Updated for 21 August to 23 August
Free Things to Do in London This Weekend
We found 9 verified free London events running between Friday and Sunday, 21 August to 23 August. Every listing below costs £0 to enter and includes the date, place and booking details available before you leave home.
We check this guide regularly, remove expired events and link to each organiser so you can confirm any last-minute changes.
Friday to Sunday
Free London events this weekend
Event dateUntil 23 August 2026
Free David Hockney Exhibition at Serpentine: Ends 23 August
See David Hockney's free Serpentine North exhibition in Kensington Gardens before it closes on 23 August 2026. Find hours, location and entry details.
Event date27 July to 28 August 2026
Free Move Games Activities for Southwark Kids Summer 2026
Find free and low-cost swimming, sports, games and watersports for children at Southwark leisure centres from 27 July to 28 August 2026.
Event date7 August to 11 September 2026
Free RPS Photography Exhibition 167 at Saatchi Gallery
See 113 prints by 48 international photographers free at Saatchi Gallery from 7 August to 11 September 2026. No booking required.
Event dateUntil 29 August 2026
Free Well Hung Painting Prize Exhibition 2026
See work by 41 painters selected from almost 1,000 submissions free at Well Hung Gallery in Hoxton until 29 August 2026.
Event dateSaturdays until 29 August 2026
Free Music Video Academy at Rising Tide Hackney
Ages 18–25 can join a free five-week film, music and content-creation programme at Rising Tide in Hackney during August 2026.
Event date21 August to 6 September 2026
Greenwich and Docklands Free Festival 2026
See free outdoor theatre, circus, dance and live performance across Greenwich and east London during GDIF from 21 August to 6 September 2026.
Event date13 to 23 August 2026
Free King's Cross Summer Sounds Festival 2026
Hear free jazz, folk, soul and classical music at Summer Sounds in Coal Drops Yard from 13 to 23 August 2026. Free RSVP recommended.
Event dateSat 22 and Sun 23 Aug
Free Hackney Flea Market in Stoke Newington
Browse vintage furniture, records, clothing, homeware and collectables at the free Hackney Flea Market on 22 and 23 August 2026.
Event dateSat 22 Aug
Free Ridley Road Summer Fair 2026
Enjoy steelpan music, African drumming, crafts, games and face painting free at Ridley Road Market on Saturday 22 August 2026.
Before you go
Keep the day genuinely cheap
- Open the individual event page and check the official source before making a special journey.
- Reserve a free ticket where booking is essential or recommended.
- Bring water and decide your food budget before browsing markets or festival stalls.
- Check TfL for weekend engineering work and station restrictions.
- Use the event's calendar button so you do not miss its actual start time.
Looking beyond this weekend? Browse every upcoming free and affordable London event or submit an event for free.
Useful answers
Planning a free London weekend
What can I do for free in London this weekend?
The current list above includes only events with a £0 entry price that overlap Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Open an event for its precise hours, location, nearest station and booking status.
Do free London events still need tickets?
Sometimes. A free event may require advance booking or release timed tickets because its capacity is limited. We label booking as essential, recommended or walk-in on each event page.
When is this weekend guide updated?
We review the guide regularly and remove events after they finish. Always check the linked organiser on the day because weather, capacity and transport disruption can change at short notice.