What’s Free/Cheap? Free to participate

What’s cool about it? Things are always more fun when you do it in mass, as part of a team – especially if you don’t even know most of them! If you’re keen on cycling join the Critical Mass London Cycle Ride. Its an easy going, sociable ride which invites all types of people across London to join in! They usually last around 2 hours long, depending on the weather and are followed by a much needed respite at a central London pub or park. You can choose to leave if you get bored or join later on if you can’t make the start. The fun part is that the directions are spontaneously chosen along the route, so you’ll never know where you might end up!

The Critical Mass London Bike ride was set up to raise awareness and get people into cycling around London. The growing number of people joining every time also goes a long way in campaigns for better provisions for cyclists including more cycle friendly routes!

Until Fri Dec 30, Every Last Friday of the Month, meet 6.15pm, ride begins 6.45pm,  Meet under Waterloo Bridge, outside National Theatre, South Bank, London, United Kingdom SE1 9PX, Map, Website

cc photo credit: kanshiketsu

What’s Free/Cheap? Free to participate – especially great for tourists!

What’s cool about it? Discover the London you won’t find in the guide books. The (FREE) Alternative London Tour takes you on a two hour walk through London’s east end. Like other tours in the area we cover some of the interesting history and culture of the Spitalfields, Banglatown and Shoreditch areas. But unlike those other tours we also show you what is happening now in London’s creative hotbed.

Although this is more than just a street art tour, you are guaranteed to see a huge range of street art from some of the the World’s finest artists. The Alternative London Tour covers up to 50 artists per tour and due to the nature of the art it is constantly changing and evolving, which guarantees that it always feels fresh. The fact that this is a free tour, is testament to how passionate the iguides are about their local areas. You can be assured that their knowledge of the street art scene is second to none. This makes for a great day or evening out for tourists and locals alike.

You’ll need to book the tour in advance, so hurry because they good booked up very quickly! The tour leaves Spitalfields Market Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7p.m and every Saturday at 12p.m. Limited spaces – booking essential – scroll down for details.
To book, please email info@alternativeldn.co.uk with your name, the date you’d like to book for and the amount of people in your party.  A confirmation email will then be sent with directions to the meeting point.

Free, Until Wed Dec 14, Tue-Thur 7pm, Sat 12pm, Old Spitalfields Market, Brushfield Street, London, E1 6DT, Map, Website

What could make Karaoke funnier? lets see…replace all the usually boring Karaoke classics to classic rap tunes from the likes of Tu Pac, Tribe Called Quest and Snoop dog? – yep that should do it!

Don’t worry this is no 8 Mile scene, you won’t be ‘choked’ off the stage! Its usually a friendly, ‘up for a laugh’ kinda crowd. Although sometimes you get a few rap boys using the stage as a platform to show their skills, it only adds to the entertainment.

This free event guarantees a laugh & beery fun. WithFree Tiger Beer on offer for performers, theres no shortage of people participating either! Drinks are reasonably priced too.

Free entry, Thurs 06th Oct 2011 from 7pm, The Social Bar, 5 Little Portland Street, London, E1E 7JDmap, Oxford Circus Tube. Website

CC Photo Credit: FallingShaun

What’s Free/Cheap? Free Entry

What’s cool about it? Its amazing the changes that London has undergone in so little time. The London Street Photography exhibition showcases over 200 photographs of everyday life from 1860 all the way into 2010 last year. Not only does the exhibition show changes in street photography as an art form, but also reflects the changing nature of life in London. You’ll see everything from horse-drawn cabs to modern day Londoners ‘caught on film’. The reviews of the exhibition have been mixed so far, but go along if London’s past and photographs of city life interest you.

Free,  Until Sun Sep 4, 10am-6pm daily, Museum of London, 150 London Wall, London, United Kingdom EC2Y 5HN, Map, Website

Whats Free/Cheap? Trips to the cinema!

Until 31st March you can get 40% off your cinema tickets! Just print your voucher and take into the cinema with you, or use the online discount code if you’re booking online!

Get your 40% Odeon discount

Until 31 March, Everyday excluding Friday & Saturday for the latest film releases between 20th-31st March

Whats Free/Cheap? £5-£7 to see one of the hottest Graphic & Illustration Designers in town, see them work, see their work, feel inspired!

What’s Cool about it? After massive success and interest last year, the Pick Me Up Art Fair returns as one of the very few contemporary graphic art fairs in London. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in the very best of design, seeing designers at work, new exhibitions and art peices as well as being able to purchase peices that catch your eye!

If your an art student, this exbhibition, is a must!

£7 Adults, £5 Students/OAPs/Children, Fri 17th-27th March 2011, 10am-7pm, Somerset House, Strand, City of London WC2R 1LA, Map, Website

What’s Free/Cheap? Free Entry

What’s cool about it? The Big Chill bar on Brick Lane is undoubtably one of the coolest bars in London. Right in the middle of Brick Lane, its a favourite hang out spot for people after visiting the market, or for drinks before moving on to nearby Vibe bar or 93 Feet East, to name but a few! This Saturday, they’ll be opening until 4am and they’ve got a great line up ready for it too – all of this is completely Free to enjoy!  DJs on the night include Trouble Vision’s ace Boogaloo Crew, Girlcore’s Isa GT, Anxst (aka P45) and a top secret DJ (who will be announced on www.theboilerroom.tv that day), plus the Last Fm DJ squad.

Expect a dose of Big Chill at its best with a night of Electro, Dubstep, Garage topped off with lots and lots of Bass! Get there early, as with all good, free things, it’ll get packed out quickly!

See you there!

Free, Sat 26 March 2011, 9pm-4am, Big Chill Bar, Dray Walk, London, United Kingdom E1 6QL, Map, Website

cc photo credit: thisisnotphotography

What’s Free/Cheap? A lot of cheap cool, alternative stuff including vintage clothing, books, records and home wares.

What’s cool about it? If you love charity shop/market style shopping or rummaging through shelves to find a good bargain then get down here to bag yourself a few goodies at low prices. Live DJs JOdy Porter and Petticoat Lane will be playing to keep you entertained while you shop.

Free,  Sat 26 March 2011, 12.30pm-5.30pm, The Boogaloo, 312 Archway Rd, London, United Kingdom N6 5AT, Map

cc photo credit:  playingwithbrushes

What’s Free/Cheap? Fabulous Designer fashion at affordable prices!

What’s cool about it? What’s not cool about affordable designer gear? If you like your labels such as Balenciaga, Balmain and Celine, you’ll save a packet! Just make sure you get there in good enough time before someone else snaps up all the best stuff!

Free, Sat 26 March 2011, 12-5pm, Aragon House, 247-249 New Kings Road, SW6 4XG, Map

cc photo credit: TPWP

What could make Karaoke funnier? lets see…replace all the usually boring Karaoke classics to classic rap tunes from the likes of Tu Pac, Tribe Called Quest and Snoop dog? – yep that should do it!

Don’t worry this is no 8 Mile scene, you won’t be ‘choked’ off the stage! Its usually a friendly, ‘up for a laugh’ kinda crowd. Although sometimes you get a few rap boys using the stage as a platform to show their skills, it only adds to the entertainment.

This free event guarantees a laugh & beery fun. With Free Tiger Beer on offer for performers, theres no shortage of people participating either! Drinks are reasonably priced too.

Free entry, Thurs 24th March 2011 from 7pm, The Social Bar, 5 Little Portland Street, London, E1E 7JD map, Oxford Circus Tube. Website

CC Photo Credit: FallingShaun