Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 2-8 September 2024

Things to do for a fiver or less

Budget-friendly things to do in London this week for £5 or less.

Looking for more free things to do in London? Here are 102 of em! We've also compiled this epic map of free stuff in London.

Have a laugh at some super cheap standup

Looking for a cheap laugh? May we recommend Top Secret Comedy Club: many of its shows have a ludicrously low entry price, ranging between nothing at all and three quid. (There are also some slightly more expensive, but still great value shows.) The thrifty tickets can be scored most days of the week, and though — as the name suggests — you won't necessarily know who you're going to see, the calibre of comedian is often pretty darned good. Be aware there are two central London locations, so make sure you go to the right one!

Free-£3, most days.

Get a glimpse at wonderful outdoor photography

Traditional landscapes, architecture, street scenes, wildlife shots and documentary-style captures are among the works on show at Light and Land, a free photography exhibition at Mall Galleries. It's organised by the photographic holiday tour company of the same name, to celebrate its 30th anniversary, with photos taken by tour leaders featured.

Free, 3-7 September.

See what's on at Unlimited Festival

Southbank Centre's Unlimited Festival is a celebration of disabled artists and performers, with various events going on across five days. Though not all are free, several are, including Deaf Rave, a party hosted by Deaf DJs combining sign-songs, dance, comedy, and Visual Vernacular (the choreographed form of sign language). Also free is Touretteshero's new show Biscuit Land Cabaret, and dancer and choreographer Krystal S. Lowe's one-woman show New Growth.

Some events free, 4-8 September.

Take your preschool child along to Keats House

Keats House in Hampstead, the former home of poet John Keats, hosts a special under-5s morning for preschool children and their parents or carers. The building's Chester Room will be filled with toys, crafts and snacks suitable for that age group, with the rest of the house open to explore as well.

Adult £2.50/child free, 5 September.

Learn about Churchill's Spaniards

Séan Scullion, an officer in the Royal Engineers, is at the National Army Museum to talk about his new book, Churchill's Spaniards. Find out about the often-overlooked Spanish Republican volunteers who served with the British Army during the second world war. Scullion uses research, unpublished eyewitness and official accounts to highlight the role of Churchill's Spaniards and tell their little-known story.

You can watch in person at the museum, or online via livestream.

Free, 6 September.

Ogle classic boats as they moor up in central London

All manner of vintage vessels moor up at St Katharine Docks (next to the Tower of London) for the Classic Boat Festival. Even if you don't know your port from your starboard, it's a fascinating spectacle, with around 40 preserved vessels on display, including Dunkirk Little Ships. It's bigger than ever this year, expanding into the west basin so that larger vessels can take part.

Free, 7-8 September.

If you love all things historic, you might also like our other publication, Londonist: Time Machine,exploring London’s history from unusual angles.

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Enjoy a free day on board the Golden Hinde

If the above floats your boat, you might also be interested in the free open day at the Golden Hinde, which is drydocked near Southwark Cathedral. For one day only, as part of Heritage Open Days, you can explore the ship for free, while enjoying live music performances and family-friendly historical activities. Come evening, there's a silent disco for adults only.

Free, 8 September.

Watch Supertri London for free

Get free tickets to watch professional athletes taking on the Supertri London, a triathlon taking place in the area around West India Quay. The tough course sees athletes race as they swim, bike and run without a break -- the short distances meaning constant action, making it a lively one to watch.

Free, 8 September

Catch the final week of this Taylor Swift exhibition

This is the final week of the V&A's free display, Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail. Dotted around the museum in 13 different locations, it showcases some of the singer's costumes and musical instruments, including the dress she wore on the Speak Now (Taylor's Version) album cover, her costume from The Man music video, and a replica of the Folklore piano.

Free, until 8 September.

See what's on in the final week of GDIF 2024

This is the final week of this year's Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, with free outdoor theatre performances taking place around east London. Dancing City takes over Stratford, and A Ballad Of Thamesmead is performed at the Thamesmead Clock Tower, among other events.

Free, until 8 September.

View this nostalgic Care Bears exhibition

Remember the Care Bears toys? They're celebrated in a special exhibition at gallery@oxo on South Bank. Care Bears Forever -- which was previously on display in LA -- features new, original Care Bears-inspired artwork, including 33 pieces by Elena Kucharik, the artist who created the original characters. Fan-created art is on display too, and there's an interactive Good Vibes installation, where you can hang your own positive message from the ceiling surrounded by clouds, hearts, and all things Care Bears.

Free, until 10 September.

Get stuck into Totally Thames festival

A reminder that Totally Thames festival is going on all month, with exhibitions, talks, guided walks and other events celebrating London's main waterway. There's a charge for some events, but there are ways to enjoy without spending any money, including the Thames Lens photography exhibition, on display outside the Church of St Magnus the Martyr near London Bridge.

Many events free, until 30 September.

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