Interesting and unusual things to do for a fiver or less this week. For more ideas have a look at our Free Cheap page.
Take part in a craft workshop with The Make Escape this week. Details below
All Week
ART EXHIBITIONS: Feeling arty this month? There’s plenty to choose from in London. Take a look at our November art listing: this month includes fashion, sleep, art and sex. Most of the exhibitions listed are free.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS: We’re still in November but Christmas markets are starting to spread all over town. To find the closest one to you, check our Christmas markets and fairs listing. Need more ideas? See our November markets and shopping events listing.
Monday 24 November
NEW EXHIBITION: City Guides — Ambassadors of the Square Mile exhibition starts today at Guildhall Library. This photographic display tells the story of The City of London Guides Association, since its foundation in 1893. Free, until 14 March 2015
PHOTOGRAPHY: Travelling Black and White starts today at The Framers Gallery. Photographer Christopher Dolme displays his intimate and very personal images documenting his life and worldwide travels. From London to Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai to the Aeolian Islands — discover his world. Free, until 29 November
POETRY, MUSIC AND ART: Poet Jacqueline Saphra reads extracts from her new book If I Lay on my Back I Saw Nothing but Naked Women at the Poetry Cafe, with musical accompaniment from composer Benjamin Tassie and cellist Alice Hyland. Artist-printmaker Mark Andrew Webber will be exhibiting his linocut illustrations from the book. Free, just turn up, 6.30pm
CINEMA CLUB: The Duke Mitchell Film Club hosts a very early Christmas celebration, featuring 80s movies and a film quiz. The event takes place at The Phoenix Artist Club close to Leicester Square. Free, just turn up, 7pm
Tuesday 25 November
FOYLES: The bookshop in Charing Cross Road hosts a multi-sensory exhibition dedicated to A Rebours, Huysman’s masterpiece of the Decadentism. The exhibition showcases 11 maker-designers, whose works have been inspired by the novel. Free, until 23 January 2015
LIBRARY TALK: London was home to the world’s first suburbs. Listen to Elizabeth McKellar who gives a talk at the Guildhall Library about the architecture and landscapes of these outlying areas in the 17th and 18th centuries, based on her recent book. £5, prebook, 6pm
SOMERSET HOUSE: Take a free guided tour of Somerset House including The Miles Stair, located in the West Wing and designed by the internationally renowned architect Eva Jiricna. Collect your free tickets from the Information Desk in the Seamen’s Hall, South Building from 10am (we recommend getting there early to avoid disappointment). Free, just turn up, 1.15pm/2.45pm
PENNY LECTURE: Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty, the UK’s leading civil rights organisation, talks about liberty and human rights at Morley College in Westminster. This event is part of the Penny Lectures series. 1p, just turn up, 6pm
FILM SCREENING: The Grant Museum hosts a screening of 1975 movie One of Our Dinosaurs is Missing. The film is followed by a free drinks reception and a private view of the Museum. Free, just turn up, 6.30pm
CRAFT EVENT: The Make Escape craft night returns to the Hackney Empire. Get in the festive spirit with Christmas crafting, this time inspired by the knitting book Faux Taxidermy Knits by Louise Walker, who will be launching her latest work during the night. Free with all materials provided, just turn up, 7.30pm
COMEDY: The Chronicles of Pat Cahill comedy gig takes place tonight at The Proud Archivist in Haggerston. The show features an exceptional cast, which includes Pat Cathill himself, John Kearns and Freya Parker. £4.30, prebook, 7.30pm
Andrew Maxwell has a comedy gig tonight in Clapham. Details below
Wednesday 26 November
SHOW AND TELL: Grant Museum of Zoology hosts a lunch lecture led by a PhD researcher at UCL. Today’s guest is Josephine Msindai, who explains her research on the social structure and conservation of primates around Africa’s Lake Victoria. Free, just turn up, 1pm
FREE WALK: Join GoToMidtown Walks for a guided tour around Holborn — starting from Holborn tube station. Discover houses of famous people around the area, including that of the first British Prime Minister. Free, just turn up, 1pm
WRITING WORKSHOP: The Gate Library in Forest Gate hosts a free creative writing workshop with novelist Courttia Newland. To book your place, email arts@newhamndp.com. Free, prebook, 2-4pm
EUROPEAN POLICIES: UCL hosts a panel discussion about the new phase of the EU governance and policy-making, following on from the recent European elections. The event is organised by UCL’s Institute for Sustainable Resources. Free, prebook, 4pm
MUSIC EXPLOSION: Midi Music Company in Deptford hosts a free networking event for people working in the music industry. Free, prebook, 4pm
TIDE OF CHANGE: Join a talk which discusses major regeneration projects in and around the Docklands with those leading them, taking place at Trinity Buoy Wharf. The event is part of The Campaign for Drawing’s Recording Britain Now: John Ruskin Prize. £5, prebook, 4-7pm
MUSEUM LATE: The Science Museum opens its doors after normal opening hours and hosts a late opening. This time the event celebrates the recent opening of the museum’s new gallery about the Information Age — which we visited a while ago. Free, just turn up, from 6.45pm
COMEDY: See The Uncliqueables tonight at the Camden Head. It’s a live comedy podcast recording featuring improvised stand up, challenges and casual violence. Free, just turn up, 7.30pm
MORE COMEDY: Andrew Maxwell headlines Laugh Train Home at the Four Thieves pub in Clapham Junction, plus Yanni and Sameena Zehra. £5, prebook, 8.10pm
Thursday 27 November
OPEN DAY: Calumet Photography London hosts an open day: everyone is welcome to their shop in Drummond Street. There will be a range of mini seminars from professional photographers and product experts, free camera sensor cleaning and prize giveaways — full programme on the website. Free, just turn up, 10am-6pm
FREE WALK: Join CoolTan Arts CoolWalks on a free guided walk to explore Walworth’s regenerations: past, of the present and plans for the area’s future. Meeting point is the East Street Library in Old Kent Road. Free, just turn up, 12.30pm
WAR POETRY: Pitzhanger Manor Gallery hosts an evening recital of poetry, prose and original correspondence from and to the battlefields of the First World War. After the talk you will have the chance to see the gallery’s exhibition. £5, just turn up, 7pm
FREE LECTURE: Author Ken Worpole talks about the utopian history of town planning in the UK. The event takes place at The Swedenborg Society in Holborn, to book your place email admin@swedenborg.org.uk. Free, prebook by email, 7pm
FILM SCREENING: Shorts On Tap celebrates one year of activity at 93 Feet East. For the occasion, they’ll be screening seven of their favourite short films from this first year. The event is followed by a QA session with the film directors. £3, prebook, from 7pm
MUSIC NIGHT: Get your free ticket now for an evening of music taking place at The Finsbury in Manor House. Line-up includes Thee MVPs, Taman Shud and Tusks. Free, prebook, 7.30pm
LONDON FORTEAN SOCIETY: Join a talk about coincidences, miracles and rare events presented by the London Fortean Society at Dirty Dicks pub in Liverpool Street. Guest speaker is Professor David J. Hand, Senior Research Investigator and Professor of Mathematics at Imperial College. £3/£2, prebook, 8pm
Friday 28 November
GIFT FAIR: Hampstead Christmas Gift Fair takes place at Hampstead Old Town Hall, offering a chance to do your Christmas shopping while avoiding high street hell. Buy fashion gifts for both men and women, home products, children’s toys and clothes, gifts for your pets (only in Hampstead, eh?) and artisan food products. Entry £3, 28-30 November
FUTURE CAREERS: Exhibition Road Cultural Group presents Creative Quarter, an event that showcases the latest developments in the creative industries — including architecture, music and fashion — and gives an overview of the different education and career paths available for people aged 13-19. The programme includes talks, workshops and tours taking place in various London venues: there are still a few tickets left for booking. Free, prebook, all day
FREE LECTURE: The Goethe Institut presents a free lecture on board the HMS President, chaired by Professor Christopher Clark. He presents this year’s Brady Lecture, titled How Europe Went to War in 1914, in honour of Philip Brady, a Reader in German at Birkbeck College. Free, prebook by emailing info@london.goethe.org, 7pm
FOREIGN LANGUAGE: Interested in learning a new language? Lingua Diversa Group offers an introductory lesson to Brazilian Portuguese at its offices in Holborn. £5, prebook by emailing info@linguadiversa.co.uk, 6pm-7pm
EGYPTIAN LONDON: Head to The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology and enjoy a free evening of themed activities. Explore an occult mapping of London with Roger Luckhurst, discover your future with a fortune teller and dance to the beat of a 1920s disco. Free, prebook, 6pm-9pm
FILM SCREENING: The Silk Road of Pop film is on screen tonight at the British Library’s Conference Centre. The film talks about the pop music scene among the Uyghur community in China’s Xinjiang Province. Free, prebook, 6.30pm
MUSIC AND THEATRE: The Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick hosts Ade-Dance!, an evening of music, live performances and theatre. Enjoy a mix of Afrobeat, House, Latin, Disco and Beats alongside dance performances — prepare yourself to dance until late night. Free, just turn up, from 10pm
Frock Me! Vintage Fair takes place this Sunday at Chelsea Old Town Hall. Details below
Saturday 29 November
CRAFTY FOX: At every Crafty Fox Market, expect different traders, as each event is individually curated. This month, Crafty Fox makes its first foray into Dalston. See Saturday and Sunday‘s list of traders, and go armed with your Christmas shopping list, as you’ll find some pretty unique stuff. Free, 11am-5pm, 29-30 November
CULT SPACE: Head to 93Feet East for a cultural event with constantly evolving displays of contemporary art, photography, design, fashion, music and much more. Free, just turn up, 3pm-8pm
TROMBONE OCTET: Newly-formed London trombone ensemble Bone Direction play a repertoire including Bourgeois, Bruckner and Crespo at St James the Less church in Pimlico. Welcome in the festive season with some Christmas tunes too. Free (voluntary donations to the church welcome), just turn up, 6pm
LIGHT NIGHT: Canning Town gets brightened up as part of the free Light Night festival. The event, free and open to all, includes light installations, art events and much more — see full programme here. Free, just turn up, 6pm-midnight
Sunday 30 November
NOEL FAIR: The Noel Fair takes place at The Worx Parsons Green in Fulham, raising money for Octavia Appeal, a local charity which raises funds for projects around the Royal Brompton Hospital, the UK’s largest heart and lung centre. 25 locally based suppliers will be offering cakes, jewellery, books, home decoration, accessories, children’s clothing and food and drink. Free, 9.30am-3.30pm
FROCK ME: Frock Me! Vintage Fair hosts its final 2014 date at Chelsea Old Town Hall, with extravagant outfit choices for Christmas parties, and refreshments from Blackbird Tea Rooms of Brighton. £4, 11am-5.30pm
MARK GATISS: Sherlock star and co-creator Mark Gatiss speaks at the Annual Lunch for Galha LGBT Humanists at Browns Courtrooms near Leicester Square. Includes a three course meal. From £48, prebook, 1pm
Check out our map of free things to do in London for more frugal fun. Or pop over to BrokeInLondon.com who also have plenty of great ideas.
