London's Free Entertainment

If you're after a break from West End shows and bank-breaking stadium gigs, fear not! London does, despite appearances to the contrary, have a number of free and fun entertainment options for those seeking an alternative night out. You just need to know where to look...

Barbican Centre

Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS

Described by the Queen as "one of the wonders of the modern world", the Barbican Centre has also been voted "London's ugliest building". Ugly or not, this multifaceted performance and arts venue is truly wondrous in that it forms one of the most important cultural sites in the capital. Open 363 days a year, it offers the most diverse program of any London venue. While you do have to pay for many of the events, free concerts, talks, exhibitions and foyer music regularly take place throughout the building. The building itself is a labyrinth and finding your route from the station or car park is an adventure in itself. Staircases twist around each other, directing lost patrons into mysteriously empty mezzanines, where odd snatches of music are the only guide back to the main lobby. One of the pleasures of such a huge venue is to go exploring. The joy of coming across free exhibitions, live music, or talks from a major arts celebrity in some odd corner of the building is a unique feature of this remarkable concentration of artistic talent. Don't be put off by the mass of concrete, this is one of the most impressive and dynamic cultural sites in London.

More info: Barbican Centre Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Comedy Cafe

66 Rivington Street, EC2A3AY

Every Wednesday night the renowned Comedy Cafe stage is given over to the city's aspiring comedians and everyone is let in for free. For 'Aspiring New Acts' they throw on eight acts (as opposed to the usual four), so even if someone is really struggling they're not on long enough for total humiliation. On the flipside you can see some utterly hilarious performers without paying a penny. Don't let the gaudy red and yellow paint that mutilates the exterior of this fantastic comedy club deter you from gracing its hallowed floors. The cafe has a reputation as the venue most favoured by performers. This in itself is no small praise. In the past it has been a much loved hang-out for comedic geniuses such as Eddie Izzard, Mark Lamarr and Jo Brand. It's also one of those rare comedy venues that has been purpose-built. Inside it's a hugely laid back, intimate environment. Rafts of small tables have been crammed into a dusky space, with a small, unobtrusive stage for the comic. Between laughs, patrons can guzzle on tasty Mexican food and knock back good value pints. The quality can be a little patchy so if you want guaranteed laughs aim for a Friday or Saturday night - that's when the big acts churn out the jokes. It is a steep £15 on Saturdays but we promise you'll be chuckling all the way home.

Current events at Comedy Cafe

Heroes Of Comedy event Monday 21st May
TIMES Monday 21st May 2012 - 8pm PRICING £5
Unpredictable stand-up from Bob Slayer.... More about this event

Erich McElroy: The Brit Identity: Preview event Thursday 24th May
TIMES Thursday 24th May 2012 - 8.30pm PRICING £5
Observations from the American stand-up about what it means to be British.... More about this event

New Act Night! event Wednesday 6th June
TIMES Wednesday 6th June 2012 - 8pm PRICING Free
... More about this event

Liam Mullone: Crap Empires: Edinburgh Preview event Thursday 7th June
TIMES Thursday 7th June 2012 - 8pm PRICING £10
Hard-hitting intellectual humour as the stand-up tries out new material.... More about this event

Comedy Cafe event Saturday 16th June
TIMES Saturday 16th June 2012 - 8pm PRICING £16
Social insights from American stand-up Erich McElroy, plus Dag Soras, Nick Sun and Tom Rhodes.... More about this event

All events at Comedy Cafe

Covent Garden Market and Piazza

41 The Market, Covent Garden Piazza, Covent Garden, WC2E 8BE

Where Covent Garden Market meets the Piazza place there is a large open-air cobbled area where free street theatre, music and performance art take place on a regular basis. Miming and juggling acts are staples, alongside spontaneous displays of magic, music and dance. There are also free big-screen relays of Royal Opera House concerts and ballets during the summer.If you do want to spend some money, the 40ish market stalls sell a variety of quality goods: antiques, craft items, pictures and handmade clothing so it's a great place to find gifts.

More info: Covent Garden Market Map, Prices, Opening Times and Nearest Tube

Leicester Square

West End, WC2H 7BP

With Trafalgar Square to the south, Piccadilly Circus to the west, China Town to the north and Covent Garden to the east, Leicester Square is right in the thick of the West End. It is the beating heart of British cinema. If there’s a big film premier in London, it will be in Leicester Square. Surrounded by the city’s largest cinemas, the square is often bedecked with the latest blockbuster paraphernalia ready for the stars to stroll down the red carpet later in that evening. Premieres happen on a regular basis and attract sizeable crowds hoping to catch a glimpse of their beloved idols (and their outfits). They typically begin at seven o’clock in the evening but it’s best to turn up at least a couple of hours early so you can get that perfect celeb-stroking spot.

Leicester Square - Information

Southbank Centre

Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX

The Southbank Centre is a classic example of brutal 60s concrete architecture. Everyone has an opinion (usually negative) on its distinctive design - famous detractors include Prince Charles, who once described it as a "monstrous carbuncle". Yet, if the West End is the centre of popular culture in London, it is the Southbank Centre that is the centre of true excellence in the arts. Comprising the Royal Festival Hall, and the Hayward Gallery the complex consistently produces classical and world music events and fine art exhibitions of high renown. The centre heaves with lots of free events including music, dance and theatre, most of which take place in the Purcell Room and Queen Elizabeth Hall. Free lunchtime concerts held in the foyer of the Royal Festival Hall offer a relaxed musical experience for casual passersby as do the terraces overlooking the Thames. Rammed with people even in the middle of winter and with regular free performances and events the area seethes with creative activity at all hours of the day and night. A happy architectural accident has also made this complex the best spot for skateboarding and BMXing in the capital, meaning it is loved by London's counter-culture as much as by its highbrow elite.

Current events at Southbank Centre

Sean Hughes: Life Becomes Noise event running until Sunday 27th May 2012
TIMES 28th April & 27th May 7.45pm PRICING £15.50
Sardonic Irish stand-up Sean Hughes brings his show Life Becomes Noise to this year's Udderbelly Festival. T... More about this event

Claytime event running until Wednesday 6th June 2012
TIMES 2.30pm & 4.15pm PRICING £10
With a combination of material things and the magic of a child's imagination comes Claytime â€“ an interacti... More about this event

The Joy Of Sketch event running until Monday 11th June 2012
TIMES 19th April and 11th June 9pm PRICING £19.50, Concessions £17.50
Part of the Udderbelly Festival, The Joy of Sketch offers sketch comedy from Pappy's, Cardinal Burns, Adam Riches, Delete The Banjax, The Three Engli... More about this event

The Adventurers Club event running until Sunday 1st July 2012
TIMES 4.15pm PRICING £10
Tim Fitzhigham and Tiernan Douieb are inviting families along to The Adventurers Club at this year's More about this event

Comedy in the Dark event running until Monday 2nd July 2012
TIMES 23rd April, 7th May, 28th May, 18th June and 2nd July: 7pm PRICING £12.50
So you've heard of dating in the dark and dining in the dark, but how about Comedy in the Dark? As part of t... More about this event

Frisky And Mannish event running until Thursday 5th July 2012
TIMES 26th May, 2nd Jun, 16th Jun, 23rd Jun and 7th Jul 2011 - 9pm PRICING £15.50-£20
Back with their cabaret comedy creation, Frisky and Mannish will be appearing at this year's More about this event

Comedy Club 4 Kids (Over 6s) event running until Saturday 7th July 2012
TIMES 4.15pm PRICING £10
The Comedy Club 4 Kids returns to the Udderbelly Festival for its se... More about this event

Best of the Comedy Store event running until Saturday 7th July 2012
TIMES Saturdays 9.30pm PRICING £17.50, Concession £16
With the Udderbelly Summer Festival brimming with humorous acts, it was only fitting that the Best of the Comedy Store More about this event

E4 Udderbelly Festival event running until Sunday 8th July 2012
TIMES Various times PRICING Various prices (most tickets under £20)
Look out for an upside-down purple cow as you're crossing over the Golden Jubilee footbridge to the Southbank Centre More about this event

London Wonderground event running until Saturday 29th September 2012
TIMES Various times PRICING Various prices
Coinciding with the E4 Udderbelly festival, the Southbank Centre will also see a spectacular showcase of even... More about this event

All events at Southbank Centre

Southwark Cathedral

Montague Close, Southwark, London, SE1 9DA

Southwark Cathedral is the oldest Gothic church in London (c1220). It has a varied and lively history and houses interesting memorials connected with the Elizabethan theatres of Bankside. There are monuments to Edmund Shakespeare, (the dramatist's brother), and dramatists John Fletcher and Philip Massinger. A range of free concerts (1.10pm-1.50pm) and exhibitions are supplemented by an abundance of bell-ringing and some stunning architecture. Organ recitals take place on Mondays, with classical concerts on Tuesdays. The cathedral is also open during the day for visitors to explore. A chapel commemorates John Harvard, benefactor of Harvard University, and there are regular choral services allowing the cathedral's fine Lewis Organ to display its magnificence.

Current events at Southwark Cathedral

Martin Ford event Monday 21st May
TIMES Monday 21st May 2012 - 1pm PRICING phone for prices
The organist performs various works.... More about this event

Charles Ross And Maureen Parry event Tuesday 22nd May
TIMES Tuesday 22nd May 2012 - 3.15pm PRICING phone for prices
Piano recital.... More about this event

Ullern Chamber Choir event Friday 25th May
TIMES Friday 25th May 2012 - 7.30pm PRICING phone for prices
The choir performs works by Norwegian composers including Greig.... More about this event

David Pipe event Monday 28th May
TIMES Monday 28th May 2012 - 1pm PRICING phone for prices
The organist performs various works.... More about this event

Sophie Warwick And Sebastian Wybrew event Tuesday 29th May
TIMES Tuesday 29th May 2012 - 3.15pm PRICING phone for prices
The piano duo performs various works.... More about this event

All events at Southwark Cathedral

Speakers' Corner

Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH

Not strictly classed "entertainment", this bastion of British free public speech and free assembly can prove one of the most absorbingly unique, theatrical activities the city has to offer. Located on the corner of Park Lane and Cumberland Gate, opposite Marble Arch tube, Speakers' Corner is the spiritual home of the British democratic tradition of soapbox oratory. Every Sunday since the right of free assembly was recognised in 1872 in the Royal Parks and Garden's Act, people from all walks of life have gathered to listen to speeches about anything and everything... and to heckle. From Socialism to Sunday trading, sausages to space invaders, the opinions aired here are varied and fascinating. While Karl Marx, Lenin, George Orwell, and William Morris have all used this spot to express their ideals and beliefs, your average speaker isn't quite as high profile. The coherence of the speakers also varies greatly, but as a whole it makes for great street theatre. Come and watch, come and heckle, or, if you have a burning desire to share your opinions with the world, come and spout - take something to stand on and start pontificating. Although Sunday morning is the best time to visit, speakers can now be found on the corner throughout the week.

Speakers' Corner - Information

St Martin-in-the-Fields

Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ

This historic church overlooking Trafalgar Square was designed by James Gibbs and built in 1726. It houses a glorious eaterie - the Cafe in the Crypt - a gift shop, brass rubbing centre, art gallery and a market in the courtyard. Candelit concerts are held from Thursday to Saturday and there are free lunchtime recitals on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. All profits go to support the work of the church, with its particular ministry to the homeless.

St Martin-in-the-Fields Church - Information

Trafalgar Square

Central London, WC2N 5DS
Lord Nelson, Britain's greatest military hero, and the mighty lions that surround him, pay testament to the position of Trafalgar Square at the heart of the capital, the heart of the nation, and, at one time, the heart of an empire that controlled three fifths of the world. Yet, though it is dominated by these imperial symbols, and by the magnificent Victorian edifice of the National Gallery, the square is no relic of a bygone age. Instead of statues of military heroes, one of the plinths is now used for exciting and controversial modern art, the first of which was Mark Quinn's nude statue of armless Alison Lapper. Fantastic free outdoor events are held here in summer, highlighting the best of London's multicultural music and dance scene. Summer In The Square sees music, dance and street theatre all play their part in the eclectic, family oriented line-up. Winter sees carol concerts around a huge Norwegian pine tree. Year-round there is often a big screen here broadcasting live major events, including the Wimbledon Charity matches, the First Night of the Proms and VE Day celebrations. The The Fourth Plinth has also now become Britain's most prominent site for contemporary sculpture, with each work given 12-18 months on display. The square also acts as the traditional end point for protest marches and is a key rallying point for British counter-culture.

Current events at Trafalgar Square

London 2012 Festival event Thursday 21st June until Sunday 9th September PRICING Tickets go on sale in October
The culmination of the Cultural Olympiad will be the London 2012 Festival, which runs in venues and op... More about this event

Elmgreen & Dragset: Powerless Structures, Fig 101 event running until Friday 12th April 2013
TIMES open-access PRICING Free
Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset, an artist duo based in Berlin and London, have brought a bronze sculpture of a child on a rocking horse to More about this event

The Royal Opera: Falstaff: Live Satellite Transmission event Friday 25th May until Thursday 31st May
TIMES Wednesday 30th May 2012 - 7.30pm
... More about this event

All events at Trafalgar Square

TV and Radio Recordings

A unique form of entertainment in the capital is to witness what goes on behind the scenes at a TV or radio recording. A number of companies organise the distribution of free tickets to recordings – many of which are for iconic British shows. The BBC recordings at Television Centre and Broadcasting House are obviously the most famous, however, a host of other channels offer tickets on a regular basis. Try Hat Trick, Channel 4 and the Applause Store. Most companies require that you register your details online and then apply specifically for each of the shows posted on their websites. Check the BBC website and all of the others regularly for a list of shows and to apply. Once you’ve got a ticket entry isn’t guaranteed – they always overbook to make sure the audience is full – so turn up early to avoid disappointment. Radio recordings are often the most enjoyable, encouraging - as many of them do – active audience participation.

Current events at Trafalgar Square

The Royal Opera: Falstaff: Live Satellite Transmission event Friday 25th May until Thursday 31st May
TIMES Wednesday 30th May 2012 - 7.30pm
... More about this event

All events at Trafalgar Square