The 6 best free things to do in London this bank holiday weekend [May 22-25 2026]

What’s that on the horizon? Another three day weekend? And temperatures potentially reaching 31 degrees? Don’t mind if we do. 

After two weeks suffering through rain and cloudy skies, the sun can make us do crazy things. Like spending money we don’t really have on new summer clothes, dinners outdoors and way, way too many Aperol Spritzes. But if you’re anything like us, May has already been an expensive month and you need to be at least a little bit sensible. 

The good news is that, as ever, the capital city is awash with fun things to do that won’t cost you a thing. If you want to boogie to house and soul in a park, there’s a free event for that. If you want to laugh at loud at one of the city’s most legendary comedy venues, there’s one for that too. Here’s a roundup of all the brilliant free stuff happening in London this bank holiday weekend. 

The best free things on in London this weekend, May 22-25 2026

1. Stay out late at the National Gallery

Get better acquainted with the ideas and images behind the spectacular works of Baroque master Francisco de Zurbarán at this Friday’s National Gallery Late. As well as letting you browse its exhibitions until 9pm, the gallery is putting on a selection of talks and workshops inspired by Zurbarán’s saintly scenes. There’s 15 minutes with a philosopher, which invites you to ponder on the pleasures and pains of the flesh, and life drawing sessions with costumed models based on Zurbarán’s muses. You can also join a tour with poet SJ Fowler. He and a group of guests will present poems written in response to the National Gallery’s collection. 

National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN. Friday May 22. Free. 

2. Unleash your inner fangirl at Somerset House’s ‘Holy Pop!’ exhibition

If you’ll always carry a torch for your teenage celeb crush, then this one’s for you. From the internet’s impact on beauty trends to all things cute and cuddly, Somerset House has a history of delving into contemporary pop cultural trends with its exhibition programming, and it continues in a similar vein with its spring 2026 exhibition. Holy Pop! explores the power of fandom and the world of modern shrines. Through art, memorabilia, letters, photographs, and interactive installations, the pay what you can exhibition will uncover the rituals of idolisation, showing how fandom shapes identity, values, and community. 

Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA. From May 21. Pay what you can. 

3. Care for the capital’s waterways as part of London Rivers Week 

London Rivers Week has been committed to celebrating and restoring London’s rivers for 10 years now. In that decade, the need to appreciate our city’s waterways has only grown. The theme of the charity event this year is ‘Know Your Local River’, encouraging Londoners to connect with and take pride in the river nearest to them. To help you do that, there’ll be free guided walks, exhibitions, volunteer sessions, lectures, workshops, clean-ups and talks going on in every corner of the capital. See the full programme here. 

Various locations. From Saturday May 23. Free. 

4. Get the giggles at Angel Comedy Street Party 

A roster of London’s funniest people will be taking to the roof of the Bill Murray for the Angel Comedy Street Party. So far, the lineup features Barry Ferns, Paddy Young (of Saturday Night Live UK), Spencer Jones and Helen Bauer. The day will be rounded off with special musical chaos from Chloe Petts alongside duo Flo & Joan. We don’t know exactly what that chaos will involve, but we do know that the trio have been dubbed themselves The Spooky Richards. Tickets are free of charge but donations are encouraged. All the money collected will go towards Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants, which helps people seeking sanctuary, providing English classes, expert advice, and a welcoming community. 

The Bill Murray, 39 Queen’s Head Street, N1 8NQ. Sunday May 24. Free. 

5. Dance to your heart’s content on Peckham Rye

Can’t afford to fork out for a ticket to GALA? Not to worry, because Peckham’s finest will be out in full force at a free festival on bank holiday Monday. The second annual On the Rye festival will take over the south London park with non-stop sets spanning lovers rock, soulful house, Afro-Cuban rhythms and more from the likes of Donut, Rebel Clash, Carroll Thompson, Born n Bread and Marcia Carr. Local vendors will line the green selling street food, drinks and artisan crafts and there’ll be loads of family-friendly goings on from a kids’ festival rave to chess classes with local club Say It With Your Chess. 

Peckham Rye Park  34 Straker’s Rd, SE15 3UA. Monday May 25. Free.  

6. Score a hole in one at Swingers West End 

To celebrate turning eight, Swingers West End is offering a whole day a crazy golf sessions on the house. You’ll be put on either the dizzying Meteorite course or the thrilling Big Wheel run, on which you’ll be able to order £8 frozen margs and £8 tacos, pizzas or burgers to keep you fuelled and primed for putting. DJs and a handful of ‘surprises’ (prizes up for grabs, we hope) have been promised too. 

Swingers West End, 15 John Prince’s Street, W1G 0AB. Monday May 25. Free.

Find more long weekend fun in our roundup of the 25 best things to do this May bank holiday.

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