The capital’s best free events from Nov 10-16th
Happy Monday {{ first name | Cheapskater }},
Welcome back to another roundup of London’s best free events! This week, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas – so keep scrolling for festive light switch-ons and celebrations across the capital to get you in the holiday mood.
Speaking of festivities, we’re wondering about your end-of-2025 plans – are you staying in London, escaping the city, or still making arrangements? Please let us know here (it’ll help us decide when to send out our final edition of the year) ⬇️
Where are you spending the festive period?
Have a wonderful week,
Kate, Georgia and Clementine x
MONDAY
🍵 Time for tea
Whether you’re an expert in all things cha or just figuring out the difference between rooibos & oolong, head to ImpactSOS at BOXPARK Shoreditch for a chance to try cuppas from around the world at this tea tasting.
🗓️ Mon 10th Nov, 5-6pm
📍 Shoreditch High Street
🎨 ‘New Art on the Wall’
Italian bistro & creative space Malavenda Cafe & Bistro is hosting a private view of the new art being unveiled on its walls. True to the cafe’s Italian roots, there’ll also be a “MonteNegroni” tasting.
🗓️ Mon 10th Nov, 5-10.30pm
📍 London Fields
TUESDAY
☀️ Summer loving
Missing the warmer months? New exhibit Echoes of Summer (on display at the “family cafe” Friendly Grounds this week) focuses on the warmth, playfulness & nostalgia of summers gone by.
🗓️ Until Mon 17th Nov
📍 Earl’s Court
🕺 Mods and rockers
As part of the West Norwood Free Film Festival, the Electric Cafe is hosting a screening of 1979’s Quadrophenia. Catch Summer of Soul on Weds, The Commitments on Thurs, & Whiplash on the weekend.
🗓️ Tues 11th Nov, 8-10pm
📍 Tulse Hill
WEDNESDAY
🤯 I see the vision
Are you a creative woman over 20? Head to Leroy House on the Essex Road for an inspiring event all about how to bring your creative ideas to fruition with creative collective CtrlnCreate. RSVP in advance.
🗓️ Weds 12th Nov, 6.30-8.30pm
📍 Canonbury
✨ Merry Marylebone & more
Marylebone Village is officially switching on its Christmas lights at a special event this Weds. Elsewhere in London, get your fix of festive magic this week at Leadenhall Market, Covent Garden & Spitalfields.
🗓️ Weds 12th Nov, 3-8pm
📍 Marylebone
🕵️ Competition time!
Ever watched a James Bond film & thought, “I could do that”? Now’s your chance to prove it.
SPYGAMES London – a new experience in Covent Garden from real-life veterans of the CIA & Special Ops – lets you test your stealth, strategy & nerve across two hours of missions & brain-teasing challenges. And we have two pairs of All Access tickets (worth £49 each) to give away!
To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets, simply refer a friend to Cheapskate using your personal link: {{rp_refer_url}}. Once they sign up, you’ll be entered into the draw & we’ll pick a winner at random.
The second pair of tickets will go to one lucky member of the Cheapskate Club – join today & you’ll automatically be entered into the draw!
THURSDAY
🪩 A feast for the senses
This month’s Whitechapel Gallery late, inspired by the Joy Gregory exhibit, is particularly eclectic: choose from perfume workshops, DJs, a pop-up library & even a singing class (no experience required).
🗓️ Thurs 13th Nov, 6-9.30pm
📍 Aldgate East
🤖 Robots at the ready
Donna Haraway’s A Cyborg Manifesto proposed a sci-fi-influenced version of feminism decades ahead of its time. At Deptford Lounge, watch & discuss a series of short films inspired by Haraway’s iconic text.
🗓️ Thurs 13th Nov, 6-8pm
📍 Deptford
FRIDAY
🧒 WordPlay
The Southbank Centre’s dedicated musical experience for kids is back. Enjoy catchy songs performed live by a singer & harpist, as well as games designed to encourage connection (all in a dreamlike sensory environment). NB: There are separate sessions for children under 2 & for those aged 3-5. Find out more here!
🗓️ Fri 14th Nov, 11.30am-12.15pm
📍 Waterloo
👁️ ‘Discerning Eye’
This exhibit at Mall Galleries has a refreshingly inclusive mission: allowing lesser-known artists to exhibit alongside big names. There will be everything from print to sculpture on display, but all works are under 50cm.
🗓️ Fri 14th-Sun 23rd Nov
📍 Charing Cross
👨🎤 Is there life on Mars??
Are you keen to see the David Bowie archive at V&A East Storehouse? It’s sadly sold out, but this talk from the curators about Bowie’s influence on fashion, held at Morley College, might be the next best thing.
🗓️ Fri 14th Nov, 6-7.30pm
📍 Lambeth North
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SAT - SUN
🎅 Christmas in Chelsea
The King’s Road turning on its Christmas lights, so the road will be pedestrianised this Sat from Sloane Square to Walpole Street, & will host a giant Christmas market featuring a range of local businesses.
🗓️ Sat 15th Nov, lights on at 5pm
📍 Sloane Square
🏮 All of the lights
This one looks magical. At a special event, Light Whale International is lighting up the Russia Dock Woodland in Rotherhithe with giant lanterns, which were all handcrafted by local community groups.
🗓️ Sat 15th Nov, 4-6pm
📍 Canada Water
🌍 Art & the climate
How do we create art during a climate crisis? Find out at this panel discussion at Mimosa House, part of the Art+Climate Week series of (mostly free) events in galleries across London.
🗓️ Sat 15th Nov, 4-6pm
📍 Holborn
🛍️ Big. HUGE.
The Big Market is coming to BOXPARK Wembley, with a focus on art from local designers, & records. Plus, there’ll also be free DJ sets & creative workshops for all ages during the day.
🗓️ Sun 16th Nov, 11am-5pm
📍 Wembley Park
And for dessert...
🫶 Want to support Cheapskate without spending any money? Please click on our links like this one (it won’t cost you a thing, but we’ll really appreciate it!).
🍼 As the mum of an endlessly messy nine-month-old, I absolutely love my wipeable Tutti Bambini Infinity Baby Playmat (in “Bedouin Sand”, to be precise). Therefore, it feels like my duty to tell you about the brand’s stunning “Black November” sale. From highchairs & mattresses to nursing chairs & the bestselling CoZee Bedside Crib, you can get up to 20% off baby essentials! - Kate
🍜 Liu Xiaomian is launching a pop-up in new pub The Stranded (by Charing Cross station), so head there this Friday to snag one of 66 free bowls of noodles.
🍺 Looking for the perfect gift for someone who loves discovering hidden gems & supporting small businesses? The £25 London Independent Pub Collection gives you £100 worth of food & drink to spend at 80+ brilliant pubs across the city. Use code CHEAP25 for free shipping.
🎭 One to book ahead! The UPLIFT festival at Putney Arts Theatre (Nov 18th-22nd) is designed by & for young people in the borough of Wandsworth, & all tickets are available on a ‘pay what you can’ basis.
🎁 The Amazon Christmas shop is officially open! Everything you could possibly want for the festive season is there, from these Christmas tree mugs to a bath bomb advent calendar. If you’re planning on buying something (anything!) on Amazon over the next few days, please use our affiliate link to help us make a bit of £££ 🧡.
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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 ads and the links we include (like 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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