Whether you're an American expat or just fancy tucking into some fried chicken and a milkshake (to apply a cliche), there's plenty going down for Independence Day 2026 in London. Read on to plan your 4 July celebrations — and it's a special one this year, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence.
America and London at Guildhall Art Gallery
A selection of items exploring the historic connections between America and London are on display in Guildhall Library's free exhibition. It's curated by the London Archives, and includes a silk bookmark commemorating the 1865 assassination of Abraham Lincoln, and two letters dated before the Declaration of Independence in 1775, sent to the City of London, and acknowledging links between the City and America.
Heritage Gallery Exhibition: America and London, free, 2 May-29 October 2026.
Brandon's Barn Dance
Celebrate the USA's milestone birthday with a big 'ole slice of Americana, served up by Ozarks-hailing host, Brandon Burke. His family-friendly 4th of July Party offers beginner-friendly (and advanced!) line dancing lessons, plus the chance to freestyle it on the open dance floor to the tunes of live country bands. If you need a break from all that boot stomping, there are American-led stand-up sets and country karaoke, plus corn dogs, punch and sweet tea to fuel you (boozier options are also available).
Brandon’s Barn Dance takes place weekly, and there’s a special Independence Day edition on 4 July. (sponsor)
Country on the Common music festival
Dig out your rhinestone-studded jeans, cowboy boots and stetson, and make for Tooting Common over Independence Day weekend for Country on the Common 2026. The music festival is described as an "all-out country, roots & blues celebration", with performances from American-born blues musician Seasick Steve, rising US country artist Cody Pennington, and tribute acts to Johnny Cash, Chris Stapleton, Taylor Swift and Shania Twain (yes, we know she's Canadian...).
Other entertainment includes rodeo bull-riding and axe throwing, plus barbecue food washed down with craft beer and whiskey.
Country on the Common, 4-5 July 2026.
Independence Day 2026 events in London
AMERICA 250 WALKING TOUR: The City of London Guides offer a pair of walking tours to mark America's 250th anniversary. Choose between the Tower Hill to St Paul's or St Paul's to Tower Bridge route (or book both, as they run across several days), and visit locations which shaped and supported the birth of a new nation. Various times, 27 June-5 July
AMERICANS IN THE CITY: The Bring Your Baby guided walks team — which organises pram-friendly guided walks for parents and carers with little ones in tow — once again offers its Americans in the City guided tour. See spots around the Square Mile linked to American history, including links to Alexander Hamilton, Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Pocahontas, and King Kong. 2 July
GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK: South-east London based music organisation SongEasel performs a Great American Songbook-inspired concert at St Laurence Church in Catford. Expect classics such as Cole Porter and George Gershwin paired with songs by African-American composers, alongside Andre Previn's Honey & Rue, with words by Pulitzer Prize winner and Nobel laureate Toni Morrison. 4 July
SCIENCE OF FIREWORKS: The Royal Institutions delves into the science of the whizzbangs associated with the fourth of July, in a family-friendly show by American science communicator Kate the Chemist. Find out how the colours and sounds are made... and why you don't see blue fireworks. 4 July
AMERICAN CHORAL MUSIC: Enjoy a joyful celebration of American choral music performed by the Petros Singers at St Peter's Church in Hammersmith. The programme spans 20th century and contemporary composers to lively Broadway and jazz tunes. 4 July
COUNTRY BBQ FESTIVAL: Head over to Riverside East in Stratford on Independence Day for what claims to be London's biggest country BBQ festival. Treat your ears to the sounds of the Lainey Wilson Experience, Jimmy Sharp and a whole host of country DJs while you chow down on smokey meat, or have a go at line dancing or the bucking bronco. 4 July
WINE TASTING: If your idea of celebrating is raising a glass, Jeroboams wine specialist in Chelsea has a treat in store. Spend the evening tasting and sampling wines from the US — including tipples from California and Oregon — soaked up with US snacks. 4 July
PRIDE + INDEPENDENCE: Crazy Coqs at Brasserie Zedel hosts performer Suzie Kennedy for a double celebration, marking both US Independence Day, and Pride (Pride in London happens to fall on 4 July this year). Expect an evening of timeless Hollywood charm as Kennedy pays tribute to Marilyn Monroe. 4 July
STARS AND STRIPES: The Choir of the 21st Century gives an Independence Day concert celebrating 250 years of American music, with works by Bernstein, Barber, Copland and Whitacre performed at St George's Church in Hanover Square. 4 July
AMERICAN REVOLUTION: Tom Holland, co-host of podcast The Rest is History, and American historian Sarah Pearsall make a joint appearance at the British Library to discuss how the American Revolution transformed the wider world, as well as how global events and individuals shaped the Revolution itself. Hear stories of leaders, diplomats, traders, mothers, and communities from all over the world whose actions influenced the course of events in North America. 9 July
LOOKING AHEAD: Later in July, Dulwich Picture Gallery opens its new exhibition Portraits of a City: A Century of American Photography. Get an insight into American urban life and the people who lived, worked, and moved through its streets through photos by 34 influential photographers working from 1907 to 2012. 28 July-4 October
Visit Benjamin Franklin House
One of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin lived in London between 1757 and 1775, at 36 Craven Street near Charing Cross. While there, he worked as a colonial diplomat, making the building the first de facto US Embassy, and these days his former five-storey townhouse home is open to the public as a museum.
Benjamin Franklin House offers private and self-guided tours on different days of the week, as well as an historic experience, telling the story of his time living in London in his own words. The venue hosts occasional special events, and usually marks Independence Day, so we'd very much expect to see something happening for the 250th anniversary — keep an eye on the website for details.
Get a taste of the Hollywood Golden Era through Marilyn Monroe
Opening a month before Independence Day and running throughout the summer, the National Portrait Gallery's Marilyn Monroe exhibition celebrates the film star/icon of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Learn about her life, career and legacy through a display of portraits, created by the likes of Andy Warhol, Cecil Beaton and Marlene Dumas.
Want even more Marilyn? Relive her 1956 jaunt to London with her husband Arthur Miller, including the spots where she stayed and shopped.
Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait at the National Portrait Gallery, 4 June-6 September 2026.
Catch an American inspired theatre show
Lin-Manuel Miranda's smash-hit musical, Hamilton is the first thing that springs to mind when we think of American-inspired stage shows. Telling the story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, it continues its run at the Victoria Palace Theatre throughout summer 2026 (currently booking until March 2027), but tickets for 3 July-5 September sold out months ago due to Lesley Odom Jr returning to his role as Aaron Burr for this period. Tickets either side of these dates are still available.
Alternatively, get your American theatre fix with Oh, Mary!, a Broadway transfer musical about Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of former US President Abraham Lincoln, in the lead up to his assassination in 1865. It posits her as a frustrated alcoholic with a secret passion to become a cabaret star, and looks at what could have been. Read our full review (Catherine Tate has since assumed lead role duties).
Dine at one of London's best American restaurants and bars
American cuisine spans a gamut of dishes and cooking styles — here are some of our favourites to be found around London:
Passyunk Avenue
A Philly-inspired dive bar/restaurant with branches in Waterloo, Fitzrovia, Battersea and Kensington, where the drinks are strong, the cheesesteaks take centre stage, and there's always at least one North American sports match on the TV. Dine among sporting memorabilia (flags, shirts, equipment used for goodness-knows-what) while you catch up on the baseball/American football/ice hockey over classic American dishes including cheesesteak hoagies, hot dogs and wings, washed down with a mix of local and American beers, cocktails (make ours a pickleback martini) and soda floats.
For our money, it's got to be the Leake Street Waterloo branch, tucked away in the railway arches and described as "a cathedral to Philadelphia", with a second venue packed with batting cages, shuffleboards and darts right next door.
Christopher's Grill, Covent Garden
At the opposite end of the American dining spectrum is Christopher's Grill, an upscale, all-day dining restaurant which aims to reimagine classic American dishes: think chipotle chicken breast, lobster mac 'n' cheese, and stacks of fluffy buttermilk pancakes. The venue has a dedicated martini bar, offering classic, signature and decadent takes on the drink, plus bar snacks including popcorn shrimp and tuna tacos.
The Blues Kitchen, Camden, Brixton and Shoreditch
Get a taste of the USA Deep South at Blues Kitchen, where bourbon and BBQ take centre stage, and the menu promises "American grill classics and portions you'll need to dance off". The latter is easily done with a regular programme of live music: predominantly blues, sliced through with funk and soul.
Lil' Nashville, Chiswick
Get involved in the Honky Tonk scene at restaurant and bar Lil' Nashville, where you'll discover live country music and line dancing almost every day of the week, while the kitchen slings Southern-style home-cooked food: smoked chicken wings, loaded tater tots and a Nashville hot chicken burger were on the menu on our last visit.
Big Moe's Diner, Wembley and Ilford
London's lost several of its retro American diners in recent years, but thankfully Big Moe's — with its red leather booths, neon signs and Route 66 decor — lives on. It whips up towering burgers, saucy wings, steaks and all manner of sides — along side classic waffles, drizzled sundaes and deliciously OTT milkshakes.
Hummingbird Bakery, various locations
For sweet-toothed Londoners looking for a taste of America, the Hummingbird Bakery serves up the goods in the form of large, frosting-topped cupcakes, US-style pies (the Key lime is magnificent) and cheesecakes, plus whoopie pies and cookies.
The Mayflower, Rotherhithe
Though the menu and surroundings are pure London, Rotherhithe pub The Mayflower is entrenched in American lore. It's from around here in 1620 that the legendary Mayflower ship set sail, stopping at Plymouth before heading onto Cape Cod, carrying the group known as the Pilgrims to the New World. Its captain, Christopher Jones, is buried at nearby St Mary's Church, where you'll find a memorial plaque and statue. Something to ponder while you tuck into your fish and chips and pint of London Pride.
America in London
Keen to know more about the links between the USA and London? Have a delve into our star-spangled archive:
🇺🇸 The 50 States Of The USA... In London
🇺🇸 Bits Of London That Are Now In The USA
🇺🇸 Tips For Americans In London - From An American In London
🇺🇸 Did You Know The USA Has A Thames Too?
🇺🇸 Places In London That Sound Like They're In The States
🇺🇸 A Special Relationship: The Early History Of London And The US
