The Five Best Free Things to Do in London This Weekend

Spring has officially sprung this week, but for many Londoners the first weekend of a brighter, warmer new season comes just before pay day. Counting down the days your bank balance is no longer in the red?  Resigned to a weekend spent indoors, eating leftovers with the heating off? Never fear! 

There’s loads of great fun to be had around the city this weekend, if you know where to look. From free club nights to late openings, an arty market and a last-chance exhibition, here are five fabulous free events happening in London over the next few days.

Science Gallery Spring Equinox Late

The Science Gallery celebrates the arrival of brighter, warmer days with a Friday night late themed around the ‘Pulse of the Planet’. Visitors can check out DJ sets curated by Club Sol, take part in creative writing workshops and reflection sessions, and watch a screening of emerging artist Julianknxx’s film Black Corporeal (Breathing by Numbers) exploring the start realities of environmental poverty. Tickets are free, but be sure to book in advance. 

Science Gallery. Fri Mar 21. Free.

BFI Flare DJ Nights

The UK’s largest queer film event is back this week, with over 130 films plus a whole bunch of talks, panels, creative workshops and after-hours events to check out over the next eight days. The BFI’s Southbank headquarters are a vibey place to hang out during the festival, regardless of whether you’ve nabbed tickets to some screenings. And this is particularly true on weekend evenings, when a host of exciting London queer collectives take over the BFI Bar, with DJs, dancing and drinks until late. This weekend features a Friday night party hosted by Dalston Superstore’s long-running night Fèmmme Fraîche, while Saturday evening sees DJs from queer Bollywood night Club Kali take to the decks. 

BFI Southbank. Fri Mar 21 and Sat Mar 22. Free.

Bloomberg New Contemporaries

Find out what the UK’s most promising fine art graduates have been up to in this showcase of up-and-coming talent from across the UK. Now in its 75th year, the ICA exhibition features 33 exhibitors selected by renowned artists Liz Johnson Artur, Permindar Kaur and Amalia Pica., with loads of great stuff to check out – here’s a roundup of this year’s best bits from art critic Eddy Frankel – but you’ll need to be quick about it, because the exhibition closes this weekend.

ICA. Until Sun Mar 23. Free.

Club Mix at Ridley Road Market Bar

Free club nights in London are about as rare as pints under £6 nowadays, but Ridley Road Market Bar is giving all the party starters in the capital a helping hand. Head to the tiki-themed dive bar for this night of disco, 90’s RnB, house and pop chosen by some of east London’s most in-demand selectors including Trudy.jpg and Aideen Ryan. Bring your mates, swig some ginger mojitos and you’ve got yourself a brilliantly egalitarian night out. Entry is free before 10pm, but be sure to get there early to avoid the queue and save your feet for dancing.

Ridley Road Market Bar. Sat Mar 22. Free.

Dulwich Picture Gallery Farmer’s Market

There aren’t many farmer’s markets that allow you to look at seasonal organic produce and contemporary artwork at the same time, but then not all produce fairs are held in the grounds of historic art galleries. Head to Dulwich Picture Gallery’s picturesque gardens to peruse stands packed with food, drink and artisanal crafts while surrounded by sculptures by the likes of Yinka Shonibare CBE RA and Rob and Nick Carter. Held in partnership with Slow Food in the UK, you’ll find plenty of local food to buy as well as seasonal tasting events.

Dulwich Picture Gallery. Sun March 23. Free. 

Willing to splash some catch? Check out our comprehensive roundup of the best things happening in London this weekend

And start planning a great spring with our preview of ten unmissable London events coming up over the next few months