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After a week that's felt surprisingly summery, weather-wise, were about to take a headlong tumble into autumn this weekend. Still, don’t let the cooler weather put a dampner on your plans. London is serving up plenty of fun, free things to do with your days off, so there’s no excuse not to venture out into the crisp air and do something delightful.
London isn’t exactly a cheap city, and sometimes it seems to knock a zero off your bank balance every time you leave the house. But if you know where to go, you can have a fantastic time without plunging into your overdraft. Celebrate apple day in the glorious outdoors, sip a warming cocktail at a free Disaronno party, go to a highbrow art festival, or enjoy some film-themed shenanigans. This is perfect weather for trekking across the city in search of fun and adventure: the hunt starts here.
The best free things on in London this weekend, October 16-18 2026
1. Become an apple expert at an autumnal fest
Right now, it's apple season, and the harvest is in full swing all across England’s farms. And there’s no need to miss out just because you’re a muck-fearing citydweller. Celebrate the apple in all its sweet, crisp glory at this one day fest at Greenwich’s Woodlands Farm. You can sample the kinds of elaborately coloured, flavoured and patterned apples that you just won't find in supermarkets, as well as trying different varieties of juice. There'll also be craft and food stalls to browse, as well as tractor and trailer rides throughout the day, if you really want to get into the rustic mood.
Woodlands Farm Trust, Shooters Hill, DA16 3RP. Sunday October 18. Free.
2. Listen to a breakfast talk at a Mayfair arts fest
Okay, so technically this one is mostly on during the working week. But if you're in the mood to rise, shine, and go to an arty morning talk, then Mount Street Neighbourhood Arts Festival is one for you. Explore the ritual of food in a breakfast and conversation event between artist Georgie Hopton and writer Blanche Vaughan (Thu Oct 15, 9.30am). Attend a breakfast conversation with APPARATUS Artistic Director, Gabriel Hendifar (Fri Oct 16, 10am). Or stay in bed, then browse luxury art books at the Hauser & Wirth Publishers Pop-Up bookshop, which will feature limited edition signed copies from the artists.
Various locations. Until Oct 18. Free.
3. Go to a London Film Festival event
You don’t need to shell out for a London Film Festival pass to be part of the conversation. The closing weekend is full of free events that’ll stretch your brain and limbs. Head to the Games Lounge to try your hand at some thought-provoking new titles from across the globe (drop in until Oct 18), assemble a team for a quiz on cinema’s most unforgettable locations (5pm, Oct 17), attend a panel on ‘Female Vampires on Screen’ (5pm, Oct 18), or listen to A Different Man star and disability rights activist Adam Pearson discussing his career and advocacy for more inclusive storytelling (11.30am, Oct 18). Or if that all sounds like too much sitting down, head to the BFI Southbank bar on Friday night and you'll find a night full of indie dance, acid house and Balearic sounds of Manchester of the late-’80s and early-’90s (9pm-1am, Oct 16), served up by DJ Terry T-Rex.
BFI Southbank. Until Oct 18. Free.
4. Sink a free cocktail at a Disaronno party
There's no quicker way to feel a bit fancy on a night out than ordering a cocktail, but the thrill doesn't come cheap. Except if you're at Big Penny Social this Friday, of course. Italian liqueur peddler Disaronno has been hosting its 'Dolce Nights' in Italy for a while now, serving up sweet drinks to sellout crowds in big venues in Rome and Milan. Now, it's coming for London, with this one-night-only party at Walthamstow's Big Penny Social. This free night will offer cocktails, games, and a festival-style club takeover by Reflex, who'll play disco-inspired house in Big Penny's Studio space. Best of all, there's a free welcome cocktail for the first 500 guests to arrive, so skip the afterwork drinks and head straight down this Friday.
Big Penny Social, 1 Priestley Way, E17 6AL. Friday October 16. Free.
5. Meet the priest and priestess of punk at an ICA event
In 1976, the band Throbbing Gristle scandalised the tabloids by staging their now infamous Prostitution exhibition at the ICA, featuring explicit photographs, drug paraphernalia and outrageous live performance. 50 years on, the world's changed around them, and they're back for a victory lap. Members Chris Carter and Cosey Fanni Tutti are at the ICA to celebrate the big anniversary, and there'll be a chance to listen to Throbbing Gristle's unsettling tracks in the main theatre, attend a signing, and pick up exclusive merch (if your budget stretches that far).
ICA, The Mall, SW1Y 5AH. Sunday October 18. Free.
6. Catch some intriguing art shows before they close
Taiwanese artist Musquiqui Chihying’s show is an exploration of how to survive urban life in all its crowded, chaotic glory. Exhibits include an inflatable car (used to protect his father’s parking space from his neighbour) and a video of him jogging down a supermarket checkout, in an offbeat perspective of man’s battles against capitalism. It closes this weekend, so head down to Hayward to see it for free, before it’s too late. Also closing soon, Christine Hazell’s exhibition at Studio Voltaire documents the 89-year-old self-taught artist’s family and life story in vivid pencil portraits, in a hopeful illustration that it's never too late to put pen to paper.
Various locations. Until Sunday October 18. Free.
Fill your October with autumnal joy with our guide to the best things to do in London this month.
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