Looking for the best things to do in London in August? We’ve got ya
You’re in plenty of time to book tickets to the best events in London, from theatre shows to art exhibitions, and there are always pop-ups opening across the city, but our handy guide features the best of what’s on in London in August so you won’t miss a thing.
The height of summer is normally when people swap the city for the seaside but if you’re staying in London in August, there’s plenty to keep you busy. The festival calendar is packed with the likes of Rally, South Facing, All Points East and Body Movements all on. If you’re looking for something a little more refined, you can sample the city’s finest afternoon teas during Afternoon Tea Week or indulge in a glass or two on Prosecco Day. The headline event has to be Notting Hill Carnival – it’s the ultimate way to spend the bank holiday weekend and see out summer in style.
1. Go for a Dip in the Royal Docks
Beat the heat this summer by jumping into the water at the Royal Docks, where a large lido is opening for a month. Head to Royal Victoria Dock to do some swimming, splash about the shallow end, and enjoy the open air. There’ll also be a large sandpit if castle building is more your speed and plenty of deckchairs to kick back in too. Best of all, access to the lido is totally FREE, so dive on in.
Until Mon 18th August 2025
Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1AG
royaldocks.london
2. Dive Into the World of Gorillaz at This Immersive Exhibition
25 years together is a big milestone for a band to reach – even if that band is animated. Yes Gorillaz, Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett’s virtual group made up of singer 2D, bassist Murdoc Niccals, drummer Russel Hobbs and guitarist Noodle, is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and it’s doing so in style. As well as a new Gorillaz album expected later this year, the band is opening an immersive exhibition called House of Kong at London’s Copper Box Arena in Stratford, which is promising a “peek behind the curtain into the unseen world of Gorillaz”. Expect sketches, storyboards, digital installations and more during the hour-long experience.
From Fri 8th August 2025
Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, London E20 3HB
houseofkong.gorillaz.com
3. Celebrate UK Black Pride 2025
The world’s largest celebration for LGBTQI+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern descent, UK Black Pride, is returning to London on 10th August. This year will mark the 20th anniversary edition of UK Black Pride, which was co-founded by Lady Phyll Opoku-Gyimah and a group of black lesbians, and the fourth year that the event has been hosted in the Olympic Park. On the day itself you can expect plenty of music and performances on the main stage, a community area hosting talks and workshops, stalls run by various charities and small businesses, and plenty of street food.
Sun 10th August 2025
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park London, London E20 1GQ
ukblackpride.org.uk
4. Feast on the Best Live-Fire Cookery at Meatopia
The flames are being stoked once again as Meatopia London returns for another unforgettable four-day celebration of fire-cooked food. Revered by food lovers and chefs alike, the festival gathers top-tier culinary talent from across the UK, Europe and beyond. Every dish served at Meatopia is created exclusively for the event. This offers attendees the rare opportunity to taste one-of-a-kind creations that won’t be found again. With menus kept under wraps until the event itself, Meatopia continues to be the ultimate destination for food adventurers.
Thurs 28th – Sun 31st August 2025
Tobacco Dock, London E1W 2SF
meatopia.seetickets.com
5. Catch Your Faves Performing Live at All Points East
The headliners for All Points East 2025 have been revealed and the line-ups are looking good. The fest’s first weekend is kicking off with off with Cleo Sol and SAULT in a world exclusive show on 15th August and then Chase & Status will be headlining on 16th August with their RTRN II DANCE takeover, which’ll also feature Overmono, Sammy Virji and Nia Archives. Then it’s Barry Can’t Swim topping the bill on 22nd August, marking his only London show of the year, with the likes of Shygirl, Confidence Man, Leon Vynehall, Interplanetary Criminal, Marlon Hoffstadt (presents Daddycation) and DJ HEARTSTRING joining him. RAYE is headlining APE on 23rd August, with Tyla, Doechii and JADE making it an all-female top of the bill. And then The Maccabees will be taking to the stage on 24th August, joined by Bombay Bicycle Club, Dry Cleaning, The Cribs, Nilüfer Yanya, The Murder Capital, Divorce and Prima Queen.
Fri 15th & Sat 16th and Fri 22nd – Sun 24th August 2025
Victoria Park, London E3
allpointseastfestival.com
6. Watch Groundbreaking Performance Art at This Festival
In 2022, there was a tidal wave of multi-coloured foam that cascaded through Greenwich Peninsula; in 2023, a gaggle of glowing, colour-changing robotic swans floated on the Thames after dark; and in 2024 performers spent eight jaw-dropping hours on top of a block of ice suspended high above the Docklands as it slowly melted away. This year, Greenwich + Docklands International Festival (GDIF) will see even more spectacular performances across its 16-day programme. 30 companies from across the world will present new work on the theme ‘Above and Beyond’, to celebrate 30 years of the theatre and performing arts festival. The highlights for 2025 include Above and Beyond, a parkour performance piece taking place across Woolwich buildings by French company Lézards Bleus; and The Weight of Water by Dutch company Panama Pictures, where dancers will perform on a huge floating seesawing structure on a lake in Thamesmead.
From Fri 22nd August 2025
Various spaces across Greenwich, Thamesmead and East London
festival.org
7. See The Libertines Play Gunnersbury Park
Gunnersbury Park has become one of the hotspots for live music in the capital – in 2024 it hosted shows from the likes of Peggy Gou, KoRn and PJ Harvey and this summer there are even more gigs lined up, including a massive show from The Libertines. It’s been a decade since Pete Doherty, Carl Barât, John Hassall and Gary Powell officially reformed (the band split in 2004 before reuniting to play festival shows in 2010, with a new recording contract being signed in 2014). In that time, they’ve had two hit albums, Anthems for Doomed Youth and All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade, which went to number one back in April of this year. For their massive homecoming show in the summer, the four-piece will be joined by Supergrass, Soft Play, Hak Baker, Lambrini Girls and Real Farmer.
Sun 9th August 2025
Gunnersbury Park, Popes Lane, London W3 8LQ
thelibertines.com
8. Watch Ncuti Gatwa and Edward Bluemel on Stage
Liz Duffy Adams’ Born With Teeth, a thrilling reimagining of the relationship between William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe, is getting its West End premiere at the Wyndham’s Theatre this summer. Starring Edward Bluemel as Shakespeare and Ncuti Gawta as Marlowe, the show is set in the winter of 1591, a time of conspiracy and paranoia, where the two writers – and rivals – who are forced together in a creative union take secret meetings in the back room of a pub.
From Weds 13th August 2025
Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0DA
delfontmackintosh.co.uk
9. Rave at a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Labyrinth, the indie UK promoter, has revealed the first headliner for its exciting new open-air live music series, Labyrinth on the Thames. The legendary Black Coffee, a Grammy Award-winning DJ and producer from South Africa, will make history as the first-ever DJ to headline at London’s iconic Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This exclusive performance will be Black Coffee’s only London appearance this summer. The performance is part of Labyrinth on the Thames, an ambitious six-day festival celebrating contemporary dance music. The series, which spans the first two weekends of August, will also feature Solomun, Fisher, Empire of the Sun and Anjunadeep.
Fri 1st – Sun 3rd and Fri 8th – Sun 10th August 2025
Old Royal Naval College, London SE10 9NN
labyrinthevents.com
10. Step Into Rydell High With Secret Cinema
It’s been a while since Secret Cinema, known for its ambitious immersive film screenings, put on an event in London but it’s back in action in 2025, and with a big movie in tow. Evolution London at Battersea Park is going to be transformed into Rydell High for Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical, making it the place to spend your summer nights. The two-and-a-half hour production, directed by Matthew Costain (who’s worked on other Secret Cinema events including Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Stranger Things, Bridgerton, and Dirty Dancing) will bring the iconic musical to life with giant multi-screen platforms throughout the venue, live music, a summer fairground, and American diner-inspired food and drink. There’ll also be a cast of 30 performers moving around the space, so you’ll be able to hang with Sandy, Danny, the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies as the action unfolds around you.
From Fri 1st August 2025
Evolution London, Battersea Park Queenstown Rd, London SW11 4NJ
greasetheimmersivemoviemusical.com
