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Budget-friendly things to do in London this week for £5 or less.
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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, and have a helpful guide to where to see art in London for free, and where you can catch cheap and free comedy.
Interact with plants in King's Cross
Living plants are wired up so that they emit real-time visual and audio effects, which alter as you touch their leaves. Nature | Connected is the mesmerising work of sound and light artist, Natural Symphony, and it coincides with the start of Earthfest, a four-day sustainability festival — also happening in King's Cross.
Until 29 June, free.
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Visit the Charles Dickens Museum for free
For one day only, the Charles Dickens Museum in Bloomsbury is offering free entry, marking its centenary as a public museum. Monday also happens to be the anniversary of Dickens' death in 1870. Members of the writer's own family are playing the role of museum stewards for the day, including Lucinda Hawksley (his great-great-great-granddaughter) who gives a talk about Dickens' international travels.
Booking isn't required, though you can book a free ticket in advance to be sure of getting in, if you're so inclined.
Free, 9 June.
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Get In The Neighbourhood at Lido Festival
In the weekdays between the two big gig weekends of Lido Festival in Victoria Park, the festival site is used for In The Neighbourhood, in partnership with Tower Hamlets Council.
The free-entry In The Neighbourhood programme features live music and DJs, family theatre shows, and sports sessions run by experts including the West Ham FC Foundation. There's entertainment for adults and kids alike, and street food stalls and pop-up bars to keep everyone fed and watered.
Free entry, 9-12 June.
Rediscover music banned by the Nazis
The music of recently uncovered French Jewish composer Edouard van Cleeff, whose works were banned by the Nazis, is celebrated in a free concert at Milton Court Concert Hall in Barbican.
Marc Verter has been researching and reviving his songs as part of a collaboration between Guildhall School and the Exilarte Centre at Vienna University, and tonight, musicians from Guildhall School perform them, along with compositions by his French contemporaries, as well as other composers who faced Nazi persecution, including Walter Arlen, Julius Bürger, Erich Korngold, Erich Zeisl and Hans Gal.
Free, 10 June.
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Pore over paintings by a former Olympic snowboarder
A former Olympic snowboarding champion, and long-time sufferer of depression, Danny Larsen pivoted his career choice following a near-death experience, and started painting instead. The fruits of Larsen's labours are on show at Gallery 8 in St James's from Wednesday, with inaugural solo show Twilight of a Day, a series of the Norwegian's brooding, neo-pointillist landscapes.
Free, 11-17 June.
Learn about Shakespearean tightrope walkers
Hear from Professor Clare McManus of Northumbria University about the history of tightrope walkers in Shakespearean London. The athletes, acrobats and performers could be seen in streets, inns and playhouses of the capital, and shaped the Bard's own plays. In particular, McManus talks about the female leader of a famous rope-dancing troupe and a celebrated playhouse performer of colour. Watch the free talk in person at Guildhall Library, or online.
Free, 12 June.
Get snap happy at the London Photo Show
Hoxton Arches hosts the London Photo Show, a free-entry exhibition of shots by photographers from all over the world. Among the exhibitors: Sophie de Serdieu showcasing her photos taken in Odisha on the east coast of India; social documentary and portrait photographer Joanne Segars' long-term series highlighting our wasteful society and people who are finding new uses for waste products; and portrait photographer Brian Duffy.
Free entry, 12-15 June.
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Get a free taste of opera
With the Opera Holland Park season now in full swing, Songs on the Steps is back on alternate Fridays. Take a lunchtime trip to Holland Park to catch a free performance by some of the Opera Holland Park cast, on the steps to the theatre. Pack your lunch and a picnic rug and settle down for the 40-minute, open-air concert.
Free, 13 June.
Watch out for a military flypast
The King's official birthday is on Saturday (14 June), so there's a bit of a royal hullabaloo this weekend. Trooping the Colour, AKA the King's Birthday Parade takes place at Horse Guards Parade on Saturday morning, and though it's ticketed, you may get a limited (free) view by standing on The Mall or on the edge of St James’s Park overlooking Horse Guards Parade from 9am — specific details here. It's likely to be popular. Later, at 1pm, a military flypast by the RAF whooshes overhead at The Mall.
The celebrations continue on Monday when there's a Royal gun salute in Green Park.
Free, 14 June (and 16 June).
Look out for nude cyclists
The World Naked Bike Ride pedals into town on Saturday, so prudish Londoners may want to avert their eyes. Cyclists let it all hang out as they ride in a group on one of several pre-agreed routes, and it's free to watch (though please do so respectfully) or even take part.
Though it's a fun event, it comes bearing a serious message, doubling up as a peaceful protest against car culture, and showing how vulnerable cyclists are when they cycle on London's busy streets.
If you're taking part, don't forget your suncream (although let's be honest, it'll probably rain).
Free, 14 June.
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See coins from the Shanghai Mint
For one week, highlights from the commemorative coin and medal collection of the Shanghai Mint in China are on display at Royal Mint Court near Tower Bridge.
Over 100 sets of coins and medals are exhibited outside of China for the first time, featuring designs including the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Warriors and Zodiac animals. Olympic medals also feature in the interactive displays, which include a digital wish pool, and a chance to vote for the UK-China Youth Coin Design Competition.
For security purposes, you'll need to take along photo ID which matches the name on your free ticket.
Free, until 14 June.
Attend a free concert in Knightsbridge
Sunday lunchtime sees acclaimed pianist Benedict Lewis-Smith rattling off JS Bach's Goldberg Variations in the Upper Hall at St Columba's in Knightsbridge. It starts at 1.30pm — just show up.
Free, 15 June.
... or in Trafalgar Square
One of our picks for outdoor culture in London this summer, the London Symphony Orchestra gives a free outdoor concert in Trafalgar Square, performing works by Gioachino Rossini, Giacomo Puccini, Isabella Gellis, Giuseppe Verdi and Victor de Sabata (all Italian as a nod to LSO Chief Conductor Sir Antonio Pappano's heritage). If the sun's shining on the day it's likely to be rammed, so arrive in plenty of time.
Free, 15 June.
Take to your wheels for a Skate Jam
Cygnet Square in Thamesmead hosts a silent disco skate jam, open to both beginner and experienced skaters. Free skate hire is available on a first come first served basis, and there are free skate lessons, as well as silent disco headsets to borrow once you've got the hang of the moves.
Free, 15 June.
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