LIFE in London Programme

Let’s be real... London is scary and isolating.

Yes, London is one of the world's most exciting cities, but it can also feel intimidating, unfamiliar, and costly to navigate. Through LIFE in London, we want to remove those barriers and make the city's opportunities accessible to every student. Our aim is to help you experience the very best of London and provide you a welcoming community where you can explore with others, build friendships, and feel more at home in your new city.

London is a city for everyone, and LIFE in London can help you find your place in it!

We organise events throughout the year, including multiple trips during Welcome, weekly activities during term time, and additional events during non-term time. All of our events are advertised on the LSE LIFE Events page, so it's well worth checking regularly for the latest opportunities.

• Use the events search bar on the events page linked above, to search for "LIFE in London".
• Browse the upcoming trips and select any event you'd like to join.
• Follow the booking instructions on the event page to secure your place.

Places are often limited, so we recommend booking early to avoid missing out.You can also stay up to date through the LSE LIFE Newsletter so be sure to keep an eye on your inbox so you never miss an opportunity to explore London, try something new, and connect with other LSE students.

LIFE in London is a partnership between staff and students, delivered by the Student Communities team in collaboration with our fantastic Student Facilitators.

The programme is co-designed with input from our Student Facilitators and the wider student community, ensuring that the trips, events, and activities on offer reflect the interests, aspirations, and experiences that matter most to LSE students. As a result, LIFE in London is shaped by students, for students, creating opportunities that are relevant, engaging, and meaningful.

Meet our lovely Facilitators and learn a bit more about them below!

Hey, I am Sofia! I am a second year BSc Politics and International Relations student.

My favourite London spot: Bermondsey Street, in South London. It’s filled with independent boutiques, cafés, shops, and restaurants with outdoor seating. Perfect to have drinks with friends on summer evenings!

A London pro-tip: Walk, walk, and walk some more, especially without a destination in mind. It’s the best way to discover the city and stumble upon restaurants or stores you’d never have found otherwise! 

Hey, I am Shelby! I am a second year Masters of Public Administration student.

Your favourite London spot: The Postman's Park near St Paul’s. It's a small garden that holds the Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice - a wall of Victorian ceramic plaques commemorating an ordinary person who died saving someone else's life. 

A London pro-tip: Use 'Too Good To Go' for affordable takeaway dinners! 

Hey, I am Iman! I am a third year BSc Sociology student.

Your favourite London spot: There is this street near Elephant and Castle station called Sayer Street that has this amazing vibe. It is an entire chunk of a completely new area and vibe crammed in between the chaotic Elephant and Castle!

A London pro-tip: London has something going on all the time, try new things and push yourself out of your comfort zone!

Hey, I am Sara! I am a third year BSc International, Social and Public Policy & Economics Student.

Your favourite London spot: Parkside Farm (Pick Your Own) - A place to pick your own fruit and vegetables in the spring/summer time!

A London pro-tip: Get the18-24 Railcard and travel off-peak to save money on travel!

Here are some of our upcoming trips for September and October 2026. All of them can be booked via the LSE LIFE Events Page:

Q. Do I already need to know other attendees to join a trip?

Not at all! LIFE in London is a great way to meet new people. Many participants come on their own and leave having made new friends. You're always welcome, whether you come alone or with a group.

Q. Is there really no cost involved?

Yes, all LIFE in London events are completely FREE for LSE students to book. However, commuting costs or purchases made by the attendee at the event are paid for by the attendee. 

Q. Who can join a LIFE in London trip?

All current LSE students are welcome to participate in LIFE in London events.

Q. Can I suggest a trip idea?

Absolutely! We'd love to hear your ideas. Speak to any of our Student Facilitators if you spot them campus/ on a trips, or drop an email to lselife.london@lse.ac.uk.

Q. The event is sold out. What can I do?

If an event is sold out, you can join the waitlist and will be able secure a spot in case it becomes available. Due to high demand, our trips usually fill up fast. However, do not worry as we host trips every week during term time and also several times during non term time. The best way to keep up to date is to check the LSE LIFE Events Page regularly. 

Q. Can I meet you at the event location?

Yes! All our trips have two meeting points – one at LSE, in case you want to head over to the venue together, and one directly at the venu itself. You will receive these details once you book onto the event. 

Q. Can I bring a friend to an LiL event if they don’t have a ticket?

Only LSE students are allowed on LiL trips so if your friend is an LSE student you are welcome to bring them but please note that we can not guarantee tickets or entry for the same. If there is a no-show on the day, they can take that place but there is no guarantee that this will be the case.

Q. I cannot attend any more, can you cancel my booking?

Yes we can. Please let us know if you cannot attend ASAP so we can offer your place to another student on the waitlist.

Q. I am running late, am I able to join you at a later time?

Whether you can join us late will depend on the nature of the event you have booked onto. For example, if it is a group ticket with a specified entry time, this may not be possible. Please contact us if you are running late, and we can advise on the best option.

Q. I have an accesibility concern – can this be accomodated?

Wherever possible we work to ensure everyone can join our LIFE in London trips. If you have an accesibility concern, please get in touch and we can explore the options together!

Q. Can a friend collect my ticket?

Yes, a friend can collect your ticket on your behalf. If this is the case please, let us know ASAP and send us your friend’s name and LSE email address so we can take a note of this. 

Over the years we've enjoyed everything from BBC Proms concerts, music festivals, cinema screenings at the Barbican (or the Rooftop Cinema Club in Peckham!), and West End shows, to exhibitions at the V&A and British Museum, visits to London Zoo and Kew Gardens, festive trips to Winter Wonderland, and days out beyond London such as Brighton. It's a varied mix of culture, creativity, and fun, and a lovely way to discover new places, meet people, and make memories during your time at LSE.

Here are some photos from some past LiL trips:

Have you missed out on a LIFE in London trip but still want to get out and do something without spending too much? Well, you are in the right city as there are still a plenty of low-cost (or even free) options that you can pick from independently!

One of the great things about London is that it’s a very walkable city, so why not explore it on foot? You can discover famous landmarks, hidden corners, parks and riverside routes without spending a fortune. An easy place to start is by picking out one of these self-guided walks:

Self-Guided Walking Routes

• City of London walk
• Art based walk
• Law themed walk
• Politics and diplomacy walk
• Gardens of London walk
• Charles Dickens Themed walk
• Film and Movie walk
• Shakespeare themed walk

Arts & Culture 

• Young Barbican is free to join for anyone aged 16–29 and gives you access to discounted tickets across theatre, music, film and art with prices from just £5, £10 or £15!  

• The National Theatre offers tickets for £10 and under for 16–25 year olds, as well as standby tickets from £20–£30 are available in person at the box office 60 minutes before each performance with valid student ID. 
• Tate Collective is free to sign up for 16–25 year olds and gives you access to £5 exhibition tickets across all four Tate galleries.  
• The Student Art Pass costs just £10 for the whole year and gives free or reduced-price entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic houses across the UK, plus 50% off major exhibitions.  
• The BFI Southbank offers £4 tickets for 16–25 year olds (one of the best deals in London for film lovers!). 
• Shakespeare's Globe offers £5 standing tickets for every performance, giving you world-class theatre at an unbeatable price.  
• London is home to some of the world's greatest museums and the best news is that most are completely free. The British Museum, Natural History Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Science Museum and National Portrait Gallery all offer free permanent collection entry, no student ID required. 

Student Discount Platforms 

• UNiDAYS and Student Beans are the main platforms offering free discounts across shops, restaurants and entertainment.  The TOTUM card offers discounts on food, fashion, travel and tech, plus a free 12-month International Student Identity Card (ISIC) (particularly useful for international students as it is recognised in over 130 countries)! 

Hidden Gems and Tips

• The Sky Garden offers stunning 360° views of London from the top of a skyscraper completely free, but must be booked in advance online. 

• The Too Good To Go app lets you collect surplus food from restaurants and cafes at up to 70% off, a brilliant way to try London's best food on a student budget.
• Subscribe to the OneCity Newsletter for monthly updates on what’s on in the city.
• You may have already heard of Dice and RA, but add Outr to your list of apps to download to see events and workshops on in London. 

What's On in London this Autumn Term

November 2026 

Event: London Museum Smithfield opening and free galleries 
Date: From 28 November 2026 
Cost: Free 
The new museum opens with free permanent galleries covering London’s history, culture and communities. 

Event: History Day 2026, Senate House 
Date: 18 November 2026 
Cost: Free 
Very relevant for students. It is designed for students, researchers and the “history curious” to explore library, archive and museum collections. 

Event: Wavelengths: November, Southbank Centre 
Date: 26 November 2026 
Cost: Free 
A relaxed under-25s evening of live performance, workshops and more, with an accessible format where students can enter and exit during the session. 

Event: St Martin-in-the-Fields: 300 Years at the Heart and on the Edge 
Date: Until 15 November 2026 
Cost: Free 
Central London exhibition exploring one of the city’s most recognisable buildings and its history. 

Event: Guided Walking Tour led by Marc Gardiner (From St Paul's to Big Ben - A Riverside Walk)
Date: 27 November 2026 2pm-4pm
Cost: Paid 
Marc also offers many other walks like such as a tour of Westminster (including Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Downing Street) You can book your  place by clicking the link above (or contact Marc about a Private Tour)!

December 2026 

Event: Trafalgar Square Christmas carol singing 
Date: Throughout December 2026 
Cost: Free 
Classic festive London experience, easy for students to attend independently in central London. 

Event: SoLo Craft Fair festive market at Between the Bridges 
Date: 6 December 2026 
Cost: Free entry 
Festive, central and social. Good for students who want a low-cost Christmas market experience near Southbank. 

Event: Londoners on Trial: Crime, Courts and the Public 1244–1924, The London Archives 
Date: Throughout December 2026 
Cost: Free 
Interesting law/history-themed exhibition, especially relevant for LSE students. 

Event: Tenderness and Rage, Wellcome Collection 
Date: Throughout December 2026 
Cost: Free 
Exhibition exploring HIV and AIDS through stories of protest, care and activism. Strong for students interested in social history, health, politics and community. 

Event: Designing the V&A: The Story of our Museum 
Date: Until 31 December 2026 
Cost: Free 
A free V&A tour exploring the history, design and development of one of London’s major cultural institutions.  

Event: Guided Walking tour by Marc Gardiner (From Tower to Temple - a City of London walk)
Date: 15 December 2026 2pm-4pm
Cost: Paid
Marc also offers many other walks like such as a tour of Westminster (including Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Downing Street) You can book your  place by clicking the link above (or contact Marc about a Private Tour)!

What's On in London this Winter Term

January 2027

Event: New Years Day Parade 
Date: 1 January 2027 1pm-4.30pm
Cost: Free to watch from the street / Grandstand seats ticketed via Ticketmaster 
Kick off the new year in style! Dancers, acrobats, marching bands and floats parafe through Piccadilly, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall in one of the world's greatest street spectaculars. Route: Piccadilly → Regent Street → Pall Mall → Trafalgar Square → Whitehall. 

Event: Short Film Festival 
Date: 22-31 January 2027
Cost: Paid
More than 200 new shorts across 60 carefully curated programmes, the festival is set to take over various key venues in the capital including BFI Southbank, SET Peckham and Rio Cinema. 

Event: Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival 
Date: 19-30 January 2027
Cost: Free 
A stunning free outdoor light art festival transforming Canary Wharf evening from 5pm-10pm. Giant illuminated installations from artists around the world, plus street food stalls along the route.  

Event: Skate at Somerset House 
Date: Until 10 January 2027
Cost: Paid 
Catch the last part of one of London's most iconic ice-skating experiences this winter, set in the stunning courtyard of Somerset House. 

Event: St Martin-in-the-Fields Concerts 
Date: Throughout January 2027
Cost: Paid
The iconic church opens its doors celebrating musical heritage, through several different concerts. 

February 2027

Event: Lunar New Year 
Date: 21-22 February 2027
Cost: Free 
London honours the Year of the Goat with one of Europe's largest Lunar New Year celebrations, kicking off with traditional lion dances weaving through Chinatown, followed by an official parade of around 50 floats setting off from Trafalgar Sqaure. 

Event: LGBTQ+ History Month Events 
Date: Throughout February 2027
Cost: Free
A month-long celebration highlighting the achievements and contributions of LGBTQ+ communities past and present, through a nationwide programme of cultural events, talk and exhibitions across London. 

Event: Art After Dark 
Date: 3-10 February 2027
Cost: Free
A free week-long programme featuring large-scale public artworks, late-night gallery openings and special music experiences across the city, including an exclusive after-hours DJ set at the National Gallery. A brilliant and completely free way to experience London's art scene after dark 

Event: Kew Gardens Orchid Festival 
Date: From 6th February 2027
Cost: Paid
Each February the Princess of Wales Conservatory is transformed into a display of rare orchids. 

March 2027

Event: Ramadan Lights London 
Date: Until 22 March 2027
Cost: Free
Watch Piccadilly Circus transform into a stunning display of light and colour as 30,000 LED bulbs illuminate one of London's most iconic landmarks. It's a beautiful annual celebration of the city's multicultural spirit and interfaith harmony. 

Event: St Patrick's Day Parade & Festival (Trafalgar Square) 
Date: 14 March 2027 (parade) & 17 March 2027 (St Patrick's Day) 
Cost: Free 
This festival brings floats, marching bands and dance troupes to the streets of Trafalgar Square. 

Event: Southbank Centre International Women's Day WOW Festival 
Date: 5-7 March 2027
Cost: Paid
The world's biggest festival celebrating women, girls and nonbinary people bringing together world-class speakers, activists, performers, musicians and artists all in one place. 

Event: Monet Painting Time - Tate Modern 
Date: Throughout March 2027
Cost: Paid
An exhibition focused solely on Claude Monet centred around Monet's profound and evolving relationship with time. 

Event: Legally Blonde the Musical  
Date: From 22 March 2027
Cost: Paid
See the West End return of the Legally Blonde Musical, the iconic story of Elle Woods heading to Harvard Law School.  

Do you have an idea for a London-themed event? Do you have any comments or concerns? We want to hear from you! Please get in contact with us by sending an email to lselife.london@lse.ac.uk.