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Poor January gets a terrible rap. It’s dark, it’s freezing cold and no one seems to have the money or energy to do anything worthwhile. Our bank accounts may have been completely and utterly drained by all the Christmas and New Year festivities, but that doesn’t mean you should write the first month of the year off.
Our favourite way to shake off the January blues is by getting out in the city and making the most of all the wallet-friendly thing going on. And there’s plenty. Loads of capital’s very best theatre and musicals, restaurants and bars offer discounted tickets and cheap meal deals throughout the month to help people through, and as ever, the city is constantly host all sorts of weird and wonderful free events.
This weekend, those free events include a trouser-less excursion, a tree ceremony and lots of alcohol-free pint giveaways. Read on for Time Out’s full list of all the best things you can do in London this weekend without spending a penny.
The best free things on in London this weekend, January 9-11 2026
1. Catch the final days of some brilliant exhibitions
Turner Prize-nominated video artist Hilary Lloyd’s latest commission closes at Clapham’s Studio Voltaire on Sunday. The installation is centred all around the work of the playwright and TV writer Dennis Potter, who was best known for his TV serials and surrealist Brechtian techniques. It features a series of short films exploring themes of chronic illness, death, sex, abuse of power and class with actors, producers and collaborators connected to Potter’s work and life, including Melvyn Bragg and Ken Trodd.
It’s also the final week of Edward George: Black Atlas at Bloomsbury’s Warburg Institute, the UK’s first exhibition of photographs, paintings, sculptures, manuscripts and decorative objects from George’s archive. Don’t miss your last chance to see his work exploring representations of people of African descent in Western art all the way from antiquity to the civil rights era.
Various locations. Fri Jan 9-Sun Jan 11. Free.
2. Grab an alcohol-free pint on the house
Booze-free beer brand Lucky Saint is trying to make Dry Jan that little bit easier for anyone who wants to avoid alcohol this month without avoiding the pub. It’s teamed up with hundreds of pubs across London to give away hundreds of thousands of non-alcoholic pints. You can see your nearest participating boozer and claim your free drink here. And if you’re going all in with the whole January health thing, the brand is also hosting a 12km run on Saturday with free bagels and a pint of Lucky Saint greeting you at the end. Reserve a place here.
Plus, for all January babies trying to convince their friends to go out and celebrate during the dreariest month of the year, Boxpark is offering free pints of Madrí Excepcional 0.0% or 4.6% for you and a pal every Friday and Saturday.
Various locations. Various dates. Free.
3. Raise a toast to a tree at the Lordship Rec Wassail
Drinking to the health of fruit-bearing trees is an ancient English folk custom that's becoming an increasingly popular way to brighten the cold wintry months. And this weekend is your chance to give thanks to Vivaldi the apple tree at Lordship Recreation Ground. The informal ceremony will kick off with a lantern-making and facepainting session, followed by a toast singing with Tottenham Community Choir, before everyone retreats indoors for more live music with Hackney Songworks, plus storytelling and spoken word poetry by Abe Gibson. We advise digging out your wellies for the occasion, as the orchard can get particularly boggy.
Lordship Recreation Ground, Higham Road, N17 6NU. Sun Jan 11. Free.
4. Peruse the cute collection of fluffy characters at Maison Ghibli
There are just a few more days left of the adorable Maison Ghibli pop-up shop in Knightsbridge. The space is teeming with cuddly friends and official memorabilia inspired by the anime universe of Japan’s Studio Ghibli, including extremely squeezable plushies of classic characters like Totoro, No-Face from Spirited Away and Jiji from Kiki’s Delivery Service. There are also models and minifigures, plus lots of other covetable merch, including puzzles, stationery and homewares. It’s completely free to browse but, obviously, if you want to take anything home with you, you’ll have to part with some cash. Finish off your visit by getting a snap at the Totoro photo opportunity in the window.
Brompton Road, SW3. Until Jan 11. Free entry.
5. Bare your legs as part of the No Trousers Tube Ride
‘Fun lovers, exhibitionists, bucket list tickers and inquisitive introverts’ are wanted for the 2026 edition of London’s No Trousers Tube Ride. Yes, that’s exactly what it sounds like. Every year, hundreds of Londoners whip off their trousers and hop onto the tube, riding for a few minutes with their thighs out before getting off and putting their clothes back on. Why? Simply for the thrill of it. There’s no charitable goal linked to the ride, it’s all just a bit of fun. So, if you want to challenge yourself this year, the No Trousers Tube Ride could be your opportunity to do so. Participants will meet fully clothed in Chinatown before splitting off in smaller groups and heading towards the nearest Underground station.
Meet in Chinatown. Sun Jan 11. Free.
6. Take advantage of the free fitness classes Gymshark Regent Street
Sportswear brand Gymshark runs fitness classes at its Regent Street hub throughout the year, but they’ll be of particular interest this weekend for anyone looking to start the year physically and financially health. There’s a bunch of 50-minute expert-led sessions happening across the weekend, focussing on everything from calisthenics to glute strength to mobility, all completely free to take part in. See the full programme and book your spot here.
165 Regent Street, W1S 3BE. Fri Jan 9-Sun Jan 11. Free.
Beat the January blues with our guide to the best things to do in London this month.
And plan for the year ahead with Time Out’s roundup of the 26 best things to do in 2026.
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