100 Ways to Enjoy London for Free (Festivals and Cultural Events Edition)

Continuing from the previous travelogue, London has a wealth of annual festivals and events, especially during the summer holidays. If your trip happens to coincide with a festival or cultural event, it’s worth attending to experience local life. In China, apart from public holidays and some ethnic minority festivals, large-scale parades and celebrations are rare. In Chinese culture, people are more efficient and practical—if there’s a problem, they report it to the relevant department to solve it, rarely resorting to parades, which waste time and don’t actually resolve conflicts. But in Europe, parades for various reasons happen from time to time. (Many photos—caution for those with limited data. No reprints.)

**Free Tours and Attractions in London**

65. Watch the Changing of the Guard outside Buckingham Palace.

66. Take a selfie in front of the bright neon advertising signs at Piccadilly Circus.

67. At Leicester Square, you can often spot celebrities walking the red carpet at the latest movie premieres.

68. The ornate arches and pagodas of Chinatown will amaze you, with many affordable restaurants and Asian supermarkets.

69. Look for the permanent light installations around Carnaby, including a piece made of 51 oversized light bulbs.

70. Follow in the footsteps of The Beatles across the famous Abbey Road zebra crossing, which appeared on their album cover.

71. Watch Tower Bridge open—this iconic bridge has been opening like this since the 19th century.

72. See the stone lions at Trafalgar Square.

73. Visit the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London for free—explore the parkland, waterways, and striking squares.

74. Play in the water at the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, made from 545 pieces of Cornish granite.

75. Observe a court session at the Supreme Court, the UK’s final court of appeal—it’s another way to observe society.

**Best Walking Routes in London**

76. Stroll along the picturesque South Bank.

77. Walk the towpath through peaceful Little Venice, where you’ll find many riverside cafés and pubs.

78. Walk the Hampstead Heath Circular Walk—you never know what scenery you’ll encounter around the next corner: one moment natural beauty, the next a literary and artsy alley, with streams, ancient castles, and old houses.

79. Wander through Richmond’s lush riverside village; start at the White Cross pub and walk through idyllic Petersham Meadows.

80. Stroll in the shade among the 35,000 monuments at Brompton Cemetery, where suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst’s tombstone is also located.

81. Escape the city for an old forest walk in Highgate Wood and breathe deeply.

82. Discover rare plants and insects in Epping Forest.

**Unique Cultural Activities**

83. Walk along the Sherling Backstage Walkway at the National Theatre to see prop makers and theatre designers at work behind the scenes.

84. Visit ‘God’s Own Junkyard’, a neon wonderland and Europe’s largest collection of vintage neon signs.

85. Explore London’s street art, including works by guerrilla artist Banksy and the street art tunnel at Leake Street Arches.

86. Enjoy literary treasures at the British Library, including the Magna Carta and Beatles lyrics.

**Free Festivals and Events in London** (During the pandemic, try to avoid such gatherings; after the pandemic, also protect yourself to avoid stampedes.)

87. Celebrate Chinese New Year in London’s Chinatown, the largest Chinese celebration in Europe.

88. Attend festivals at Trafalgar Square, including Hanukkah, Diwali, Eid, and Japan Matsuri, to explore cultural highlights from around the world.

89. London hosts many parades each year, such as the Lord Mayor’s Show, New Year’s Day Parade, and State Opening of Parliament—you can participate or watch.

90. Join the revellers at London’s biggest street party, the Notting Hill Carnival. (Some parade costumes may be revealing, possibly not suitable for Chinese teenagers.)

91. Enjoy music at the month-long Totally Thames festival.

92. Visit the colourful Pride in London, celebrating LGBTQ+ communities. (Skip if you cannot accept this culture.)

93. Watch the lively St Patrick’s Day parade wind through London’s streets.

**Free Live Music Concerts in London**

94. Grab a seat at free music performances regularly held at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall.

95. Watch opera for free as part of the Royal Opera House’s lunchtime concert series. Alternatively, buy one full-price adult ticket at the English National Opera and get four free tickets for under-18s.

96. Enjoy free entry to blues bars from Sunday to Thursday evenings.

97. Swing along with folk singers and bands at Hootananny Brixton.

98. At the prestigious Royal Academy of Music, enjoy performances by talented musicians.

99. Enjoy a free lunchtime concert at St Martin-in-the-Fields.

100. Listen to live jazz at The Troubadour every Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.