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 Field Day 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. See These Francis Alÿs Films That Have Never Been Shown in the UK
The Barbican is hosting Ricochets, the largest exhibition on Francis Alÿs in the UK in almost 15 years. Alÿs has spent two decades travelling around the world to capture children at play, including leapfrog in Iraq and jump rope in Hong Kong, for his series ‘Children’s Games’, and this immersive show will celebrate the universality of play. As well as displaying the film installation, the first time it’s been presented in the UK, the exhibition will feature a new set of animated films depicting hand games.
From Thurs 1st August 2024
Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
barbican.org.uk
2. Visit Walthamstow-on-Sea
You don’t need to go to the seaside this summer (well, unless you want to of course) because it’s coming to you. Walthamstow is becoming ‘Walthamstow-on-Sea’ until September as Big Penny Social is transforming its terrace into a British seaside resort. Kitted out with deckchairs, sand pits and private beach huts, the pop-up beach is open on weekends for Londoners to soak up the sun with classic fish & chips, soft-serve ice cream, draught beers and frozen cocktails.
From Thurs 1st August 2024
1 Priestley Way, London E17 6AL
bigpennysocial.co.uk
3. Celebrate Black Pride 2024
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 11th August. This year will mark the 19th edition of UK Black Pride, which was co-founded by Lady Phyll Opoku-Gyimah and a group of black lesbians, and the third 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 11th August 2024
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park London, London E20 1GQ
ukblackpride.org.uk
5. See This New Yayoi Kusama Installation
Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama has exhibited her work in London many times, including her signature polka dot-covered sculptures and immersive mirror rooms. And now she’s back with a brand new piece, Pumpkin, which is standing by the Round Pond in Kensington Gardens this summer.
From Thurs 1st August 2024
Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PR
serpentinegalleries.org
5. Catch Your Faves Performing Live at All Points East
All Points East is coming back to Vicky Park this August, with the likes of Kaytranada, Victoria Monét, Thundercat, Loyle Carner, Nas, Ezra Collective, beabadoobee, Ethel Cain, Arlo Parks, LCD, Pixies, The Postal Service/ Death Cab, Gossip and more on the line-up.
Fri 16th – Sun 18th and Fri 23rd – Sun 25th August 2024
Victoria Park, London E3
allpointseastfestival.com
6. Watch Groundbreaking Performance Art
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. This year, Greenwich + Docklands International Festival (GDIF) will see performers spend eight jaw-dropping hours on top of a block of ice suspended high above the docklands as it slowly melts away. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to 2024’s programme.
From Fri 23rd August 2024
Various spaces across Greenwich, Thamesmead and East London
festival.org
7. Spend a Day at This Community-Focused Festival
Not content with running their own acclaimed fest, the GALA crew teamed up with Bird On The Wire to bring a brand new one to the London festival calendar last year. RALLY is all about bringing together the city’s different communities dedicated to showcasing the freshest new music and it was such a success that it’s back again for 2024. The line-up for this year includes Mount Kimbie, Actress, Nilüfer Yanya, Armand Hammer, DJ Marcelle, Pearson Sound, Nourished By Time, ML Buch, Call Super, Alabaster DePlume and more.
Sat 24th August 2024
Southwark Park, London SE16 2TX
rallyrallyrally.co.uk
8. Party at Body Movements
After another hit edition in February, Body Movements for a summer session and this time, they’re coming south of the river to Southwark Park. The festival, which was founded by producer and DJ Saoirse and Little Gay Brother’s Clayton Wright as a celebration of queer club culture, will bring together a bunch of the most electrifying LGBTQI+ collectives from the UK and beyond for a full day of music and dance.
Sun 25th August 2024
Southwark Park, Gomm Road, London SE16 2TX
bodymovements.co.uk
9. See What’s Behind the Doors of Buckingham Palace
Forget standing outside the gates and snapping photos of the Changing of the Guard like a real tourist, and get inside Buckingham Palace instead this summer. Yes the King is throwing open the doors of the Palace to the public for eleven weeks, giving you the chance to explore the lavish State Rooms – those are the ones the His Maj uses for official entertaining and ceremonial occasions, and they’re filled with treasures from the Royal Collection, including some of the finest paintings, sculpture, porcelain and furniture in the world.
From Thurs 1st August 2024
Buckingham Palace, Westminster, London SW1A 1AA
rct.uk
10. Take a Trip to the Theatre to See the Critically Acclaimed ‘Shifters’
Benedict Lombe’s new romance Shifters is transferring from the Bush Theatre (where it played a sold-out run) to the Duke of York’s Theatre this August, making Lombe the third Black British female playwright (following Natasha Gordon and Yasmin Joseph) to have her work staged in the West End. The play is directed by Lynette Linton and has Heather Agyepong and Tosin Cole reprise their roles as young lovers Des and Dre, who come back into each other’s lives and get caught up in the space between memory and reality.
From Mon 12th August 2024
St Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4BG
shifterstheplay.co.uk