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We’ve made it to another bank holiday, and the city is gearing up for a whole bunch of festivals, day trips, cultural excursions and nights out over the long weekend. But while we’re hardly ones to grumble at the prospect of an extra day off work, we’re well aware of how spenny these extra days off can get.
Making it to the end of May without dipping into the ol’ overdraft can be a challenge, with not one but two bank holidays to get through. But to help, we’ve roundup up a bunch of fun stuff happening around the city that won’t cost you a penny.
The best free things to do in London over the late May Bank Holiday weekend
Sink one of 1,000 free pints at Venn Street Records
It’s the bank holiday, of course you’re going to be going for a few beers with mates. But all that boozing adds up, so what if we told you that the good people at Venn Street Records are going to be giving away 1,000 free pints this weekend. The vinyl store will be dishing out 250 pints of Camden Hells each day across the bank hol, starting on Friday, May 23 from 5pm until close each day. There will be performances too: on Sunday 25 at 6pm Glasto veterans Brass Funkeys will throw down a special brass set. Tickets are advised, and you can book online here.
78 Venn Street, SW4 0BD. Fri May 23-Sun May 25. Free (advanced booking advised).
Give your wardrobe a sustainable makeover at Westfield Good Festival
Planning a big spring clean of your wardrobe over the bank holiday? You’ll learn plenty of helpful tips and tricks at this festival of pre-loved fashion, which sees world-famous shopping centre Westfield team up with fashion marketplace Depop to help shoppers to embrace sustainable habits. Head to Westfield’s Stratford location this weekend to shop a curated edit of second-hand threads at an IRL Depop Marketplace, take part in free styling workshops, enjoy free skincare consultations from Kiehl’s, and even nab up to £40 of free clothing alterations courtesy of door-to-door repair business Sojo.
Westfield Stratford City, E20 1EJ. Fri May 23-Sun May 25. Free (first come, first served).
Dig into South West Asian and North African fashion at the 3EIB Fashion Pop-up
London Fashion Week is good and all, but it doesn’t always offer the chance to discover cutting edge fashion houses from around the world. This bank holiday the Southbank Centre will host an alternative fashion show, showcasing 30 brands from South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA). The two-day event, hosted by community fashion platform 3EIB, will have everything from boundary-pushing ready-to-wear to affordable streetwear, and offer the chance to meet the people behind the clothes. SWAG from SWANA is part of the Southbank’s Shubbak Festival, one of London’s largest celebrations of contemporary SWANA culture.
Queen Elizabeth Hall, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX. Sat May 24-Sun May 25. Free.
Party with the great and good of London’s queer nightlife scene at Dalston Supersquare
Dalston’s legendary LGBTQ+ club might have celebrated its sweet sixteenth with a massive party over the last bank holiday, but this diva really likes to turn her birthday into a month-long event. After a killer debut last year, the club’s outdoor day party on nearby Gillett Square (where the old NTS radio booth used to be) is returning this bank holiday Sunday, with another secret line-up of Superstore regulars on the decks. Can’t afford to shell out for the big day festivals this weekend? Reserve a free ticket here and head over to E9 for a boogie instead.
Gillett Square, E8 2PB. Sun May 25. Free (advanced booking advised).
Cheer on the ultimate afro dance showdown at Red Bull Bring the Vim
On the Sunday of the long weekend, four afro dance crews will go head to head in an epic dance battle at Boxpark Croydon. Hosted by BBC Radio 1Extra’s Remi Burgz, the Red Bull events will see dance crews throw down their finest amapiano, afro house and naija street style moves in a bid to become champion. Who takes the crown? That’s up to you, as the crowd decides the winner. Legendary party hosts DLT (aka Days Like This) will supply the tunes, and there’ll also be free dance workshops and live performances from British-Ghanaian band The Compozers and other special guests. You can reserve your spot with a free ticket.
99 George Street, CR0 1LD. Sun May 25. Free (advanced booking advised).
Got a bit more cash to splash? Check out our roundup of the best things do to in London this May bank holiday
Or find some more wallet-friendly entertainment with our guide to the best free things to do in London
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