ListingsUpdated Mon 26 Oct
Free events in London right now
Everything on this site that costs nothing, from museum late openings to cemetery open days and the free half of the big festivals. Free does not always mean unticketed: where a free event still needs a booked slot, the listing says so.
Showing free. Clear
Saturday
31 October-
Exhibitions Free
Tate Modern late opening
Open to nine on Halloween Saturday, free, nothing to book. Frida, Ana Mendieta and Julio Le Parc are the paid shows.
Sunday
1 November-
Gigs Free
Downstairs at the King’s Head: Crouch End Jazz
A free jazz jam, founded in 1985 and a weekly fixture at the King's Head for more than 40 years.
Monday
2 November-
Seasonal Free
Oxford Street Christmas lights
Until 6 Jan 2027
The oldest and longest of the displays, nearly a mile from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road. Early November, date not yet published.
Tuesday
3 November-
Exhibitions Free
Candlelit evening at Sir John Soane’s Museum
The whole house lit by candle, which is the most atmospheric hour in London and costs nothing. Free but ticketed, and the tickets go within hours of release.
-
Cabaret Free
Dragaoke: Drag Hosted Karaoke!, 10pm
An evening in the basement under the Phoenix Theatre, 10pm. The room is low ceilinged and seats a few dozen, so nothing is far from the stage.
Wednesday
4 November-
Seasonal Free
Carnaby Street Christmas lights
Until 6 Jan 2027
A different theme every year and never a snowflake, which is why it earns a detour. Switch-on Wednesday 4 November. Free.
-
Free
Woolwich Works: Stitch Night
Bring your knitting, crochet or sewing to the Visitors' Book Cafe for a cuppa with other makers. Free, from half six, no booking.
-
Free
Woolwich Works: Games Night
Board games in the Visitors' Book Cafe: play theirs or bring your own, alone or with friends. Free, from half six, no booking.
Thursday
5 November-
Seasonal Free
Regent Street Christmas lights
Until 6 Jan 2027
The angels, best walked north from Piccadilly Circus with the curve ahead of you. Switch-on Thursday 5 November. Free.
Friday
6 November-
Markets Free
Leicester Square Christmas Market
Until 4 Jan 2027
Stalls around the square with a spiegeltent in the middle, free to wander, and it runs later into January than most. 2026 dates not yet announced.
-
Food and drink Free
Christmas by the River, London Bridge City
Until 24 Dec
Chalets along the Thames path between Hay's Galleria and Tower Bridge. Free, and the walk is the point: the bridge lit on one side, the City on the other. 2026 dates not yet announced.
-
Seasonal Free
Diwali at Neasden Temple
Until 10 Nov
Diwali and the annakut at the Neasden temple, over the five days of the festival. Free to enter. The temple sets its own hours for these days and had not published them when we checked.
Saturday
7 November-
Seasonal Free
Diwali at Neasden Temple
Until 10 Nov
Diwali and the annakut at the Neasden temple, over the five days of the festival. Free to enter. The temple sets its own hours for these days and had not published them when we checked.
Sunday
8 November-
Seasonal Free
Diwali at Neasden Temple
Until 10 Nov
Diwali and the annakut at the Neasden temple, over the five days of the festival. Free to enter. The temple sets its own hours for these days and had not published them when we checked.
Monday
9 November-
Seasonal Free
Diwali at Neasden Temple
Until 10 Nov
Diwali and the annakut at the Neasden temple, over the five days of the festival. Free to enter. The temple sets its own hours for these days and had not published them when we checked.
Tuesday
10 November-
Seasonal Free
Diwali at Neasden Temple
Diwali and the annakut at the Neasden temple, over the five days of the festival. Free to enter. The temple sets its own hours for these days and had not published them when we checked.