The 6 best free things to do in London this weekend [April 10-12 2026]

If, like us, your bank account is reeling after a double bank holiday spent tapping your credit card with joyful abandon, then you may be in need of a somewhat more frugal couple of days this weekend. Well, fear not. The second weekend of April is shaping up to be an excellent one for penny-pinching Londoners looking for a good time.

From classical concerts on council estates to a major new regular flea market in east London, there are loads of reasons to get out and about this weekend, even if the glorious mid-week sunshine is, in typical fashion, set to be replaced by clouds and showers as the weekend arrives. Ah well. Us Londoners know better than to let a little rain ruin our plans. 

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📍 The best things to do in London this weekend.
❌ London travel disruption this weekend: full list of tube and train closures for April 11-12.

The best free things on in London this weekend, April 10-12 2026

1. Get a free dose of youth culture at Roundhouse Three Sixty

Iconic Camden arts venue The Roundhouse will be buzzing this weekend, as the Three Sixty festival fills its walls with music, poetry and performances heralding a new generation of artists and fans. Book a free slot at interactive exhibition From Soundboy to Streaming and you’ll get to experience all the highs of London’s underground music cultures, as curated by local young people, including photographs, gig tickets, zines and more. Or tune in to Transmission, a live podcast recording with special guests from the festival’s starry line-up that you can experience in the Roundhouse’s bar and cafe, or at home. 

Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH. Until Apr 29. Prices vary.

2. Catch two excellent art exhibitions before they close 

The underrated South London Gallery is always worth a visit, but New Contemporaries is especially interesting: head to this historic Camberwell space for an eclectic array of works from 26 emerging artists that’ll take you from themes of loss to gentrification to climate change to futuristic dystopias. Or take the more well-trodden path to Tate Modern to see the big Turbine Hall commission before it’s packed away: Sámi-Norwegian artist Máret Ánne Sara's exploration of the rich relationship between the indigenous Nordic people and the land and reindeer that they farm with. It’s an abstract landscape made up of rounded wooden fences, adorned with reindeer skulls and furs.

South London Gallery. Until Sunday Apr 12. Free; Tate Modern. Until Sunday Apr 12. Free.

3. Get into underground print culture at Sticky Fingers Publishing Fair

This buzzing fest will inspire you to chuck out your Kindle and fall back in love with the printed world and all its radical potential. There’ll be stalls from The 50-ft Press, The Alternative School of Economics, Freedom Press, Shy Radicals Distro and Strike Design Studio, as well as a line-up of workshops and talks that’ll inspire you to learn more about zine culture, or teach you to print your own stickers.

St James Hatcham Church, SE14 6AD. Saturday Apr 11. Free.

4. Trawl through treasures at Flea London

You’ll find anything and everything at this teeming Hackney market (except, hopefully, literal fleas).  Vintage fashion, statement jewellery, art, books, vinyl, cameras, homewares, cult design pieces... turn up and have a browse, then fuel up with a snack from the artisan food traders on site.

Hackney Bridge, E15 2SJ. Saturday Apr 11-Sunday Apr 12. Free.

5. Hear classical music in a leftfield setting at Brixton Chamber Orchestra’s council estates tour

Classical music isn’t just for the rarified silence of concert halls, or for the refined backdrop of a high-end event. Brixton Chamber Orchestra is determined to bring free music to local people this spring, with a tour that’ll take them right to the estates where they live. They’ll kick off at Walworth Living Room (Sat Apr 11, 3pm), followed by a sesh at Jessie Duffett Hall (Sat Apr 11, 7pm) followed by an outdoor concert on Penrose Maddock Way (Sun April 12, 3pm). Turn up and listen to a set performed by a 30-piece orchestra, spanning classical, grime, gospel, jazz and more. 

Various Brixton locations. Saturday Apr 11-Sunday Apr 12. Free.

6. Soak up the waterside vibes at Playing Outside Festival

If you haven’t checked out Canada Water’s big revamp, this weekend is a great chance. New arts space Corner Corner is celebrating its first birthday with a massive craft market with free creative workshops, music gigs, and even a giant boardgame tournament. Browse wares including handmade ceramics, bag charms, spicy sauces and crochet plushies, or just find a perch on the deep wooden steps surrounding the water and listen to sounds from local musicians with a bevvy or two.

Outside Corner Corner, SE16 7LL. Saturday Apr 11-Sunday Apr 12. Free.

Curate your calendar with our guide to all of London’s best things to do in April. 

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