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Congratulations, you’ve almost made it through what feels like the 7,586th week of January. It’s been a long old month – one mostly characterised by horrendous weather, back to work blues, failed attempts at self-discipline and scraping by with the few funds you have left over from December.
One silver lining of all that is that venues and organisations across London make an extra effort to offer budget-friendly, mood-boosting events. Over the next few days alone, there’s a fantastic east London film fest, yoga in one of the city’s grandest art venues and screenings of the one TV show that has lifted the nation’s spirits this month, all free of charge.
So, get out there! Here’s our full breakdown of the best free things going on in London this weekend.
RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in London this weekend.
The best free things on in London this weekend, January 23-25 2026
1. Scoff plant-based goods at Signature Brew’s Veganuary Fest
It may have been buried beneath the rising popularity of going teetotal for Dry Jan, but Veganuary is very much still a thing. And for all those swearing off meat and dairy for the month (as well as all the city’s seasoned herbivores), Blackhorse Road’s Signature Brew is hosting London’s biggest vegan street food event this weekend. It’s free entry but you will of course have to part with some cash if you want to try the vegan nosh on offer. Food up for grabs will include stuffed burgers and wraps from The Hogless Roast, meatless wings from Chickenish, funky dairy-free cheeses from Sophies Delight and plant-based baked treats from The Female Glaze.
Signature Brew Blackhorse Road, Unit 15, Blackhorse Ln, E17 5QJ. Sat Jan 24, 12pm-10pm. Free.
2. Look out for sparrows, starlings and more in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch
The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch is the UK’s biggest citizen science event. It’s simple: people up and down the country head outside for a few hours and count every bird they see. It’s something you can do on your own in your back garden or local park with help from this pack, but there are group birdwatching sessions you can join in too. Energy Garden is hosting a session at Brondesbury Park on Friday, Cody Dock is inviting people to come down with their binoculars and cameras to look out for birds together on Saturday and Friends of St George’s Gardens is encouraging families to join them in Bloomsbury’s St George’s Gardens to help spot and identify feathered friends.
Various locations. Fri Jan 23-Sun Jan 25. Free.
3. Wander the Winter Lights trail at Canary Wharf
The bright lights of Canary Wharf's towers are quite the spectacle after dark, but the business district is glowing brighter than usual in January thanks to the addition of sparkling illuminations created by artists from around the world. The Winter Lights festival has returned for its tenth edition with a new set of dazzling artworks, installations and interactive experiences, plus some old favourites from previous years. There’ll be a trail of immersive illuminations dotted across the area, all following the theme of ‘dreamscape’. Trucks serving sweet treats and hot drinks will be on offer to keep you warm between installations.
Canary Wharf, E14 8RR. Until Jan 31. Free.
4. Ward off the winter blues at Tate Collective Wellness Week
Offering an antidote to the dreariness of January, the Tate Britain is treating members of Tate Collective (a free membership for 16-25 year olds) to a week of free wholesome activities. There are life drawing sessions with art collective 2B or Not2B, free cups of coffee from the Djanogly cafe and yoga classes inside one of its grand exhibition galleries. The final yoga slot is at 8.30am on Saturday January 24. It’ll be in Room 8, so you’ll doing downward dog, mountain pose and warrior one under the gaze of majestic nineteenth century paintings like John William Waterhouse’s ‘The Lady of Shalott’ and John Singer Sargent’s ‘Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose’. The last chance to take part in 2B or Not2B’s free life drawing at the gallery will be at 7pm on Friday.
Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1P 4RG. Until Sat Jan 24. Free.
5. Sit down for a screening at the PictureEast Film Festival
East London’s getting its cinematic glow-up as PictureEast Film Festival returns with two weeks of bold, brilliant and totally free screenings. Hosted by The New Black Film Collective, the festival brings indie gems, global hits and must-see previews to screens across east London. On the line-up are prison drama Wasteman, Akinola Davies Jr.’s debut feature film My Father’s Shadow and a gala closing with Palestine Comedy Club, with screens popping up everywhere from Stratford to Barking, turning libraries, hotels and cinemas into buzzing film hubs. Film fans can also expect comedy, kids’ screenings, director Q&As and panels led by local creatives.
Various east London venues. Until Feb 1. Free.
6. Gather at a pub round table for the Traitors finale
There are few things that bring the country together like the deception, treachery and backstabbing of The Traitors, and season four of the show has had the entire UK on tenterhooks. Will Rachel’s FBI training carry her all the way to the end? Will Stephen survive to see the final firepit showdown? Will the faithfuls ever stop suspecting poor Jade? We’ll get all the answers in the show’s finale on Friday night, when pubs across the capital will be hosting screenings of its final episode. The Regent in Balham, the Three Compasses in Dalston, the Livesey Exchange in Peckham, the Perky Nel in Clapham, the Pembury Tavern in Stoke Newington and The Conductor in St Paul’s will all be throwing free watch parties, while Juju’s Bar on Brick Lane also has free standing tickets up for grabs.
Various locations. Fri Jan 23, 8.30pm-10.30pm. 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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