The capital’s best free events from August 27th-Sept 1st
Dear {{ first name | Cheapskater }},
What’s the best thing you’ve done in London this summer… for free? We’re always interested to hear what our 22,000(!) readers get up to, as it helps get indie venues, activities and organisations on our radar. In turn, this makes Cheapskate the best it can possibly be.
Have you done something amazing in London for free this summer?
Just a reminder that we’re looking for fab partners to work with in September and October. Get in touch by replying to this email - and we’ll share all the details.
Have a wonderful week!
Kate and Georgia x
PS. Congrats to our reader Maria, who won a pair of tickets to Big Penny Social’s Oktoberfest party next month, as promoted in our special bank holiday edition last Friday. We’re extremely excited about this week’s free-to-enter competition, which is in partnership with our pals at the National Portrait Gallery. Scroll down for info…
TUESDAY
EXHIBIT 🖼️ Temple, until Sun
The lore of LOVERBOY
It’s the last week to check out Somerset House’s acclaimed exhibit on international fashion powerhouse Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY, which celebrates 10 years of club to catwalk.
DISPLAY 😂 South Ken, until Dec 23
Why laughing matters
Don’t miss Laughing Matters: The State of a Nation, a new display at the V&A reflecting on the role of humour in debates around identity, empire & power over the past 200 years.
WEDNESDAY
QUIZ/FILM 🤓 Nunhead, from 8pm
Iconic film fest returns
The Peckham & Nunhead Free Film Festival returns this Weds with a packed programme that kicks off with a special film-themed quiz at the wonderful community pub, The Ivy Head.
COMEDY 🎙️ Stoke N, 7-8.30pm
Fancy giving improv a go?
Want to “argue with strangers ” or realise your morbid fantasies “in a consensual safe space”? You might love Improv-e, an inclusive amateurs improv night at The Coach & Horses pub in Stokey.
Competition time! 👑
We’ve teamed up with the National Portrait Gallery to give away a pair of tickets to Six Lives: The Stories of Henry VIII’s Queens (which is running until Sept 8).
This fascinating exhibition chronicles the representation of the six women who married Henry VIII throughout history & popular culture in the centuries since they lived.
As well as a pair of tickets, the winner will also receive a goodie bag.
Do you want to win a pair of tickets to the #SixLives exhibition (plus a goodie bag)?
* By clicking “yes please!”, you are consenting to your email address being shared with our partner, National Portrait Gallery.
THURSDAY
CULTURE 💛 Farringdon, 8.30-10am
Dissecting summer 2024
Fancy being part of an exclusive gathering at Snap HQ that’s all about looking back & breaking down the insights behind the biggest cultural moments of summer 2024? Find out more.
FILM 🍿 Tower Hill, from 6pm
Moneyball screening
Head to Seething Lane for a screening of Moneyball, the sports drama film starring Brad Pitt. Bring snacks along or enjoy food available for purchase from The Four Seasons Hotel (fancy!).
FRIDAY
GAMES 🎉 Walthamstow, 7pm-1am
Free your inner child
Big Penny Social will be turned into a funhouse for the evening where you can expect limbo, musical chairs, lip-sync battles, table tennis, beer pong & more at this inclusive adult games night.
FILM 🍿 Peckham, from 8.30pm
Peckhamplex film night
Head to London’s best cinema, Peckhamplex, for a screening of Scala!!!, an anarchic & uproarious 2023 documentary about the infamous & legendary Scala cinema. A Q&A will follow.
EAT 🍽️ Hackney Wick, Mon-Weds throughout Sept
Barge East Gardens deal
This Sept, enjoy 50% off Street Kitchen main courses at Barge East Gardens. Savour farm-to-table dishes al fresco in riverside gardens, surrounded by late summer blooms & homegrown produce. Select “Gardens & Terrace” when you book, to access the 50% off deal.
WEEKEND
OPEN HOUSE 🎨 Brentford, Sat-Sun
Creative Mile 2024
Artists & makers - including painters, ceramicists, musicians, poets & hat makers - from Brentford & Hounslow are hosting a series of open studios & exhibitions this weekend.
LATE 🎶 Blackfriars, Sat 6-10pm
Little Simz’s Tate Late
The groundbreaking artist Little Simz has curated a special edition of Tate Modern Lates to show us where she draws her inspiration from. There’ll be DJ sets, workshops & talks.
WEEKEND
FESTIVAL 🥳 Angel, Sun 11am-4pm
Angel Canal Festival
The celebration of London’s local waterways, returns on Sun. Get down to the Graham Street/City Road basin for a boatload (soz) of activities including a regatta, boat rides, live music & Morris dancing.
ARTS 🌿 Chiswick, 10.30-3.30pm
Food for thought
Celebrate nature, history & community at a special Chiswick House & Gardens event on Sun that will mark the launch of the venue’s food-themed 2024 Kitchen Garden art projects.
And for dessert...
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🛒 We’re obsessed with the (free-to-use) cashback app JamDoughnut, which gives you up to 20% instant cashback at thousands of shops, restaurants & supermarkets. Use our referral code EAMT to get a £3 bonus when you use the app for the first time.
📸 We’re over taking photos on a phone. If you are too, you might like this.
🏛️ Want to peek inside 10 Downing Steet, BBC Broadcasting House, the BT Tower & other iconic London buildings for free, as part of Open House Festival? Public ballots are currently open to win tickets for these special tours - enter by midday on Weds.
🚲 Does your bike need some love? A trained mechanic will be available to perform checks & minor repairs for free in Vauxhall this Thurs.
🚨 PSA, the insane sale currently being offered by our fave PJ brand is ending very soon. Get up to 60% off (while you still can!).
🍸 The Distillery Bar is celebrating National Mai Tai Day on Friday by giving the first 60 guests free drinks followed by free-flowing canapés (available from 5:30-6:30pm).
🏅 St James’s Market, between Haymarket & Regent Street, is showing all the sporting action from the Paralympics on a big outdoor screen from this Weds until Sept 8.
🌿 Fancy giving natural, food-grown supplements a try? You can take £15 off your first order with Wild Nutrition by clicking here.
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