SUMMER HOLIDAYS: With schools closed, we've put together a guide to spending the summer holidays in London, packed full of family-friendly events, exhibitions and outdoor activities. On a budget? There are plenty of free things to do in the summer holidays. In the mood for a show? Here's our pick of family-friendly musicals and theatre productions in London over the summer.
DUNKIRK LITTLE SHIPS: Start your month by the water, as a fleet of 16 Dunkirk Little Ships drops anchor at St Katharine Docks next to Tower Bridge. The vessels taking part in Dunkirks at the Docks are just a handful of those which were involved in Operation Dynamo, rescuing Allied troops from the beaches of northern France in 1940. FREE, 1 August 2026
ROUNDHOUSE COMEDY FESTIVAL: Chuckle your way through the first half of August at Roundhouse Comedy Festival. The legendary Camden venue hosts the likes of Joe Lycett, Katherine Ryan, Alexei Sayle and Ayoade Bamgboye, offering a mix of established and up-and-coming talent. 1-18 August 2026
JAZZ CAFE FESTIVAL: For the third time, Camden's Jazz Cafe curates its own live music festival, spanning a range of genres and playing out in Burgess Park in south London. Singer-songwriter Ari Lennox, rapper Smino and singer/DJ Durand Bernarr are among this year's headliners. 2 August 2026
ROUTES, RUINS AND RECONNAISANCE: Writer, traveller and archaeologist Gertrude Bell is the subject of the Royal Geographical Society's new exhibition, Routes, Ruins and Reconnaissance. View newly-digitised images created from original negatives held in the Society's collection, which showcase her archaeological and geographical work, and how she became invaluable to British intelligence in the First World War. FREE, 3-24 August 2026
CAMDEN FRINGE: The Camden Fringe takes place this month, bringing theatre, music, comedy and dance to venues across the area. Highlights of the 400+ performances include The Simpsons writer Mike Reiss revealing secrets of the show, and NSYNCe-centric comedy Syncing. Take a look at our picks for Camden Fringe 2026. 3-30 August 2026
COCKTAILS IN THE CITY: The second and final edition of this year's Cocktails in the City takes place at Bedford Square Gardens, opening the usually-private park to ticket holders, with 20 of London's best bars appearing in pop-up form to serve their tipples. There are also street food stalls, live music, a silent disco, and cocktail making workshops. 6-8 August 2026
COSTA DEL CROYDON: A pop-up beach once again appears on a car park rooftop in central Croydon. Feel the sand between your toes in a giant sand pit, try bungee trampolines, a water splash zone... and, new for 2026, adults-only evenings on Thursdays. Who needs Brighton anyway? FREE, 7-31 August 2026
THAMESMEAD FESTIVAL: South-east London is the place to be when the free Thamesmead Festival returns to Southmere Park, on the banks of Southmere Lake. Four stages pop up, with local performers showcasing their talents, spanning R&B, soul and rap music, headlined by 10-piece collective Natalie Williams & the Soul Family Band. Also happening: craft workshops, kids' entertainment, a local market and loads more. FREE ENTRY, 8 August 2026
AFTERNOON TEA WEEK: Not that we ever need an excuse to tuck into a scone and a couple of cakes, but Afternoon Tea Week falls in August. Why not celebrate at one of London's best themed afternoon teas, or perhaps the best afternoon teas near London's tourist attractions, and combine it with a day of sightseeing? We also know the best afternoon teas for children, and, if it's all sounding a bit expensive, we've got a guide to London's most affordable afternoon teas too. 10-16 August 2026
PEAKY BLINDERS: Step into the world of gang crime TV show Peaky Blinders, in a new immersive experience opening in London Bridge. Venture into a replica of the show's Garrison Tavern, and get drawn into Tommy Shelby's world through speakeasy rooms, live performers and interactive challenges. From 13 August 2026
CHILD OF GLASS: A new music-drama about the life of composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky comes to the stage at Opera Holland Park. The seasonal venue showcases the pressures, passions, and conflicts that shaped Russia’s most celebrated composer through a cast of four: musician Tama Matheson, actors Suzy Kohane and Oliver Holland, and the Royal Ballet’s Téo Dubreuil. 13-15 August 2026
SUMMER SOUNDS: Free music festival Summer Sounds is back at King's Cross, with live concerts every evening, and other theatre performances dotted throughout the schedule. The West End Musical Choir, Soul Choir, the Kings Place Jazz Orchestra and saxophonistt Denys Baptiste are among this year's performers. FREE, 13-23 August 2026
JEEVES TAKES CHARGE: One-man show Jeeves Takes Charge sees actor Sam Harrison impressively playing 22 different PG Wodehouse characters including Jeeves, Wooster, Florence Craye, Bingo Little, Uncle Willoughby and Aunt Dahlia. It's got a limited run at Charing Cross Theatre. 13 August-6 September 2026
PLAY MAKE DO: Barbican Centre offers summer holiday entertainment in the form of family festival Play Make Do. Each of the three days encompasses one of those words, with activities including storytelling and circus skills on Friday, Carnival-themed crafts on Saturday, and dance and creative writing workshops on Sunday. 14-16 August 2026
AS YOU LIKE IT: Shakespeare's Globe is the ideal setting to catch the latest production of the Bard's comedy play As You Like It. The atmospheric riverside venue transforms into a forest festival as Rosalind escape's her uncle's repressive regime into the forest. 14 August-25 October 2026
IMBERBUS: Alright, so it's not in London, but it is a top-notch (and very popular) event featuring London buses, so indulge us for a second. Imberbus is an annual parade of double-decker London buses from Warminster to Chitterne, via Salisbury Plain and a collection of bucolic villages. Why? It all dates back to residents of the small village of Imber being turfed out of their village by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 1943, and never being allowed to return — full story here. 15 August 2026
INFLATABLE ASSAULT COURSE: Apparently the UK’s biggest touring inflatable assault course, Action Arena pops up at Chiswick House & Gardens for one weekend in the middle of the month. Two different courses are set up in the Walled Garden, one for younger adventurers and the other for bigger kids over 120cm tall (and yes, that includes adults — form an orderly queue behind us). 15-16 August 2026
FORMULA E: Start your (quiet) engines: Formula E races back into London in the form of the 2026 London E-Prix. The electric car motorsport championship takes place at — including inside — Excel London, with the start, finish and pit lane all located inside the giant building, and part of the course venturing outside. 16 August 2026
BARBICAN OUTDOOR CINEMA: There's an eclectic range of films on offer at Barbican's Outdoor Cinema this summer, the pinnacle being the UK preview of respected director Pedro Almodóvar's new film Bitter Christmas, introduced by the man himself. All films are shown on a giant screen in the open-air Sculpture Courtyard, with food and drink available to buy nearby.19-30 August 2026. Have a browse of the other outdoor cinemas popping up in London this summer.
ELECTRA/PERSONA: Cate Blanchett stars alongside Nina Hoss and Ella Lily Hyland in the National Theatre's new production Electra/Persona. During a performance of Electra, an actress suddenly falls silent, in a powerful exploration of identity, and the fragile line between who we are and who we play. 19 August-10 October 2026
ALL POINTS EAST: Deftones, Lorde, Tyler the Creator... just a few acts on the impressive line-up at this year's All Points East Festival in Victoria Park. The In The Neighbourhood free programme of events on selected non-gig days returns this year too offering live music and DJs, fitness activities, outdoor cinema and family theatre shows. 21-30 August 2026
GREENWICH AND DOCKLANDS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL: Free outdoor performing arts festival Greenwich and Docklands International Festival returns, for two weeks of theatre, art, dance and circus in outdoor locations, with a theme of 'We Move'. Highlights include 360, a dance performance on a towering circular stage in Woolwich town centre, and Efectos Especiales, which immerses visitors in the set of an action film. FREE 21 August-6 September 2026
PICCADILLY LINE HISTORY: Railway historian and broadcaster Tim Dunn is at the London Transport Museum to give a talk about the history of the Piccadilly line, to mark its 120th anniversary. Hear about the line's construction, operation, architecture, trains and stations, followed by a Q&A session. 22 August 2026
PROPELLERS AND POPCORN: London's full of unusual places to watch a film over the summer months, but what about on an airfield? The RAF Museum in Hendon screens (what else?) Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick for its Propellers & Popcorn movie nights, with 1980s costumes very much encouraged.22-23 August 2026
SLAVERY REMEMBRANCE DAY: The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich marks Slavery Remembrance Day with an afternoon of workshops, screenings and other events remembering the long struggle for emancipation throughout the world. FREE, 23 August 2026
HOLY FOOL: Soviet-Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich walked a perilous tightrope, working at the height of Stalin's regime and under the constant threat of torture and death. Holy Fool at the Park Theatre explores the story of how he appeased a brutal despot – while quietly resisting him. 27 August-10 October 2026
THE STORY: Newsroom thriller play The Story opens at the National Theatre, telling the tale of four journalists who race to get the headline when a white teacher is killed in a black neighbourhood, forcing them to weigh up how far they'll go to tell their version of the truth. 27 August-24 October 2026
ANIME & GAMING CON: What claims to be the UK's largest anime convention comes to Hammersmith, with merch, gaming, comics and cosplay. Expect appearances from anime rapper Shao Dow, as well as a chance to meet voice actors from anime productions. 28-30 August 2026
YIDDISH CULTURE WEEKEND: Yiddish language and culture is celebrated in a weekend of events organised by the Jewish Music Institute. The programme includes a beginner-friendly Yiddish sing-along celebrating women’s and gender-diverse voices, and an exploration of contemporary Yiddish poetry, with events at Bloomsbury's Horse Hospital, and at SOAS. 28-31 August 2026
JANE EYRE: Catch the UK premiere of a musical adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's novel Jane Eyre, at Southwark Playhouse Elephant. We're promised the chance to "see Jane, the first feminist literary icon, like you never have before" accompanied by a powerful musical score. 28 August-24 October 2026
KIMBERLEY AKIMBO: David Lindsay‑Abaire and Jeanine Tesori's Tony‑winning musical about Kimberly Levaco — a teenager with a rare premature ageing condition — arrives at Hampstead Theatre in a new production by Michael Longhurst. The story follows Kim, her new choir friends, love interest Seth and an ex‑con aunt drawn to a get‑rich‑quick plan. 28 August-7 November 2026
RALLY FESTIVAL: The fourth edition of RALLY Festival takes place in Southwark Park on the Saturday of the bank holiday weekend, featuring Ilford born writer and producer Blood Orange as the headline act. 29 August 2026
BI PRIDE: An event where people who experience attraction beyond gender can be freely visible and celebrate themselves and their identities, Bi Pride UK takes place at Kings Place in King's Cross, offering talks, stalls from LGBTQ+ organisations and live performances. Full programme TBC at time of writing. FREE, 29 August 2026
BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND: The month comes to an end with a glorious, three-day bank holiday weekend. Make the most of the extra day with our guide to spending the bank holiday in London, so you're guaranteed a good time... even if good weather isn't guaranteed. 29-31 August 2026
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL: Notting Hill Carnival is back on the streets of west London for three days of Caribbean-style entertainment. Expect the usual heady mix of Caribbean culture, samba, mas, soca and calypso, dazzling costumes... and lots and lots of people. Here's everything you need to know about this year's event. 29-31 August 2026
FOOD FESTIVAL: Feast your eyes on the surroundings of Hampton Court Palace, and your stomach on goodies from the Hampton Court Palace Food Festival, which is held in the palace gardens. Tuck into street food, browse and buy artisan products including wine, rum, cakes, pastries, coffee and cheese. There's also live music at the bandstand, garden games and vintage garden games for kids. 29-31 August 2026
ALL ELITE WRESTLING: Wembley Stadium hosts a sporting showcase as All Elite Wrestling takes over the venue, showcasing top names from the wrestling world (full details TBC). 30 August 2026
GOOD TIMES SOUNDSYSTEM: Norman Jay MBE brings his Good Times Soundsystem to Alexandra Palace's Terrace for an open-air bank-holiday party, featuring the iconic red Routemaster bus stage, Carnival guests and a wide musical mix including house, rare groove, disco, jazz, hip-hop and drum & bass. 30 August 2026
LUKE JERRAM'S GAIA: Barely a month goes by without one of Luke Jerram's celestial orb artworks going on display somewhere in London. This time it's Gaia at Southbank Centre for one day only. Gaze up at the seven-metre wide replica of Earth, accompanied by a surround-sound composition. 30 August 2026
BODY MOVEMENTS: Body Movements is a one‑day dance and queer‑led festival at Southwark Park. The bill includes Horse Meat Disco, Eris Drew &Octo Octa, Roza Terenzi, Romy (DJ), Samantha Togni and many more DJs, live acts, crews and dancers such as Little Gay Brother. 30 August 2026
OUTDOOR CULTURE: Cross your fingers for decent weather this month, then make the most of it with London's al fresco culture options. Theatre, films, art and live music can all be enjoyed in the open-air if you know where to look and what to book... which we do, naturally.
OUTDOOR CINEMA: As an extension to the above, London's awash with outdoor cinemas, from ones on rooftops to those in palace grounds, and alongside canals. Get booking to watch cult classic and new release films in the open-air this summer.
DAY TRIPS FROM LONDON: Need to get out of the city for a day or two? We hear you. Check out our Beyond London section for day trip inspo, weekends away in the UK, and city breaks further afield. At the moment, we're loving these Sussex seaside towns, relaxed weekends in Southwold, and this gorgeous country house with links to Harry Potter and Henry VIII.
London exhibitions and shows closing in August 2026
A few things are closing this month too. August 2026 is your last chance to see:
ALLEGRA: Maureen Lipman stars in Allegra, a play about a woman who cannot stop herself from bursting into song, and the effect it has on those around her, at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Until 8 August 2026
DARK OF THE MOON: Supernatural witchcraft tale Dark of the Moon at Charing Cross Theatre is a musical telling the stories of two very different places: a charming rural Appalachian town, and the mystical world of witches and warlocks from the Smoky Mountains. Until 8 August 2026
HOLY POP: A Somerset House exhibition dedicated to the world of modern shrines and collections of objects which honour celebrity heroes. Until 9 August 2026
HIT MACHINE: How I Met Your Mother star Josh Radnor stars alongside Noah Galvin in Hit Machine, a darkly funny play about two brothers who grew up making music together. See it at Soho Theatre Dean Street. Until 15 August 2026
DOG MAN: Southbank Centre offers a summer holidays treat in the form of Dog Man The Musical, based on the best selling children's book series of the same name. With the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, Dog Man loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture, but now he's called on to perform heroics. Until 16 August 2026
ENORMOUS CROCODILE: Roald Dahl's Enormous Crocodile has snapped its way into the Lyric Hammersmith, with music and large puppets telling the story of the other jungle creatures summoning up the courage to stop his rampage. Until 22 August 2026
HEATHERS THE MUSICAL: Adapted from the cult 1980s film, the popular Heathers the Musical is at The Arts at Marble Arch. It follows it girl Veronica Sawyer, the three Heathers and the mysterious J.D. at Westerberg High. Until 22 August 2026
FRANK BOWLING: British artist Frank Bowling is in the spotlight at the Royal Drawing School where exhibition Driven To Draw showcases his works spanning more than 60 years. Until 22 August 2026
RIDE THE CYCLONE: After a freak roller-coaster accident, six teenagers find themselves suspended in limbo and offered one final chance to return to life in Ride The Cyclone at Southwark Playhouse Elephant. Until 22 August 2026
FAIRY TALES: Interactive displays, theatrical design, costumes and activities feature in family-friendly exhibition Fairy Tales at the British Library. Familiar characters and magical creatures are brought to life as you learn how fairy tales have been transformed through time. Until 23 August 2026
POWER OF HONEY: Bees and the Bank of England aren't an obvious combination, but the on-site museum's temporary exhibition centres around the Bee-nomics Inspection Hive, a custom-built observation hive that brings living bees into the Museum, ultimately using their way of life to explore how trust is built, protected and deceived. FREE, until 28 August 2026
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM: Shakespeare's Globe offers a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A company of amateur performers prepare a wedding‑night play that spills into a moonlit world of lovers, fairies and mischief, accompanied by music by Jim Fortune. Until 29 August 2026
A WORLD ELSEWHERE: Meanwhile, Shakespeare's Globe also hosts A World Elsewhere, a family show staged in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, following Cass and his band of imaginary friends through Shakespeare-inspired adventures. Until 30 August 2026
BONSAI TREEHOUSES: The Museum of Architecture brings bonsai specimens and architect-designed miniature treehouses to a special outdoor exhibition in Oxford Square, curated with Paolo Cocco and bonsai specialist Peter Warren. Until 31 August 2026
THE ENGLISH CATHEDRAL: Photographer Peter Marlow captured photos of all 42 cathedrals of the Church of England using only natural light. See the results in a free Southwark Cathedral exhibition. FREE, until 31 August 2026
HORRIBLE HISTORIES: Treat the kids to a history lesson they'll actually enjoy: Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain at the Apollo Theatre tackles the nasty side of Boudica, King John, Guy Fawkes, and other figures who shaped this country. Until 31 August 2026
And a reminder that Disney's Hercules dances out of the West End on 5 September 2026.
