If you’re keen to check out London’s excellent music scene, but you’re traveling on a tight budget, don’t worry. There are tons of great venues throughout the city that offer free concerts, recitals, and scheduled performances.
Downtown Southbank
Direction
London SE1 , UKGet directions
The Southbank Center offers an incredible amount of free music and entertainment. The Clore Ballroom at the Royal Festival Hall is a great venue as it can be seen from the bar and shop so you can see a little of the action, have a drink, come back and see a little more. Everything is very relaxed here. There are free music events at lunchtime at the Royal Festival Hall every Friday in the Central Bar. Expect to hear sessions of classical, jazz, folk, and world music.
St. James’s Piccadilly
Direction
St. James’s Church, 197 Piccadilly , Londres W1J 9LL , Reino UnidoGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7734 4511
Web
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St. James’s Piccadilly was designed by Sir Christopher Wren (the architect behind St. Paul’s Cathedral) in 1684 and is often named as his favorite church. Free lunchtime recitals take place at 1:10 PM on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and last 50 minutes. Everyone is free to attend, but a donation is suggested.
Kings Place
Direction
90 York Way , London N1 9AG , UKGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7520 1490
Web
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Kings Place opened in October 2008 and is located below the offices of the Guardian newspaper. The ground floor has an art gallery dedicated to sculpture next to the main entrance, as well as cafes, restaurants and a terrace by the water. It’s not a sight you expect at King’s Cross – boat barges moored in the Battlebridge Basin. And there are regular free events.
Saint Olave
Direction
8 Hart St , London EC3R 7NB , UKGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7488 4318
Web
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St Olave’s Church in the City of London is a small medieval church, where Samuel Pepys (the 17th century journalist from London) and his wife Elizabeth were buried. It was badly damaged during WWII and fully restored in the 1950s. St. Olave’s is a quiet place to listen to music, with a lively series of lunchtime recitals. Lunchtime recitals are held on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Saint Martin in the fields
Direction
London WC2N , UKGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7766 1100
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There are regular free lunchtime concerts at St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square. This historic church, designed by James Gibbs and built in 1726, has free lunchtime recitals.
The Royal Academy of Music.
Direction
Bow St , London WC2E 9DD , UKGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7240 1200
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The Royal Academy of Music also offers free concerts on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the Royal College of Music also offers free shows.
Union Chapel, Islington
Direction
Union Chapel, Compton Terrace , Londres N1 2UN , Reino UnidoGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7226 1686
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Union Chapel is one of the best places to see live music in London. Check out the venue’s Daylight Music series for pay-what-you-can “mini concerts” throughout the year.
Rough Trade East
Direction
Old Truman Brewery 91, Brick Ln , London E1 6QL , United KingdomGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7392 7788
Web
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Rough Trade East, near Spitalfields Market, is a hipster music store and record label that hosts free live concerts by up-and-coming established artists. Many bands and performers play here when promoting new work, so you will often find them signing records or participating in Q&A. Stay tuned for upcoming concerts online to request tickets.
Trafalgar Square
Direction
Trafalgar Square , London WC2N 5DN , UKGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7983 4750
Web
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Trafalgar Square provides a setting for cultural, educational, artistic and sporting events, ceremonies and festivals. Most of the events are open to everyone.
Covent Garden Market
Direction
41, The Market Bldg, London WC2E 8RF , UKGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 7420 5856
Web
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You’ll hear free live music at Covent Garden Market. Head to the center of the market and look down to the lower level to see who’s there.
