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It’s Valentine’s Day this weekend, and don’t budget-conscious Londoners know it. This city’s restaurants are all booked up, ready to entertain wooing couples who’ll lock eyes over the last shred of rose-petal-scattered burrata. Bakeries and gift shops are tempting shoppers with their sweetest heart-shaped wares. The supermarkets and petrol stations are ornamenting their entrances with red bouquets to ensnare unimaginative men. In short, there are ways to squander cash pretty much wherever you look.
But stay strong, dear reader. ‘Love don’t cost a thing,’ as J-Lo once sung. And you can have a lot of fun this V-Day weekend without flirting with extending your overdraft. Read on for some brilliant things to do in London, from free art to pint giveaways to community markets. And if you want to spend all the cash you’ve saved on a box of sickly-sweet heart-shaped doughnuts, well, that’s on you.
The best free things on in London this weekend, February 13-15 2026
1. Step into the Jazz Age at a stylish Tate Britain Late
1920s art pioneer Lee Miller had an outsize influence on the art and fashion worlds of her day. Find out why with this after dark exploration of the world of a surrealist pioneer. The free line-up of events includes a drawing session where you can sketch a jazz quartet as they play, a panel discussion on surrealism in fashion, DJs from Reprezent Radio and a curated film and photography display from Girls in Film x Tate Collective.
Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1P 4RG. Fri Feb 13. Free.
2. See international art treasures during the final weekend of Condo
A jaunt round annual artfest Condo is worth it just for the people-watching. You’ll glimpse challenging footwear and awe-inspiring trouser shapes aplenty on the fashionable artworld types descending on its spaces. But turn your eyes to the actual exhibits and you’ll get an exciting peek into where the international art world is headed. Fifty galleries from all over the globe are bringing work to London, including Sans Titre from Paris, Jhaveri Contemporary from Mumbai, and Pruyectos Ultravioleta from Guatemala City. This weekend is your final chance to broaden your artistic horizons, and discover a new artist you might just fall in love with.
Various locations. Until Feb 14. Free.
3. Take the kids to an epic lip sync battle at Southbank Centre
Southbank Centre’s family festival Imagine is packed full of shows to watch and free activities to try together. But none of them sound quite as fun as this Saturday’s Lip Sync Brawl, which mixes drag-style theatrics with rock concert swagger. Primary school aged children are invited to judge a lip syncing battle between seasoned performers, before all joining in for a dance workshop and a DJ dance party.
Southbank Centre, SE1 8XX. Sat Feb 14. Free.
4. Score a free pint with Beavertown’s romantic giveaway
This Valentine’s Day, Beavertown Brewery is issuing a challenge to blokes everywhere. Rugby star and Traitors fave Joe Marler is inviting men to tell their mates they love them, and get rewarded with a free Beavertown pint. There’s a serious message: it’s all in partnership with suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), to get people to open up about how they feel. But you don’t have to wade too deep into the mushy stuff to get a free bevvy. Just download app Dusk, fix up your free pint with a pal, and show them that Valentine’s isn't just for couples and gals.
Various locations. Until Sat Feb 14. Free.
5. Browse indie wares at a Valentines craft market
Okay, we will admit that going to a market might seem like a counterproductive way to save cash. But you’ll find community and fun at these Valentines offerings this weekend, as well as things to tempt you to splash out. At Walthamstow’s CRATE, you’ll find the Big MOB Mum Meet-Up, which is a chance to meet mums who are running their own businesses from home, as well as checking out what they're making at a market. Or head to the other end of London to Croydon’s branch of Boxpark for The Big Market, where you can browse handmade and retro goodies and sample streetfood from all over the world, while listening to free live music and enjoying a buzzy atmosphere.
CRATE Walthamstow, Selborne Rd, E17 7JR. Fri Feb 13. Free; Boxpark Croydon, George St, CR0 1LD. Sat Feb 15. Free.
6. Watch the Six Nations on a big screen
Even people who aren’t deeply into rugby can get behind Six Nations: this weekend, all six countries are playing, so whether you’ve got a stake in the success of England, Wales, Scotland, France, Ireland or Italy, you’ll have someone to cheer on. So assemble a gang of mates and watch that pointy ball fly at one of London’s excellent drinking spots. Head to Bat & Ball in Stratford and you’ll find some extra entertainment into the bargain, with beer pong and pool available to warm you up before big match.
Various locations. Sat 14-Sun 15. Free.
Fall in love with this city again with our guide to the best things to do in London this February.
And plan for the year ahead with Time Out’s roundup of the 26 best things to do in 2026.
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