[title]
It’s here, folks. The lights are going up, the markets are opening and the pop-up ice rinks are slowly appearing – whether you’re ready or not, the festive season is upon us once more.
As magical as it is, we all know that this is an expensive time of year. Between all the gift shopping, festive nights out and general largesse of the season, November’s paycheque tends to dwindle pretty quickly. But scrimping in the lead up to the big day doesn’t have to mean spending your weekends doing nothing.
London will always have an abundance of brilliant things to do that won’t cost you a penny, so you can save up for Christmas and continue enjoying the finest things this city has to offer. From a night at the museum to a winter sports extravaganza, these are all the best free events going on in London this weekend.
RECOMMENDED: All the best things to do in London this weekend.
The best free things on in London this weekend
1. Deep dive into folklore at a Tate Late
The Tate Britain is going all Wicker Man for its next late. The East Anglian Folklore Centre will be in attendance, showing visitors how to participate in folkloric rituals and there’ll be live painting and storytelling inspired by African folklore. Enter a Hans Christian Andersen-inspired mermaid grotto escape room and make your own tarot cards before dancing to DJ sets programmed by Brixton-based Reprezent Radio.
Tate Britain, SW1P 4RG. Friday November 7, 6pm-10pm. Free.
2. Peruse the Winter Market at the Southbank Centre
It’s that time of year! The Southbank Centre’s beloved seasonal market is back this week, turning the bank of the Thames into a cosy winter funscape. Alongside a variety of entertainment spaces, it features rows of cutesy ski chalet-inspired stalls serving up truffle burgers, duck wraps, mulled wine, Dutch pancakes, churros and many more tasty morsels to nibble on while you look through gifts, jewellery and decorations made by independent craft traders.
Southbank, SE1 9PP. Until December 26. Free.
3. Marvel at a snow sports showcase in central London
In honour of ‘technical outerwear’ brand Peak Performance’s new collection, a horde of pro skaters and winter sports stars will be bringing their skills to the arches beneath London Bridge. As well as watching the professional athletes flip and spin around White Grounds Skate Park, there’ll be a chance to try jibbing (snow board tricks on non-snow surfaces) for yourself under their guidance. The event will then move on to nearby indoor skate park Hop Kingdom for an afterparty from 5pm.
White Grounds Skate Park, London Bridge, SE1 2ET. Saturday November 8, 1pm-11pm. Free, but booking advised.
4. Pick up some goodies at an IRL ASOS pop-up
ASOS is an online fashion and beauty behemoth. But for just one week, it’s selling stuff IRL. As Christmas shopping season gets underway, more than 200 pieces will line the shelves and rails at the site’s Carnaby Street pop-up. Expect bits from brands like Topshop, Topman, Good American, AllSaints, Charlotte Tilbury and Ouai, as well as goodie bags for select customers and interactive installations.
10 Carnaby Street, W1F. November 7-16. Free.
5. Celebrate the arrival of St. John and 40ft Brewery’s annual collab beer
Every year, Dalston-born craft beer mavens 40ft Brewery and Michelin-starred restaurant St. John team up to create their Eccles Stout, a brew inspired by St. John’s famed Eccles cakes. To launch this year’s edition, Trevor Gulliver and his team will head to brewery’s huge new Walthamstow taproom with a stash of ox heart buns, pig cheek pies, potato pies, doughnuts and (of course) Eccles cakes in tow. There’ll be vinyl spinning all afternoon and plenty of cans of the new Eccles Stout to take home.
10 Lockwood Way, E17 5RB. Sunday, November 9. 12pm-5pm. Free.
6. Feed your brain at Being Human Festival
Workshops, talks and exhibitions are happening all over UK this weekend as part of arts and humanities festival Being Human. Here in London, there are around 50 events lined up, the majority of them completely free. The Festival of Migration at Goldsmiths University will tell stories from migrant communities through food, performance and workshops, Lewisham’s Hidden Heritage walking tour will guide you through the borough’s alternative histories and the Living Library at the Landmark Arts Centre will present poetry, performances and writing workshops inspired by the natural world. You can find the full programme for London here.
Various locations. Until Saturday, November 15. Free.
Start planning a great end to the year with our roundups of the best things to do in November and December.
Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.