Free And Cheap London Events This Week: 21-27 August 2017

By Jordan Waite Last edited 79 months ago

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Free And Cheap London Events This Week: 21-27 August 2017

All week

Christopher Kuhn's first solo exhibition

BLOOD ROYAL: See one of the most important collections of Tudor portraiture in the UK, as well as rare official royal documents from the reigns of Henry VIII, Mary I and Elizabeth I. Society of Antiquaries of London (Piccadilly), free, just turn up, 10am-5pm, until Friday 25 August

LIVE AND BREATHE: Kuhn's work demonstrates the juxtaposition of intuition versus strategy, with undulating free formed abstraction and hand-drawn lines — a natural response which he describes as 'outside of his control'. Ronchini Gallery, free, just turn up, 10am-6pm, until Saturday 26 August

CAMDEN FRINGE: Forget the Edinburgh Fringe — Camden is hosting a festival full of the best comedy, opera, Q&A's and poetry this side of Hadrian's Wall. Various locations and prices, book ahead, until 27 August

Monday 21 August

Brush up on your language skills and meet new friends

MUNDO LINGO: Grab a little flag to represent your language(s), order them from native to weakest, and meet new people to practice your skills. Don't speak another language? No worries — you can help out others with your native language, and maybe even learn a bit of lingo yourself. Grand Union Chancery Lane, free, book ahead, 7pm-midnight

LEFT BEHIND: Girl 1 is playful and imaginative. Girl 2 is more mentally grounded. This is the story of two women who have been abandoned and forgotten in a mental asylum. Part of the Camden Fringe. The Water Rats, £5, book ahead, 8pm

Tuesday 22 August

MONK PAINTING: These 23 paintings represent the remarkable transformation of Master Dahan's art after he became a monk in 2002. Shaken by the spirit of Buddha, his enlightenment shines through to his work. Mall Galleries, free, just turn up, 10am-5pm, until 26 August

PAUL'S BACK: And he's serving up his trademark mix of surreal one liners, flights of fancy and other words, in a show that has been described as full of "daft, Harry Hill-like ideas and diversions". Part of the Camden Fringe. The Bill Murray Pub, £5, book ahead, 8pm

Wednesday 23 August

Marie-Louise Jones presents her exhibition, Structures of Being

MAKING FACES: Another last chance exhibition, featuring 30 artists who have survived brain injury and their works exploring the disjuncture between what is seen and what is felt. Royal Festival Hall, free, just turn up, 10am-11pm

SLAVERY REMEMBRANCE DAY: The 1791 slave uprising in Haiti marked a major step towards the abolition of the slave trade. Join the museum for a powerful day of commemoration through tours, workshops, performance, and song. National Maritime Museum, free, just turn up, 11am-1pm & 2.45pm-3.30pm

SCREEN PRINTS: It's the last day to check out these twenty original, limited edition, screen printed film poster artworks, inspired by the Film4 Summer Screen programme. Somerset House, free, just turn up, 11am-8pm

STRUCTURES OF BEING: Produced over a two year period, these suspended and freestanding forms attempt to turn internal cognitive and emotional processes into physical forms. Also includes a gallery of film and print installations. Republic Gallery (Poplar), free, just turn up, noon-6pm

Thursday 24 August

Fancy being a guinea pig in a live science experiment?

LIVE SCIENCE: Fancy being a guinea pig in a live experiment at the Science Museum? Scientists are looking for volunteers — nothing dangerous, of course... just a bit of fun and a chance to get involved. Science Museum, free, just turn up, 11am-1pm an 2pm-5pm

SECRETS OF THE MOVIES: Today's your last chance to check out this exhibition of contemporary movie poster design and behind the scenes photography from the best UK films released in cinema this year. Don't forget to check out the LEGO model cinema, too. The Gallery (Soho) free, just turn up, 11am-6pm

WHAT'S IN MY SALAD: Explore the differences between a supermarket salad bag and one from a community growing project in this free workshop. You'll be surprised at how each of them affects the environment and community. Museum of London (Barbican), free, just turn up, 1pm-2pm

Friday 25 August

Shen Xin unveils a live interpretation of her film at Park Nights

SUMMER FUN: There's indoor and outdoor activities galore, including arts and crafts and play dough at this summer fun morning. This week's theme is a trip to the seaside. Northfields Community Centre (Ealing), free, just turn up, 10am-11.30am

MINI WEAVERS: Inspired by the Charterhouse tapestries, use miniature cardboard looms to sew your own heraldic banners in this fun and relaxed workshop. What's more, your creation is free to take away and keep at the end. The Charterhouse, £3.50, book ahead, 11am

CARIBBEAN FOOD: Taste the Caribbean flavour in the heart of Brixton with this two day festival, featuring delicious street food, cooking demos, live entertainment and a Caribbean market. Windrush Square, free, just turn up, 11am-7pm

NIGHT FEAST: Nothing rounds off a summer day like a great street food market. Wash it down with a drink and some evening entertainment, courtesy of local musicians, choirs and dance groups. Walthamstow Town Square, free, just turn up, 5pm-10pm

PARK NIGHTS: Shen Xin unveils a live interpretation of her films in the latest edition of Park Nights, a series of experimental and interdisciplinary encounters under the renowned architecture of the pavilion. Serpentine Pavilion, £5, book ahead, 8pm

Saturday 26 August

Introducing: Julius Zebra...

NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL: It's huge and it's free. Although the bulk of the action takes place tomorrow and Monday, Carnival officially begins today. Take a look at our guide for everything you need to know, whether you're a carnival novice, or a pro.

STRATFORD LIVING: Static exhibitions are so last year. Visit homes throughout Stratford to see photographs of Dorner's human sculptures displayed in the very rooms in which they were created, in this unique exhibition blurring the boundary between public and private worlds. Various locations in Stratford, £5, book ahead, various times, repeated tomorrow

FISH CRAFT: This is the UK's largest event for fishmongers, showcasing top talent from around the country as they battle it out in competitions that test their traditional fish and poultry craft skills. Perhaps not the most glamorous day out, but it's a bit different, right? Billingsgate Market (Poplar), free, just turn up, 9am-3pm

LEGO MINI MISSIONS: Join top City Police detectives to form a heroic crime fighting team — completing missions, finding clues, and solving puzzles — in this immersive LEGO experience for all the family, featuring brick pits to spark imaginations. The Queen's Walk (Lambeth), free, just turn up, 10am-6pm, repeated tomorrow

JULIUS ZEBRA: Master cartoonist Gary Northfield (of the Beano fame), introduces the world of Julius Zebra. But this zebra is no ordinary animal — he's a Roman Gladiator. Full of Roman facts and drawing tips, budding young cartoonists are in for a treat. Somerset House, free, book ahead, 11am-noon

TRASH TO TREASURE: Gather up your old socks and transform them into friendly sock puppets with free materials, in this upcycling workshop designed to raise awareness of the dangers of our throwaway society. Broadwalk Shopping Centre (Edgware), free, just turn up, noon-4pm

FAMILY DAY: Handle snakes, stick insects, snails and cockroaches in this bugs and beasties afternoon, then try your hand at creating a tile design inspired by William De Morgan. William Morris Gallery (Walthamstow), free, just turn up, 1pm-4pm

TEDDY BEARS' PICNIC: If you're looking for a fun family day out this summer, then nothing tops the Teddy Bears' picnic, with traditional games, BBQ food, stalls, a bouncy castle and live entertainment. Bostall Heath (Abbey Wood), £3, book ahead, 1.30pm-4.30pm

FAIRY AND ELF: This interactive Fairy and Elf experience brings together storytellers, theatricality, music, fun, and a sprinkle of fairy magic. Guests aged 3 - 7 years old and their families will love these mini adventures in Fairyland. College Lodge (Dulwich Park), £5, book ahead, 2pm and 3.30pm

HISTORY OF HIP-HOP: Taking place on a terrace overlooking the Thames, this hip-hop party is a chronological journey through the 40+ year history of the influential musical genre. Great tunes, great views, and free entry — what's not to like? Southbank Centre, free, book ahead, 5pm-10.30pm

FUNK PARTY: What do you get when you cross a nice sound system, a great drink selection, a big garden, friendly staff and a kitchen churning out delicious food? Only a party featuring some of the best in soul, funk and jazz beats. The Sun of Camberwell, free entry, just turn up, 8pm-1am

Sunday 27 August

Find everything you need to know about Notting Hill Carnival 2017 in our complete guide. Photo: Nigel Williams 2001

WALK IN THE PARK: Did you know this wildlife haven was once an ironworks, shipyard, and coal wharf? Discover the old East India Dock Basin, now enjoying a new lease of life as an amazing wildlife sanctuary in this free walk. Canning Town tube, free, just turn up, 10am-12.30pm

Last Updated 18 August 2017