Even when it’s wet and rainy, Summer in London is the city at its finest! Here’s a guide to some of the best free events happening across the capital across Summer:
Canary Wharf
Spend an afternoon amongst the skyscrapers with a game of ping pong at the free-to-use tables in Montgomery Square and Wren Landing, or tuck into a range of global flavours every Thursday at The Lunch Market. Art, music and theatre lovers can dive into the Alfresco Arts series, explore London’s largest free to visit outdoor public art collection and keep an eye out for vibrant murals at the London Mural Festival. For film fans, Film Club will be screening favourites like Grease and Barbie – and don’t forget to try your hand at mini-golf at Montgomery Square’s colourful nine-hole course too, and get a hole in one!
City of London
From the Euros to the Paris Olympics, sport is at the top of everyone’s agenda. The City of London’s getting in on the action with its Summer of Sport, where you can take part in free activities like table tennis, mini-golf and fitness classes. There’s a giant noughts and crosses board too, as well as chess tables and good vibes singalongs to keep you moving and grooving all Summer long.
Camden
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Camden Market, you can join the first-ever UK Yunnan Torch Festival, featuring dance, music, arts, and workshops. Celebrate Asian culture at the Bollywood Festival, with dance, live music, and family-friendly activities, and experience the Spotlight Session with Black Owned London, and for a dose of classic drama, enjoy a free performance of Much Ado About Nothing with Shakespeare in the Square.
South Bank
Head to the Southbank Centre for You Belong Here, a two month-long celebration of inclusion and community with free parties, performances, and activities every weekend. Shop from over 60 independent designers and makers at the SoLo Craft Fair Summer Markets at Between the Bridges, discover the magical art of stop-motion films with a visit to the LAIKA: Frame By Frame Exhibition at the BFI, or for a look at the impact of early modern female authors, check out the Her Booke Exhibition at Lambeth Palace Library and whet your cultural whistle.
Waterloo
Skateboarding fans unite! This Summer, you can watch the Men’s and Women’s Olympic Skateboarding Finals on 6th and 7th August at Lower Marsh. If movies are more your thing, enjoy Free Outdoor Classic Movie Screenings with films like Back to the Future lighting up a Summer evening on 8th August. Escape to Circe’s Waterloo for Rooftop Revelry with live Latin and Brazilian music, or if you’re the green-fingered type, sign up to the Rooted Gardening Club and help maintain local planters and pocket parks.
London Bridge
Take a deep breath and relax in a riverside oasis for London Bridge’s Summer by the River festival, where free music, theatre, film, dance, and sporting activities await. Enjoy a vibrant mix of events all summer long with Live at The Scoop, and don’t miss the Fiya House Hip Hop Weekender on August 3rd and 4th, featuring jaw-dropping performances from renowned dance artists and DJs. If a walking tour suits you better, explore new self-guided tours with Go Jauntily, focusing on green spaces and all the art that this dynamic part of London has to offer.
Greenwich
The Greenwich and Docklands Festival is coming to town, bringing 17 days of free outdoor theatre, circus, dance, and performance art inspired by change-making activism to East London. Come along to the Greenwich Summer Artisan Market or indulge in a soirée at the famous Chocolate House. The Turning Tides Music Festival on August 10th will transform the Design District into a vibrant hub of live music and community spirit, and if you head to the Old Royal Naval College or Greenwich Market, you can watch the Paris Olympics on a big screen. Explore the Visit Greenwich website for a further look at what’s on.
Ealing Broadway
Ealing Broadway’s Summer Live series returns with soul-boosting music and celebrations in the Town Square. Every Saturday and Sunday throughout August, enjoy a vibrant atmosphere with live music, deckchairs, ice cream, and more.
Mark your calendars and get ready to experience the best of London this Summer!
And for a few more deals and things to do around the City, check out our blog post for details.
