London has a reputation for being expensive, and it’s not entirely undeserved. But the city also has a genuinely extraordinary amount on offer for nothing, and not in a scraping-the-barrel way. We’re talking proper cultural programming, outdoor festivals, world-class museums, free gigs on common land and events that other cities would charge £30 for.
This is our edit of the best free things happening in London this weekend. No hidden costs, no “free with a suggested donation of £15.” Just things worth doing that won’t cost you anything to get through the door.
16 Apr – 19 Sep 2026
The free Barbican exhibition that takes you back to the year Britain lost its mind
