Free And Cheap Things To Do This Week In London: 7-13 July 2025
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, and have a helpful guide to where to see art in London for free, and where you can catch cheap and free comedy.
Watch the final week of Wimbledon
World-famous tennis tournament Wimbledon comes to a close this week, and while we're not suggesting that you can bag yourself Centre Court tickets for a fiver or less (we wish...), there are plenty of opportunities to watch every game, set and match, up to and including the finals, for free.
Areas around London have erected large screens, most of them in the open-air, on which they're broadcasting Wimbledon, live as it happens. Covent Garden, Canary Wharf, Paddington, St Katharine Docks and Wimbledon town centre are among the districts where you can watch for free. Just know that they'll get busier as the week goes on and the competition heats up.
Free, until 13 July.
Discover the Power of Drawing
Drawings by Tracey Emin, Tim Burton, Thomas Heatherwick, David Hockney, Rufus Wainwright and Es Devlin star in The Power of Drawing exhibition at the Royal Drawing School in Hoxton — marking its 25th anniversary. It's free but you must book ahead.
Free, until 26 July.
Enjoy free music, and film and sports screenings

Most of the headline gigs for BST Hyde Park have sold out, but did you know about Open House? This free-entry festival takes place on the weekdays between the big weekends, and is open to everyone, whether you have a gig ticket or not. Free entertainment is spread out across the festival site including film and sports screenings, live music, sports workshops and even a tea dance, for all ages. The Fall Guy and Dune Part Two are among the films shown this week.
Free, 7-10 July.
Tour the Soho Theatre Walthamstow building
The newly-opened (and rather stunning) Soho Theatre Walthamstow has taken over the resplendent Granada Theatre building. Take a free tour, going behind the scenes and seeing original features such as grand Moorish arches, as well as more modern adaptations. You'll also hear the story of the local community who campaigned to save the building when it was at risk.
Free, 9 July (and other future dates).
Enjoy all the fun of the Midsummer Fayre

A modern spin is put on a traditional medieval fair, with the two-day Midsummer Fayre in the City (day one in the St Alphage ruins at London Wall Place, day two in Postman’s Park). Expect town criers, archery, Morris dancing, birds of prey, roving Shakespeare plays and more.
Free, 9-10 July.
Cheer on dragon boats in London's docks
A day of dragon boat racing takes place in South Dock (Canary Wharf) on Thursday, in support of charity Water Aid. Teams of 11-17 rowers take part in races throughout the day — but don't worry, there's no chance of you getting dragged in, as places to take part have now sold out. It's free for anyone to spectate though, with plenty to keep you entertained — including the fancy dress costumes which some of the teams choose to wear. Plenty of drumming involved too. If you don't know much about the sport, read about when we met dragon boating team the Windy Pandas.
Free, 10 July. Consider making a donation to Water Aid if you can.
Get a 90s-style glow-up (and drink apple sour cocktails)
To celebrate the launch of their Apple Sour Martini Nitro Cocktail, Funkin are at the Duck & Dry salon in Mayfair (2pm-4pm), with throwback makeovers, tooth gems, nostalgic hits and sweet-and-sour apple cocktails — all very 90s, all totally free. Book a slot.
Free, 10 July.
Catch a free opera performance
Head to Holland Park on Friday lunchtime for the fortnightly Songs on the Steps, a free, open-air performance from Opera Holland Park. It's open to everyone, taking place on the steps in front of the summer venue. Why not take your lunch (and maybe a picnic rug) along, and get comfy for the 40-minute recital.
Free, 11 July.
Celebrate the centenary of Motspur Park station
Located down in New Malden, Motspur Park station celebrates 100 years since its opening with a free display of historic maps, photographs, railway artefacts, a scale model of the area as it was in 1925, and a working model railway — all in West Barnes Library (right next to the station).
Part of the Railway 200 national celebrations, the display is open to the public on both Friday and Saturday this week. Saturday, the actual anniversary, is extra special, with talks, a ribbon cutting, and a celebratory picnic in the park at Joseph Hood Playing Fields nearby.
Free, 11-12 July.
Take to four wheels on the Starbucks roller rink
Coffee brand Starbucks opens a free roller rink (age 16+) at Southbank Centre, offering 45-minute skating sessions accompanied by live DJ sets from Mercedes Benson and DJ R-LO. Everyone attending can also get a free short caramel frappuccino blended beverage or melon pearl Starbucks Refresha drink.
Also on site: a photo booth, a claw machine, and a chance to win Starbucks merch. Note that there is a £5 deposit, taken when you book your ticket, refunded when you arrive at the event.
Free (£5 deposit), 11-13 July.
Quaff £5 pints of Warsteiner Pilsener
In need of something stronger than coffee? As part of celebrations to mark its 10th birthday, German Gymnasium in King's Cross is selling pints of Warsteiner Pilsener for a fiver on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There are various other happenings too, including an oompah band — read more on their website.
£5, 11-13 July.
Celebrate summer in Greenwich Park
Arts Trust have held several free festivals around south-east London so far this summer, but this week it's the big one. Summer in the Park in Greenwich Park takes place across Saturday and Sunday, offering free entry to a programme of live music, circus performances, immersive theatre, art workshops, an Indian- and Persian-inspired outdoor pageant, ceilidhs, a Samba parade and more. Suitable for all ages.
Free entry, 12-13 July.
Soak up the vibes at Whitecross Street Party
Though it hosts a lively street food market most week days, Whitecross Street near Barbican really comes alive for the annual Whitecross Street Party this weekend. See live painting and street art, transforming the area until next year's festival, along with music, dance and spoken word stages, family activities, food stalls and more.
Free entry, 12-13 July.
Attend a free chess festival
Trafalgar Square hosts a free chess festival on Sunday. Chess Fest is open to all, whether you're a seasoned player or want to learn the game from scratch... or simply watch others playing. This year's event has a living chess set with 32 actors taking on the role of the pieces, recreating famous games of chess with live commentary, as well as free beginner lessons and a chance to challenge a master at speed chess.
Free, 13 July.