Things to do this month is sponsored by Hijingo.
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, theatre shows, outdoor activities — and plenty of cheap and free options too.
OLYMPICS: The summer of sport is still going strong, with the Olympics continuing until mid-August, and the Paralympics kicking off at the end of the month. Keep up with all the action in Paris with these Olympic and Paralympic screenings here in London. Until 11 August (and Paralympics 30 August-8 September)
CAMDEN FRINGE: The 18th edition of Camden Fringe takes place this month, bringing theatre, music, comedy and dance to venues across Camden. Highlights of the 300+ performances include a Greek mythology-Agatha Christie crossover, a theatre show about the drama of football transfer deadline day, and a comedy take on Romeo & Juliet. Overwhelmed by the choice? Take a look at our picks for Camden Fringe 2024. 29 July-25 August
COSTA DEL CROYDON: A pop-up beach 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, hook-a-duck, mini go karts, table tennis... I mean, who needs Brighton anyway? 1-28 August
INSIDE OUT FESTIVAL: Inside Out is a month-long celebration of culture and the arts in the City of Westminster, featuring a ton of family-friendly events and activities. Free walking tours by the Westminster Guides Lecturers Association, a Fitzrovia Fete, and art activities in Trafalgar Square are some of the options on offer. FREE, 1-31 August
SUMMER IN THE COURTYARD: Somerset House puts its Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court to use with Summer in the Courtyard, a series of events which opens the space up to everyone. On weekdays throughout August it's full of food and drink pop-ups for anyone who want to go along for lunch, as well as workshops on selected days. Various events including a Queer Family Picnic, and the Vogue Rites Power Ball take place at the weekends. 1-31 August
CLOUD X FESTIVAL: R&B, Soul and Alt Rap celebration Cloud X Festival is back at Crystal Palace Bowl, with a focus on the next generation of musicians. South London soul singer Jaz Karis, Swiss singer-songwriter Priya Ragu and R&B/pop singer-songwriter Sam Tompkins are among the line-up. 2 August
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA: Shakespeare's Globe opens its new production of Antony and Cleopatra — the first time this play has been shown at the venue in over a decade. It's the story of Roman general Antony abandoning his duties when he falls for Egyptian queen Cleopatra. 4 August-15 September
MOCO MUSEUM: The Modern Contemporary (Moco) Museum — which already has locations in Amsterdam and Barcelona — opens a London outpost in Marble Arch. Across three floors, view works by the likes of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Yayoi Kusama, Andy Warhol, Banksy, Keith Haring, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Daniel Arsham and KAWS. From 8 August
COCKTAILS IN THE CITY: The second 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, ice carving, and cocktail making workshops. Cheers to that. 8-10 August
LONDON CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL: The same weekend as the cocktail celebration (above), London Craft Beer Festival, London Craft Beer Festival is back at Wapping's Tobacco Dock, with 800+ beers from 100 breweries available to sample. Tickets include a festival tasting glass, all the beer, and live entertainment as you sup. 9-10 August
TURNING TIDES: UK and international music artists take to the stage at Turning Tides, a free music festival at Greenwich Peninsula, all culminating in a headline performance by north London rock band Girl Ray. FREE, 10 August
THAMESMEAD FESTIVAL: South-east London is the place to be on 10 August — in addition to Turning Tides (above), the free Thamesmead Festival returns to Southmere Park. Several stages pop up, allowing local performers to showcase their talents, spanning R&B, soul and rap music, Bollywood dancing and more. FREE, 10 August
FESTIVAL OF FAIRYTALES: Pop-up performances, creative arts workshops, live storytelling and theatrical performances are all part of the Festival of Fairtytales at the Garden Museum, aimed at 4-11 year olds and their families. The event takes place throughout the museum — a medieval church building — and fancy dress is encouraged. 11 August
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. 12-18 August
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LAIKA FRAME X FRAME: The BFI opens a free exhibition, Laika: Frame x Frame, telling the story of stop-motion studio Laika through the lens of its five feature films to date (Coraline, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls, Kubo and the Two Strings, and Missing Link), using storyboards, costumes, puppets, props and sets. It's part of the BFI's wider stop-motion season, which runs until October. FREE, 12 August-1 October
FRIENDS EXPERIENCE: Oh. My. GOD! A new Friends experience opens at the ExCeL Centre, celebrating the beloved US sitcom, in a new, permanent home. Experience recreations of the Friends set, including the two main apartments in which the show is based. Relax on Chandler and Joey's recliners or take on your own friends in a game of foosball. From 12 August
COCKFOSTERS: After three sold-out runs, tube-based comedy show Cockfosters returns, opening at the Turbine Theatre in Battersea. It's the story of two strangers who meet at Heathrow, and encounter various commuters and characters at each tube stop. We spoke to the show's creator, Tom Woffenden, about the inspiration behind it. 13-31 August
SUMMER SOUNDS: Another week, another wonderful free music festival to enjoy. Summer Sounds is back at King's Cross, with live concerts every evening, and family sessions on Sunday afternoon, with the London Show Choir, Barbs the Drag Queen, English National Opera artists, and YoLanda Brown on the line-up. FREE, 15-26 August
WIZARD OF OZ: We're off to see the wizard... the stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum's beloved book is at the Gillian Lynne Theatre (Drury Lane) for a limited run. JLS member Aston Merrygold plays The Tin Man, with RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner and Dancing On Ice star The Vivienne as The Wicked Witch of the West. 15 August-8 September
ALL POINTS EAST: Beabadoobee, Nas, Andre 3000, Mitski... just some of the impressive line-up at this year's All Points East Festival in Victoria Park, which also incorporates Field Day. 16-25 August
IMBERBUS: Alright, so it's not in London, but it's 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. 17 August
PROSECCO WEEKEND: Raise a glass to National Prosecco Weekend at Chiswick House and Gardens. Across two days, take part in masterclasses to learn more about the bubbly beverage, and hear from experts including UK Ambassador to Prosecco DOC Neil Phillips, popularly known as the Wine Tipster. 17-18 August
BIG FUN ART ADVENTURE: 30 five-foot-tall owl sculptures will be dotted around the Haringey area for the Big Fun Art Adventure, a free art trail. The owls are all unique, decorated individually by local artists, and hidden in plain sight. Come October, they'll be auctioned off to raise money for North London Hospice. FREE, 17 August-October
BARBICAN OUTDOOR CINEMA: There's an eclectic range of films on offer at Barbican's Outdoor Cinema this summer, from The Grand Budapest Hotel to An American in Paris, via Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Blur: Live at Wembley. All films are shown on a giant screen in the open-air Sculpture Courtyard, with food and drink available to buy nearby. 21 August-1 September
COMEDY OF ERRORS: The Globe Theatre transforms into a bustling dock for a production of The Comedy of Errors, setting the action back in Elizabethan London. 21 August-27 October
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. Highlights include a parkour show through Greenwich Peninsula, choreographed roller skating, and a physical theatre performance marking the 85th anniversary of the Kindertransport. 23 August-8 September
FORMULA 1 EXHIBITION: Get yourself into pole position for the opening of a new exhibition dedicated to Formula 1 racing. The Formula 1 exhibition showcases iconic Formula 1 cars and historic memorabilia, and has state-of-the art racing simulators giving you the chance to experience what it’s like to sit behind the wheel of an F1 car as they race around the Silverstone track. From 23 August
PICNIC CONCERTS: Battersea Park in Concert is back! Over the August bank holiday weekend, you’re invited to soak up live jazz, classical music, and West End hits in one of west London’s loveliest green spaces. There are three open air picnic concerts to choose from: Proms in the Park, A Night at the Musicals, and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra. 24-26 August (sponsor)
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. 24-26 August
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. 24-26 August
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 face painting and shire horse and cart rides for kids. 24-26 August
BODY MOVEMENTS: Body Movements is a multi-venue dance music festival, celebrating the full spectrum of Queer club culture. Several artists take over multiple east London venues (full programme TBC at time of writing) for a fully inclusive night of clubbing. 25 August
WHY AM I SO SINGLE: Opening at the Garrick Theatre, Why Am I So Single? is a new musical from the team behind SIX. It's the story of two best friends who can't figure out why they're still single, accompanied by a pop soundtrack. From 27 August
STATE BALLET OF GEORGIA: The State Ballet of Georgia brings a production of Swan Lake to the London Coliseum, accompanied by the English National Opera Orchestra. Expect gorgeous white tutus and lakeside and ballroom settings, as what is probably the world's most famous ballet is performed once more. 28 August-8 September
LONDON'S STREET TREES: London's aptly named tree expert, Paul Wood, is at Stanfords in Covent Garden, discussing the updated third edition of his book, London's Street Trees. Hear about the impressive range of species — more than 400 — which grow on London's roads, making the capital something of an arboretum. 29 August
MUDLARKING FESTIVAL: Southwark Cathedral hosts a mudlarking and heritage crafts festival. Meet mudlarks — including author Lara Maiklem — to hear about their finds on the Thames foreshore, and watch demonstrations of crafts including stone and wood carving, flint knapping, bee keeping and falconry. 30-31 August
ANIME & GAMING CON: What claims to be the UK's largest anime convention comes to Hammersmith, with four floors of merch, gaming, comics and cosplay. Expect appearances from J-rock cover band Nattoheads, as well as a chance to meet voice actors from anime productions. 31 August-1 September
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.
LAST CHANCE: A few things are closing this month (or very early next month) too. It's your last chance to go to:
- THE CONSTITUENT: An Old Vic show starring Anna Maxwell Martin, James Corden, and Zachary Hart as an MP, an ex-serviceman, and a parliamentary protection officer. Until 10 August
- HABITAT: The Design Museum's free exhibition, Changing Spaces, marking 60 years of furniture and homewares brand Habitat. FREE, until 11 August
- SUMMER EXHIBITION: One of the highlights of the London art calendar, this year's Royal Academy Summer Exhibition displays works by Nicola Turner, Clare Woods, Ibiye Camp... and comedian Joe Lycett. Until 18 August
- BEYOND THE BASSLINE: The British Library's Beyond The Bassline exhibition is a whistlestop tour through the history of Black music in Britain, from 1511 to the present day. Until 26 August
- ASTRONOMY PHOTOGRAPHY: Reach for the stars at the Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, where you can ogle 100+ stunning photos of stars, galaxies, suns and moons. Until 27 August
- TWO STRANGERS: Or, to give it its full name, Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York), has received top reviews since opening at the Criterion Theatre; it's about two members of a wedding party meeting for the first time. Until 31 August
- YOKO ONO: Visitors are urged to thwack nails into a board and scribble over a white row boat at Tate Modern's retrospective of Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind. You're probably not going to 'get' everything in there — but hasn't that always been the way with Yoko's work? Until 1 September
- TURN IT UP: The Science Museum's family-friendly exhibition, Turn It Up: The Power of Music, looks at the effect music has on our lives. It's interactive, with a musical playground, a musical robot, and a chance to see and play some rather unusual instruments. Until 1 September
