The 6 best free things to do in London this weekend [June 19-21 2026]

A sub-section of London is about to sink from view this weekend with the start of the World Cup. This city’s most dedicated football devotees will be staying up late into the night to catch every match on telly or in pub, only emerging, bleary-eyed and blinking, into the afternoon London sunshine in search of the basic necessities of bread and Buzz Balls. But what if you’re an equally committed sports dodger? Don’t you deserve some entertainment too? 

This weekend is full of fun things to do, from morning til night. And even better still, you don’t have to fork out your BBC license fee to enjoy them, or open your wallet either. Frolic at fetes, have a go at driving some big vroom vrooms, and even watch a dragon boat race – which is arguably just as exciting as a footie match, and definitely has a better soundtrack. Read on for handy guide to all the free fixtures you can’t miss this weekend, without missing your savings goals. 

The best free things on in London this weekend, June 19-21 2026 

1. Watch a fiercely-contested dragon boat race

For all that talk of ‘the beautiful game’, sporting events aren’t always that pretty to look at (unless you’ve got a penchant for muscly calves of course). But dragon boat races are about as beautiful as it gets: this time-honoured Chinese sport has its annual championships on Macao’s Nam Van Lake, which see ornate gilded boats gliding past glimmering skyscrapers on crystalline waters. You’re probably not going to make it out there on a budget of zero pounds and zero pence. So why not head to Royal Docks this weekend to see 20 London teams duke it out in an open competition, sped on by the beats of the dragon drum. The winners will get a trip to compete in Macao. And everyone else will get a fascinating dose of Chinese culture in a festival atmosphere by the water’s edge. This year’s fest includes cultural performances on the main stage from 12 noon, after kicking off with a traditional Lion Dance. There’s a kids corner with a special viewing area, face painting and arts and crafts, and a Macao Pavilion where you can discover this waterfront city’s heritage. Or relax with a bubble tea, inwardly resolving to get on that rowing machine before next year. 

Royal Albert Docks, E16 2QD. Sun Jun 21. Free

2. Have a go on an exhilarating Formula 1 race machine

For UK F1 fans, Silverstone is the holy grail, and it’s coming up in just a few weeks. But the ticket prices mean that watching its races zoom round the track is anything but a cheap thrill. So for a bit of free car-based excitement this weekend, head to an Oxford Street pop-up from current F1 champions McLaren, where you can take your love of things that go ‘vroom vroom’ up a gear or two. This experience will offer professional racing simulators so you can zip around the track, with a special prize on offer for the fastest times: the chance to see the team in action on race day, from the balcony at Hilton Garden Inn Silverstone, looking right over the starting grid. Stick around after your laps and you’ll find complimentary food and drink, and the chance to goggle at a bit of F1 history in the form of real parts of the MCL36 car from 2022, signed by 2025 World Champion, McLaren’s Lando Norris. Who said motorsports were an expensive hobby?!

Future Stores, 95 Oxford Street, W1D 2AD. Until Jun 21. Free.

3. Indulge your inner child at a Toy Story pop-up

Have you lost touch with your inner child? Did they run away from you in the supermarket, or simply grow up and block your number (the ungrateful bastard)?. Either way, reconnect with the kid-like joy you once used to feel at this fun-sounding ‘Toy Story 5’ pop-up at Westfield. You can stick the eyebrows on Mr Potato Head at the sardonic angle of your choice, or pose for a photo op inside a giant crane machine, or sip a free fruity slushy in a cute little pop-up drink-stop. If your inner child demands, you can also pop into the nearby Disney Store, which has tie-in crafts and products to play with. Just don’t go too wild with the old credit card, because unlike lil ‘myself junior’ over there you’ve almost certainly got bills to pay once the fun’s over. 

Westfield London, W12 7GF. Until Jun 21. Free.

4. Dance in the summer sun at a free Meltdown party

Were you one of the lucky few who nabbed tickets for Harry Styles at Meltdown? Look, us neither. But don’t let that hold you back from heading out to Southbank Centre this weekend. The fest has got an appealing line-up of free events so you can enjoy a bargainous boogie by the side of the Thames. Make for the Riverside Terrace this Friday and you’ll find Push The Button, a poptastic party full of hits from the past 35 years. On Saturday afternoon, there’s Foundation.FM’s dance line-up from female, queer and non-binary DJs. Then round things off on Sunday with Hourglass Disco, a free afternoon sound system that’s got a danceable line-up curated by Harry Styles himself, together with Gideon (from Glastonbury’s legendary nightlife space NYC Downlow). Best of all? We’re finally forecast some sun this weekend, so bare some skin and get a sweat on. 

Southbank Centre. Until Sun Jun 21. Free. 

5. Voyage to the cutting edge of space research at this UCL event

If you haven’t looked into space since a childhood jaunt to a planetarium or a secondary school science fair… well, things have come on quite a bit. Did you know Pluto isn’t even a planet anymore? Update your knowledge base at UCL’s Your Universe Festival, which is a fun free opportunity to learn from the uni’s physics, astronomy, and planetary science experts. Go along for a Friday afternoon session and you’ll find hands-on demos and activities, including an immersive image experience and a planetarium. Or stretch your brain even further on Saturday night with a series of expert talks that’ll answer puzzlers including ‘Is Dark Energy evolving with cosmic time?’ So you didn’t understand the question? Don’t let that hold you back from discovering the answer at this public-facing sesh, which’ll also explore more easily accessible issues like the never-ending hunt for life on Mars: a mission begun by David Bowie, and continued by generations of scientists.

6. Go along to London’s Dyke March

If you’re lucky enough to belong under the broad ‘dyke’ umbrella (which is firmly trans and bisexual inclusive) or are simply a politically engaged ally, then don’t miss this weekend’s big grassroots Pride event. London Dyke March is back after its triumphant return last year, and it’ll begin at the Women of WWII statue in Whitehall (because who doesn’t love a lady in uniform). It’ll be the polar opposite of the massive Pride in London march next week, with no big branded floats, but plenty of political protest signs and a radical flavour. So head along to show your support for an event that’s all about showcasing dyke communities in all their glory, with none of the corporate frills. 

Whitehall. Sat Jun 20. Free.

UCL, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT. Until Sun Jun 21. Free, but pre-book your spot on Eventbrite.  

Fill up your diary for June with our guide to the best things to do in London this month.

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