The Best Local Newsletters in London, Ontario (2026)
The best London, Ontario newsletters cover the city from different angles — The Localist for culture, Tourism London for events, London Inc. for business, and the free weekly London Briefing for local news and events. Here's how each one compares.
The quick answer
The best London, Ontario newsletters each cover the city from a different angle. For free local news and events in a quick weekly read, the London Briefing is a solid choice; for culture and community character, The Localist is the long-running favourite; for events and things to do, Tourism London; and for business, London Inc. Weekly. Most are free. Below is an honest comparison so you can pick the one — or the handful — that fits how you want to keep up with the Forest City.
At a glance: London, Ontario newsletter comparison
| Newsletter | Focus | Frequency | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Briefing (City Briefings) | Local news + events (no crime, no politics) | Weekly | Free |
| The Localist | Culture, people, local lists | Weekly | Free |
| Tourism London | Events, attractions, things to do | Monthly | Free |
| London Inc. Weekly | Business news + upcoming events | Weekly | Free |
| LEDC Newsletter | Economic development, business community | Monthly | Free |
| Downtown London | Downtown events + new business openings | Periodic | Free |
| The Advocate (London Chamber) | Policy & advocacy updates | Periodic | Free |
| London Free Press | General news alerts | Varies | Free |
The Localist
The Localist is a weekly newsletter "celebrating the people and experiences that make London, Ontario home," written by James Kingsley. It reads like an insider's guide to the city, with playful, wide-ranging editions — past issues have rounded up local lists from the best plazas to neon signs to summer festival "bingo cards." If you want personality and a sense of the city's character rather than a straight news feed, this is the one. It's free to subscribe on Substack. (The Localist)
Tourism London
Run by London's official tourism office, the Tourism London newsletter is a free monthly guide to events, attractions, things to do, contests, and offers around the city. It's the most event- and visitor-focused option on this list, so it's a good fit if your main question is "what's worth getting out for this month?" You can pick your interests when you sign up. (Tourism London — Subscribe)
London Inc. Weekly
London Inc. Weekly is the business reader's pick. Each edition delivers a summary of recent business appointments and announcements, plus a look at upcoming events for the week ahead. It's free and weekly, and pairs well with London Inc. Magazine's broader coverage if you follow the city's commercial and real-estate scene. (London Inc. Weekly)
London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC)
The LEDC newsletter keeps tabs on London's business community with a mix of events, articles, resources, and the occasional themed edition. It leans toward economic development and the city's growth story, so it's most useful if you work in or watch the local economy. It's free, and LEDC keeps an archive of past editions on its site. (LEDC — Newsletters)
Downtown London
The Downtown London BIA newsletter is the one to follow for the city's core: downtown events, new business openings, and other goings-on in the heart of the city. It's free and a natural complement to anything broader, especially if you live, work, or spend time downtown. (Downtown London)
The Advocate (London Chamber of Commerce)
The Advocate is the London Chamber of Commerce's news bulletin, focused on policy and advocacy — the work the Chamber and the broader Chamber network are doing on behalf of the business community at every level of government. It's a specialized read for members and business owners who want to track that advocacy work. It's free. (The Advocate)
London Free Press
The London Free Press offers a set of free email newsletters covering breaking news, sports, and business alerts. If you want traditional newspaper-style coverage delivered to your inbox, this is the option, though it carries the harder news beats (including crime and politics) that some of the lighter newsletters above skip. (London Free Press — Newsletters)
The London Briefing (City Briefings)
The London Briefing is a free weekly email from City Briefings that summarizes local news and events in London, Ontario in about a five-minute read. The deliberate choice that sets it apart: it skips crime and politics and focuses on community happenings, local events, and what's changing around the city. If you want a quick, calm weekly catch-up rather than a culture deep-dive or a business brief, it fills that gap. It's free, and you can unsubscribe anytime. (London Briefing)
How to choose
- Want one quick weekly read? Start with the London Briefing for news and events, or The Localist if you'd rather have culture and personality.
- Mostly looking for things to do? Go with Tourism London (monthly) and Downtown London for the core.
- Following business? London Inc. Weekly for news, LEDC for economic development, The Advocate for policy.
- Want full newspaper coverage, including hard news? Subscribe to the London Free Press newsletters.
There's no rule against subscribing to more than one — most Londoners who want to stay genuinely in the loop pair an events-focused option with a news-focused one. They're free, so it costs nothing to try a couple and keep the ones that stick.
Stay in the loop
If you want a simple, free way to keep up with London each week, the London Briefing rounds up local news and events in about five minutes — no crime, no politics, unsubscribe anytime. It's an easy place to start.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the best free newsletter in London, Ontario?
- It depends on what you want. For free local news and events in a five-minute weekly read, the London Briefing is a strong pick. For culture and the people who make London tick, The Localist is excellent. For business news, London Inc. Weekly stands out. All of these are free to subscribe to.
- How do I stay up to date on London, Ontario events?
- Tourism London's monthly newsletter focuses on events, attractions, and things to do, while the free weekly London Briefing rounds up local events alongside community news. Downtown London also covers events and new business openings in the city's core.
- Is there a weekly newsletter for London, Ontario?
- Yes. The Localist publishes weekly, London Inc. Weekly publishes a weekly business summary, and the London Briefing sends a weekly local-news-and-events digest. Tourism London and LEDC tend to publish monthly.
- What is the London Briefing?
- The London Briefing is a free weekly email newsletter from City Briefings that summarizes local news and events in London, Ontario in about five minutes. It deliberately skips crime and politics and focuses on what's happening around the city.
- Are these London newsletters free?
- Yes. The Localist, Tourism London, LEDC, Downtown London, London Inc. Weekly, The Advocate, the London Free Press newsletters, and the London Briefing are all free to subscribe to. Some publishers offer separate paid products, but their email newsletters are free.
- Which London, Ontario newsletter is best for business news?
- London Inc. Weekly is built around local business — appointments, announcements, and upcoming events. The London Chamber of Commerce's The Advocate focuses on policy and advocacy, and LEDC's newsletter covers the broader economic-development picture.
Sources
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