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Christmas is creeping ever closer. And while that means that we can finally dig into mighty festive sarnies, start opening our advent calendars and sit down for Christmas movie marathons, it also means that there’s a lot of shopping to do.
In order to save up for gifts, tree decorations and Christmas party bits, you’re probably watching your spending elsewhere – perhaps cutting back on nice meals out or saying no to a few pints in the week. But if you still want to keep your weekends in the run up to Christmas booked and busy, it doesn’t have to involve parting with your pennies.
Besides all the free stuff things you can do in London year-round, this weekend will see a number of brilliant parties and pop-ups that won’t cost you a thing. So, without further ado these are all the best free things happening across the capital city over the next three days.
📍 All of the other best things to do in London this weekend.
1. Explore the city’s finest festive markets
You’ve got oodles of time to visit Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park, Southbank Centre Winter Market or Leicester Square Christmas Market. But there are some Christmas markets worth checking out that are only around for a short window of time. The final weekend of November is one of your only opportunities to hit up the Urban Makers Christmas Market in Mile End, Finnish Church Christmas Fair in Rotherhithe, the Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair, the Christmas Market at St Martins-in-the-Fields and the Merry and More Mart in Shoreditch. They’re all free to enter, but the amount of money you spend on mulled wine is up to your discretion.
Various locations. Various dates. Free.
2. Get down and dirty at the Barbican
The Barbican is going strictly 18+ for one weekend only. It’s all in honour of its big autumn exhibition Dirty Looks: Desire and Decay in Fashion, which traces fashion’s obsession with all things dirty, grimy and messy. For this weekend of events, it’s dialling it up a notch and looking at how fashion is influenced by sex, sweat, protest and pleasure through performances, talks, screenings, live art and late-night club energy. HOWL, the queer rave and sexual wellness brand, will be putting on screenprinting workshops and speed dating nights, a new collaboration between artist Sophie Cundale and author Izabella Scott will take place in the Barbican Conservatory and foyer takeovers will range from an x-rated fashion show to a club night from Club Stamina championing trans-femme talent.
Barbican Centre EC2Y 8AE, Nov 29-30. Free.
3. Limber up for the Tortilla Slap Championships
If you’ve always thought you’d make a champion tortilla slapper, then now’s your chance to finally prove it. Market Place in Vauxhall will be hosting the second annual championships in collaboration with Venezuelan and Mexican street food purveyors Streat Latin. Spectators can get their hands on free tacos and cocktails and will be entertained by a live mariachi band and Lucha Libre wrestling, while competitors are in with a shout of securing a year’s supply of tacos and margs on the house. Competitors will need to sign up here, and will be judged on slap sound, distance of water spray, the opponent’s reaction and the intactness of their tortilla. Happy slapping!
Market Place Vauxhall, SW8 1SP. Saturday November 29, 2pm. Free.
4. Wrap up and wander around the Cody Dock Frost Fair
Frost Fairs have a storied history in London. Between 1605 and 1814 the surface of the River Thames froze over 24 times, so locals took to the ice creating ‘Frost Fairs’ with markets, amusement, food, drink, games and general revelry. Global warming might have scuppered the frozen river bit, but Cody Dock is recreating the roistering atmosphere (minus all the ice) with this day-long shindig. Grab a glass of steaming mulled wine and wander through markets packed with gifts made by local makers, hit up a plant sale, join winter-themed workshops and listen to live music and toast marshmallows.
Cody Dock, E16 4TL. Saturday November 29 12pm. Free.
5. Spend a wholesome afternoon at the Camden High Street Winter Warmer
Camden High Street will be decked out with a bespoke light installation for this day of music and performances. Head to the thoroughfare to be serenaded by live brass performances, a community choir concert and hear live spoken word. Look at the words and memories of the area from local artists projected onto the road and take part in family-friendly workshops. Keep your eyes peeled for free hot chocolate, which will be handed out throughout the day.
Camden High Street, NW1 0JH. Saturday November 29, 1pm-5pm. Free.
6. Peruse South Asian delights at the Dishoom Loves Market
Yes, it’s another market – London gives you no excuse for sourcing your Christmas gifts from Amazon. This one’s all about celebrating South Asian crafts and cuisine. By day, the Old Street railway arches will fill with stalls selling jewellery, skincare, artwork, homewares and publications from South Asian small businesses like Pavan Beauty, Anisha Parmar Studio, Fable and Mans and Shreeji Newsagents. After the sun goes down, Dishoom’s Permit Room will be taken over by vinyl DJs, host an art exhibition and hold games of carrom with prizes up for grabs. If that’s not enough to entice you, there’ll also be complimentary cups of warm chai.
Kachette 347 Old Street, EC1V 9LP. November 28-30. Free.
Start planning a great end to the year with our roundups of the best things to do in December and our ultimate guide to Christmas in London.
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