Looking for things to do in London in July? Check this out
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 July so you won’t miss a thing.
Summer, summer, summertime… it’s Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff’s fave time of year and it’s another busy month in the capital. There are still some Pride events, like HOWL’s Festival and the Clapham Grand’s day-to-night party to get involved in, and there are music fests galore with the return of Kaleidoscope and BST Hyde Park. And it’s a busy one for sports fans as we have the Lionesses taking part in the Women’s Euros and Wimbledon is back – fingers crossed for a rain-free tournament!
1. Watch the Pride Parade
2022 marked the 50th anniversary of the first Pride in London parade and in honour of the milestone, that parade traced the event’s original route, passing by locations key to the LGBT+ movement in this country. It started at Hyde Park Corner, (where the first post-march picnic happened in 1972 and where the miners stood in solidarity with the LGBT+ community in 1985) before going down Piccadilly, turning onto Haymarket, going through Trafalgar Square (where the 1972 march ended) and finishing at Whitehall Place. The same route was used for the parade last year, and though it’s not been confirmed yet, it’s expected that the 2025 Pride parade will also follow that route, which you can see here. There’ll be two grandstands – one on Piccadilly and one on Cockspur Street – where you can get a ticket for a seat to watch the parade in all its glory.
Sat 5th July 2025
Central London
prideinlondon.org
2. Get a Taste of NYC at Claridge’s
Founded over a century ago, bars don’t get much more quintessentially New York than Dante. The award-winning venue (it received the World’s Best Bar title on the 2019 World’s 50 Best Bars list) is known for its Italian-inspired world-class cocktails and old-school hospitality, and this summer, Dante is bringing it all to Claridge’s. As well as running a daily Aperitivo Hour, the Dante team will be serving up signature drinks in Claridge’s Restaurant, such as the Dante Martini, the Negroni Bianco, The Garibaldi (made with Dante’s famous ‘fluffy’ orange juice), and the Chocolate Negroni ‘fountain’ (made with gin, Campari, Punt e Mes, crème de cacao and chocolate bitters). You’ll also be able to tuck into Dante x Claridge’s sliders, shrimp cocktail and Dante’s signature burger.
Throughout July 2025
Brook Street, London, W1K 4HR
claridges.co.uk
3. Visit This Major Gianni Versace Exhibition
London is about to get a MAJOR dose of glamour. Arriving July 16th is a dazzling new exhibition which will celebrate the life and legacy of iconic fashion designer Gianni Versace. It’s the first and largest retrospective of its kind in the UK, featuring over 450 original pieces – many of which are here for the first time! From opulent baroque prints to edgy runway statements, the show spans 21 collections from 1988 to 1997. Expect iconic looks worn by fashion royalty like Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, and Liz Hurley, alongside pieces once worn by Princess Diana, George Michael, and Elton John – one of Versace’s closest friends. The exhibition also includes personal sketches, rare footage, campaign imagery, and interviews that reflect Versace’s deep ties to British pop culture and London’s fashion scene.
From Weds 16th July 2025
Arches London Bridge, 8 Bermondsey St, SE1 2ER
gianniversacelondon.co.uk
4. Abseil Down the Cheesegrater for Charity
Calling all adrenaline junkies and daredevils! This summer you can abseil down one of London’s most iconic skyscrapers and do a good deed at the same time. The Lord Mayor is challenging people to abseil 215 metres down the Leadenhall Building, aka the Cheesegrater, for charity on Fri 4th July. The challenge is in aid of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, an initiative that is designed to help Londoners thrive and that also supports mental health research charity MQ Mental Health and homelessness charity Homewards. Anyone over the age of 18 and who is reasonably fit can take part – registration costs £35 and there’s a minimum sponsorship of £500.
Fri 4th July 2025
122 Leadenhall St, London EC3V 4AB
thelordmayorsappeal.org
5. Check Out Jenny Saville’s Paintings at the National Portrait Gallery
Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting at the National Portrait Gallery is the largest major museum exhibition in the UK on the contemporary painter. Saville has been one of the leaders in figurative painting since the 1990s and has become known for her visceral portraits and her interpretation of female beauty. The show will feature 45 of Saville’s works made across her career, including charcoal drawings, large-scale oil paintings and new pieces on display for the first time, tracing the development of her practice and her connection to art history.
Throughout July 2025
St. Martin’s Pl, London WC2H 0HE
npg.org.uk
6. Show Your Support at London Trans+ Pride
London Trans+ Pride, which was established in response to the daily injustices trans+ people face and to create an event where all trans+ people can freely express themselves, is coming back for 2025. LT+P continues the legacy of Pride being a protest, so the march will serve as a way to protest for justice and liberation, with this year’s theme being Existence & Resistance. Following the recent Supreme Court ruling on biological sex, which excludes trans women from single-sex services, this year’s London Trans+ Pride is more important than ever. The march will also be used to demand a ban on all forms of conversion therapy, advocate for access to trans healthcare and legal reform, and to push back against the rising tide of global fascism.
Sat 26th July 2025
Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 5DS
@londontranspride
7. Dance to a Major Line-Up at Kaleidoscope Festival
Ally Pally’s summer extravaganza is back in July, with Faithless, Goldie, Eats Everything, Sleeper, and DJ Spoony all taking to the stage, with Sara Cox doing an all-requests set and Beatles Dub Club and R Voices Choir also joining in the fun. And it’s not just about the music as Kaleidoscope will also be running a full comedy, cabaret and family entertainment programme, with the likes of Shappi Khorsandi, Andrew Maxwell, Darran Griffiths and Alexandra Haddow on the bill.
Sat 12th July 2025
Alexandra Palace Park, Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY
kaleidoscope-festival.com
8. See Billy Porter’s UK Directorial Debut on the West End
Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award winner Billy Porter is making his UK directorial debut with This Bitter Earth at Soho Theatre this summer. The play, by Harrison David Rivers, tells the story of young black man Jesse, who meets young white man Neil at the Million Hoodie March in 2012. The pair begin dating and over the years have to negotiate the course of their relationship against a backdrop of political and social turmoil. Omari Douglas will be starring as Jesse, opposite Alexander Lincoln as Neil.
Tues 1st – Sat 26th July 2025
Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London, W1D 3NE
thisbitterearthplay.com
9. Eat Wacky Ice Creams at Anya Hindmarch’s Ice Cream Project
Just like last year, Anya Hindmarch’s playful spirit will be out in full force this summer with the return of her Ice Cream Project concept store. This ice cream parlour doesn’t do your average scoops; instead the flavours are inspired by Hindmarch’s fave brands, taking products that would typically be found in the pantry and putting them in the freezer instead. That means the likes of Heinz Baked Beans, Branston Piccalilli, Sarson’s Vinegar, Kikkoman Soy Sauce and Perello Olive flavoured ice creams. Yes really.
Throughout July 2025
11 Pont Street, London, SW1X 9EJ
anyahindmarch.com
10. Follow a Trail of Turtles Across London
Following its Rhino, Lion and Gorilla Trails, African wildlife conservation charity Tusk is launching a Turtle Trail in London this summer. Across July and August, 16 life-size turtle sculptures, designed by the likes of Ronnie Wood, Rankin, Deborah Meaden, John and Jen Cleese, Harland Miller, and Ralph Steadman, will form a free art trail through London. The trail is raising awareness about the threats that marine turtles face and the work that Tusk’s marine conservation projects are doing to protect them. You can follow the trail across the city and donate to Tusk via QR codes on each of the sculptures.
Throughout July 2025
Various locations
tusk.org
11. Check Out the Gary James McQueen Pop-Up at The Stage
Landmark mixed-use development The Stage in Shoreditch is playing host to a pop-up exhibition from multidisciplinary artist Gary James McQueen, nephew and former collaborator of Alexander McQueen. New lenticular artworks as well as some bestsellers from Gary’s catalogue are on display, showcasing his exploration of the beauty in darkness. This is the first time that four new pieces in his Tibetan Skulls series have gone on show – the works transform the skull into a symbol of luck, memory and resilience – with his Savage Beauty, Eternal Bloom and Flayed Angel artworks also being exhibited.
Throughout July 2025
22 Hewett St, London EC2A 3NL
thestageshoreditch.com
12. Soak Up Camden Market’s Summer of Sound
Camden Market’s free six-week festival Summer of Sound, celebrating the neighbourhood’s rich musical heritage, is kicking off in July with a warm-up event featuring Jerry Dammers, founder of The Specials and Spatial AKA Orchestra. A range of other DJs and musicians will be performing across the festival, playing from 5pm – 8pm on selected days, including David Rodigan, Shy One, Jazzie B, Tony Monson and Chris Baxter, with an Amy Winehouse tribute, Bollywood performances and more on the programme.
From Fri 18th July 2025
Camden Market, London NW1 8AF
camdenmarket.com
