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There are some surprisingly nice things about January. Nope, not the weather, which unfortunately is set to continue its current abysmal form. And probably not the parlous state of your post-Christmas finances, either. But one thing to feel happy about is the lack of pressure to fill your weekends with a constant flurry of social plans. It's London's collective month of chilling out a bit. So instead of stressing about trains to weddings, buses to festivals or long treks to parties on the other side of the city, you can be master of your own free time.
London is full of galleries and museums that are gloriously quiet at this time of year, as well as under-the-radar cultural events that’ll put a bit of sparkle into a dull month. You live in an incredibly exciting city, and now it’s time to explore it in your own way. And before you complain that you spend all your money on mulled wine and manicures last month, rest easy. We’ve found six great things to do this weekend that won’t cost you a single penny. Read on, and plan something to really look forward to when Friday rolls round.
RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in London this weekend.
The best free things on in London this weekend, January 16-18 2026
1. Cultivate your mind with some thought-provoking free art
December’s outbreak of boozing and merriment probably isn’t fantastic for your mental powers. So regrow a brain cell or two by taking yourself to one of the excellent art exhibitions on this weekend, and pore over the intriguing creations and jargon-strewn captions for inspiration. Countercultural icon Nan Goldin's legendary series of photographs ‘The Ballad of Sexual Dependency’ goes on display at Gagosian Davies St this weekend, and it’s full of moody portraits of her social circle in downtown NYC, while this weekend marks the opening of city-wide art festival Condo, when London’s commercial galleries host collaborative exhibitions with international galleries from all over the world.
Still catching up on last year’s shows? Hotfoot it to some major exhibitions before they close: it’s your last chance to catch Chantal Joffe's distorted series of paintings ‘I Remember’, intimate group exhibition ‘The Stories We Tell’, Edward George’s interrogation of the archives ‘Black Atlas’, and refashioned video games from Danielle Braithwaite-Shirley.
Various locations. Fri Jan 16-Sun Jan 18. Free.
2. Step into a recreation of David Lynch’s haunting Red Room
The BFI is celebrating the late David Lynch with a whole season of screenings this month. But fear not if you missed out on tickets. The much-loved filmmaker’s visual language is so distinctive that the adjective ‘Lynchian’ has become a shorthand for any space that feels uncanny, liminal, and psychologically rich. And this month, you can step into a recreation of the epitome of a Lynchian space: the Red Room, a key location in Twin Peaks that unsettles with its stark geometric flooring and rich crimson velvet curtains. Get some pics with props from the series to seriously impress (or horrify) your movie buff friends.
BFI Southbank. Until Feb 1. Free.
3. Test your supernatural skills at a ‘Stranger Things’ quiz
We’re fresh from the big finale of Stranger Things. But were you really paying attention for the past five seasons or supernatural thrills and chills? Find out at this free entry quiz at Juju’s, in Brick Lane’s Truman Brewery. It’ll be stuffed with questions for trivia heads, as well as fun stuff for Stranger Things fans, including a prize for the best costume (bonus points for anyone willing to shave their head). You’ll have to buy your own refreshments of course, but luckily there are happy hour deals from 6-8pm so you won't be totally terrified next time you check your bank balance.
Juju's Bar & Stage, E1 6QR. Fri Jan 16. Free.
4. Get moving with a fun music-inspired fitness sesh
Crystal Palace Bowl has a fascinating history of hosting big gigs, including a legendary Bob Marley concert in 1980. But after its more recent restoration and reopening its inside spaces have become a welcome home for community events, too. This free day of fitness is masterminded by Sarah Aarons and her team, who’ll offer six ‘alternative’ 25 minute sessions designed to get you moving in novel ways. Pick from options including rave barre, which puts a high-octane spin on ballet, a fun fitness fiesta, and even a drum and bass workout for a wholesome daytime sesh.
Crystal Palace Bowl, SE26 6UT. Sun Jan 18. Free.
5. Celebrate Tamil festival Pongal at Calthorpe Community Gardens
Calthorpe Community Gardens is a much-loved green oasis in King’s Cross, tended by volunteers who fill its mosaic-filled spaces with life. Now, they’re celebrating the people who make it grow with a Pongal festival, marked by Tamil communities worldwide. Typically, it involves boiling a communal pot of sweetened rice for all to share, to give thanks for the harvest. At Calthorpe, there’ll also be kids art workshops, readings and discussions, communal rice art making, and a short film screening, ready to get you excited about the potential of growing things, even if the soil’s still half frozen.
The Calthorpe Project, WC1X 8LH. Sun Jan 18. Free.
6. Score a totally free pint of booze-free beer
Many people start Dry January. Few complete it without avoiding the temptation of a cheeky little drink before the month is up. But if you’re getting tempted to stray from your virtuous resolutions, help is at hand. Booze-free beer brand Lucky Saint is staging a massive giveaway of hundreds of thousands of non-alcoholic pints at venues all over London. Find your nearest participating pub here. Or if your birthday is is January, Boxpark is offering free pints of Madrí Excepcional 0.0% (or 4.6% if you insist) for you and a mate every Friday and Saturday.
Various locations. Various dates. Free.
Beat the January blues with our guide to the best things to do in London this month.
And plan for the year ahead with Time Out’s roundup of the 26 best things to do in 2026.
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