The 6 best free things to do in London this weekend [January 30-February 1 2026]

"January is basically over, and that means the greyest, grimmest bit of the year is receding from view. Gone are the bleak days where only the Traitors was worth getting excited about. In a few short weeks, we'll be enjoying lighter evenings, the first spring flowers, and al fresco pints when warmer weather rolls in. But first, it's time to give the year's darkest month a good send off."

"But it's made considerable efforts to broaden its appeal in recent years, and its annual Winter Lights festival must be one of the most successful. Every January, hordes of thrill-seekers and amateur photographers flock to Canary Wharf to see an eccentric array of light-based spectacles once the sun sets. This year's highlights include Sol, which is a collection of glowing planet-like orbs on Crossrail Place Roofgarden, and Amplitudes, which projects trippy colours onto water spray at Eden Dock."

The weekend offers a range of free activities across the capital, including free hot chocolate giveaways, open-air light installations, and free outdoor film screenings between January 30 and February 1, 2026. Canary Wharf hosts its annual Winter Lights festival with installations such as Sol, a collection of glowing planet-like orbs on Crossrail Place Roofgarden, and Amplitudes, which projects colourful patterns onto water spray at Eden Dock. The festival takes place across various Canary Wharf locations and runs until Saturday January 31 with free admission. Food stalls will be available and visitors are advised to arrive at sunset to avoid the considerable crowds. Long ago, the Thames used to freeze over every winter, allowing Tudor Londoners to skate and party on its icy surface.

Read at Time Out London