Free things to do

Experience free installations, commissions and events.

From tours to exhibitions, there's something free for all in our public spaces. Browse upcoming events below.

Across the Centre

A group of people standing in a huddle around a circle table, wearing elaborate oufits.

Event

Theatre & dance Tours & public spaces

Hunt & Darton Cafe

Past event

Sat 23 Nov 2019

Join Hunt & Darton on a rare opportunity to revisit their award winning pop up, live art installation, Hunt & Darton Cafe.

Event

Random Revolution

Past event

Thu 21 Nov –Sun 15 Dec 2019

Journey into the quantum world, Random Revolution explores the laws that are governing the internet, our lives and nature.

Event

Theatre & dance Tours & public spaces

Hunt & Darton Cafe

Past event

Sat 16 Nov 2019

Join Hunt & Darton on a rare opportunity to revisit their award winning pop up, live art installation, Hunt & Darton Cafe.

An image of people in a crowd enjoying themselves

Event

Talks & events Tours & public spaces

Making Sense from the Noise

Past event

Wed 13 –Fri 15 Nov 2019

Explore how data and analytics can supercharge the visitor experience in arts and cultural venues at this drop in exhibition.

A grid image of a diverse group of people enjoying themselves

Event

Tours & public spaces

Culture.trace

Past event

Fri 8 –Sun 10 Nov 2019

A Vibe Called Tech and SOAS University bring together journalists, technologists and academics to explore the possibility of creating a different approach to AI.

a kaleidoscopic image of ewan atkinson in a circle

Event

Talks & events Tours & public spaces

This is Public Space

Past event

Mon 4 Nov 2019, 18:30

UP Projects and Barbican Centre present an evening of conversations with artists Ewan Atkinson, Shezad Dawood and Danielle Dean, alongside digital cultures experts Shumi Bose and Dr Charlotte Frost.

Event

Talks & events Tours & public spaces

Constellations

Past event

Wed 30 Oct 2019

An artist development programme produced by UP Projects in partnership with Flat Time House questioning the implications of an accelerated and networked lifestyle on human relations and interactions.

Event

Single Yellow Lines

Past event

Wed 23 –Sun 27 Oct 2019

Drop in to the Hub and take part in a live experiment that incorporates real world mark-making and virtual painting environments.

A 1982 colour map of the Barbican Centre and the estate, from a bird's eye point of view

Event

Tours & public spaces

The Barbican Archive Residency

Past event

Sat 19 –Sun 20 Oct 2019

A whole weekend of free talks, workshops, films and pop-up installations.

Unnati Dasgupta sits in an elegant dress looking out of the window into the distance.

Event

Classical music Contemporary music

Indigo Soul: Unnati Dasgupta

Past event

Sun 13 Oct 2019, 16:15

The British-Indian singer-songwriter and composer, and the daughter of the late Indian classical vocalist Nitai Dasgupta, performs a free concert of genre-blending pieces.

Event

Switching Perceptions

Past event

Sat 12 –Sun 20 Oct 2019

A series of events, workshops and talks that consider whether an understanding of our genes could lead to a better understanding of mental illness.

An image of the New Suns campaign artwork

Event

Feminist Ways of Knowing

Past event

Sat 5 Oct 2019, 17:15

A screening and discussion programmed in collaboration with Res.

Event

Elective Affinities: Poetic patterns and programmes

Past event

Sat 5 Oct 2019, 15:30

A reading and discussion exploring the relationships between poetry and technology

Event

Machine-Generated Poetry: In Translation

Past event

Sat 5 Oct 2019, 14:30

A workshop exploring Anglophone bias in AI poetry.

Event

Ritual Listening: Pauline Oliveros’ Sonic Meditations

Past event

Sat 5 Oct 2019, 12:00

A guided workshop utilising meditative ritual to explore sound.

Event

Cinema Talks & events

New Suns: A Feminist Literary Festival

Past event

Sat 5 Oct 2019, 10:30

A bookfair and day of talks, workshops and screenings, exploring contemporary feminism and technology.

An image of Nina Wakeford in the Level G studio during her last residency at the Barbican

Event

Stand Where I Stand

Past event

Mon 30 Sep 2019, 17:00

Drop in to hear a collective performance in honour and memory of Cynthia Cockburn.

Event

Theatre & dance Tours & public spaces

Guerilla Science: Flavour Feast – Eat Yourself Better

Past event

Sat 28 –Sun 29 Sep 2019

Can you always trust your gut? Step into the Flavour Feast booth and be astounded by colourful interactive experiments as you sample edible delights in our pop-up party for the senses.