As the festive season accelerates, with only five weekends remaining until Christmas Day, Londoners might feel the financial pressure mounting. However, the capital is bursting with completely free activities to enjoy, ensuring your weekends are anything but dull. This weekend, from November 21 to 23, offers a spectacular array of cost-free entertainment, from twinkling Christmas markets and dazzling light displays to soulful jazz sessions and community lantern festivals.
Festive Sparkle and Market Magic
If you need a sure-fire way to ignite your Christmas spirit, look no further than London's spectacular Christmas light displays. As dusk falls, major shopping streets like Carnaby Street, Oxford Street, Bond Street, and Covent Garden transform into glittering wonderlands, adorned with glowing snowflakes, stars, and bells. These illuminations will continue to brighten the city until early January, offering a completely free festive spectacle.
Pair your light-gazing with a trip to one of London's enchanting Christmas markets. While staples like the Southbank Centre Winter Market and Covent Garden Market are running throughout the season, this weekend is particularly special. It's your only chance to browse the Scandi stalls at the Swedish Church Christmas in Marylebone and the Christmas Fair at the Norwegian Church in Rotherhithe. Additionally, it marks the first weekend for the expansive King’s Cross Christmas fair and the Christmas Market at St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Don't miss the fifth annual Christmas fair at Fulham Palace, a weekend-only event.
Culture, Community and Creative Borrowing
For a unique and sustainable approach to festive decorating, head to the Home A Loan pop-up at 137A Bethnal Green Road. Open until 6pm on Friday, November 21, this space is a treasure trove of fairy lights, wreaths, baubles, and tableware, all available to borrow for free. There are no sign-ups or forms; simply walk in, browse, and borrow. After Christmas, you can return the items for donation to local charities or keep them if you've grown too attached.
Music lovers are in for a treat with the EFG London Jazz Festival, which offers a host of free events this weekend. Highlights include a live broadcast from the Jazz Social with special guests Zara McFarlane and Jake Sherman on Friday, November 21. On Saturday, November 22, acclaimed percussionists Abbos Kosimov, Ayman Mabrouk, and Andrea Piccioni will showcase traditional music from Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia. The weekend concludes on Sunday, November 23 with a session by east London's beloved Orii Community, celebrating Nigeria's impact on UK jazz.
Art enthusiasts should make their way to the National Gallery's Friday Late on November 21. While some events are ticketed, there are several free workshops. Poet Obsidian Nick Makoha will lead a group of poets performing responses to the gallery's paintings, and the Early Masterworks Life Drawing Club will host a free drawing session inspired by the Wright of Derby exhibition.
A Dazzling Community Celebration
On Friday, November 21 at 5pm, the community of Bermondsey and Rotherhithe will come alive for the annual Lantern Procession. Inspired by the histories of the Thames and migration, residents who have been crafting paper lanterns throughout October and November will gather at The Blue Market on Southwark Park Road. From there, the parade, led by the St Michael’s College Samba Band, will march towards the Southwark Park Bandstand. For those without a lantern, last-minute workshops will be available from 4pm, and hot pies and baked potatoes will be on sale to keep everyone warm.
This weekend proves that experiencing the magic of London doesn't have to cost a fortune. With this guide to the best free events, you can fully immerse yourself in the festive spirit, rich culture, and vibrant community life the city has to offer.
