Our pick of free things to do in London this week. Get earlier access to this article, delivered straight to your inbox for free every week, via our newsletter.
Contemporary portraits
Time’s running out to see the Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery. The free display — which invites artists to explore both classical and innovative techniques — showcases contemporary portrait painting, including this year’s prizewinners Marc Dalessio, Chloe Cox, Michael Slusakowicz and Joel Nichols.
Until 7 October.
Lunchtime dance lessons
Feeling guilty for not doing more with your lunch break? If you’re in the vicinity of Sadler’s Well East, here’s your reminder that free dance lessons are held on the Dance Floor three times a week: Mondays (Afro-Caribbean Fusion), Wednesdays (Funky Social Dance) and Fridays (Reggae & Soul Line Dance). All sessions run 1pm-2pm; simply show up in comfortable gear.
28 and 30 September, and 2 October. (And every Monday, Wednesday and Friday).
Dip into Chelsea’s past…
Running Thursday to Sunday, Chelsea History Festival celebrates the area’s heritage with a prodigious programme of events taking place at venues including the National Army Museum and the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
While the majority require a paid ticket, there are a few free gems on the programme. Get a closer look at military equipment and Second World War artefacts in an object handling session, or learn about the colourful origins of London slang, both at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Try your hand at sketching at the National Army Museum. Or take a guided tour of the Chelsea Heritage Quarter. Browse the full programme.
1-4 October.
… or explore beautiful Bloomsbury
Bloomsbury Festival is back at full tilt this year, with dozens of events taking place throughout October. Many (not all) are free, including exhibitions in churches, museums and libraries. Our free picks this week include an immersive sound and light project distilling a century of nursing and midwifery stories into one time-bending 24-hour shift; and an outdoor photography exhibition sharing highlights of the festival from the last 20 years. Browse the full programme.
From 1 October.
Vintage buses back on the streets
On Saturday, you can hop aboard vintage buses for free. The London Bus Museum holds another of its heritage days, putting buses from the 1930s-70s out on the roads for us to enjoy.
The vintage vehicles run on a short stretch of the 106 route, between Finsbury Park and Ash Grove Bus Station on Mare Street, via Stoke Newington, Clapton and Hackney Central. No ticket is required, though note that due to the age of the vehicles, wheelchairs and buses can’t be accommodated.
3 October.
Balham’s shrine to sewing machines
The monthly opening of Balham’s Sewing Machine Museum on Saturday afternoon is a chance to view a private collection of dozens of the machines, including one made by Pollack & Schmidt from 1865, which was presented to Queen Victoria’s firstborn daughter, Vicky.
Entry is free but charity donations (The Royal National Lifeboat Institution or Leukaemia Research) are very welcome.
3 October.
Seasonal shenanigans in south London
Apple pressing and Morris dancing are among the seasonal shenanigans on offer at the free-entry harvest festival at Morden Hall Park on Saturday. The National Trust property comes alive with folk music performances, autumn crafts and Punch & Judy shows with a nature-themed twist.
It’s free to attend, though non-perishable donations to the local food bank are very welcome.
3 October.
A pottery throw down for kids
Kids as much into watching The Great Pottery Throw Down as you? The Cernamic team is at the Museum of the Home this weekend, inviting young makers to get their hands messy, working with clay and producing their own ceramics. Sessions are totally free, and there’s no need to book.
3-4 October.
Croydon goes rustic
Central Croydon goes into full autumnal mode with two days of free, family-friendly harvest celebrations. Attractions include Farm Yard Circus, a fortune-telling ‘learned pig’ (this one’s a puppet), fruit and vegetable carving workshops from Fruitima, historic pub tours and folk music/dance performances. There are also craft and food stalls.
3-4 October.
Japan lands in Trafalgar Square
Free festival Japan Matsuri returns to Trafalgar Square for a one-day celebration of Japanese culture on Sunday, featuring taiko drumming, martial arts demos and workshops, an anime cosplay catwalk, a ton of food stalls — and lashings more besides.
4 October.
An Arts and Crafts gem
Carshalton’s Little Holland House is a romantic Arts and Crafts gem of a house, built by designer and craftsman Frank R. Dickinson, who was inspired by the styles William Morris and John Ruskin. The monthly open day this Sunday is a chance to admire Dickinson’s handiwork, which includes some of his furniture and paintings still in situ.
4 October.
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