Free events in London
Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace is the must-see parade, but the one at Horse Guards is a lot less crowded. The Sky Garden, Evensong at Westminster Abbey and PMQ’s are definitely worth doing. Check out our list of the Top 10 things to do for free and the itinerary ideas we’ve come up with for cheap days out in London.
Foe to Friend - The British Army in Germany since 1945 The National Army Museum will explore the lives of soldiers serving in Germany after WWII
Shakespeare and War at the National Army Museum Discover how Shakespeares words have inspired soldiers and rallied the nation
Guildhall Common Council with the Lord Mayor of London Attend a meeting inside the medieval Guildhall and see the Lord Mayor and Aldermen6
Choral Evensong service at St Pauls Cathedral Attend a choral Evensong at St Pauls Cathedral and see part of the Cathedral for free5
Choral Evensong service at Westminster Abbey Sit by Westminster Abbeys 1000-year-old altar and listen to a beautiful choral Evensong service9
Dismounting Ceremony (4 OClock Parade) at Horse Guards A daily ceremony of Foot Guards and cavalry that takes place in the courtyard at Horse Guards7
Changing the Guard ceremony at Horse Guards Parade Changing the Guard at Horse Guards is similar to Buckingham Palace but a lot less crowded6
Tower Bridge: Scheduled lift times for the drawbridge A list of the scheduled lift times for Tower Bridge so you can get a photo of the drawbridge opening
Choral Matin at the Tower of Londons Chapel Royal Attend a Sunday service at the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula in the Tower of London2
Changing the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace Changing the Guard at the palace is one of Londons must-see sights10
Speakers Corner – Sunday speeches in Hyde Park Visit Speakers Corner at Sunday lunchtime and hear the public giving political speeches on a soapbox5
Choral service in Hampton Court Palaces Chapel Royal Enjoy a choral Sunday service in Henry VIIIs Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace4
Discover Degas & Miss La La at the National Gallery The story behind Degass Impressionist painting Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando
Gun salutes in the Royal Parks & Tower of London Listen to a deafening gun salute to mark the monarchs birthday or accession to the throne3
Notting Hill Carnival - Europes biggest street party More than a million people attend Europes biggest street festival over Bank Holiday weekend
Harry Potter – Back to Hogwarts Day at Kings Cross Celebrate the start of a new school year at Hogwarts school for wizards
Costermongers Harvest Festival in Guildhall Yard A Pearly Kings & Queens Festival with Morris dancers and May Pole dancing
Discover Constables The Hay Wain at the National Gallery Explore the making of Constables famous English countryside landscape
Diwali in Trafalgar Square – The Festival of Lights Trafalgar Square will be putting up a stage and stalls to celebrate the beautiful Festival of Lights
London to Brighton Veteran Car Run from Hyde Park Get up early and catch the start of the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run from Hyde Park
Lord Mayors Show - Gold coach parade through London Two-mile procession through the City of London to mark the election of the Lord Mayor
Remembrance Sunday Parade at the Cenotaph Whitehall Thousands of war veterans parade past the Cenotaph to remember the nations war dead30
Christmas services at St Pauls & Westminster Abbey Attend an atmospheric candlelit service and hear Christmas carols sung by the choir
Peter Pan Cup – Serpentine swimming race on Christmas Day The Serpentine swimming race has been taking place every Christmas morning since 1864
New Years Day Parade 2025 Celebrate the start of 2025 with a parade of acrobats cheerleaders and marching bands
Chinese New Year celebration in Trafalgar Square Celebrate the Chinese Year of the Snake with a parade through Chinatown to Trafalgar Square
Kings Army Parade to Banqueting House for Charles I The English Civil War Society will march from St Jamess Palace to Banqueting House in full dress
St Patricks Day Parade & Festival in Trafalgar Square Watch the lively parade and enjoy all the Irish food and music in Trafalgar Square
Oxford v Cambridge - Gemini University Boat Race 2025 Cambridge won the men and womens double last year but can Oxford claim them back?
The Passion of Jesus – Easter Story in Trafalgar Square Celebrate Easter by re-enacting the Biblical story and Jesuss final days in Trafalgar Square
Vaisakhi – Sikh and Hindu Festival in Trafalgar Square Celebrate the start of the Sikh New Year and explore some of their culture and traditions
Celebrate St Georges Day in Trafalgar Square Celebrate our nations patron saint with live entertainment and food and drink stalls
TCS London Marathon 2025 The worlds premier long-distance event from Greenwich to Buckingham Palace
Covent Garden May Fayre & Puppet Festival Watch a Punch & Judy show and brass band procession around Covent Garden
Eid in the Square - Muslim Festival in Trafalgar Square Celebrate the end of Ramadan and explore some Islamic culture and traditions