Top 10 Free Events in London in March

Treat yourself to these fab free events

Monthly column by Jen (follow Jen on Twitter: @JenBarnes207)

Spring is on its way, and for some of you, March is the month that you’ll abstain from alcohol, chocolate, Facebook or whatever else you think you’d be better off without. No matter what you give up, distract yourself from your cravings with these fab events.

#1 First Thursdays | 6^th March

The first Thursday of every month, 130 galleries in east London stay open late so that you can enjoy them after work. There’s a free bus tour, suggested walking routes, workshops, talks, private views, exhibitions and usually a drink or two. Check out their website for their recommended Top 5.

When: 6^th March
Where: East London

#2 Martino Gamper: design is a state of mind | 5^th March- 21^st April

Who doesn’t love an Italian man in London? Martino Gamper says: “There is no perfect design and there is no über-design. Objects talk to us personally. Some might be more functional than others, and the emotional attachment is very individual. This exhibition will showcase a very personal way of collecting and gathering objects – these are pieces that tell a tale.”

When: 05^th March-21^st April
Where: The Serpentine Gallery

#3 Stewarts Law RCA Secret | 22^nd March

Could you spot an original sketch by Julian Opie, Manolo Blahnik, Paul Smith or Paula Rego? This is your chance to find out. Register online to queue up for a one-day sale where postcards designed by established artists are placed alongside postcards designed by students. Entry is free and you can buy one for £45 but you won’t know who designed yours until you’ve paid for it.

When: 22^nd March
Where: RCA Battersea

#4 St Patricks Day Parade | 16^th March

The official London parade is on the Sunday before St. Patrick’s day and is held in Trafalgar Square. Celebrations continue on Monday in Irish pubs across the city so head to your local and I bet they’ll have a party going!

When: 16^th March
Where: Trafalgar Square

#5 Spitalfields Art Market | 13^th March-16^th March

Once a month artists exhibit works on Market Street in Spitalfields. Wander around to find truly affordable original pieces, or just window shop up and down the aisles.

When: 13^th March – 16^th March
Where: Market Street, Spitalfields 

#6 A Season in Hell 3D | until 6^th April

You won’t even have to leave the overground station to enjoy this exhibit. Banner Repeater, on the platform of Hackney Downs station, is currently showing an exhibition by Matthew Noel-Tod that explores advertising, capitalism and socio-economic realities. I haven’t seen it but I was intrigued enough to add it to the list.

When: Until 6^th April
Where: Banner Repeater

#7 Exhibition Tour: Sophie von Hellerman | 5^th March

Join artist Sophie von Hellermann as she leads a tour of the current Silke Otto-Knapp exhibition at the Camden Arts Centre. A beautiful set of paintings, Monday or Tuesday, features only paintings in silver and black, “which appear to bathe the works in moonlight.” Sounds lovely, doesn’t it?

When: 5^th March
Where: Camden Arts Centre

#8 Heads May Roll | until 20^th April

An immersive exhibition of sculptural absurdity, Benedict Drew’s Heads May Roll is not to be missed. Subliminal messaging accompanies almost everything we see and hear and Drew offers a “noisy palate cleanser, an escape route, a portal to an alternative world.”

When: Until 20^th April
Where: Matt’s Gallery

#9 Gabriele Beveridge | until 6^th April

Definitely one to watch, Gabriele Beveridge is a young up-and-coming artist in London who creates multi-dimensional installations and collages. Head over to the Zabludowicz Collection so that a few years from now you can impress with trivia about her early works!

When: Until 6^th April
Where: Zabludowicz Collection

#10 Dissolved | 6^th March-22^nd March

Station House Opera have created an immersive installation that connects audiences in London & Berlin through telematics and live video streaming. Explore the set by day for free, and if you feel like splurging, performances of the opera are only £12.

When: 6^th March-22^nd March
Where: Beaconsfield

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You may also want to check the Free Film Screenings in London in March 2014.

Find more posts by Jen.