April Showers Bring…Free Ice Cream, Apparently!
by Jen (follow Jen on Twitter:@JenBarnes207)
It’s already looking like it’s going to be a bit of a wet April – but that’s only a problem if you’re running the London Marathon (sorry!). If you’re not, there are plenty of great ways to stay dry this month. As always, if nothing on my list tickles your fancy, some of my fellow BrokeinLondoners have some more ideas for you in the Free Entertainment in London section.
#1 Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day | 12th April
Image: TimeOut
If ice cream doesn’t count as a cultural event then I don’t want anything to do with culture! On the 12th April you can get free, delicious Ben & Jerry’s ice cream at their annual free cone day. I personally recommend: Karamel Sutra, Half Baked and Cookie Dough. You won’t be disappointed.
When: 12th April
Where: Check their website to find your closest store
#2 Comida Fest: Latin American Food Festival | 16th – 17th April
Comida Fest: Free Latin American Food Festival at Oxo Tower Wharf
Food is the way to my heart and the fastest way to cheer me up on a rainy day. If it’s spicy Latin American food – then I’m basically in heaven. Head to Oxo Tower for Comida Fest: a Latin American street food festival bringing you food, cocktails and music from Argentina to Mexico. In April they are celebrating World Malbec Day – who doesn’t want more Malbec?
When: 17th – 18th April
Where: Courtyard, Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse Street, South Bank, London SE1 9PH
#3 New Cross & Deptford Free Film Festival | 22nd April – 1st May
Grease, Telegraph Hill Park, NXDFFF 2014. Copyright: Electric Pedals
The New Cross & Deptford Free Film Festival is one of the best free film festivals in London taking place in pubs and parks across south-east London. Highlights include: a Shakespeare themed day to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death and an outdoor screening of Labyrinth in Telegraph Hill Upper Park purely powered by bicycles.
When: 22nd April to 1st May
Where: Across New Cross & Deptford
#4 Virgin Money London Marathon 2016 | 24th April
Image: Visit London
You don’t have to be running to get into the Virgin Money London Marathon. The whole thing almost feels like carnival with runners wearing penguin suits and the whole population of London cheering them on. Since the beginning of the marathon more than £716 million has been raised-so if you know someone running, send a fiver their way. It’s the least you can do if you’re watching from the side-lines with a beer in your hand.
When: 24th April
Where: Check the running route here
#5 Canalway Cavalcade | 30th April -2nd May
Canals in Bloom, a riot of colour in Brownings Pool
Celebrate the first bank holiday weekend with the Canalway Cavalcade – a colourful celebration of the Little Venice canals! Boats travel for miles to take part in the festivities and for a chance to take home a prize for the best dressed boat. This year’s theme is “Canals Alive”, leaving lots of room for interpretation. If you get hungry there will be plenty of food stalls and floating tea rooms to try!
When: 30th April – 2nd May
Where: Little Venice Canals
#6 Feast of St. George/St. George’s Day | 23rd April
Image: Visit London
England’s National Day is St George’s Day (I didn’t know this until about 5 minutes ago when I googled it but it’s true). You can celebrate this holiday with live music, dance, storytelling and games at the Feast of St George in Trafalgar Square. As the holiday is traditionally celebrated with a feast, celebrity chefs will also be giving cooking demonstrations (with free samples) of the English fare we know and love.
When: 23rd April, 12pm – 6pm
Where: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
#7 Free Gelato at La Gelateria | 9th April
Image: Time Out
April seems to be about free ice cream – I’m certainly not complaining. On the 9th April you can get free gelato at La Gelateria’s new location in Stratford – yum! Time Out gives it 4 stars (but Time Out readers give it 5) so even if you don’t live in Stratford, I promise it’s worth the trek East.
When: 9th April
Where: La Gelateria, West Walk Park, Stratford
#8 Shakespeare’s 400th Anniversary | 23rd-24th April
Image: Guardian
Shakespeare’s Globe is celebrating the anniversary of Shakespeare’s death with a film for each play of Shakespeare’s career. These films will be shown on 37 screens along the Southbank between Westminster Bridge and London Bridge. Each film is 10 minutes but if you want to watch all of them it will take you about 6 hours so I suggest wearing comfortable shoes.
When: 23rd – 24th April
Where: Southbank London
#9 Vaisakhi | 9th April
Image: Visit London
The Sikh New Year is Vaisakhi – a three-day festival celebrating the arrival of the new year. This year London is celebrating with a festival of food (langar), spiritual music (shabad kirtan), turban tying, folk dance, martial arts and more.
When: 9th April
Where: More London Riverside, London SE1 2DB
#10 London in Video Games| Until 28th April
Image: Southbank Centre
The Museum of London is celebrating all the weird and wonderful games that feature our fair city in the London in Video Games exhibition. You can climb up the social ladder in Hampstead, build a city with the Sims or explore abandoned tube stations in Broken Sword II.
When: Until 28th April
Where: Museum of London, 150 London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN
