Top 10 Free Events in London May 2015

Double Bank Holiday Month is Here!

by Jen (follow Jen on Twitter: @JenBarnes207)

We’ve made it to May- the month of the double bank holiday weekend! That means two extra days to play! Make the most of them (rain or shine) by heading out to some of these fantastic and free events. Dogs, beer, museums, festival- May’s got it all! As always, some of my fellow BrokeinLondoners have some more ideas for you in the Free Entertainment in London section.

#1 Alchemy | 15^th-25^th May

The Alchemy Festival at South Bank Centre is back again for another 10 weeks of the best dance, music, theatre, design, fashion, comedy and literature that the UK and South Asia has to offer. There are loads of free events to check out and there’s a food market where you can find cheap, delicious treats.

When: 15^th-25^th may
Where: Southbank Centre, Southbank

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#2 May Fair & Dog Show | 4^th May

May the 4^th be with you and may you celebrate with a maypole and a dog show. I’m serious- on the 4^th of May Walthamstow is hosting a community May festival and dog show. You don’t want to miss out: there will even be prices for the best-dressed Star Wars pooch. It’s free to attend and only £1 to enter into a category!

When: 4^th May, 12pm-5pm
Where: Lloyd Park, Forest Road, Walthamstow, E17 5JW

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#3 Zabludowicz Collection: 20 Years | All Month

The Zabludowicz Collection is 20 years old and to celebrate they’re pulling out rarely seen works from their collection in their exhibition Zabludowicz Collection: 20 years. You’ll find all of the heavy-hitters: Martin Creed, Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, and a load of artists you’ve never heard of but you’ll love. Oh, and there’s a fab Jim Lambie installation that you’ll want to live in!

When: All Month
Where:  Zabludowicz Collection, 176 Prince of Wales Road, London NW5 3PT

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#4 Canalway Cavalcade | 2^nd-4^th May

The Canalway Cavalcade is an institution in Little Venice. It’s a colourful collection of Canal Boats that you won’t want to miss (and you’ll want to instagram every second of it!).  If boats aren’t your thing, there will be morris dancers, a real ale tent, live music and refreshments.

When: 2^nd-4^th May
Where: Canals Between Warwick Avenue & Warwick Crescent, London W9 2PB

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#5 Beerhive Taproom Launch Party | 2^nd May

The Beer Hive is London’s first co-operative brewery and they are entering into the world with a bang! Join them on Saturday 2^nd May for their launch party in their arch off Belinda Road. You can expect a Chinese Lion Dance, lots of beer, Italian food and even a gramophone DJ- what more could you want?

When: 2^nd May, 12pm-8pm
Where: The Beer Hive, Arch 283 Belinda Road, Off Coldharbour Ln, London SW9 7DT

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#6 BMW LSO Open Air Classics: Shostakovich | 17^th May

London has a world-class orchestra and a few times a year they are lovely enough to play for you for free! The BMW LSO Open Air Classics series are presenting Shostakovich on Sunday 17^th May in Trafalgar Square. Grab some friends, bring a picnic and make an evening of it. You can even leave early if you’re not feeling it (but we’re betting you won’t)

When: 17^th May, 630pm
Where: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DS

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#7 Clerkenwell Design Week | 19^th-21^st May

Clerkenwell boasts more design companies, creative businesses and architects per square mile than any other place on the planet. To celebrate this- they put on a fantastic design festival showcasing all these talented people. It’s free- but you’ve got to register so do it now before you forget! For those of you who work in the creative industries, it’s also a great place to network.

When: 19^th-21^st May, All day
Where: Venues across Clerkenwell

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#8 Herne Hill Free Film Festival | All Month

That’s right- it’s a month of free films in Herne Hill. The Herne Hill Free Film Festival is showing some of your favourites and also supporting young filmmakers with the 48-hour film competition (always a laugh). Where else can you watch a film at a Lido one night and at a velodrome the next (probably nowhere). Check it out. You know you want to.

When: All Month
Where:  Venues Across Herne Hill

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#9 Museums at Night | 13^th-16^th May

For one weekend in May, museums across the country are opening their doors after hours and hosting some pretty great events during Museums at Night. Some of these events happen to be free (yay!). Read the listings for all the details but we recommend checking out the Wellcome Collection and the V&A after dark or heading out on the Museum Mile Walking Tour!

When: 13^th-16^th May
Where: Across London

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#10 Cockpit Arts Spring Open Studios | 15^th-17^th May

The two Cockpit Arts are a couple of my favourite places in London. Labyrinths overflowing with art, craft and creativity, they only open to the public twice a year! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to view beautiful products, meet the designers and maybe do a little shopping at their Spring Open Studios.

When: 15^th -17^th May in Deptford/ 8^th-10^th May in Holborn
Where: Deptford and Holborn

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You may also want to check the Top 5 free lunch break activities in London.