The capital’s best free events from June 16th-22nd
Good morning {{ first name | Cheapskater }},
We hope you had a wonderful weekend! We’ve been absolutely loving all the brilliant event suggestions landing in our inbox lately - a huge thank you to the readers who have been emailing us over ideas (like Ellie, who works for Islington Council and told us about this film that’s being screened as part of Refugee Week 2025, or Yas, who let us know that a new sauna is opening in Stoke Newington and you can pre-register for a free visit).
It’s always great to hear what’s going on in your corners of London, from the fun and unusual to the meaningful and important. Keep them coming - and have a fantastic week!
Kate and Georgia x
P.S. Congrats to competition winner Kirstin W, who won £75 to spend at Rosa’s Thai (we’re very jealous!). Scroll down for your chance to win a personal fitness session for you and a pal…
MON 16th JUNE
ART/MEMORY ✊ Blackfriars, 10-6pm
Awareness through art
Today’s the last day to view the AIDs Memorial Quilt in Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall. The quilt is an ongoing project featuring panels created by members of the public to commemorate those lost to AIDs.
FESTIVAL 🌎 Holborn/online, until Sat
Visions for a better world
Today marks the start of LSE’s Visions for the Future - a free festival exploring the threats & opportunities of the near & distant future, through talks, games & more. See the full programme here.
TUES 17th JUNE
EXHIBIT 🎭 Barbican, until July 3
Behind the scenes
Tues marks the start of Guildhall School’s Making It Festival - an eclectic series of student-led talks, performance & more. Most events are free, but some have a small fee (like one highlight - The Making of Us).
YOGA 🧘 Battersea P Stn, 8-8.45am
And, breathe…
Get in the right headspace for work with Third Space Yoga, who are hosting free morning Vinyasa classes at Battersea Power Station this Tues & Thurs. Make sure to book your spot in advance.
WED 18th JUNE
Photo credit: David Mirzoeff
ART 🖌️ Ilford, Wed & Sat (& by appointment) until Oct 1
Our connection with nature
Step into a world where the boundaries between the human body & nature dissolve. Natural connections, an exhibit by artist Andy Singleton at SPACE Gallery, explores the deep connections between our human bodies & the natural world, through awe-inspiring paper sculptures.
FITNESS 🚴 Brentford, 7-10pm
Wheelie good fun
Celebrate the longest day of the year with a midsummer bike ride from Brentford Market Place to Richmond Hill to catch the sunset, hosted by Hounslow Cycling. Don’t forget those bike lights for the way home!
WORKSHOP 🖊️ Waterloo, 7-9.30pm
Finally start that novel
Yet another great event from the Little Simz’ Meltdown festival at the Southbank Centre: this week, there’s a free writing & poetry workshop designed to help attendees build the courage to put thoughts into words.
📣 Competition time
We’ve teamed up with Cheapskate reader & experienced personal trainer (PT) Ilana Manuel, who is giving away a private fitness session worth £50!
The winner is able to bring a friend - & the session can also be designed for those who are pre/post-natal. It can take place either at Ilana’s space in N2 or virtually (must be redeemed by the end of June).
To enter, 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 into the draw, & we’ll pick one lucky winner at random. Good luck!
THURS 19th JUNE
LATE 💃 Bank, 5-8pm
Missing the Eras Tour?
Calling all Swifties! In the wake of the music icon buying back her masters, the Bank of England is hosting a Swiftonomics-themed late event, looking at how Taylor shaped entire countries’ economies.
GAMES ⛹️ King’s Cross, until 14 Sep
Boule me over
Thurs marks the official opening of the Petanqué courts in Pancras Square, part of the King’s Cross Riviera. Enjoy a round or three of the beloved French boules-like game - all equipment & instructions provided.
FRI 20th JUNE
FESTIVAL 🎶 Holborn, Friday 12.45-7pm
Music across minds & disciplines
This one-day, drop-in Gresham College festival will feature discussions exploring the development & influence of musical ideas. Expect to hear talks on subjects including neuroscience, Greek philosophy, maths & astronomy. Book ahead or just show up.
EXHIBITS 📚 Piccadilly Circus, until Sat
An intellectual summer
It’s time for the annual British Academy Summer Showcase - enjoy eclectic exhibits exploring fancy dress throughout history, gender inequality in sport, an iconic Birmingham bus route… & more.
ART 🌷 Queen’s Rd Peckham, until Sun
I can buy myself flowers
To celebrate British Flowers Week, Peckham events space Staffordshire St is hosting a short-run exhibit bringing together emerging local floral designers & challenging notions about sustainability in the floristry industry.
OPEN MIC 🎶 Waterloo, Friday from 5.30pm
Works in Progress
Calling all dancers, rappers, singers, musicians, performance artists & spoken word/poetry artists aged 16-30! You’re invited to a special open mic event at the Southbank Centre this Fri. The space, built for Little Simz’ Meltdown festival, is designed to spotlight emerging talent & enable connection through creativity & community.
SAT 21st - SUN 22nd JUNE
THEATRE 🎭 Charing Cross, Sat & Sun
Defy gravity
It’s Christmas for theatre kids: West End Live! Get ready to crowd into Trafalgar Square to watch live performances from the casts of hit musicals including Hamilton & Wicked, as well as new works like Coven.
MUSIC 🎧 Putney Bridge, Sat from 10am
And the love kickstarts again
Remember Fulham-born rapper Example from the late 00s? If so, you can see him live in his home borough for free this Sat, as part of Fulham Pier’s opening celebrations. There are also events on Fri & Sun.
CONNECT 🎶 Warren St, Sun 1-5pm
Camden community day
Camden People’s Theatre is hosting a free community day this Sun, featuring a quiet space, sensory-based workshops & more. Come & connect with others, or spend some alone time in an inclusive community space. Snacks & drinks will be provided. (16+)
HISTORY 🚢 Hoxton/G’wich, Sat & Sun
Windrush Day 2025
The Museum of the Home is marking Windrush Day this Sun with an afternoon of Caribbean music & food. On Sat, South of the river, the National Maritime Museum is celebrating with a series of talks & film screenings.
FESTIVAL 🇺🇿 London B, Sat & Sun
Explore Uzbekistan
London’s first (& only) Uzbek Culture & Food Festival is returning to Potters Fields Park this weekend. This free-entry festival will be a vibrant celebration of Uzbek heritage, featuring music, dance, crafts & food.
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 you’ll massively help with our running costs.
👚 Closed is serving major outfit inspo right now - this ribbed top & skirt combo is a bit spenny but dangerously good. I’m obsessed. - Georgia
🎭 Cheapskate reader & brilliant stand-up comedian Rajiv is performing a preview of his Edinburgh show at The Bill Murray Angel at 9.30pm tonight. Use the discount code CHEAPSKATE to get £5 off your ticket price on Dice.
🚲 Brompton is offering free bike hire at Brompton hire stations across London this Sat (coinciding with the Brompton World Championship in King’s Cross). See all locations here & enter the code BWC2025 on the day.
🤝 Interested in volunteering in North London? Volunteer Centre Camden is running a fair at Camden Town Hall this Weds, where you can find out about various opportunities on offer in the boroughs of Camden & Islington.
☕️ I’ve been starting my day with a cup of coffee ground from beans by Japanese brand Ueshima. Looking for present ideas? Check out their coffee taster bundle here (get 10% off when you subscribe to Ueshima’s mailing list). Kate
🧘 Wembley Park is offering free mat-based pilates classes on summer weekends, until Sun July 27. No equipment or experience needed!
🍕 South-west London’s Base Face Pizza is opening a brand new site in Richmond. To celebrate, they’re offering 50% off all pizzas from Tues to Sun this week. You’ll need to reserve a table here to claim this offer.
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