London in August: A Guide on Things to do & Events

Notting Hill Carnival takes place over the August bank holiday weekend, from 27th-28th August. It is one of the largest street festivals in the world, attracting around two and a half million people every year. The carnival is celebration of Caribbean culture, with an iconic parade.

The BBC Proms take place over eight weeks between July and September every year. The season includes a number of classical music events from large scale symphonic and choral performances, to intimate chamber concerts. Most of the concerts take place in the Royal Albert Hall, but this year there will also be events at Battersea Park.

The Camden Fringe Festival will take place between 31st July - 27th August. This is a performing arts festival which was set up as a London alternative to the Edinburgh Festival.  It aims to give anyone the chance to perform and showcase their talents, and previous festivals have included opera, musicals, stand-up comedy, dance, cabaret, poetry, mentalism, and improvisation.

Summer on the Square is a free festival of art that takes place on Trafalgar Square between 1st-28th August. There will be daily creative sessions and activities to inspire you to create your own masterpieces. You can experiment with new materials, practice drawing, or be drawn yourself.

During the month of August, the courtyard at Somerset House becomes filled with pop-up food and drink trucks, as well as different live events and performances. It's free, and they usually put out additional seating. The fountains in the courtyard are also on daily from 10.00 - 19.00.

Jazz Age is an immersive jazz experience. It takes place throughout August and September, in a venue in West Kensington, which has been transformed into a 1930s New York jazz club. During the evening you get to relive the opening night of Belle Livingstone’s 58th Street Country Club, the last great super-speakeasy of the Jazz Age. The evening includes food and drink, and great jazz music.

Latino Life is the UK's largest Latin music festival which takes place on 5th August in Ealing. The music includes salsa, reggaeton, samba, jazz, fusion, folk, funk, bolero, tango and hip-hop. They also have some immersive cultural experiences.

The Roundhouse Comedy Festival takes place between 5th – 23rd August. It offers a diverse programme of comedy performances that will leave you in stitches. Whether you're a fan of stand-up, sketch comedy, improv, or alternative comedy, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Challenge London is the world's biggest city centre triathlon. The event takes place on the 6th August and is open to participants of all abilities. It offers various distances including Super Sprint, Sprint, Sprint Relay, Olympic, Olympic Relay, and the brand-new Middle distance.

Afternoon Tea Week takes place from 7th - 13th August, and celebrates the great British tradition of Afternoon Tea! During the week many tearooms in London will offer special discount packages for their tea. For a great price, you can sip on a variety of exquisite teas and indulge in a delectable array of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones served with clotted cream and jam, and an assortment of delectable pastries and cakes.

The Summer Sounds Music Festival is a 12 day live music festival that takes place from 6th-20th August, at Coal Drops Yard by King's Cross Station. The free event includes classical music, folk, and jazz, as well as dance performances. The live concerts take place every evening from 6.30pm-8.30pm, and from 1pm to 6pm on ‘Family Sundays’.

London has two rooftop film clubs: one in Peckham and one in Stratford. At both locations you can watch films from comfy deckchairs whilst enjoying great views of London's skyline as the sun sets.

In the month of August, Kew Gardens runs an outdoor theatre. The open-air setting allows for a more intimate and immersive theatrical encounter, breaking down the barrier between performers and spectators. This year they will be putting on a production of Alice in Wonderland.

On rainy days, Battersea Power Station is a great place to visit as most activities are indoors. This includes a mini golf course, museum, cinema, theatre, art gallery and a number of great restaurants and pubs. The Power Station also puts on a number of events during the summer months, including the Battersea Games in August.

In August, the Southbank Centre hosts a variety of cultural events and performances, including poetry readings, concerts, and art demonstrations. They also have a roof garden where you can see an art installation, as well as a striking bamboo structure on the Hayward Gallery Terrace.

The Great British Beer Festival takes place from the 1st-5th August at Olympia. You can enjoy hundreds of different beers, as well as street food and live entertainment.

If you enjoy music festivals, the All Points East Festival takes place from 20th-23rd August at Victoria Park in Tower Hamlets. It features a diverse lineup of artists from various music genres, including rock, indie, electronic, hip-hop, and more.

Buckingham Palace is only open to the public between July and October. During these months visitors can walk through nineteen of the magnificent State Rooms and explore the Palace's Garden.

London's river walks offer a delightful escape on warm days in August. The Thames Path passes landmarks like Tower Bridge and the London Eye, or for a more serene experience, the river Wandle Trail meanders through picturesque parks and nature reserves.

August is a great month to take a cruise on the river Thames. The pleasant weather and longer daylight hours create the perfect setting for a memorable river journey. From the comfort of the boat, you can soak in breathtaking views of iconic landmarks such as the National Gallery, the Tower of London, London Bridge and the National Theatre.

The South Facing Festival takes place from 4th-13th August at Crystal Palace, an iconic South London venue with a rich musical tradition. Some of the highlights include Craig David, Sister Sledge, and Primal Scream.

South West Four Festival is an electronic dance music festival that takes place from 26th-28th August on Clapham Common. It is a weekend where all greatest electronic and dance music producers descend on South West London. In previous years they have had Sasha, Fatboy Slim, Arman Van Buuren and Dizzie Rascal as headline acts.

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is one of the largest theatres in London with 1,240 seats. In August this year you can see Dinosaur World Live, which is a thrilling interactive show for the entire family.

If we have good weather in August and you are looking for outdoor activities, why not explore one of the beaches on the Thames? Sections of the Thames foreshore are revealed when the tide goes out, leaving sandy and stony beaches along the river Bank, which are great fun to walk along.

On 18th August you can take a guided walk of Hyde Park. The walking tour includes stories of notorious criminals who met their untimely end at the Tyburn Tree, and information about the inception of Speakers' Corner. You can also visit the Victorian Pet Cemetery, which was the first public Pet Cemetery in Britain, where over 1,000 animals have been buried. 

London's old pubs along the River Thames offer a glimpse into the city's seafaring past, as they once provided a haven for sailors, dockworkers, and fishermen working on the river. Exploring these riverside pubs in August is a treat, as the warm weather allows you to enjoy a refreshing drink outside, whilst taking in beautiful views of the Thames.

The Brunel Museum tells the story of the Thames Tunnel, which was the first tunnel to be built under the river Thames. During the month of August, the museum is open for an extra day a week. They also have a family friendly storytelling session on Friday 20th August, as well as a Midnight Apothecary, offering campfire cocktails in the evening.

On 6th August there will be a celebration of Asalha Puja Day at Wimbledon Buddhist Temple. This ceremony commemorates the day when Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. The temple welcomes visitors of any faith, and is a beautiful place to visit. The monks also offer regular meditation classes every Saturday and Sunday from 15:00-17:00.

August is one of the best months to take a ride on the Thames Cable Car in Greenwich. On a clear, sunny day, you get spectacular views of the London skyline and the river Thames.

During the month of August, the British Museum has an exhibition on the Ancient Greeks. It includes beautiful sculptures, jewellery, armour, vases and ancient sporting paraphernalia. This is a good option if you are looking for something interesting to do on wet days in August.

The outdoor cinema at Kensington Palace is a great experience in the summer months. The cinema will be running from 9th-13th August, and will be showing a selection of films including The Great Gatsby, and Oscar-winning Top Gun: Maverick.

Throughout the month of August, the London Transport Museum will be running a number of walking tours of old, disused underground stations. One of the most popular tours is the Down Street tour, where you can see where Prime Minister Winston Churchill secretly took refuge at the height of the Blitz. This tour takes place in early August from 2nd-9th.

London has a number of open air swimming pools that you can enjoy on sunny days. Some of the lidos also offering sunbathing terraces and cafes. The outdoor pools provide a refreshing escape from the city's hustle and bustle, allowing visitors to swim and relax in a tranquil outdoor setting.

August is one of the best months to visit Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. The Globe is an open-air theatre, and audience members stand in front of the stage, just as they did in Shakespeare's time. Plays will always go ahead, regardless of the weather forecast, and even in the snow and pouring rain. The best time to go is a warm, dry summer evening.

August is one of the best months to go kayaking on the river Thames. The trips are suitable for adults of all abilities, including complete beginners. The trips include kayaking between Greenwich and Battersea, a night paddle from Battersea to Greenwich, a night paddle from Greenwich to the Tower of London, and a paddle from Greenwich to the Thames Barrier and back.

From 26th-27th August the London Tattoo Show will take place at Excel London. This is an international tattoo event showcasing the work of renowned tattoo artists, along with live music and entertainment.

Every year on 9th August, the London Buddhist community organise a peace walk and lantern ceremony to remember those who died in Nagasaki in 1945. The walk starts at Westminster Cathedral, and finishes at the London Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park where there is a lantern ceremony and prayers.