Free Entertainment in London

Short of money? Have fun on a budget with our free London entertainment ideas.
You'll be pleasantly surprised to find London has a wide range of free concerts, films, comedy shows and leisure activities.
See our guide below for ideas about things to do for free in London.  

Enjoy Free Music in London

Hearing that there are free concerts all over London should be music to your ears.

• Tap your feet to free music concerts in the National Theatre "Djanogly Concert Pitch" in the main foyer. Mon-Fri, 5.45pm; Sat at 1pm and 5.45pm; occasionally Sun at 1.45pm).
• End the week on a high at one of the Southbank Centre's free Friday evening music concerts. Other free music events include lunchtime concerts in the Central Bar of the Royal Festival Hall on Fridays and Sundays.
• Check out a free lunchtime recital at the Royal Opera House. There are several each month.
• Enjoy free concerts in the National Portrait Gallery practically every Friday from 6.30pm.
• Free classical recitals can be heard drifting through the majestic stained-glass windows of many of London's churches and cathedrals. Don't miss the lunchtime concerts at St Martin-in-the-Fields (Mon, Tues and Fri at 1pm).
• The world's biggest bands can often be seen blasting out their latest tunes at the HMV flagship store on Oxford Street.
• If the weather's good, head to Covent Garden, where everyone from busking guitarists to string quartets provide a great free soundtrack as you watch the world go by.

Catch Free Cinema in the Capital

If you love cinema, you can enjoy the big screen on a little budget at Roxy Bar and Screen. From film-noir classics to futuristic video art, Roxy has an innovative programme of screenings catering for film buffs everywhere. Screenings are free, apart from recent releases and double/triple bills which cost £3.
London film festivals such as the Portobello Film Festival are another good source of free films.
Watch free outdoor screenings at The Scoop, Horniman Museum and Gardens and the BP Summer Screen at the Royal Opera House.

London's Free Comedy Events

They say a smile costs nothing, and that's certainly true in many of London's comedy venues.

• The Theatre Royal Stratford East holds free comedy nights every Monday and on the last Sunday of the month.
• Catch the comedy stars of tomorrow every Wednesday at the Comedy Café and every Monday (from 8pm) at The Marie Lloyd Comedy Box in Hackney Empire.
• Being part of a live audience for TV recordings is a great way to enjoy a hilarious night out without spending a penny. Get free tickets for top comedy shows on the BBC website or at www.lostintv.com.

Free theatre in London

Theatre in London is not limited to the West End, there are plenty of smaller theatres where the quality is high and the prices low.

• Every Tuesday evening, the Arcola Theatre sets aside a certain number of tickets for their "Pay What You Can" scheme. You can only get tickets on the night, but if you do nab one you just pay what you can afford.
• Under 26? You can get free theatre tickets in London courtesy of the A Night Less Ordinary scheme. Participating venues include top London theatres such as the Lyric Hammersmith, Soho Theatre and Donmar Warehouse.
• Introduce your kids to the theatre for free during Kids Week. The annual event organised by the Society of London Theatre takes place every summer in London and offers one free ticket for every full-paid adult ticket. Open to 5-16 years olds.

Free Dance Classes in London

Head on down to Brazilian bar Guanabara where you'll find free dance lessons most evenings. Dance styles include Brazilian favourites such as gafieira, samba and forró.

Free Outdoor Activities in London

Pull on your roller skates and join over 5,000 skaters whizzing around the streets of London. The skate departs from Wellington Arch every Friday at 8pm. It's a great way to have fun without the wheels coming off your bank balance! Visit the Friday Night Skate website for full details.
If you prefer travelling by foot, why not go on a free London tour? SANDEMANs NEW London Tours free Royal Tour lasts up to three hours and takes in top London sights including the Houses of Parliament, St James's Park and Buckingham Palace. Tours depart daily at 11am and 1pm from Wellington Arch.