The capital’s best free events from July 8-14th

Dear {{ first name | Cheapskater }},

So… we have a new government! And we were heartened to see in last week’s poll just how many readers were planning to vote in the election (far more than the national turnout of around 60%). Here’s what you said:

Are you planning on voting this Thursday?

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Yes, definitely (518)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ I'm not sure yet (23)

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ No, I'm not (14)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ I've already sent off my postal vote (112)

🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ I'm not able to vote (82)

749 votes

What are your thoughts on the result - and how do you think the new Labour government will impact your day-to-day life? Please share any thoughts here (and let us know if you’re happy for us to anonymously republish your reflections in an upcoming edition of Cheapskate).

This week, we’ve partnered with the Southbank Centre, which is hosting a special weekender in partnership with AZEEMA - a print and digital magazine, creative agency and community celebrating women and non-binary folk. From Friday July 26 until Sunday July 28, everyone’s invited to take part in a celebration of culture and unity through music, conversation, performances and workshops. Find out more here!

Have a fabulous week,
Kate and Georgia x

PS. Congrats to our reader Olivia, who won a bottle of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s tequila, as promoted in last week’s newsletter. Scroll down for another brilliant, free-to-enter competition (with 10 pairs of tickets up for grabs!)…

MONDAY

FILM 🍿 King’s Cross, 5 & 7.30pm

Screen on the canal

Head to the canalside steps of Granary Square tonight to catch two open-air film screenings: La La Land (at 5pm) & Asteroid City (at 7.30pm). Arrive early to ensure you get a seat.

EXERCISE 💪 Hyde P, from 5.30pm

HITT with Vogue Williams

Model & TV personality Vogue Williams & her personal trainer John Belton are running a HIIT workout session in Hyde Park (& the first 500 people to arrive will receive a free Stanley cup).

TUESDAY

FILM 🍿 Vauxhall, 7-9pm

Encanto under the stars

Summer Screen is returning to Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens this Tues (for the 11th year!). This season kicks off with an outdoor screening of Disney’s feel-good Encanto. Book a free ticket.

FESTIVAL 🎉 Finsbury P, 6.30-9pm

Finsbury Fest returns

This Tues marks the return of Finsbury Fest, where artists from around the local boroughs will be putting on an evening of free entertainment in Finsbury Park. Get a free ticket here.

Competition time! 😂

We have 10 pairs of tickets to give away to Good News / Bad News, a new comedy night at Aces & Eights in Tufnell Park on July 10.

Hosted by Suchandrika Chakrabarti (a writer for Have I Got News For You), this “damn funny” night will feature comedy acts bringing along their best and worst news stories from the past month.

To enter the draw, simply refer a friend to Cheapskate by sending them this link (it contains your personalised referral code): {{rp_refer_url}}.

Once they’ve signed up, you’ll be entered, and we’ll pick 10 names at random. Good luck! 🤞

WEDNESDAY

BOOZE 🍸 Hackney, 7-9pm

The little green fairy

London’s first Absinthe exhibition, Let me be mad!, is opening at The Last Tuesday Society - & there’s a launch party to celebrate. The first 100 guests will receive a free glass of Devil’s Botany Absinthe.

FILM 🍿 Hyde Park, from 7pm

The Goonies in the park

Open House, the free-entry, weekday part of the BST Hyde Park Festival is back, is hosting a free, outdoor screening of The Goonies (1985) this Weds. Entry is first-come, first-served.

THURSDAY

ART 🖼️ Charing Cross, until July 11

Award-winning portraits

Thurs is the launch of the National Portrait Gallery’s free Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award 2024, a prestigious competition showcasing 50 contemporary portraits.

ART 🖼️ High Street Ken, until Nov

Yayoi Kusama’s Pumpkin

Check out iconic Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s tallest bronze pumpkin sculpture, which is going on display for free at The Round Pond in Kensington Gardens from this week.

FRIDAY

ART 🖼️ Blackfriars, until Jan 5

Art Now installation

A new installation of sculptures, film & sound opens this Fri at Tate Britain. Taiwanese/British artist Steph Huang’s display questions the impact that consumer culture has on our environment.

FESTIVAL 🎉 Waterloo, Fri-Sun

Vibrant summer fun

The Greenwich+Docklands International Festival is bringing a dazzling mix of street theatre, dance, music & circus acts to National Theatre’s River Stage this weekend.

WEEKEND

MARKET ✏️ King’s Cross, 11-5pm

The Illustrators’ Fair

The UK’s largest free illustration fair is back! This Sat, The Crossing will be transformed into a pop-up marketplace selling a range of illustrated products, including limited-edition prints, zines, cards & graphic novels.

LOVE ❤️ Forest Hill, Sat 11am-4pm

Celebrating community

Celebrate the wonderful richness of the Horniman Museum’s local community at Crossing Borders, a family-friendly day of activities, performances & workshops run by local newly-arrived people.

FESTIVAL 🎉 Greenwich, Sat-Sun

Festival for young people

It’s the Greenwich Park Youth Festival this weekend - a community gathering where families can enjoy performances & activities designed to entertain, educate & inspire young people.

READ 📚 Waterloo, Sat from 12pm

The Poetry Takeaway

Order a poem from a “poet chef” at the Southbank Centre’s Poetry Takeaway Burger Van - a mobile poetry emporium supporting emerging poets from diverse backgrounds.

SPORT 🎾 Battersea, Sat-Sun

Wimbledon finals

Head to Battersea Park’s Bowling Green for the climax of the Wimbledon finals this weekend, with the matches screened outdoors on a big screen. Arrive early to bag your free spot.

And for dessert...

🧡 Want to keep Cheapskate in your inbox each week? Please buy us a digital iced latte. Or, you can support us by clicking on our links (like this one) - which won’t cost you a thing.

🎾 Roof East, the rooftop venue in east London, is offering free screenings of the Wimbledon Women’s Final (Saturday, 2pm) and Men’s Final (Sunday, 2pm). Cinema seating (up to 160 seats) will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

😬 If you’re someone who takes great pleasure in using a toothpick at the end of a meal, we have a rec you’re going to love: these premium picks with delicious flavours which are made from natural ingredients. (This collection would make a great present.)

⚡️ I use Octopus energy at home, which is 100% renewable & the customer service is actually good. If you’d like to try Octopus, here’s £50 free credit!

👚 Georgia is looking to build a capsule wardrobe & has her eyes on these premium-quality clothes which have all been made to be recycled &/or composted. This organic hoodie is also on her wish-list.

🍟 Market Place’s Vauxhall location is giving away 100 free portions of crispy gluten-free fish & chips from Wicked Fish today (Monday) from 11am. Freebies are first-come, first-served - so get there early!

🩸 If you’re curious about giving Natural Cycles a go, you can take 20% off an app subscription using this code.

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