In partnership with
The capital’s best free events from Jan 27th-Feb 2nd
Dear {{ first name | Cheapskater }},
Sophia here! I’m stepping in to bring you the best of London as Kate is on the adventure of maternity leave. While she will be so missed in the Cheapskate community, I promise I will try to fill her (very big) boots and bring you heaps of free fun!
So a bit about me… I’m a Londoner through and through and have lived in the city for more than three decades. I hope to be a source of knowledge, entertainment and culture to help you get the most out of the city over the next few months.
This week, we’ve partnered with Thrive LDN, the Mayor of London’s mental health movement, which is hosting a series of fantastic free online and in-person events to celebrate Great Mental Health Day 2025 (this Friday!). The aim of GMHD is to get Londoners talking about their mental health and raise awareness about the local support and services available all year round. Find out more here.
Looking forward to being in your inboxes!
Sophia x
P.S. Congratulations to Josh R, Fletch H, and, Kathy V who were the lucky winners of an in-store coffee tasting experience with Roasting Plant. This week’s competition continues the hot beverage theme, but this time it’s one for the tea lovers out there!
MONDAY
COMEDY 😂 Hoxton, from 8pm
Up for a chuckle?
Get your week off to a good start with some free laughter at Jaguar Comedy, hosted by Dream Bags Jaguar Shoes. Featuring London’s best up-and-coming acts, this night promises good vibes & all the gags.
TALK 🗣️ Wood Green, 6-8pm
Network and chill
Need a hand managing your business or personal goals? This North London Networking session in Wood Green will inspire you for the year ahead, with a 30-min talk from fab leaders to help you plan & maximise your impact.
TUESDAY
EXHIBIT 🎨 Hackney Wick, 6-11.30pm
Experience the experimental
Grow in Hackney is running an evening exploring the experimental project Speculative ReMemory. It brings together incredible feminist & anti-colonial work from artists & local communities, with creative audio & digital works plus DJs!
MUSIC 🎶 Shoreditch High St, 6-10pm
Is BYOV the next BNOC?
Doing Dry Jan? Looking for connection through a shared love of music? You might like Bring Your Own Vinyl at Cafe 1001 on Brick Lane. Bring a vinyl record that you want to be played on their Hi-Fi LED system & enjoy the beats & atmos. Just turn up!
WEDNESDAY
FOOD 🍽️ Hackney Wick, Weds & Thurs throughout Jan
Floating restaurant deal
The award-winning Barge East is offering 25% off its delicious à la carte menu if you pre-book for any Weds or Thurs this month. Beat those January blues & savour sustainable, locally sourced dishes aboard this historic, 120-year-old barge in Hackney Wick.
When booking, add in the comment section that you want to claim the Cheapskate offer!
SHOW 🍑 Waterloo, from 7.30pm
A peachy new year
Slither into the Year of the Snake with cabaret, an origami workshop and unapologetic sass to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Creative Encounters: The Bitten Peach is a queer pan-Asian cabaret night at the Royal Festival Hall. Not one you want to miss!
EXHIBIT 🖼️ Southwark, until Jan 4 2026
On firm ground
Weds is the launch of the Tate Modern’s Gathering Ground exhibition - all about how art can drive change in today’s ecological crisis. It invites us to reflect on our relationship with nature & how can we protect our planet for future generations.
Competition time! ☕️
We’re excited to partner with Tea India, known for its vibrant blend of spices, for a competition full of kindness, optimism, and wellness.
Five lucky winners will receive a chai bundle, including Tea India’s award-winning sweet Masala Chai and creamy Coconut Chai.
To enter, simply refer a friend to Cheapskate using this link (it contains your personalised referral code): {{rp_refer_url}}. Once they sign up, you’ll be entered, & we’ll then pick the five winners at random.
Here’s to spreading kindness & filling your cup with optimism! ☕💫
PS. Members of the Cheapskate club get automatic entry into all of our weekly competitions. Sign up here today!
THURSDAY
MUSIC 🎤 Tottenham Ct Rd, 7.30-10.30
An open mic musical soirée
An evening of live music, networking opportunities & appreciation of women in the music industry. Your free ticket doesn’t mean you perform, but you can sign up to Amplify Her Open Mic’s mailing list for a chance to!
EXHIBIT 🖼️ Barbican, until April 2025
Eternal visions
Thurs is the first day of Indonesian artist, Citra Sasmita’s magical exhibition Into Eternal Land at The Curve. Take a sensory journey exploring gender roles, ancestral memory, ritual & migration through her embroidery, scent & more.
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FRIDAY
WELLNESS 🧠 Online, 1-1.45pm
Happier healthier lives
It’s Thrive LDN’s Great Mental Health Day! An opportunity to raise awareness, build community & connect. Good Thinking is also hosting a free webinar on the resources available to support Londoners’ mental health.
EXHIBIT 🛼 Peckham Rye, until May 2025
Roller-skating-inspired art
It’s the first night of Christina Kimeze’s Between Wood and Wheel, a new exhibit at South London Gallery which features her vibrant paintings often depicting solitary female figures & set in dreamlike scenes. No need to book!
WEEKEND
SPORT 🏉 Blackhorse Rd, Sat 2.15pm
Scrumalicious Six Nations
Big Penny Social, the UK's largest beer hall, is offering free entry to their live screenings of the Six Nations. Enjoy the games (incl. England at 4.45pm) on a big HD screen, with food & 20 types of beer on sale to keep spirits high.
MUSIC 🎶 Waterloo, Sat from 10pm
Peng Femme Jam & jive
Join Peng Femme Jam house band at the Southbank Centre for a fun jam, followed by a boogie! Whether you’re a jamming newbie or an old timer, sign up & vibe with other musicians. Spaces are limited so book ASAP.
FESTIVAL 🐍 Charing Cross, Sun 10am
Lunar New Year parade
To ring in the Year of the Snake, lose yourself in the merrymaking at the Chinese New Year parade - with luminescent floats, flags, drumming & dancing. It starts at 10am from Trafalgar Square & is Europe’s biggest gathering of Chinese dragons & lions!
MARKET 🛍️ Turnham Green, Sun 10-4pm
Crafts & cuisine
Love a charming market? Head to Duck Pond Market, set against the unique historical backdrop of Chiswick House, for a weekend wander. You’ll find food for now, food for later, local arts & crafts & a great atmosphere - perfect for a chilled Sunday.
And for dessert...
🧡 Want to keep Cheapskate in your inbox each week? Please support us by joining the Cheapskate club (as a thank you, you’ll get automatic entry into all of our competitions - plus entry into regular supporter-only competitions). Not able to financially support us? Try clicking on our links (like this one!) - which won’t cost you a thing.
💌 I’ve been enjoying reading (& learning from) the Techpresso newsletter. It’s a free daily summary of the most important AI & tech news, carefully selected from 60+ media outlets. - Georgia
🧺 If, like me, you’ve lost a lot of socks in the wash, replenish your drawer with this neutral set from luxury British sock brand Peper Harow. - Georgia
💪 Getting fit in Jan? It’s the last week to take advantage of Hollow Rocks free week of unlimited classes. They run over 60 fitness and sports classes a week, from basketball to bootcamp, football to gymnastics. Join here.
🗣️ Last week was Trump’s inauguration. Now many people are wondering, ‘How did we get here and where do we go?’ If that’s you, head to Goldsmith Uni’s student union this Thurs at 6-8pm for the first in a series called 'Wrong Answers Only' - it's a free interactive discussion on the significance of Trump's re-election.
🎭 Who can we trust? How do we sniff out fake news? The British Academy is running the Age of Mistrust? Late this Thursday. Expect talks on conspiracy theories, misinformation and AI, plus a live musical performance! The first 50 arrivals will get a free drink. Book to secure your place here.
⛷ We think you’ll love Pergola on the Piste Brixton’s opening party this Friday 31st Jan! Topped with free bevvies for all from 5pm-7pm, book yourself a table and get your apres-ski on. P.S. No skiing required, just a modest 12-step ascent!
💰 Are you as crazy about cashback sites as I am? If you’ve never tried one, what are you waiting for - it’s literally free money! Sign up to Topcashback here, and you’ll get a £10 bonus when you earn your first £10 of payable cashback. - Sophia
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