Photo: André Luís via Flickr / CC BY 2.0
Throughout the year, a wide range of events are held across London where freelancers can exchange ideas and grow their networks. Below are a few to consider adding to your diary over the coming months.
Solo Entrepreneurs, Freelancers, Consultants and Coaches Networking Event
Aimed at people working independently, this evening event offers an opportunity for solo entrepreneurs and freelancers to meet others from a broad mix of industries. It takes place at Cubanista, a speakeasy-style bar on Old Brompton Road in West London, and combines informal networking with short, practical talks from experienced business owners. Attendees typically include freelancers, consultants, early-stage founders, creatives and side hustlers. The event runs until 9 pm and uses a structured “speed friending” format, with an emphasis on follow-up and longer-term connections.
Cubanista, 92a Old Brompton Road / 5 February
London Entrepreneurs Network: Business Networking for Solo Entrepreneurs
This monthly gathering at Bonds in Mayfair brings together freelancers and professionals working across London’s creative industries, from design and writing to film, marketing and visual arts. The format is informal and conversation-led, with no speeches, sales presentations, or membership requirements. Events run from 8am to 10am in a private lounge and include breakfast and refreshments, creating a relaxed environment for networking and collaboration.
Mint Leaf London 12 Angel Court / 6 February
London Creative Network
Held at Bonds in Mayfair, this monthly networking event brings together London-based freelancers and professionals working across the creative industries, including design, writing, film, marketing, and visual arts. The gathering is informal and discussion-led, with no speeches, sales presentations, or membership requirements. The format encourages conversation and collaboration among attendees who hail from a broad mix of creative and socially focused sectors. Events run from 8am to 10am in a private lounge and include breakfast and refreshments.
Bonds Mayfair / 12 February
Founder Meet-Up by WILD Coworking
Self-employed women, and men living as women, are invited to come together for a casual chat over a coffee with a focus on their professional endeavours at this Covent Garden event, taking place in Redemption Roasters coffee shop this February. Whether it’s catching up with an old connection, or making new ones, the event is designed to create a warm and inviting space for ‘talking shop’. Members and non-members are both welcome.
Redemption Roasters, Covent Garden / 20 February
FSB London Bootcamp – Spring into Success
This one-day bootcamp is aimed at start-ups and self-employed professionals looking to develop practical skills and expand their networks. Taking place at TBXH at Sunley House in Croydon, south London, the event features expert-led talks, interactive roundtables and structured networking. Sessions focus on current challenges facing SMEs, alongside an exhibitor area showcasing business support services. Refreshments, including a light buffet lunch, are included.
TBXH Ltd, Bedford Park, Croydon / 18 March / www.events.fsb.org.uk
Mastering the Freelance Mindset
This 90-minute workshop focuses on the emotional side of freelance life, tackling common challenges such as imposter syndrome, rejection and the isolation that can come with working independently. Led by an experienced mindset and time-management coach, the session combines open discussion with practical tools to help freelancers build resilience, confidence and healthier working habits. Designed for people at any stage of their freelance journey, it offers a supportive space to share experiences and develop strategies for sustaining motivation and wellbeing over the long term.
Better Space, 127 Farringdon Road / 30 April
South by Southwest
Taking place across Shoreditch this June, South by Southwest London brings the well-known Austin festival format to the capital, with six days of music, screen, technology, culture and creative industry programming. Centred around East London, with venues clustered around the Truman Brewery, the event offers talks, showcases, screenings, networking and live performances. Sessions will explore themes including AI, digital culture, future technology, creativity, society and health. For freelancers, founders and creative professionals, it offers a chance to hear from industry leaders and connect with others.
Venues across Shoreditch & Hoxton / 1-6 June
From Contractor to Collaborator: Transforming Freelancer-Employer Relations
Aimed at freelancers and employers in the creative and cultural industries, this free two-hour session at University College London explores how both sides can build better working relationships. The event looks at common challenges around issues such as timelines, application processes, communication, payment systems and tendering. Attendees will discuss topics including what a strong briefing process looks like, how organisations can reduce unnecessary burdens on freelancers and how freelancers can present their skills clearly. Following the session, the room will remain available for optional networking for all guests.
University College London, Gower Street / 11 June
Pension Consolidation for the Self-Employed
Held as part of National Freelancers Day, which sees events taking place across the country, this London-based programme offers practical support for the self-employed. An independent financial adviser will lead a short lunchtime session on pension consolidation, outlining the benefits and drawbacks of combining multiple plans. Alongside this, freelancers can book complimentary 30-minute one-to-one financial consultations covering pensions, savings and income protection, as well as CV and LinkedIn appraisals tailored specifically to contractors and freelance professionals.
Zedwell, Great Windmill Street, Piccadilly / 19 June / www.nationalfreelancersday.com
How to become a freelancer?
Billed as a hand-on session, this event is designed for anyone keen to get into freelancing but isn’t sure where to begin. It breaks down the process of going freelance into digestible steps, and covers everything from the very basics to more complex aspects of being self-employed. Areas open for discussion will include branding, creating your own platform, finding clients, how to set your rates, invoicing, and network-building – all intended to give you the confidence to make the freelance jump.
London College of Fashion, 105 Carpenters Road, Stratford Cross / 3 June
Monthly Finance Club for Freelancers
Held at SPACE4 in Finsbury Park, this peer-led monthly meet-up gives freelancers a relaxed, jargon-free space to discuss the financial side of working independently. Topics are chosen collectively and may cover tax returns, pensions, pricing, budgeting, insurance, investing and saving for time off. Hosted by a SPACE4 member, the club encourages attendees to share knowledge, ask questions and leave feeling more confident about managing their money.
Space4, 113-115 Fonthill Rd, Finsbury Park / 1 July
BOOM Summer Soirée
Taking place at Qibo Skybar in Canary Wharf, this rooftop networking event brings together founders, business owners and senior leaders for an evening of drinks, conversation, music and London skyline views. Hosted on the 25th floor of the Dorsett Hotel, the summer soirée offers a more social alternative to formal networking, with no pitching or name badges. Guests can expect welcome drinks, canapés, curated introductions and access to BOOM’s rooftop event space, with the terrace open weather permitting.
Qibo Skybar, Canary Wharf / 16 July
EVA London 2026
A hybrid conference held online and at the BCS London office in Moorgate, the 2026 edition of EVA London will once again see professionals from across technology, art, culture, museums and visualisation come together for 5 days of demonstrations, panels, workshops, tutorials and more. For freelancer creatives, it’s an ideal opportunity to keep their finger on the pulse of industries that are at the cutting edge of innovation, with themes including AI, digital art, digital heritage all set to be front and centre of the event.
BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, Moorgate / 13-17 July
Creative Industries Festival
This annual festival focuses on what it means to find good work that supports inclusion, health and wellbeing at a time when the boundaries between professional and personal life continue to blur. This is particularly relevant to freelancers, who often work in solitude and without the support network that comes from a permanent in-house role. Through talks, workshops, and industry collaborations, the event explores how creativity can shape workplaces that foster inclusion, wellbeing and innovation and how we can work together to create industries where people can truly thrive.
University of East London, University Way / 2-5 September