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Free Events on in London

We love London (in case you didn’t already know) but we’re not gonna pretend that it’s a cheap city to spend time in. Yes you’ve got unbeatable art, theatre and culture to enjoy and the best restaurant scene in the world to dive into, but all that fun can come at a price. However, London isn’t exclusively a playground for the rich. In fact, you can always find FREE things to do at any time of the year.

What are the best free events in London?

Many of the city’s finest museums and art galleries are free entry, and there are always lots of free exhibitions on around town too. Whether it’s visiting the Barbican Conservatory or dropping by the Columbia Road Flower Market on a Sunday morning, we’ve got you covered for all the best things to do in London without spending a penny.

One of the best free things to do in London, especially if you’re new to the city, is wander around some of its different neighbourhoods. From Shoreditch to Soho, Notting Hill to Hackney, each area is so different and positively fit to bursting with interesting places to discover. In the summer, there’s nothing better than soaking up the sun and the fun in one of London’s parks, and if you’re in town during the festive season, checking out all the Christmas lights and window displays is a must.

If you’re looking for free events on in London today or you’re planning a little further ahead with free events in London this weekend or even later on in the month, you’re in the right place.

Learn How to Make Your Own Japanese Pickles at Koya City

Learn how to make Japanese pickles at Koya City at this exclusive masterclass led by the restaurant's expert Aki Henderson

14th September 2024
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A Festival Celebrating the Work of David Lynch Is Coming to London

A two-day get-together of David Lynch fans is coming to Camden's Irish Centre with screenings, live performances and panel discussions

14th & 15th September 2024
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Copenhagen’s Cult Burger Brand Gasoline Grill Is Popping Up at The Standard

Regarded as one of the best burgers in the world, Copenhagen's Gasoline Grill is doing a four-week residency at The Standard.

12th August - 15th September 2024
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The Jazz Cafe Has Announced Its Debut Festival for 2024

The Jazz Cafe is hosting its debut festival this year with international artists and homegrown talent spanning a range of genres

15th September 2024
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Jimmy’s BBQ Club Is Back on the South Bank

It's not summer in London without a BBQ pop-up from Jimmy Garcia, so he's bringing his BBQ Club back to the Southbank

Until September 2024
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The Giant London Flea Market Is Coming Back to Town

The Giant London Flea Market is heading for Stratford and it'll be the largest indoor flea market in the city with over 100 vintage traders

15th September 2024
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The Black Eats Festival Is Back for 2024

Black Eats LDN, the UK's first and only Black-owned restaurant directory, is bringing another edition of its food festival to London

14th & 15th September 2024
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Who’s Cooking Dinner? Is Back for 2024

The annual charity event Who's Cooking Dinner? is back to raise even more money for leukaemia research

16th September 2024
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Better Understand the Experience of Homelessness at This Exhibition

The Homelessness: Reframed exhibition uses art to help better the public's understanding of the experience of homelessness

7th August - 20th September 2024
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Explore the Legacy of Tropical Modernism at the V&A

The V&A is hosting a major architectural exhibition highlighting the style of Tropical Modernism in West Africa and India

2nd March – 22nd September 2024
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Jeremy O. Harris Is Bringing Slave Play to London and Kit Harington Is Starring

Jeremy O. Harris is bringing his controversial Slave Play to London, with Kit Harington amongst the West End cast

29th June - 21st September 2024
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The Dusty Knuckle Is Hosting a Fundraiser Party for its Youth Training Programme

There'll be music, food, drinks and good vibes - all for a good cause Not only is The Dusty Knuckle responsible for some of the…

21st September 2024
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Green Rooms Is Back to Turn Old Spitalfields Market Into a Plant Paradise

Green Rooms has teamed up with Old Spitalfields Market for an ode to all things botanical featuring the best indie plant businesses

22nd September 2024
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Celebrate at Hackney Carnival This September

Missed Notting Hill this year? Hit up the Hackney Carnival instead. The event is returning for its 2024 edition this September, with a parade and…

22nd September 2024
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What to See at London Design Festival 2024

London Design Festival is back for 2024 and it's going to be a big celebration of all things design in the city

14th - 22nd September 2024
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Open House Is Returning for 2024 and Here’s Where You Can Look Around

If you like nosing around other people's pads then you won't wanna miss Open House Festival, which is back this September

14th - 22nd September 2024
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#CookForPalestine Supper Clubs at Akub

Modern Palestinian restaurant akub will be continuing its series of charitable #CookForPalestine supper clubs this summer and autumn

23rd September 2024
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180 Studios Is Hosting the Largest Ever Exhibition of Art and Sound

The Vinyl Factory - Reverb is a multimedia exhibition exploring the intersection of sound and art that's the largest of its kind

23rd May - 28th September 2024
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Drink Champagne and Eat Hotdogs at Bubbledogs

Bubbledogs is returning with a pop-up at 45 Park Lane's terrace this summer to serve up a menu of gourmet hotdogs and Champagnes to match.

10th May - 29th September 2024
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Buckingham Palace Is Opening for the Summer

You saw it on the latest season of The Crown and now you can see it in real life because it's the Buckingham Palace summer opening

11th July - 29th September 2024
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Get High in Stratford at Roof East

Fancy playing a round of crazy golf, belting out some karaoke or stretching out with some yoga? Well you can do it all at Roof East.

18th April – end of September 2024
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Peckham Salvage Yard Is Back

Setting up shop in Copeland Park, Peckham Salvage Yard will play host to over 60 handpicked traders selling a whole range of vintage goods

29th September 2024
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Joseph Denison Carey Is in Residence at Boundary Shoreditch

Joseph Denison Carey, who's been running his own project The Bread + Butter Supperclub, is taking up residence at Boundary for the summer.

Until end of September 2024
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Explore a Stop-Motion World at the BFI

The BFI is giving fans of Coraline and other hit stop-motion films a look behind the scenes with their 'Frame x Frame' exhibition

Until 1st October 2024
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Art on a Postcard Is Teaming up With War Child for a Charity Auction

Art on a Postcard is back with another fundraising auction and exhibition in collaboration with War Child, with a David Bowie theme.

17th September - 1st October 2024
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A New NYC-Style Pizza Place Is Popping Up in London

Bing Bong Pizza, which specialises in NYC Nonna-style pizzas (aka square pies), is popping up at FORNO in London Fields

Until 5th October 2024
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The Black Culture Market Is Back in Brixton

The Black Culture Market is back this October, providing an opportunity to support emerging Black entrepreneurs and businesses.

5th & 6th October 2024
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David Hockney Is Getting the Immersive Treatment Again

Immersive exhibition David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) is returning to Lightroom in King's Cross

17th June - 6th October 2024
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Rummage For a Bargain Walthamstow Flea Market

It's time to get your barter on as Big Penny Social, the UK’s biggest beer hall, is hosting the Walthamstow Flea Market.

6th October 2024
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Legendary SWANA Artists Are Set to Perform at This Palestine Fundraiser

This October, Corsica Studios will host a night of music and art to raise funds for people affected by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza

9th October 2024
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London’s Only Louisiana-Style Crayfish Boil Is Back

Crayfish Bob helps reduce the population of invasive crayfish species and he's teaming up with Gosnells to host a series of seafood boils

4th July - 10th October 2024
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See How Food Can Express Heritage at SPACE Ilford

Photographer Kenneth Lam is hosting his first solo exhibition A seat at our table at SPACE Ilford, exploring the table as a symbol of home

9th March – 12th October 2024
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This Interiors Pop-Up Is All About Polish Design

Projekt 26, Furniture East and Folka are teaming up to open a Polski sklep, or Polish shop, with a twist this October.

10th - 13th October 2024
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Explore the Modernist Movement in Ukraine at the Royal Academy

The Royal Academy is showcasing modernist art made in Ukraine between 1900 and the 1930s with the In the Eye of the Storm exhibition.

29th June - 13th October 2024
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Journey to the Moon with Tom Hanks

Immersive moon experience 'The Moonwalkers: A Journey with Tom Hanks' will run at the Lightroom gallery in King's Cross.

Until 13th October 2024
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This Exhibition Is the Largest Showcase of the UK’s Hobbies

Artangel and Hetain Patel are presenting the largest showcase of the UK's hobbies with the Come As You Really Are exhibition

18th July - 20th October 2024
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A New Elton John Documentary Will Premiere at This Year’s London Film Festival

The first few films on the BFI London Film Festival programme for 2024 have been announced, including a new Elton John documentary

9th - 20th October 2024
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Head to Regent’s Park for Frieze Sculpture

Frieze Sculpture is back in Regent's Park this autumn to coincide with the return of the Frieze London art fair

18th September – 27th October 2024
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An Evening With Fran Lebowitz

She's been a New York City icon since the 1970s, but Fran Lebowitz became internationally beloved for her no-nonsense, slightly curmudgeonly, sense of humour in…

28th October 2024
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Go Open Water Swimming in Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf is bringing its open-water swimming season back to Middle Dock for a third year, so dive on in

Until end of October 2024
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A Free Yayoi Kusama Infinity Mirror Room Exhibition Is Coming to London

A free Yayoi Kusama infinity room and new exhibition is coming to London, opening at the Victoria Miro gallery this September

25th September - 2nd November 2024
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The Fireworks at Ally Pally Are Back For 2024

All our fave winter events are returning, including one of the best fireworks displays in London at Alexandra Palace.

1st & 2nd November 2024
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A Massive Batman Exhibition Is Coming to London

After a stop in Manchester Batman Unmasked, an exhibition featuring an epic collection of Batman memorabilia, is coming to London

6th September - 3rd November 2024
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A New Yayoi Kusama Sculpture Is Coming to London

A new Yayoi Kusama pumpkin sculpture is coming to London. Her tallest one yet will be standing in Kensington Gardens

9th July - 3rd November 2024
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Tracey Emin Is Back With a Solo Show at White Cube

After taking over White Cube back in 2019, Tracey Emin is back at the gallery with the I Followed You to the End exhibition.

19th September – 10th November 2024
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Look Back at 25 Years of Isle of Wight Festival at This Exhibition

This year marks the 25th edition of isle of Wight Festival (if you count the first three original events held in 1968, '69 and '70 plus the modern run from 2002 onwards) and the Experience 25 exhibition is looking back over the event's history.

19th September - 13th November 2024
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Juno Birch Is Landing in London

alien drag queen Juno Birch is coming back to Earth - specifically the Soho Theatre - with her new stand-up comedy show Probed

4th - 16th November 2024
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Check Out the Inaugural Exhibition at the Museum of Homelessness

The immersive exhibition will draw upon the Museum of Homelessness' experience of fighting at the front lines against a number of issues

24th May - 30th November 2024
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Step Inside NONOTAK’s Light and Sound Installations in Bermondsey

Duo NONOTAK have their first solo London exhibition running in Bermondsey. ECLIPSE features three light and sound installations.

Until 8th December 2024
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The RA Is Hosting a Major Retrospective on Michael-Craig Martin

The Royal Academy is hosting the largest exhibition on Michael Craig-Martin and his 60 year career ever held in the UK

21st September - 10th December 2024
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See Sleeping Beauty in a Whole New Way With This Light-Up Ballet

In Sleeping Beauty by We Call It Ballet the dancers literally light up the stage with glow-in-the-dark costumes

18th October, 2nd & 23rd November and 14th & 21st December 2024
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Journey Into the Underworld With Hadestown

After a sell-out run at the National Theatre in 2018, the Tony Award and Grammy Award-winning musical Hadestown is back in London, this time at…

10th February - 22nd December 2024
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The Winner of Netflix’s K-Chicken War Is Doing a Korean Fried Chicken Pop-Up in London

Chef Byung Tae Ahn, winner of K-Chicken War on Netflix, is bringing his Korean fried chicken to London with the Oh Gee pop-up

Until 31st December 2024
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A Massive Formula 1 Exhibition Is Driving into London

A massive Formula 1 exhibition is coming to London featuring cars, artefacts, designs and a racing simulator

23rd August - 31st December 2024
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Immerse Yourself in Manhattan and Havana at Guys & Dolls

The Bridge Theatre is staging one of the greatest musicals of all time with this production of Guys & Dolls, starring Timmika Ramsay as Miss…

Until 4th January 2025
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An Exhibition About Serial Killers Is Coming to London

Serial Killer: The Exhibition at The Vaults seeks to explore the motivation behind some of history's most notorious killers

21st September 2024 - 5th January 2025
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Dive Into a World of Birds at the Natural History Museum

With Birds: Brilliant and Bizarre, the Natural History Museum is presenting a look into the history and character of the feathery vertebrates

24th May 2024 - 5th January 2025
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The V&A Is Hosting a Photography Exhibition Featuring Elton John & David Furnish’s Collection

Elton John's photographs, the collection he built with husband David Furnish, are going on display at the V&A.

18th May 2024 – 5th January 2025
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The London Transport Museum is Showcasing the History of Poster Art and Design

The London Transport Museum is opening its Global Poster Gallery, its first permanent gallery dedicated to the history of poster art and design, with the…

20th October 2023 - 2025
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The Art of Banksy Is Coming Back to London

A massive Banksy exhibition is coming back to London in the spring featuring 150 of the artist's original works

11th April 2024 - January 2025
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See Van Gogh’s Most Loved Paintings Together at the National Gallery

Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers brings together some of the Dutch artist's most iconic paintings at the National Gallery

14th September 2024 – 19th January 2025
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Monet’s Paintings of the Thames Are Being Shown in the UK for the First Time

Claude Monet's Water Lilies often get all the plaudits but some of the artist's finest Impressionist paintings are depictions of views of the River Thames,…

27th September 2024 – 19th January 2025
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See Some of the Most Iconic Resistance Images at This Peter Kennard Exhibition

Whitechapel Gallery is putting on one of the most extensive displays of Peter Kennard's work with the Archive of Dissent exhibition.

23rd July 2024 - 19th January 2025
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Eggbreak Is Heading East For the First Time

East Londoners can get in on the Eggbreak action without having to cross town as the restaurant is popping up at The Hoxton, Shoreditch.

29th July 2024 - early 2025
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The Turner Prize Is Back in London for 2024

The four artists shortlisted for this year's Turner Prize are having their work exhibited at Tate Britain ahead of the award announcement

25th September 2024 – 16th February 2025
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A Mrs Doubtfire Musical Is Here

The screen's favourite housekeeper and babysitter is staying in the West End as Mrs. Doubtfire the Musical is on at the Shaftesbury Theatre until 2025

Until 16th February 2025
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Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express Is Skating Back Into London

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express, which ran in the West End from 1984 to 2002, is rolling back into the capital next summer.

8th June 2024 - 16th February 2025
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See How Silk Roads Shaped Cultures at the British Museum

The British Museum is hosting a major exhibition that will expand the concept of the Silk Road beyond a trade route between East and West.

26th September 2024 – 23rd February 2025
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The Design Museum Is Opening an Exhibition All About Barbie

After the phenomenon that was the Barbie movie the Design Museum has revealed that they've got an exhibition about the doll in the works

5th July 2024 - 25th February 2025
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Follow This Trail of Sculptures Across the City

This summer marks the 13th edition of Sculpture in the City and features the work of 17 world-class artists and spans the Square Mile.

24th July 2024 - spring 2025
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The V&A Is Hosting an Exhibition That Explores the Career of Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell has had an unrivalled career and now the V&A is honouring that with an entire exhibition dedicated to the supermodel.

22nd June 2024 - 6th April 2025
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The Wellcome Collection Is Exploring the Relationship Between Work and Health

The Wellcome Collection is exploring the experiences of work and the impact it has on health with Hard Graft: Work, Health and Rights

19th September 2024 - 27th April 2025
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Step Inside Anthony McCall’s Sculptures of Light at Tate Modern

Tate Modern is hosting an exhibition on Anthony McCall where you'll be able to step inside his immersive light sculptures.

27th June 2024 - 27th April 2025
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See the Natural World in a New Way at Outernet

LA-based artist Maggie West is showcasing her style of time-lapse photography and colouration effects at Outernet

Until summer 2025
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