All weekend
AUGUST HIGHLIGHTS: With a new month kicking off this weekend, bookmark our guide to the best London events in August, and make sure you don't miss out on the newest theatre shows and exhibitions, huge festivals and other things to help you make the most of summer in the capital.
A LIKELY STORY: Paintings and drawings by artist-in-residence Rosie Bayliss fill the Georgian rooms of Bell House in Dulwich for this solo exhibition. A Likely Story explores the psychological tension between domestic interiors and the gardens beyond, capturing figures in moments of quiet observation. The works, ranging from small fragments to larger canvases, were created to engage directly with the historic architecture and memory of the house. FREE, 1-2 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. Frank Skinner leads the charge with Saturday's opening show. 1-18 August 2026
PLATED LONDON: New dining festival Plated London kicks off this weekend and continues throughout August, with more than 30 restaurants, bars and hotels across Chelsea and Knightsbridge taking part. Look out for exclusive menus and dishes, and special events at the likes of Harvey Nichols, Hawksmoor and the Cadogan Arms. 1-31 August 2026
AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHY: Step into a century of American city life at Dulwich Picture Gallery, which displays photographs of the people who built, inhabited and transformed urban spaces into living communities in new exhibition Portraits of a City. It features works by 34 influential photographers from 1907 to 2012. 28 July-4 October 2026
LAUGHTERAMA: Somerset House hosts brand new comedy festival Laughterama, with open-air shows taking place in the courtyard. Performers this weekend include Ed Gamble, Celya AB, Amy Gledhill, Phil Wang and Fern Brady. 9 July-2 August 2026
HORRIBLE HISTORIES: Boudica, King John, the Magna Carta, Guy Fawkes and Dick Turpin all feature in the latest Horrible Histories stage show, which tackles Barmy Britain. It's history with the nasty bits left in — because everyone knows that's what kids latch onto. See it at the Apollo Theatre throughout the summer holidays. 30 July-31 August 2026
KILBURN HIGH ROAD FESTIVAL: The Kiln Theatre hosts the Kilburn High Road Festival, 16 days of art and performance along the thoroughfare. Highlights this weekend include The High Road Unframed, an outdoor exhibition of large-scale installations by local artists. 31 July-15 August 2026
CHILDHOOD IN WAR: Lambeth's Imperial War Museum opens new free exhibition Childhood in War, exploring the experiences of children during wartime from 1914 to the present day. See how aspects of life including play, schooling, health, home life and safety are all impacted by conflict. FREE, 31 July 2026-February 2027
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Have a (free!) drink at London's pink pub takeover
Make a date with friends this weekend to be among the first to experience London's brand new summer destination — and bag yourself a free 7UP Pink Shandy to enjoy while you're there.
To celebrate the launch of this brand new beverage, Clapham pub The Perky Nel has had a suitably pink makeover — think pink walls, garden and lawn games to play, and plenty of summery merch including cool bags and hats to be won.
Plus, every visitor can claim a free tipple: a 7UP Pink Shandy (both alcohol-free and standard options are available) by speaking to a member of staff on arrival. Whichever you choose, you're guaranteed a colourful, refreshing twist on a summer classic, with an added burst of flavour thanks to a generous splash of 7UP® Zero Sugar Pink Lemonade.
The Pink Nel is open at 7-8 Cavendish Parade, Clapham, SW4 9DW, between 31 July-24 August 2026. Entry is free, with one free drink available per person.
Saturday 1 August
DUNKIRK LITTLE SHIPS: Start your August 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
FLEA MARKET: Vintage fashion, designer labels, furniture and homeware dealers join forces for Bottle Factory Flea Market, a curated market at Canada Water. Browse independent traders' stalls for pre-loved items alongside the water of the docks. 10am-4pm
BRILLIANT TREES: Photographer and curator David Bennet leads a relaxed, family-friendly photography walk through the summer greenery of Valence Park in Dagenham. You only need a smartphone to join the session, which explores the vibrant foliage and warm light of the park's trees following a successful community exhibition earlier this year. FREE, 11am-12.30pm
WHITNEY BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH: Between The Bridges on South Bank presents a Whitney Houston-themed bottomless brunch. A tribute act performs Houston's hits including I Will Always Love You and Greatest Love of All, with 60 minutes of bottomless bubbles included in your ticket, along with a DJ, singalongs, dance-offs, and games and prizes. Food is not included, but there are multiple street-food traders on site. 11.30am-3pm
THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE: After a successful run at the Open Air Theatre last summer, Roald Dahl's Enormous Crocodile snaps its way into the Lyric Hammersmith, with music and oversized puppets telling the story of the other jungle creatures summoning up the courage to stop his rampage. 12pm/3.30pm (and until 22 August 2026)
AFRICAN REMEMBRANCE DAY: London Museum Docklands hosts a day of reflection, healing and renewal for African Remembrance Day. This year's event highlights Ethiopia's historic victory at the Battle of Adwa, featuring a keynote talk on the defence of African sovereignty by HE Ambassador Lalisa Birhanu. The afternoon also includes a traditional three-minute silence at 3pm and a libation ceremony led by an Ifa priestess. FREE, 1pm-4pm
MATSUMOTO TANABATA DOLLS: Have a go at making paper Matsumoto-style Tanabata dolls (double-sided paper dolls featuring painted faces of a man and a woman) in a family-friendly workshop at Japan House in Kensington. It's led by Mimura Takahiko and Mimura Shūko of Belleamie Doll Shop in Matsumoto. Learn about Matsumoto’s Tanabata-doll tradition before making a pair of dolls to take home. 1pm/4pm
MUCHO SOUL: Head to the Hackney Wick waterfront as Mucho Soul returns for a party at Grow. The live music session features Mucho Soul themselves alongside Basil Black II Basics, Miss Soxee and Damian Charles, moving through a genre-blurring mix of jazz, funk, broken beat and deep house. Music begins outdoors by the canal before shifting into the basement for a late-night set. FREE before 9pm, 4pm-2am
OUTDOOR CINEMA: London's open-air cinema season is at its peak right now, and Picturehouse pops up in Gunnersbury Park Museum Gardens for five screenings across this weekend and next. Shaun of the Dead is shown tonight, and each ticket includes a £7 credit towards food and drink. 6.30pm
CELLFIRE: Dalston's queer performance space The Divine hosts cabaret fundraiser Cellfire in support of Positive East, one of London's leading HIV charities. The evening features a guest speaker sharing lived experiences alongside a chaotic drag line-up including Jett, Lust, Alma Groin, Megan Mia Gemini and Rosacea Blemish. 8pm
Sunday 2 August
SHIPYARD TOURS: Step inside the working shipyard at the Golden Hinde (near Borough Market) for a guided visit that includes a 30-minute tour of the active restoration space and a 30-minute guided tour onboard the ship, explaining design, construction methods and conservation practices. The shipyard is an active industrial site so appropriate clothing and closed-toe footwear are required, while hard hats and high-vis are provided. 11am
LITTLE HOLLAND HOUSE: The monthly open day of Carshalton's Little Holland House invites the public inside for tours. The former home of artist and craftsman Frank Dickinson is Grade-II listed and packed with paintings, furniture, copperwork and other craft objects made by Dickinson. FREE, 11am-5pm
ZOO POP CULTURE: ZSL's 200th anniversary celebrations continue with a pop culture-focused tour of London Zoo. Join a guide for a wander around the Regent's Park site, finding out how the zoo's animals and architecture have inspired — and featured in — books and films, from Winnie the Pooh to Harry Potter. 11.30am
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. 12pm-10pm
KIDS RAVE: Babies, toddlers and their grown-ups are invited to SET Social in Peckham for a joyful Pride Edition of Scratch Sundays. This daytime rave celebrates queer families and community with feel-good, kid-friendly tunes from a special guest DJ. Dress in your brightest colours for an afternoon of dancing and play in a welcoming, inclusive environment. FREE, 12pm-1.30pm
THE BIG HOOPLA: Head to the garden of the Fox and Firkin in Lewisham for The Big Hoopla Family Day, a free afternoon of outdoor entertainment. The party features hula hoop performances and workshops, face-painting, and giant garden games like Jenga and Connect 4. Aspiring selectors are encouraged to bring their own vinyl and sign up for a 30-minute slot on the decks to provide the day's soundtrack. FREE, 2pm-7pm
FRAGRANCE BLENDING: The Greenhouses in Marylebone continues its series of special afternoon tea events with a hands-on fragrance-blending workshop led by experts from Ribbon & Bow. Learn about top, heart and base notes, and craft a 10ml blended fragrance to take home with you. Afternoon tea is also included in your ticket. 2pm-4pm
ABOUT SOME MEANINGLESS EVENTS: As part of its Project A Black Planet series, Barbican Cinema screens About Some Meaningless Events, a programme that looks at political memory, language and national cinema through three films, all filmed in Morocco in 1974. 2pm
PETER RABBIT: Quantum Theatre brings Michael Whitmore's adaptation of Beatrix Potter's The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny to Chiswick House and Gardens. The family-friendly outdoor performance follows Peter and his cousin Benjamin as they get into scrapes in Mr McGregor’s garden. Take a blanket and a picnic to make an afternoon of it. 2pm/5pm
TOMORROW'S WARRIORS: Youth music ensemble Tomorrow's Warriors presents live sets from artists on its Young Artists’ Development Programme. Watch them for free at Southbank Centre, a chance to see emerging jazz musicians nurtured by the organisation. FREE, 4.30pm
ISLINGTON FESTIVAL FINALE: Head to Christ Church Highbury for the final show at this year's Islington Festival. The grand finale features works by Beethoven, Tolstoy and Janáček, with free tickets for under-18s and reduced prices for under-25s. 5pm
