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.
Open House unlocks London’s doors
Architecture festival extraordinaire Open House continues until Sunday, with many usually off-limits buildings opening their doors, and some offering tours — all for free. The bulk of events happen at the weekend, but there’s plenty to occupy curious Londoners throughout the week — check out the full programme or peruse our picks of new additions for 2026.
Until 20 September.
High art from the Low Countries
Early Netherlandish Drawings at the British Museum showcases works on paper by artists active in the Low Countries in the 15th and early 16th centuries. It examines drawing techniques, material practices and workshop processes — bringing together items from the museum’s own collection with short-term loans. This week’s your last chance to catch it.
Until 20 September 2026.
National Gallery shows off sublime landscapes
Also closing this week is Waldmüller: Landscapes, the National Gallery’s free exhibition devoted to Austrian painter Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller’s landscape paintings. The show — the first dedicated to his work in the UK — gathers views of Vienna’s Prater Park, the lakes and mountains of the Salzkammergut and scenes from Sicily, highlighting Waldmüller’s use of colour, light and detailed brushwork.
Until 20 September 2026.
20 years since Back to Black
It’s (somehow) 20 years since Amy Winehouse released her flawless cri de cœur of an album Back to Black — and to mark the milestone, 30 benches around Granary Square and King’s Boulevard have been fitted with intimate portraits of the late singer-songwriter. One to have up your sleeve if you’re catching a train/meeting someone in the area in the coming weeks.
Until 15 October 2026.
Sacred Ukrainian art
Seven exceptional examples of Ukrainian sacred art go on display at the V&A South Kensington from Monday — the first time the pieces have been displayed in the UK. Sacred Treasures from Kyiv features centuries-old craftsmanship from the National Preserve Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a significant religious site.
On Thursday, the museum offers a free lunchtime lecture about how the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, formerly a monastery, and one of Ukraine’s most important religious and cultural sites, became a museum.
From 14 September.
From grassroots to Guardiola
Stanchion Books launches its newest publication, Street Football: The Real Grassroots of the Beautiful Game, with a free event at The Volley on Old Street on Monday, where author David Proudlove discusses how informal street cultures have shaped football worldwide.
Then, on Tuesday (and repeated on Thursday), Stanchion is at the Blue Monk in Bermondsey for the launch of The Spectre of Pep: How Guardiola Haunts Modern Football Tactics by Jon Mackenzie, exploring the evolution of footie tactics through the prism of the former Man City coach.
14-17 September.
What does digital nursing look like?
Wednesday sees the launch of the Royal College of Nursing’s latest exhibition, The Digital Revolution: Nursing in the Age of Technology. Opening night features a series of talks, activities and refreshments — as well as the chance to peruse the exhibition — all free. It takes place at the RCN’s Cavendish Square headquarters, or you can watch the talks online. Book a slot.
16 September 2026. (The exhibition itself runs until 2 March 2027)
UCL show celebrates ‘greatest hits’
Pieces from the Petrie Museum, Grant Museum of Zoology and UCL Art Museum Archive are smooshed together in the UCL’s Octagon Gallery, for Two Centuries Here — an exhibition marking 200 years since UCL’s founding as London’s first university. Among objects in this ‘supergroup’ of a show are paintings by early 20th century female artists, the original test tubes from Britain’s first Nobel Prize Winner… and a rather well-known jar of pickled moles.
17 September 2026-21 July 2027.
A street festival in Bermondsey
Described as a village fete in the city, the 20th edition of Bermondsey Street Festival returns to SE1 on Saturday. It’s free entry, with craft and community stalls dotted along the street celebrating local talent, along with a food and music stage in Tanner Street Park, and a family fun hub in Leathermarket Gardens offering fancy dress, a disco, a dog show and maypole dancing.
19 September.
Explore an east London mosque
Whitechapel’s East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre holds an open day on Saturday, inviting the public inside for guided tours, exhibitions and conversations over tea.
Visit My Mosque is an annual national initiative organised by the Muslim Council of Britain, and is open to people of all faiths (and none), with opportunities to ask questions about Islam and meet members of the community.
19 September.
A celebration of refugees
Crossing Borders is a free community celebration led by refugees and people seeking sanctuary, taking place at the Horniman Museum and Gardens on Saturday. The day features a vibrant mix of traditional Afghan kite-making, Honduran folk dance workshops and live Ukrainian music. Catch a live recording of the Ready To Be Cancelled podcast or browse an art exhibition by refugee artists.
19 September.
Cycling festival
Get on yer bike for the London Cycling Festival, with rides and wheeled events happening all over the capital on Sunday. Find festival hubs at locations including Victoria Park and St Paul’s Cathedral, and take part in group rides, including some designed with families in mind.
20 September.
See dozens of pearly kings and queens
The annual Pearly Kings and Queens harvest festival — led by the community leaders wearing their hand‑sewn button‑caked outfits — takes place on Sunday, and is free for all to enjoy.
Assemble in Guildhall Yard with maypole and morris dancing to kick things off. A procession moves the fun on to St Mary‑le‑Bow, where a large harvest plait of bread is presented. Everyone’s welcome at the service although be warned: it gets busy.
20 September.
