The 6 best free things to do in London this weekend [December 12-14]

"It's an unavoidable fact of the festive season: the closer we get to Christmas Day, the emptier our wallets get. On top of all the Christmas shopping that we're obliged to do, it's hard to say no to all the cosy pub gatherings, mulled wine-fuelled dinner parties and spenny festive activities that arise this time of year. So, give your bank account a break for one weekend."

"In scenes only slightly less dramatic and probably far more entertaining than the Grand National, more than 40 pantomime horses will gallop through Greenwich dodging bizarre obstacles, stopping at the local pubs for 'refuelling' breaks and generally horsing around, all while raising money for Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital. This year's theme is 'Rockstars' meaning you can expect horsey acts including Beatles tribute The Fab Foals, Liam & Noel Gallopher and Amy Winehorse."

London presents a range of free weekend activities that help people save money during the costly festive season. City farms, museums and galleries remain free year-round, and the city hosts many free festive displays. One-off events this weekend include a cheeky pantomime horse race in Greenwich raising funds for Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, complimentary beer offerings in Southwark, an Irish oyster festival in Walthamstow and a wholesome gardening gathering in Clapton. Many events feature processions, live music, comedy, DJs and community-focused entertainment suitable for varied interests.

Read at Time Out London