Back in June, we had murals, bracelet making, city tours, and many more activities to celebrate the arrival of Taylor Swift and the Eras tour in London. Well, Swifties, she’s back in Wembley this week (August 15, 16, 17, 19 and 20), and the city is once again awash with Swiftie fever. Whether you’re living out your Wildest Dreams and have bagged tickets, or you missed out but still want to honour this Queen of Pop, here are the best Taylor Swift -inspired things to do in London.
1–2. Hear Swift’s music in a brand-new way with a Taylor tribute
If you’ve not managed to bag tickets for Taylor’s return to Wembley, fear not: you can still hear her tunes performed live. While it may not be Taylor herself holding the mic, there are a few concerts across London that still hold the Swift magic in other ways…
🎻 A free, open-air ‘Taylor Swift on Strings’ concert will take place in Wembley Park on Tuesday, August 13 – the City String Ensemble will perform enchanting interpretations of Love Story, Fortnight, We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together, and many more.
🎻 Taking it one step further, the London Sessions Quartet will perform an hour of Taylor’s biggest hits at Central Hall Westminster on strings too; however, they’ll be surrounded by hundreds of flickering candles. If that doesn’t say “magical”, I don’t know what does! Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift will take place on Friday, August 16 – and rest assured, these are flame-less candles, so won’t be adding to the hot temperatures we’re experiencing at the moment.
3. Shake it off with a Taylor-themed drag performance
If you’re looking for a post-Eras tour party or to get in on a slice of the action, then head to VauxAll Too Well on Saturday, August 17. Shake it off from 10pm-4am to non-stop Taylor at The Royal Vauxhall Tavern: think the hits, vault tracks, and the fan faves (do you have a spare 10 minutes?). There’ll also be a Taylor-themed drag performance, so it’ll be a pretty cruel summer if you miss that!
4. Take it back to the beginning with a country-inspired cocktail experience
If Taylor Swift or Fearless is still your favourite album after all this time, maybe the country guy/gal in you will pass by Moonshine Saloon in Aldgate, London, this week? Although this bar is technically a Wild West-inspired cocktail experience, it’s a great opportunity to pop on a cowboy/cowgirl hat and drink cocktails aplenty… No one will judge if you’re humming Taylor songs under your breath. Perhaps cowboy like me?
The experience will see bartenders whip your choice of booze into four customised cocktails, plus there are plenty of games, actor interaction, and even a storyline to follow.
5. Immerse yourself in all things T-Swizzle at a dedicated, free exhibition
Are you Ready For It? ‘It’ being a bumper exhibition featuring several objects on loan from Taylor Swift’s personal archive? The V&A is currently home to Taylor Swift | Songbook Trail, between July 27 – September 8; this temporary exhibition gives visitors the chance to see costumes, accessories, music awards, storyboards, and many previously unseen items – all for free.
The exhibition trail is spread across 13 stops (obviously), each of which exhibits a chapter of Swift’s monumental music career. Head to the iconic museum in South Kensington to feast your eyes on the likes of the customised cowboy boots that she donned on stage in 2007, and the black ruffled dress she wore in this year’s ‘Fortnight’ music video.
6. Nab a free, Taylor Swift-inspired kebab
What on earth does a Taylor Swift-inspired kebab entail, you may ask. Well, Kebhouze (the UK’s largest kebab house) has created The Swiftie, comprising chicken, fresh salad, and fiery hot sriracha sauce, in tribute to Taylor’s go-to kebab order. You can try it for free between August 15–17; all you need to do is swap a Swift-inspired friendship bracelet at the till of their flagship store on Oxford Street.
If you don’t have a friendship bracelet, The Swiftie is £6.99 to purchase.
7. Enjoy a bottomless meal and a show inspired by T-Swift
Scarlett Green – the Soho branch of the beloved Daisy Green Collection restaurants – hosts a weekly live music event, Scarlett Live. For this week only (August 14–17), there’ll be multiple Scarlett Live shows, all to honour Ms Swift, of course. Daisy Green Collection’s singing waiters and waitresses will dazzle you with a treat for the eyes, ears, and stomachs as they serve your meal with a side of Swift’s hits.
If you’re feeling fancy, you can opt to make the experience ‘bottomless’: enjoy a sharing board, cocktail fountain, and unlimited prosecco for 90 minutes.