The 6 best free things to do in London this weekend [May 15-17 2026]

Photograph: Motiv Sports UK

Londoners fell hard for Fool’s Spring last weekend – and not for the first time. One minute we were baring our legs and souls over Aperol spritzes in rooftop bars. The next, we were digging out our winter coats and huddling together for warmth in cafés, watching our outdoorsy social plans fall apart as messily as an over-stuffed pita. And it wasn’t pretty.

So all things considered, it’s almost hard to get excited this for weekend when the best we can hope for is light rain and temperatures that creep into the mid teens. But don’t sink into despondency just yet. What this weekend lacks in radiant weather, it makes up for in abundant opportunities for free fun. You don’t need to drown your sorrows in expensive bars, cloak yourself in panic-bought jumpers from Hackney boutiques, or shell out for pricy tickets to indoor gigs to escape the gloom.

Read on and start planning with our spirit-lifting line-up of events that won’t require opening your wallet. Just remember to bring a cardigan or a waterproof coat, so nothing can rain on your parade.

The best free things on in London this weekend, May 15-17 2026

1. Embrace the chill at a free Scandi festival

Why not replace your dreams of warm weather with a day of wholeheartedly appreciating the culture of one of the world’s cooler countries, Norway? Covent Garden Piazza is laying on free festivities in honour of Syttende Mai (May 17), Norway’s Constitution Day. Relax to the sounds of a music line-up, including jazz band Sletta, folk singer Robert Post, and The London Nordic Choir. Browse a selection of Norwegian-inspired food and drink pop-ups, including Stockfleths Coffee in collaboration with ScandiKitchen. Check out brands like Pastael, whose viral packing cubes are an organised traveller’s dream. And then why not pop to the Thirsty Farrier for a Aquavit-laced cocktail or Oslo Spritz, and say a celebratory ‘Skål’ to the land of the Vikings.

Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 9DD. Thursday May 14-Sunday May 17. Free.

2. Go on an artistic odyssey at Wimbledon Art Fair

It’s open studio season, and you’ll find one of the very biggest and best in town over in southwest London. Massive arts complex Wimbledon Art Studios is throwing open its doors for this annual fair, which is a golden opportunity to get your hands on affordable works from more than 180 artists and makers while meeting the painters, photographers, sculptors and sensitive types behind them. There’s also a children’s art trail, and an in-house cafe for picking up snacks on your arty adventure.

Wimbledon Art Studios, 10 Riverside Yard, SW17 0BB. Thursday May 14 – Sunday May 17. Free.

3. Get a free tattoo and/or vegan sandwich at this cowboy pop-up

If you’re the kind of free-wheelin’ guy or gal who’ll get a tattoo on a whim, this pop-up is for you. I mean, it’s not like it’ll stay on your body forever, ready to horrify your mother and amuse your one night stands, is it? [Editor’s note: it very much will].

Proudly vegan tattoo shop Flamin’ Eight is getting a one day takeover from plant-based food brand This, which is drumming up some excitement around its new protein-rich fillet steaks by handing out free sarnies from a food truck parked outside. And if you want to go all out, you can also line-up for a free tattoo, selected from a pre-curated selection of designs created specially for the event, inspired by its country and western theme. Just remember that the tattoo artists will be doing arms and legs only, so abandon any dreams of getting a cowboy tramp stamp right now.

Flamin’ Eight, 2 Castle Road, NW1 8PP. Saturday May 16. Free.

4. Cheer on the runners at the Hackney Half

The London Marathon’s chiller younger cousin is taking over Hackney this weekend, promising spectators and runners a seriously good time. At every single mile on the HOKA Hackney Half (as it’s officially known this year for sponsorship reasons), you can cheer on the competitors to the sounds of DJs and live bands. The race is the headline event of Hackney Moves, which is a whole weekend of fitness classes, food stalls and live entertainment on Hackney Marshes, ready to inspire you to lace up your trainers and get moving.And if you or your friends are running, be sure to check out all the freebies you can claim afterwards.

Hackney Marshes. Sunday May 17. From 9am. Free.

5. Have some farmyard fun at a Vauxhall Spring Fair

The animals of Vauxhall City Farm are putting their best feet (and claws) forward this weekend with a big celebratory May bash designed to raise funds for their home. This year’s festivities are spilling over into nearby Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens so there’ll be plenty of room for activities including seed sowing, wool spinning, sheep shearing, goat drawing and loads more. There’ll also be fairground fun and games for kids to have a go at, face painting, as well as live music and a BBQ on hand for maximum summery atmosphere.

Vauxhall City Farm, 165 Tyers St, SE11 5HS. Saturday May 16 – Sunday May 17. Free.

6. Have a creative night out at a Tate Late

Discover the rich, technicolour world of painter Hurvin Anderson at this Tate Britain Late, which is full of opportunities to learn and get involved. Events include a meditative drawing session of oral Caribbean histories run by Hettie Inniss with an accompanying soundtrack, a curator’s tour, and a communal painting workshop: book free spots in advance to attend. Or just turn up to events including a showcase of new artists from Reprezent, a mixed media animation from outdoors movement Flock Together, and a live Turner-inspired painting by Gaia Ozwyn.

Tate Britain, Millbank, SW1P 4RG. Friday May 15. Free.

????️ Curate your calendar with our guide to all of London’s best things to do in May and June.

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