37 amazing things to do in London this August – from Notting Hill Carnival to underground theme parks, food festivals, and more

Inarguably one of the city’s most legendary summer celebrations, Notting Hill Carnival is a London institution that’s up there with the likes of the London Eye, the Elizabeth Tower, Tower Bridge, and the annual no-trousers tube ride. But it’s a hell of a lot more fun than all 4 combined!

Across the August bank holiday, the area will be filled with some 2 million people, thronging to the landmark event. Be ready to party like it’s 1966 when the celebration of Caribbean culture first took place. Meander through the streets and follow a colourful mas band, cut some shapes at a dance stage, or just soak in the atmosphere with a delicious plate of scran (from one of the many hundreds of trading stalls), before shuffling through London’s finest free event.

While a few may spill into the early weeks of September, August can pretty accurately be called the last full month of festival season in London. So be sure to leave no overpriced tinnie undowned; no beads of glitter unapplied; and no dusty tent undanced in. You’ll miss it all when it’s gone! Be sure to get down and dance at these festivals this August:

🎵 Junction 2 (July 25 – August 2) – Boston Manor Park

🎶 Labyrinth On The Thames (July 31 – August 16) – Old Royal Naval College

🎵 Jazz Cafe Festival (August 2) – Burgess Park

🎶 Maiden Voyage (August 8) – Burgess Park

🎵 All Points East (August 22 – 30) – Victoria Park

🎶 Queer Frequencies (August 22 – 23) – East Bank

🎵 Lido Festival (August 31, 2026) – Victoria Park

and more!

Horrible Histories is taking over the museum! For a limited time, the Horrible Histories team is partnering up with Ramses and the Pharaohs’ Gold: The Exhibition on a hugely fun tour of the Awesome Egyptians. They’ll be treating visitors to foul facts, mean mummies, and more as they present “the history of Egypt with the nasty bits left in!”

This summer, one UK-wide hospitality group is stepping up to make dining out easier for families. Across over 200 restaurants, The Big Table Group is serving up FREE children’s meals, EVERY day of the summer school holidays. This means families can dine out without the prohibitive cost at all UK venues of the following restaurants:

• Bella Italia
• Frankie & Benny’s
• Banana Tree
• Las Iguanas
• Chiquito

Think the London Eye is only for tourists? Think again! Many people, even local Londoners, probably don’t know that you can spot some real gems from up there – things you had no idea you could see from the heart of London.

This summer, book yourself a ticket for a ride in one of the capsules and look out for these lesser-known sights, including the centuries-old Cleopatra’s Needle, two hidden rooftop gardens, a couple of castles, and much more.

‘Summer Splash’ is a huge lido that returns to the capital for the sunny season each year. But it’s not around for long! The al-fresco water space joins London’s impressive lido lineup, courtesy of the Royal Docks. And unlike many of the city’s other swimming offerings, it’s completely free to use!

Alongside the pool, visitors can enjoy sandpits, deckchairs, daily family-friendly activities, swim-safe water sessions, and a vibrant schedule of events. The pool is manned by lifeguards and features a shallow end, making it safe for the whole family.

If you’re after a high-octane night out, bouncing over to Sabrage is well-advised. The acclaimed spectacle melds circus and acrobatic skills with a wardrobe of striking outfits and burlesque performance. Grab a cocktail and some southern bar bites as you sit back in a Louisiana-inspired setting to enjoy the show!

A fun free public art trail has landed in London, courtesy of artist Mr Doodle. Five big, bright, bespoke works of art arrived in the city, and they’ve been scattered around the likes of Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, and St James’s Market. Each piece showcases Mr Doodle’s instantly recognisable style with bespoke doodled references and bold pops of colour. See if you can find them all!

We’ve got some great news for all of you TV game show fans: you can now seek that competitive thrill at BuzzAttack, the new high-energy trivia experience in London. We’re talking buzzers, podiums, and yep, a giant spinning wheel.

The experience throws you into a live game show with your friends and family, where you’ll face off in a variety of games and adrenaline-pumping trivia challenges. You’ll battle it out in a fun TV studio setting complete with nostalgic colours and lights, so you’ll truly feel like a contestant on TV. Ready, set, buzzers!

Hungry Londoners have a wealth of opportunities to explore the city’s culinary scene thanks to a number of food festivals popping up this August. Exploring the best traders in the city and the country, these food festivals are a must-visit for foodies:

😋 Black Eats Fest – “Afro-Caribbean flavours, unmatched vibes” (August 7-9)

🔥 London Reggae & Food Fest – “bringing together legendary sound systems, celebrated DJs, live performers and some of the capital’s best Caribbean street food traders.” (August 8)

🍛 KERB Goes East – An enormous street food festival of East and Southeast Asian flavours. (August 8-9)

🌮 The Tacover – Europe’s biggest taco festival, with plenty of tequila to boot. (August 14-16)

🍗 Roost – Eating with Tod is bringing together the world’s best chicken dishes in one location. (August 21-23)

🤤 Black Eats LDN Takeover @ Round The Dock – “food traders, authentic culinary experiences, and a welcoming atmosphere” from the UK’s first and only black-owned restaurant directory. (August 22-23)

☕ Global Coffee Culture Festival – a one-day-only festival celebrating music, coffee and community. (August 29)

This August, the Plated food festival makes its debut, taking over 30 of the city’s fanciest and most talked-about restaurants. Throughout the month, the participating venues will be slashing prices, doling out complimentary cocktails, and serving special discounted menus. Deals range from £1 oysters and £8 cocktails to £30 set menus (with a complimentary drink on arrival!) and limited-edition menu items.

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship is once again hitting the track in London this August. Part of the 2026 Hankook London E-Prix, the double-header promises two full days of adrenaline-pumping electric races on the first and only indoor-outdoor circuit of top-flight motorsport. Attendees can also enjoy live music, food truck fare, racing simulators, and many more festival experiences.

Sure, the Edinburgh Fringe may be the theatre festival – an unmissable event for theatre-lovers, makers, and practitioners of all stripes. But did you know London has its very own version? The Camden Fringe sees over 50 of the city’s most exciting grassroots theatres and venues platforming up-and-coming talent in the city. The month-long festival features over 300 shows to check out, ranging from bonkers comedy acts to dance presentations, heartfelt plays that have never been staged before, and more.

Find out more about the Camden Fringe here.

London’s West End is home to some of the best theatrical productions you’ll see anywhere in the world. With shows that range from musicals to Shakespeare, comedy and drama, there’s something for all tastes. Catch one of these world-class theatrical productions this August:

NEW OPENINGS

🥃 Abigail’s Party (August 12 – September 19): Harold Pinter Theatre – “Tamzin Outhwaite stars as one of the most iconic characters in British theatre – the unforgettable Beverly in Mike Leigh’s ferocious black comedy of suburban life in the 1970s.”

🎭 Electra/Persona (August 19 – October 10): Lyttleton Theatre – a meta psychological merging of theatre and film, combining the Ancient Greek classic ‘Electra’ and Ingmar Bergman’s ‘Persona’.

🗞️ The Story (August 27 – October 24): Olivier Theatre – “When a white teacher is killed in a black neighbourhood, four journalists race to get the headline – at any cost.”

🎼 Holy Fool (August 27 – October 10): Park Theatre – “At the height of Stalin’s regime, celebrated composer Dmitri Shostakovich walks a perilous tightrope. One wrong note could topple him; one perfectly judged crescendo might save his life.”

ENDING SOON

💘 Tender (Ends August 1): Bush Theatre – a queer love story that “promises to subvert your expectations”.

👑 1536 (Ends August 1): The Ambassadors Theatre – three women in Essex in Tudor England see parallels in their own lives as rumours spread from the court of Henry VIII concerning the fall of Anne Boleyn.

🎶 Allegra (Ends August 8): Harold Pinter Theatre – Allegra is so full of joy that she can’t help but burst into song, and it’s starting to cause chaos and disruption.

Did you know there’s an entire theme park hidden underneath the streets of Camden? Babylon Park is London’s first-ever underground theme park, featuring everything from rides to arcade games and the city’s only indoor rollercoaster. It’s the ideal place for an epic day out – whatever the weather!

A weeks-long comedy festival will take over The Roundhouse this August, bringing shows from some of the biggest and funniest names in the industry. Performances will range from headline galas to stand-up specials, live podcast recordings, Edinburgh Fringe hits, and work-in-progress shows.

The headliners include major names such as “Joe Lycett, Katherine Ryan, Sam Campbell, Ed Gamble, Sara Pascoe and Vittorio Angelone, alongside solo shows from Kristen Schaal (star of Bob’s Burgers) and Jack Rooke, creator of Big Boys”.

Spirited cocktail festival, Cocktails in the City, returns this August to transform a historic private garden into a “vibrant village of pop-up cocktail bars”. Guests can sip on perfectly-made drinks from some of London’s most celebrated bartenders. And the drinks are just £10! There’s also silent disco, live music, pétanque, street food, workshops, and much more.

Find out more and grab tickets here.

Opening its doors for the first time this August, visit a brand-new themed bar – by order of the Peaky Blinders! That’s right; a Peaky Blinders bar is opening in London. The adventure starts not far from London Bridge station at a free-to-enter, faithfully recreated post-WWI pub, Garrison Tavern; but you’ll want to grab a ticket to experience the Peaky Blinders Underworld lurking just behind. 

Part drinking experience, part live entertainment, part game, Peaky Blinders Underworld will have you fully immerse yourself in the notorious world of the Shelby family. Engage with actors, venture through themed environments – such as Garrison Lane, The Bookies, Chinatown and The Small Heath Fairground – and take on challenges to prove your nerve. This is a drinking experience with a twist! Do you have what it takes to join the syndicate?

Okay, sure, so this isn’t exactly in London. But it’s close enough, and stunning enough, to warrant an inclusion! Feast on Cloud 9 returns this August, allowing diners to enjoy a magical meal, sat in a gorgeous vintage hot air balloon, surrounded by acres upon acres of outrageously good-looking greenery. It’s a dining experience like no other.

‘The Art of Mini Golf’ is a unique exhibition that educates and entertains visitors with an insight into the game’s history. Each of the 9 mini golf holes – all of which are playable – has been designed by an artist, and confronts and disrupts any expectations you might have of the game. It’s just been extended into August, so catch it before it’s gone!

Brigit’s Afternoon Tea Bus Tours invite Londoners to take a seat, enjoy a British tradition (afternoon tea), and see all of the sights of the city. These tasty sightseeing expeditions are themed around the likes of MONOPOLY, Peppa Pig, PAW Patrol, and Paddington. Indulge in a scrumptious 90-minute traditional British afternoon tea served on board as the bus passes London’s most famous landmarks. Sip, savour, and sightsee!

Imagine being surrounded by hundreds of flickering candles while classical musicians serenade you with stunning renditions of some of the most beautiful songs ever recorded. Sounds like bliss, right? Well, it’s easily attainable bliss thanks to these breathtaking Candlelight Concerts this August:

🕯️ Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac (August 8)

✨ Candlelight: Tribute to Michael Jackson (August 8)

🕯️ Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA (August 29)

✨ Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer (August 29)

Big Kid Ice Cream is inviting Londoners to cool down from the heat with a bonkers limited-time ice cream flavour. Specially crafted for their birthday, they’ve launched a limited-edition Cream Cheese & Dill Pickle Ice Cream. It’s available for just one month, until August 9.

Or you could check out the Anya Hindmarch Ice Cream Project. This bonkers ice cream parlour serves up flavours inspired by store-cupboard essentials and sauces. These range from Yorkshire pudding to soy sauce, butter, orange juice, and more. But act fast, they’ll close up shop on August 16.

This August, London’s passions really do combine. That’s because Street Child is hosting “The Craft Half – a craft beer-themed half marathon bringing together runners, beer lovers and fundraisers for a memorable day out in London.”

It’s your chance to challenge yourself on a 13.1-mile course, raise money for Street Child, and engage with London’s vibrant craft beer scene. Half pints and half marathons – it’s a perfect match!

Find out more and register here.

Thanks to London’s wealth of museums and galleries, there are always lots of fascinating new exhibitions to check out. Here are some of the best exhibitions to check out in the city this August, and some to catch before they close this month:

EXHIBITIONS OPENING IN AUGUST

🩵 Trans is Human (August 5 – September 27): Queer Britain – portraits by renowned photographer Mariano Vivanco that celebrate “thirteen inspiring, familiar and very ordinary transgender people from across the UK.”

🖤 Modern Toss: “Having an exhibition yeah?” (August 14 – September 6): The Drawing Room – two decades of work by cartoonists Modern Toss, with 100 pieces, including token-operated swearing machines, big stone heads, large-scale paintings, and more.

EXHIBITIONS CLOSING IN AUGUST

❤️ Kulpreet Singh: Indelible Black Marks (Ends August 2): Hayward Gallery – paintings and filmed performances that explore “the urgent link between climate change and agricultural crisis”.

💙 Hurvin Anderson (Ends August 23): Tate Britain – colour-drenched landscapes and interiors fill the first major survey exhibition of the artist, which also includes a room of never-before-seen paintings.

🧡 Zurbarán (Ends August 23): The National Gallery – the first major UK exhibition of works from visionary Spanish painter Francisco de Zurbarán.

💜 Fairy Tales (Ends August 23): British Library – a family-friendly exhibition that explores the origin and lasting appeal of fairy tales.

💚 Our Story With David Attenborough (Ends August 28): Natural History Museum – having been extended from its original January ending date, this immense immersive experience must end in August.

🤍 Peter Layton: In Retrospect – 50 years of Alchemy (Ends August 30): London Glassblowing – a five-decade retrospective from the founder of London Glassblowing

🩷 MURUGIAH: Ever Feel Like… (Ends August 31): Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration – the first solo show for the architect-turned-illustrator, featuring a “kaleidoscopic, sometimes macabre world of fantastical characters and scenes”.

💜 Tracey Emin: A Second Life (Ends August 31): Tate Modern – Tracey Emin’s largest-ever exhibition looks back over the artist’s impressive 40-year career, featuring never-before-seen works and iconic pieces.

London’s recently-opened Coyo Taco is here to save you from the never-ending heatwave this summer. Throughout August, they’re offering half-gallon frozen margaritas for customers to take away and enjoy. Each one holds 5 full drinks, perfect for sharing with friends in the sun – or as the sun begins to set.

In London, we’ve got world-class art exhibitions, stunning West End shows, and we’ve also got some incredible live music venues. That means on any given night, you can expect a chart-topping superstar or the next big name in music to be performing somewhere in the city. With that in mind, here are the top gigs to jump around at in London this August:

• Life Of Agony (August 1) – Camden Underworld
• Tom Jones (August 5) – Crystal Palace Bowl
• Masayoshi Takanaka with support from Himiko Kikuchi and Ginger Root (August 7) – Crystal Palace Bowl
• Bastille & The Wombats (August 13) – Crystal Palace Bowl
• Joji (August 13) – The O2
• Frank Carter & the Sex Pistols (August 14) – Gunnersbury Park
• The Weeknd x Playboi Carti (August 14, 15, 16, 18, 19) – Wembley Stadium
• Ariana Grande (August 15, 16, 19, 20, 23, 24, 27, 28, 31, & September 1) – The O2
• Lenny Kravitz (August 15) – Gunnersbury Park
• Jimmy Eat World with Rise Against, The Get Up Kids, and Jay Som (August 16) – Gunnersbury Park
• FOOL Collective showcase (August 20) – Avalon Cafe
• A$AP Rocky (August 30) – The O2
• The Black Keys (August 31) – Hammersmith Apollo

This August, here in the UK, we’ll be treated to the greatest solar eclipse in 27 years. While not a total solar eclipse, around 90% of the Sun will appear to be covered by the Moon from the British Isles. And to top it all off, it’s happening the very same day as the Perseid meteor shower peaks.

The Perseid meteor shower will bring with it up to 150 shooting stars an hour. It’s set to have the best viewing conditions in years. Widely considered the best meteor shower of the year for Northern Hemisphere observers, it’s one of the easiest and most enjoyable astronomical events to experience.

This August, animals will take over the Tower of London. For two weeks, processions of extraordinary animals will fill the area with puppetry, music, and movement. Inspired by the Tower’s Royal Menagerie, the special performance has been created by artists Mervyn Millar and Suzy Willson, in partnership with Historic Royal Palaces. Visitors might spot a bear ambling through the parade ground, a flamboyance of flamingoes, butterflies, a giant serpent, and more.

Find out more here.

This August, Napoli on the Road will serve up a special pizza tasting menu at their newest location in Soho. Across the tasting menu’s multiple courses, guests will sample a selection of fritti, pizza, palate cleansers, and dessert. Along the way, diners will try four different pizzas as well as a plethora of other dishes. Together, these dishes explore different aspects of pizza making, as well as specific regions of Italy.

London’s cooks and chefs love to try out new things, collaborate on special food items, and experiment with their menus. That’s why many of the city’s restaurants often feature limited-edition menus and exclusive dishes. So if you want to have a meal that few others will get a chance to try, check out these special dining experiences this August:

🍝 Slurp your way through bottomless pasta at NOCI Shoreditch’s special Feasting with Friends lunchtime offering. (12-3pm, August 31)

💐 Babur’s collaborative menu with the Horniman Museum and Gardens, Together In Bloom, “fuses Babur’s signature Indian spices with the herbs and botanicals found in the Horniman’s celebrated gardens”. (until September 20)

🔥 Maida Vale’s The Hero pub is joining forces with beloved Korean neighbourhood restaurant from Bristol, Dongnae, for a one-night-only dinner collab. (August 4)

🍕 Franco Manca has collaborated with Aaron Potter of Wildflowers restaurant on a limited-edition Summer in Bloom pizza. The pizza is topped with peach, gorgonzola, crispy coppa and truffle honey, with a truffle honey and gorgonzola dip. (until the end of August)

🎾 Urban Greens has joined forces with padel club, Padium, on the Urban Greens Padel Club Summer Series. Across 4 dates, expect “friendly padel, expert coaching, vibrant Urban Greens salads, a live DJ and a few surprise experiences.” (August 1, 8, 15, 22)

🔥 MICHELIN-starred Chishuru has launched its Summer Suya Sessions menu, with à la carte dishes starting at just £7. (Wednesdays only, until August 26)

🍨 Lily Vanilli is launching a Georgian-inspired dessert menu at Mayfair’s DakaDaka for one week only, with the guest favourite staying on the menu through the month. (August 1 – 8)

🥘 Brindisa Tapas is launching a special weekend series, Paella at The Power Station, where guests can enjoy authentic paella, Spanish drinks, and riverside dining. (August 1 – September 27)

🤤 Karla Knowles (ex-Head Chef at Kiln) is hosting a series of collaborative dining events ahead of opening her first permanent restaurant this autumn. (August 13, August 15)

🍛 Enjoy cut-price dishes from The Cinnamon Club’s ‘Retro Menu’, with prices from 2001 brought back for a limited time. (August 10 – 22)

🍕 Yard Sale Pizza is joining forces with Mangal 1 on the limited-edition Mangal One pizza, with lamb kofte, Turkish green peppers, Aleppo pepper sauce, fior di latte mozzarella and tomato sauce. (until August 26)

🍕 Mamapen is collaborating with Slice Circle at the Old Nun’s Head for a limited-time Tro-Pic Thunder pizza with unique Cambodian flavours and toppings. They’re also making a donation to Reconnecting Cambodia charity for every collab pizza sold. (August 3 – 31)

🍝 Il Gattopardo has launched Pasta & Vino – a rotating weekly special “that takes guests on a regional tour of the Italian peninsula through a pasta and wine pairing for £20”.

🎣 Tasca is kicking off its summer residency by taking over the kitchen at Project 44, an East London neighbourhood café and wine bar.

Not content to be left behind, London’s bars and bartenders also love a good collaboration or limited-edition menu. Check out these spirited one-off events and special menus this July: 

🌞 CASA LAWA is flying to London from Sicily to bring a southern Italian-inspired menu and bespoke cocktails to Rondo at The Hoxton for three days only. (August 8, 15, 22)

🍹 ROKA has partnered with The House of Suntory on a new Happy Hour cart at their Charlotte Street terrace. There are three special new cocktails available during happy hour, priced at £7 each.

🍸 In the midst of a temporary closure due to a fire, Tayēr + Elementary is popping up with a more relaxed format, ‘What If?’ with Casual by Tayēr, at Cato. (July 15 – August 22)

🎶 Mitsu is hosting a series of special listening nights, Toki-O Nights, with special sound systems from Technics and Toki Japanese Highballs. (August 5 & 19)

🍷 A rosé wine pop-up from Miraval has landed on Borough Yards, bringing a taste of Provence to London. (until September 8)

🍸 Sipsmith has launched its Sipper Club supper club at its Chiswick distillery. The gin-infused culinary experience includes a gin bus and exclusive after-hours access to the distillery. (August 26)

🍹 The Brooklands Bar at the Peninsula London is hosting a one-day-only bar takeover, and inviting Overstory NYC to head behind the bar for a day. (August 12)

Play Make Do is returning this August with a joyful three-day festival that will transform the Barbican Centre into a playground for imagination, movement and making for all ages. It’s a chance to Play Make (and) Do. The free and affordable events and workshops across the weekend include storytelling sessions, clowning performances, crafting workshops, dance classes, and more.

Find out more here.

Immersive Gamebox is a social gaming experience that allows players to step into the world of the game they’re playing. With motion tracking, touch-sensitive walls, and surround sound, the experience brings the games to life without the use of a headset. Games on offer range from Football Arcade to Squid Game, Batman, Ghostbusters, and more.

Find out more here.