The capital’s best free events from Feb 10-16th

Dear {{ first name | Cheapskater }},

To many people’s delight (and to some people’s dismay) we are edging closer to the swoon-worthy Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re a single pringle, coupled up or in a situationship, we want to know what your plans are for V Day:

Love it, loathe it, or somewhere in between, Valentine’s Day is delivering some really great events this week, from a loved-up ‘80s Tate Late to quirky speed dating and an exhibition on the logic of a crush!

It’s the last week to get 50% off the Cheapskate Club giving you automatic entry into our weekly competitions. Sign up for just £25 for the year.

💘 Hope your week is sweet like chocolate 💘

Sophia & Georgia

P.S. Massive well done to Dom H for winning the epic meal for two at the Valentine’s Day banquet and to Amy M for winning the table at the Sounds Familiar Music Quiz, as featured in last week’s newsletter. Scroll down for this week’s sensational competition, very much on the romance theme.

MONDAY

EXHIBIT 🚋 Farringdon, until Jun 26

Tramway treasures

Starting today, the London Archives is displaying 40 London Tramways posters, from 1922-1933. The posters hark back to a halcyon age of transport art, promoting all that London had to offer - from leisure & sporting activities, to days out or cheaper Sunday fares.

CULTURE 🤤 High St Ken, until Feb 16

Delicious deception

Japan House’s Looks Delicious! is a unique chance to discover the process & history of ‘shokuhin sanpuru’ – the unexpectedly realistic Japanese phenomenon of restaurant food replicas. Book your place to see these mouth-watering models up close.

TUESDAY

EXHIBIT 🖼️ Old Street, 24/7, until Feb 16

‘New Home: Our Resilience’

Check out New Home: Our Resilience a free outdoor display at Old Street Digital Canvas, showcasing photography by six women seeking asylum in the UK. Explore their powerful stories of identity, difference & hope.

POETRY 📝 Peckham Rye, 7-10pm

Zine launch & poetry

To celebrate the launch of their striking debut zine, Missing Keys: Poems on Grief, Noa Smith will be hosting a poetry open mic at Copeland Park in Peckham. Sign-ups open at 6pm & readings start at 7pm. Just turn up!

WEDNESDAY

TALK 🗣️ Liverpool Street, from 5pm

Demystifying pensions

Pensions feeling like a puzzle? Join top experts, like ex-pensions minister Sir Steve Webb, at Widening Investor Networks’ in-person webinar as they break it all down - no jargon, just easy steps to manage your future money.

PARTY 💖 Hackney Wick, 6-11.30pm

St. Valentine’s warm-up

Spice up your week at Grow's Valentine's Warm-Up. Expect disco, ‘80s anthems, funk, hip hop & pop hits from DJ Britney to get you grooving, with free entry all night & the chance to party with new people or trusty friends.

Competition time 📚

This week, we’re giving away a copy of Single: Living a Complete Life on Your Own Terms, written by Nicola Slawson - acclaimed journalist & founder of the award-winning newsletter The Single Supplement.

This empowering book challenges societal norms & celebrates the freedom of singledom. It explores being single in a world designed for couples, enabling you to redefine your perspective on it.

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, & then we’ll pick the winner’s names at random. Good luck!

THURSDAY

FILM 🍿 Battersea Power Station, 6pm

‘The Gorge’ screening

As a special treat, Den of Geek is offering the chance to watch a free early-bird screening of The Gorge, a new action thriller starring Anya Taylor-Joy & Miles Teller, at The Cinema in The Power Station. Claim the last 20 tickets here - first come, first served!

DATING 💞 King’s Cross, 6.30-8.30pm

‘Red Flag Speed Dating’

Flying your red flags high? Generator & OkCupid are flipping speed dating on its head with Red Flag Speed Dating - where your quirks take centre stage. Expect a fun questionnaire, laughs, brutal honesty & a chance to win a stay in a hotel. Register here.

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FRIDAY

MOVE 💪 Oxford Circus, 6-6.50pm

Power hour

Did you know Gymshark puts on free workout classes to help people feel like champs? Head to Gymshark Regent Street for this fab 45-min strength class working on lower body & lifting. Spaces are limited so reserve your spot.

EXHIBIT 🖼️ Bethnal Grn, 6.30pm, til Sun

Crush course in romance

Rather like a fleeting crush, this exhibition starts on V day & is over by Sun. Sometimes When will catapult you into the logic of a crush with a performance reading & a crushed elixir. Register here.

WEEKEND

CRAFT 🧦 North Greenwich, Sat 1-3.30pm

Darn it, another hole!

Want to learn the art of darning? Bring your beloved old socks to this free workshop at Now Gallery where you’ll darn, mend or stitch those tootsie covers. All levels welcome & if you don’t have shabby socks you can practise on a pair provided.

LATE 📸 Pimlico, Sat 6-10pm

Love in the time of nostalgia

Tate Britain is hosting an ‘80s-themed Late, celebrating love & nostalgia in response to The 80s: Photographing Britain exhibition. Enjoy music, performances & workshops, like weaving or life drawing, with your ride or dies, situationships or lovers!

WALK 🚶 Clapton, Sun 10.30am-12pm

Chinwag & a stroll

Mental Health Mates is hosting a Lea Valley Walk & Talk this Sun, offering a friendly stroll to connect, chat & move for the benefit of your mental health. Everyone meets at Millfields Coffee, whatever the weather, for a wholesome start to the day.

MUSIC 🎶 Westminster, Sun 3-4pm

Organ-ised fun

This Sun, you’re in for a unique musical experience with renowned organist Joshua Simões. Whether you’re a long-time organ fan or a total newbie, check out Methodist Central Hall Westminster’s free organ recitals (even if just for the free tea).

And for dessert...

🧡 Want to show Cheapskate your support? It’s the last week to get 50% off the Cheapskate Club meaning you could become a member for just £25 (for a year). As a thank you, you’ll get automatic entry into all competitions - plus entry into regular supporter-only competitions). Not able to help financially? Try clicking on our links (like this one!) which won’t cost you a thing.

👧 We’re offering the chance to win two kids tickets to Big Penny Social’s Bounce House from Feb 17-21st (adults go free). Jump & slide into a playground of massive inflatables. To be in with a chance of winning, simply give us some feedback on today’s edition (please mention Bounce House in your response) by Wed Feb 12th.

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🥙 Do you ever find yourself with food stuck between your teeth after a meal out? This is the bane of my life & it can be fiddly to fix! I’ve recently found just the solution which come in irresistible flavours like scotch whisky! - Sophia

🍕 Who’s in the market for free pizza? I doubt there are any no’s in the house! Bella Italia is giving away 1,500 Margherita pizzas to anyone who buys a main meal from Feb 9-11th. Sign up at BellaItalia.co.uk to receive a unique code.

🦞 Get lucky in lobster this Valentine’s Day! On Feb 14th, Burger & Lobster launches ‘The Secret Love Seat’ across London. One lucky table, seated at the Love Seat at a mystery time, will get their meal for free, plus a bottle of champagne to celebrate.

🧁 If you’re in need of a last-minute Valentine’s gift (or just fancy treating yourself), Lola’s Cupcakes has you covered. The Deluxe Red Velvet & Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes are dangerously good, fluffy, rich, & gone far too quickly. But the Be Mine Valentine Brownies are next-level. Fudgy, chocolatey perfection. – Georgia

🎳 To celebrate the new Bridget Jones film, Hollywood Bowl is giving away a free game of bowling to anyone who visits a branch & is called Bridget or Colin, Hugh or Leo (the actors who play Ms. Jones’ love interests!). Just show some valid ID & get a free game of bowling for you & a guest.

We try to only include accurate information, but sometimes things can change. Everything included in the newsletter is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time the newsletter is sent out. Sometimes we make money from the links we include (like this one or this one!) but we only recommend things we genuinely like. You can also support us by joining the Cheapskate club as a monthly or annual member.

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