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London is set for some more divine weather this weekend. Not (you’ll be glad to know) the suffocating 33C heat we endured over the bank holiday, but a far more bearable 22C-27C – the kind of heat that you can actually go out and do things in without wanting to keel over.
London’s headline outdoor events this weekend include Mighty Hoopla festival, Dialled In’s fifth birthday party, Sherlock Holmes at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and the final night of Tender at Soho Theatre. But all of those things cost a pretty penny. For those of you watching your wallet, there’s still a swathe of great stuff going on that’ll be within budget or that’s totally and utterly free.
From monumental football celebrations to eye-opening exhibitions, read on for the capital’s best free events on the final weekend of May.
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The best free things on in London this weekend, May 29-31 2026
1. Gun for the Gunners in north London
What a few weeks for it’s been for Arsenal. Last Tuesday, the team’s first Premier League victory in 22 years was confirmed, and this coming Saturday, they have their sights set on securing a historic double as they face PSG in the Champions League Final. Choose from one of these great Arsenal pubs to watch Rice, Saka and co give it their all for one final time this season. Whatever happens in Budapest, the boys will be back in north London on Sunday for what promises to be a spectacular trophy parade. Head to Islington to join in the enormous revelries for free. Sorry to every other football fan – you’ll want to steer well clear.
Various venues. Various dates. Free.
2. Be the first to see brand new exhibitions at the V&A and Wellcome Collection
After an open call-out for music memorabilia, the V&A has pieced together its exhibition highlighting 50 different venues through around 150 items. And it opens on May 30. Among the photographs, flyers, clothing, gig posters and band merch spanning the 1980s to the 2010s, you’ll see handwritten Oasis lyrics, the London Astoria sign and a pager used to monitor noise levels at the Hacienda. Over at the Wellcome Collection, it’s new show explores the UK’s 1980-90s AIDS epidemic, contemporary experiences of HIV in the Global South and reveal how activist groups and volunteer-led organisations have supported and campaigned for those living with HIV. Opening on May 29, it also spotlights the much-overlooked experience of women living with HIV in the UK and globally.
Various venues. Various dates. Free.
3. Show your love for south London at the Tate Modern Late
On the same night, the Tate Modern is hosting a Late that is basically one big love letter to the south of the city and welcoming a bunch of creatives who hail from south of the river. James Massiah will bring his ongoing event series Adult Entertainment to the gallery, combining literary readings and performance with curated DJ sets and live music. Production studio Them Ones will bring a series of short films recorded on 16mm that chronicle south London communities, Ludi Club will bring games to the Terrace Bar and TheGRIN.io has programmed a lineup of DJs for the Turbine Hall and Corner Bar.
Tate Modern, Bankside, SE1 9TG. Friday May 29. Free.
4. Or stop by the National Portrait Gallery to celebrate queer joy
Catherine Opie’s first major UK exhibition To Be Seen is a stunning presentation of her last 30 years of work – work that explores politics, identity and power and that brings queer communities to the forefront. If you’ve yet to see it for yourself (or are compelled to go back and appreciate it for a second or third time), this weekend is your final chance. And to say farewell to the show, the National Portrait is putting on an Evening Late all about queer joy. There’ll be play-for-fun poker inspired by Opie’s Dyke Deck (with the chance to win your own Dyke Deck to take home), smartphone photography workshops with photographer Ellen Kydd, zine-making workshops and a DJ set of 90s, female-fronted and Queer-centric tunes from Sadie Lee.
National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin's Place, WC2H 0HE. Friday May 29. Free.
5. Take part in the festivities at Eid on the Square
To mark Eid al-Adha, Muslim community groups and arts organisations from across London are gathering in Trafalgar Square for a joyous day of live music, dancing, food and traditional crafts. Around the square, you’ll find an immersive installation from Everyday Muslim, build-your-own kaleidoscope workshops, fencing lessons from Muslim Girls Fence, live tunes from London Arab Orchestra, Khaled Siddiq and Isam B, plus mesmerising performances from London Turkish Association Adult Folk Dance Group and the Khan Brothers Qawwali Group.
Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DS. Saturday May 30. Free.
6. Have some wholesome fun at Spitalfields City Farm Summer Fayre
Minutes away from the teeming crowds of Brick Lane lies the adorable Spitalfields City Farm, home to a crew of ducks, pigs, sheep, donkeys and rescue chickens. This weekend, they’re all inviting you to the farm’s annual Summer Fayre. See the sheep being sheared, sit down for a storytelling session, mooch around market stalls selling crafts and handmade foodstuff, listen to live music and watch a collection of crafters doing what they do best. It’s completely free to attend, but reserve a ticket here so the farm has an idea of numbers.
Spitalfields City Farm, Buxton St, E1 5AR. Sunday May 31. Free.
Prepare for next month in London with Time Out’s guide to the best things going on in June.
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