Free things to do in London this week
Patiently waiting for pay day? Make the most of these free things to do in London
London can be a pricey city. But there’s no need to hibernate at home when your purse is feeling a little empty. Our city is full of world-class free museums, incredible free exhibitions and attractions that won't cost you a penny to enter. And don’t forget all those wonderful green spaces you’re free to enjoy at no cost. Here are a whole load of incredible and totally free things to do in London this week.
RECOMMENDED: The best free things to do in London
Museum of the Moon
Luke Jerram’s six-metre glowing sculpture has Nasainspired detail. It’s lighting up the Natural History Museum for the fiftieth anniversary of Apollo 11. We have lift-off!
Artist Rooms: Jenny Holzer
There’s nothing more revoltingly pointless than an inspirational quote. The kind of thing your aunt posts on Facebook: ‘Life’s not about the destination, it’s about figuring out how to use the touchscreen ticket machine at the station’ or some nonsense, slapped on a picture of a tranquil beach or a weeping kitten. American artist Jenny Holzer’s work is decades’ worth of statements, aphorisms, quotes and poetry. She takes words and sentences and plasters them over the streets, prints them on cups and condoms, engraves them into marble, and sends them stuttering at lightspeed along LED columns. Stood here surrounded by words in this small new display, what strikes you is both the power and powerlessness of language. The first room is covered in collected statements, things like ‘the land belongs to no one’, ‘women love power’, ‘you should study as much as possible’. They’re sentences presented and said as truth, advice, things to live your life by. But they contradict each other, cancel each other out. Some implore peace, others call for violence. You end up nodding at the ones that resonate, shaking your head at the rest. For you, those specific words work, for someone else they won’t. Then you worry that just maybe none of it means anything. The only works that feel firm in their definition are the ones based on testimony from the Iraq War; here, lived experiences usurp interpretation. But everything else – the LEDs, the marble benches, the plaques – just makes you query
Flea at Vinegar Yard
Formerly Flea at Flat Iron Square, this weekly vintage and makers market has moved to Vinegar Yard SE1, bringing its heaps of antiques, clothing, homeware, books, bikes and cameras with it. It's hunting ground for treasures and pre-loved artefacts. Can't make it this weekend? Visit its range of pop-up shops, open every weekday.
Festival of Communities
The Festival of Communities is back in Tower Hamlets. This family-friendly affair features more than a hundred things to do, including interactive stalls, hands-on demonstrations, talks and games all showcasing research, creativity and community initiatives in the borough. Find out more here.
Craft and Graft: Making Science Happen
Ever wondered how a science lab manages to breed, feed and store a million fruit flies for experiments? Well, prepared to be amazed. The Crick Institute is offering up a behind-the-scenes look at the methods and people driving the latest scientific advances. And it's not just flies either, with the lid lifted on laser guides, cell growers and tech fixers too.
Natural Born Storytellers
The theme at this regular storytelling night changes each month and it's the perfect place to tell all your funny anecdotes to live audience. Anyone from the audience is encouraged to share true stories alongside pre-booked and professional storytellers at this raucous, not to mention spontaneous, evening. Check the Natural Born Storytellers website for the latest events dates and theme. If you have a story you'd like to tell send an email to michael@naturalbornstorytellers.com with an outline of your story and the theme you think it fits best.
Oval Night Market
Street parties get a bit of a bad wrap, what with the bunting, awkward chat with neighbours you never usually speak to and that wannabee Ed Sheeran who decides it's a great time to get out his guitar. The above shouldn't be an issue at The Oval's new night market though, with the Bethnal Green space (not to be confused with the nearby Oval Space) throwing monthly road-block parties. Actual DJs and live bands will be on hand to soundtrack the sessions, while some great food and drink stalls, including Biff's Jack Shack and Holy Cow, will help keep the hunger at bay.
Art Night
For 2019, Art Night is being held at locations across Walthamstow and King's Cross. The one-night-only event takes its inspiration from Walthamstow's postcode, E17, and the 90s boyband sharing that name, specifically their hit song 'It's Alright'. See twelve new commissions and take advantage of the 24-hour Victoria line linking King's Cross and Walthamstow Central. Featured artists include Emma Talbot, Alice Theobald and choreographer Julie Cunningham.
Kingsland Market Re-Launch
Hackney's Kingsland Market is back. Originally opened in 1880 as a ‘waste’ market for people to trade their unwanted goods, it was once the place to go for spare parts, second hand goods and odds and ends, but in 2015 trading had dwindled down to just one stall. The new market will be open weekly on Saturdays between 9am-5pm. In keeping with 138 years of tradition, there'll be stalls selling second hand bargains, vintage goods and collectables, antiques, and will also have the occaisional ‘waste’ trader. Long live Kingsland Market.
Camberwell Open House
See work from the Camberwell College of Arts students in photography, sculpture, painting, ceramics and illustration and get involved in a huge range of workshops from screen printing, stop-motion animation, trying out letterpress and badge making led by experienced tutors and students. Find out more here.
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