots taken by photographer Chris Winter. He documented changes in the area for a decade between 2015 and 2025, and his photos cover architecture, ecology and human moments. Find them displayed across Olympic Way, Market Square and Wembley Park Boulevard.
Until 30 April.
Watch films for free in south London
The New Cross and Deptford Free Film Festival runs until Sunday, showing a variety of films for free, including Kinky Boots, Showgirls and Almost Famous. Venues include Little Nan's, Acme Studios and Deptford Junction, with Telegraph Hill Upper Park hosting an outdoor screening of School of Rock for the festival's finale on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the nearby Herne Hill Free Film Festival gets underway on Monday, with a smattering of events this week before things ramp up next week.
Until 3 May.
Watch a free lecture
London's full of wonderful institutions offering free public talks and lectures on a range of subjects. Here are a few which have caught our eye this week:
FRANKLIN'S ARCTIC EXPEDITION: Learn about the life of James Fitzjames, captain of the Erebus during Franklin's 1845 Arctic expedition, in a free talk at the Royal Geographical Society and online, given by historian Fabiënne Tetteroo. 27 April
AGATHA CHRISTIE: Curator Giorgia Maffioli Brigatti gives a free talk at V&A South Kensington about the history of Agatha Christie's Chest of Drawers. Learn about the Syrian craftsmanship of the novelist's mother-of-pearl inlaid furniture, specifically the traditional sunduq style. 28 April
OLD MASTERS: Arts Society lecturer Val Woodgate compares artwork by the Old Masters to modern art depicting the same subjects, in a free Guildhall Library talk (also available to watch online). 28 April
GEOMETRY OF TILING: Gresham College Professor of Geometry Alain Goriely delves into the patterns of tiles, including why geometric shapes with straight edges that fit together without gaps or overlaps, are common in human-made designs, while nature often favours soft or irregular patterns. 28 April
CATHERINE DICKENS: The Charles Dickens Museum hosts Professor of English Lillian Nayder to discuss the real-life connections and community of the women in the novelist's circle. She re-examines these figures beyond their fictionalised portraits to uncover the authentic bonds that existed between them. 30 April
LOST MUSIC VENUES: Join curator Harriet Reed at V&A South Kensington for a preview of the museum’s upcoming display celebrating the cultural impact of independent UK music spaces. Hear about grassroots venues from the 1980s to the 2010s, and their role as creative hubs for musicians and designers. 30 April
ISRAEL CONFLICT: The legal implications of the Israel-Palestine Conflict come under the microscope in Thursday's Gresham College lecture, which delves into topics including human rights cases being brought against Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government, and the legality of the blockade of Gaza by the IDF. 30 April
Head to a free poetry open mic
On the last Thursday of each month, Walthamstow Trades Hall hosts Poems Not Bombs, a free poetry open mic night. Poets of all experience levels are welcome to get up and share their work. It's hosted by Paul McGrane from local poetry collective Forest Poets, and work on any topic is welcome. Not a poet? Anyone's welcome in the audience.
30 April.
Celebrate the return of this summer venue with a free drink
Initially, summer party venue Between the Bridges wasn't meant to reopen for the 2026 season. But things have changed, and the prime spot by the London Eye is returning from this Thursday.
Even better, the first 500 people through the gates for Thursday's (free) opening party will bag themselves a free drink to get the season started in style.
30 April.
Slurp a free foamy coffee...
Finnish plant-based brand Oddlygood is plugging its barista range of foamy coffees, by handing them out for free at a pop-up this Thursday. It's open from 8.30am-5.30pm at 67-68 Charlotte Road in Shoreditch. Hairstylist Tobias will also be there, sculpting selected bonces with modern mullets; for the chance of winning one of those, you'll need to enter this competition.
30 April.
... and then move on to a free beer
Rock up at Covent Garden's piazza between Thursday and Saturday, and you'll find a Renaissance-inspired optical illusion artwork, which pours glasses of Peroni. What's more, said serves of magical Peroni are free. Which is more than you can say for a visit to the Trevi Fountain these days...
30 April-2 May.
Visit London's Sewing Machine Museum
On the first Saturday of most months, London's Sewing Machine Museum opens its doors to the public.
Step inside the Balham building to view a private collection of hundreds of sewing machines, and see how the technology within them has changed throughout time. Read about our visit for an idea of what to expect. Entry is free, though donations to the RNLI/Leukaemia Research are appreciated.
2 May.
Watch a free outdoor dance performance
Bell Square in Hounslow is getting summer ready, with a series of free outdoor performances, open to everyone. This Saturday, Vanhulle Dance Theatre perform ORB, a 22-minute ethereal dance duet combining explosive physicality, breath-taking partner work and martial arts-inspired movements. Performances at 1pm and 3pm.
2 May.
Head to the water for the Canalway Cavalcade
The once-a-year Canalway Cavalcade takes over Little Venice for the May bank holiday weekend, with dozens of boats decked out in colourful flags and bunting. For those of us not lucky enough to have our own narrowboat, there's plenty of free entertainment on dry land, including live music, and activities to entertain children. If you can, stick around for Sunday evening, when the illuminated boat parade takes place after dark.
2-4 May.
Crack out the crayons in this World of Creativity
The only Crayon brand you can name (that's right, Crayola) sets up shop at OXO Gallery for a free, family-friendly experience for the May bank hol. Receiving their own Crayola passport, kids move through different zones, participating in creative challenges. Expect lots of colourful scribbling, for once, not all over your best living room wallpaper.
2-4 May.
