Free Things To Do In London This Week: 29 September-5 October 2025

Free things to do in London this week.

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.

Celebrate 150 years of the Pearly Kings and Queens

A number of London's museums and galleries have fashion exhibitions on at the moment, but not many are free. Still Suited and Booted, however, IS free, and showcases photos of the Pearly Kings and Queens by London-based documentary and portrait photographer Alex Kurunis.

Swing by St Martin-in-the-Fields on Trafalgar Square to get a look at the intricate detail of those pearly costumes and how they've changed over the years.

Until 4 October.

Take a peek at Paul McCartney's Beatlemania-Era photos

This week is your last chance to see Rearview Mirror: Liverpool–London–Paris, a free exhibition of photos taken by Paul McCartney at the height of Beatlemania. See the Fab Four's rise to fame and fortune through McCartney's lens, in candid photos snapped in 1963-4, including backstage shots taken before gigs. See the exhibition at Gagosian Davies Street in Mayfair.

Until 4 October.

Visit a gallery filled with wildlife art

Wildlife artist Hannah Shergold displays her latest collection in a free exhibition at Mall Galleries. 30 new works, including depictions of British and African wildlife, domestic animals and portraiture feature. Perhaps unexpectedly, so does her portrait of musician Ronnie Wood — an ambassador for conservation charity Tusk.

Step into The Delusion

A new video game commission and multiplayer immersive experience is the latest free exhibition at Serpentine North Gallery.

Artist Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley explores themes of polarisation, censorship and social connection in The Delusion, which invites visitors into a post-apocalyptic world. In this imagined future, society has broken into factions, each clinging to its own version of truth, providing a space for players to pause, discuss and reconnect.

See Kerry Godliman in conversation

You'll know her from Taskmaster, After Life — and now the Spinal Tap sequel. On Wednesday, comedian and actor Kerry Godliman appears in conversation with City Lit Principal, Mark Malcomson (Godliman is a former City Lit student). The event's free, but you must book a space.

Find out why we feel fear

The psychology of fear is discussed in Wednesday's free Gresham College lecture. Professor Robin May talks about the evolutionary reasons why fear is important, but why it sometimes backfires, giving us phobias of harmless things. Does knowing more about how fear works help us to escape it, or make us more vulnerable to it?

Delve into Cartier's stone collection

Coinciding with its current Cartier exhibition, the V&A in South Kensington hosts a free lunchtime lecture highlighting some of the most important items on display.

Helen Molesworth, Senior Jewellery Curator at the V&A and Lead Curator of the Cartier exhibition, focuses specifically on pieces which feature some of the most remarkable and precious stones ever used by Cartier.

Given the exhibition is sold out right up until it closes in November, we're expecting this talk to be popular, so get there in plenty of time, as it's on a first come first served basis.

Nip into a crypt to see a free installation

Not going to lie; we've puzzled over the description of art installation Entartete Kunst for longer than we really had time for, and still can't decipher the layers of 'artspeak', to figure out what it actually is. Nevertheless, it's in the Crypt Gallery, beneath St Pancras New Church for a few hours only (5pm-9pm) this Thursday, and the best way to find out what's what is to pop your head in and see.

Weave your way over to London's Sewing Machine Museum

The monthly opening of Balham's Sewing Machine Museum invites the public inside to view an incredible collection of hundreds of the machines, including one made by Pollack & Schmidt from 1865, which was presented to Queen Victoria's firstborn daughter, Vicky.

Entry is free, through donations to charity (The Royal National Lifeboat Institution or Leukaemia Research ) are appreciated.

Enjoy the final week of a free film festival

Muriel's Wedding, Moana 2, Sunset Boulevard and Little Shop of Horrors are some of the movies being shown during this final week of Streatham Free Film Festival. St Peter's Church and Streatham Vale Sport and Social Club are among venues hosting the free screenings.

Until 4 October.

Hang out with Vikings in Battersea

The Minnesota Vikings, that is. A fan festival dedicated to the American football team rows up to Battersea Power Station this weekend, with a giant Vikings-branded boat, Vikings x Crosstown Doughnuts, live DJ sets and appearances from the Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders, as well as Vikings Legend and NFL Hall of Famer, Cris Carter. On the Sunday, big screens broadcast Minnesota Vikings v Cleveland Browns live from 2.30pm.

Celebrate harvest festival in Croydon

The Cronx gets into the autumnal spirit this weekend, with Croydon Harvest, this year's antics including Daniel the Dandelion Man (an eight-foot puppet) roaming Queens Gardens, The Orbitza (a magical, interactive labyrinth by Rost Productions) and a visit from the animals of Vauxhall City Farm. The Walnut Fair also returns — a nod to Croydon's ancient nutty celebration.

Take an autumnal stroll through London