The 6 best free things to do in London this weekend [March 20-22 2026]

The signs are already there – the sun has been out more, the daffodils have sprung, the trees are starting to blossom, and everyone’s just that little bit cheerier. This weekend, the UK will officially enter springtime. 

With the spring equinox happening on Friday (March 20), the days will finally become longer than night. That means Londoners will have more time to bask in sunlight in the city’s various beer gardens, rooftop bars and green spaces. It’s what we’ve all been waiting for!

As tempting as it might be, the arrival of warmer weather and more daylight hours doesn’t mean you need to blow your paycheque on endless goblets of Aperol Spritz. There’s plenty of fun to be had in the city that doesn’t cost a thing. From a small but mighty theatre to the last of the St Paddy’s parties, here are the best free things happening in London on the first weekend of spring.  

The best free things on in London this weekend, March 20-22 2026 

Have one last hooley at St Patrick’s Day in Camden Market

Stretch out the Paddy’s Day celebrations going by heading to Camden Market for its huge Emerald Isle takeover. It’s an opportunity to get a taste of all the greatest parts of Irish culture – tuck into Irish street food, listen to live ceilidh music, watch traditional dancing from ‘Jig and a Swig’, join a soda bread making workshop with north London’s Sun Flour bakery, tap your feet along to a Bodhran drumming parade, or treat the kids (or yourself) to some Irish-themed face-painting. Sláinte!

Camden Market, NW1 8AF. March 21. Free. 

Join in the community celebrations at London Eid Festival

See out Ramadan 2026 at the capital’s largest Eid gathering. This vibrant community festival will be popping up in both Leyton’s Jubilee Park and Harrow’s Byron Park over the weekend, with heaps of halal food, more than 100 artisan stalls, free goodie bags, funfair rides, horse rides and a load of community games. The event in Leyton is all sold out, but there are still tickets up for grabs for Sunday’s festival in Harrow. They’re free if you book them in advance via Eventbrite, or £1 on the day. 

Byron Park Harrow, Peel Road, HA3 7QX. March 22, 12pm-7pm. Free or £1 on the day. 

Take your seat at the Barbican Theatre For One

A mysterious little booth appeared in the Barbican’s foyer last week. With the venue’s theatre closed for a refurb, that teeny kiosk is your alternative if you’re looking for a high-quality play. The one-person capacity booth is showing six new and exclusive five-minute Irish shows from the likes of Enda Walsh (who most recently directed films Small Things Like These and Die My Love) and Marina Carr (known for The Bog of Cats and The Mai). Time Out’s theatre editor Andrzej Lukowski stopped by the Theatre for One himself and confirmed that every show in the lineup is worth a watch, ranging from ‘bittersweet naturalism to goofy comedy to full tilt magical realism’. 

Beech Street, Barbican, EC2Y 8AE. Until March 22. Free. 

Pull up at the pub for the Carabao Cup final

Sunday will bring us the most high stakes game of the 2025/26 football season so far. Arsenal is going head to head with Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and, if the Gunners come out victorious, it’ll be their first piece of silverware in almost six years. Besides the stands at Wembley, the best place to catch the nail-biting action will be in the boozers and beer gardens of north London. Some of our favourite pubs for a brilliant match day atmosphere are the Bank of Friendship, Clissold Park Tavern and the Army and Navy. Book ahead or get to your chosen watering hole early (kick off is at 4.30pm) to secure a good spot. 

Various venues. March 22. Free. 

Wander the halls of the National Gallery after hours 

The National Gallery hosts late night visits most weeks, but once a month, it takes things up a notch. This Friday, its bumper after-hours programme is based on a new work by artist in residence Ming Wong. His film Dance of the sun on the water | Saltatio solis in aqua is inspired by the story of Saint Sebastian, who survived being shot by Roman archers while tied to a tree and is depicted in several paintings throughout the gallery. There’ll be life drawing sessions, a performance from artist and musician bones tan jones inspired by the saint, a talk about how the ancient world has been presented in art and film over time, and a screening of the film itself accompanied by a live score. 

National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN. March 20, 6pm-8.30pm. Free. 

Collaborate with creatives at the Artist Scratch Showcase 

Think of the Artist Scratch Showcase like a workshop. Six artists will take to the floor in the Southbank Centre’s Clore Ballroom to share their projects so far and invite thoughts and feedback from the audience. You won’t know what the works in progress will be until you’re in the room, but in the past they’ve included documentaries, textile designs, stand-up comedy, rap music, piano performances and short plays. It’s a chance for artists to get alternative perspectives on their work and foster new ideas, and for the audience to get a fascinating behind the scenes look into the creative process. 

Southbank Centre. March 22, 7pm. Free (ticket required). 

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

And start planning for the double bank holiday with our roundup of the best Easter events in London.

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