The capital’s best free events from Jan 15th-21st
Good morning {{ first name | Cheapskater }}!
Over the last few days, my inbox has been bombarded with marketing emails about “Blue Monday” - allegedly the most depressing day of the year (but in reality not much more than a clever PR stunt).
In my humble opinion, there’s lots to feel cheerful about today - in part, because so many brands are pulling out the stops by offering freebies to “banish” those so-called Blue Monday blues. I might not be convinced by the concept, but I’m certainly a fan of these giveaways!
This week, we’ve partnered with Startup School for Seniors, the award-winning online programme designed to help people over 50 turn an idea into a business. The next cohort will start on January 18th (this Thursday) - and enrollment is still open! We love that fully funded places are available for anyone retired, out of work or with caring responsibilities. Find out more here.
Have a good one!
Kate x
MONDAY
FOOD 🧁 London-wide, all day
Cupcake giveaway
To counteract so-called Blue Monday, Lola’s Cupcakes is giving away free mini cupcakes at all its stores & kiosks today - no purchase necessary (while stocks last).
DRINKS 🥤 various & Cov. G., 2-4pm
The “Convoy of Joy”
A procession of drinks brands is driving by several London landmarks today, gifting goodies to passers-by. It will then stop in Covent Garden to give away more than 10,000 free drinks.
TUESDAY
WRITE ✏️ virtual, Tues-Thurs
“Half-Assed” challenge
Want to write more, worry less, & tell your “it’s not good enough!” voice to go away? Join writer Amber Petty’s free three-day “Perfectionist’s Half-Assed Writing Challenge”.
STORIES 🖼️ Greenwich, 6-9pm
Greetings From Ireland
Head to NOW Gallery for a special storytelling evening themed around creativity, community & the Greetings From Ireland exhibit (housed in a huge bouncy castle-esque structure).
WEDNESDAY
SEE ✨ Canary Wharf, until 27 Jan
Winter Lights returns
Canary Wharf’s free Winter Lights festival is returning this Weds, featuring 19 installations including a “flickering flame illusion” & an immersive “walkthrough experience”.
TALK 💰 Temple, 6.30-8pm
Wealth inequality explored
“The inequality of wealth: why it matters & how to fix it” is the important topic being discussed at LSE on Thurs, with Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee & Labour MP Liam Byrne on the panel.
Competition time! 🎶
We’ve teamed up with our pals at Peckham Levels to give away five pairs of tickets to the next Trouble in the Nighttime jazz session on 25 January, featuring sets from a live band & special guest artists.
The winners will also each receive a free house drink!
Want to enter this competition? Simply reply to this email with why you deserve to win. Good luck! 🤞
THURSDAY
ART 🩷 Green Park, until 9 March
The power of pink
It’s the launch of White Cube Mason’s Yard’s debut UK solo exhibit by Japanese artist Yoko Matsumoto, featuring her signature labour-intensive “pink” works.
WORKSHOP 💰 virtual, 12-1.30pm
Kick-start your side hustle
Do you have an online side hustle which you want to kick-start in 2024 without having to plaster yourself all over social media? You might want to reserve a slot at this online workshop.
FRIDAY
LATE 🖼️ Charing Cross, 6.15-8.15pm
Art after-hours
The National Gallery is hosting a special Friday late event where you can hear the world premiere of a “ground-breaking new multi-keyboard work” & take part in a “light, tone & rhythm” session.
MUSIC 🎶 Wembley, 7-11pm
Wanna go your own way?
Tribute band Fleetwood Unchained is performing at BOXPARK Wembley this Friday night. Sound like your Dreams come true? Register for a free black card for entry.
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WEEKEND
SPIRIT 🍏 Dulwich, Sat 12-3pm
Awaken the apples
London Wildlife Trust is hosting a traditional Wassail (where you “awaken” apple trees to ensure a good harvest) at Dulwich Village Orchard. There’ll be apple-inspired crafts & live music.
MUSIC 🎸 Dalston, Sun from 7.30pm
Inclusive jam sesh
The Shacklewell Arms is hosting an inclusive jam session this Sunday. An all-women & non-binary house band will get the good vibes going & then everyone’s welcome to join in.
And for dessert...
💪 Want to try ClassPass & get access to hundreds of gyms & classes across London? Here's an exclusive month-long trial (with 72 credits to use!).
💝 In response to new data revealing that 76% of Brits consider January the time of year to celebrate a birthday, venues at The Yards in Covent Garden are offering free gifts to people who can prove that their birthday is this month.
💰 Not got into using cashback sites yet? What are you waiting for - it’s literally free money! If you sign up to Topcashback here, you’ll get a £10 sign-up bonus when you earn your first £10 of payable cashback.
🎨 Not free… but this is my weekend plan thanks to a generous Christmas present! I’ve also got my eye on this two-hour course.
☕️ Caravan has partnered with Yolk to offer 50% off coffee next week in all five Yolk stores (Canary Wharf, London Bridge, Soho, New St. Square & Broadgate).
🎟️ Train travel app Seatfrog is giving away £1,000s-worth of free train ticket credit to commuters at King’s Cross Station today. Eight £150 “golden tickets” will be hidden in the station from 11am - follow Seatfrog’s Instagram & X accounts to find them.
💌 Two final recs from us: if you live in or around Finchley, you’ll probably love Finchley Now, a free newsletter featuring local news & events. And if you want to learn more about travelling on a budget, sign up for the free Nomadic Matt newsletter for money tips, tricks & deals.
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