The 6 best free things to do in London this bank holiday weekend [May 22-25 2026]

London provides free activities for the Bank Holiday weekend, including dance in Peckham Rye, comedy at a legendary venue, and fandom-focused experiences without spending money. The National Gallery offers a late-night event on Friday May 22, with access to exhibitions until 9pm. The program includes talks and workshops inspired by Baroque painter Francisco de Zurbarán, featuring a 15-minute session with a philosopher about the pleasures and pains of the flesh and life drawing with costumed models based on Zurbarán’s muses. A tour with poet SJ Fowler presents poems written in response to works in the National Gallery’s collection.

"Get better acquainted with the ideas and images behind the spectacular works of Baroque master Francisco de Zurbarán at this Friday's National Gallery Late. As well as letting you browse its exhibitions until 9pm, the gallery is putting on a selection of talks and workshops inspired by Zurbarán's saintly scenes. There's 15 minutes with a philosopher, which invites you to ponder on the pleasures and pains of the flesh, and life drawing sessions with costumed models based on Zurbarán's muses."

"You can also join a tour with poet SJ Fowler. He and a group of guests will present poems written in response to the National Gallery's collection. National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN. Friday May 22. Free."

"If you want to boogie to house and soul in a park, there's a free event for that. If you want to laugh at loud at one of the city's most legendary comedy venues, there's one for that too. Here's a roundup of all the brilliant free stuff happening in London this bank holiday weekend."

"The good news is that, as ever, the capital city is awash with fun things to do that won't cost you a thing. If you're anything like us, May has already been an expensive month and you need to be at least a little bit sensible."

Read at Time Out London