Looking for things to do in London in July? 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. July kicks off with a bang with the annual Pride in London parade and London Trans Pride, and there are fests galore with the return of Kaleidoscope, Elrow Town, Body Movements, Junction 2 and Summer Series at Somerset House. Even Sundance is coming to town for a London edition of the famous film fest. And it’s game, set and match for tennis fans this month because it’s Wimbledon – fingers crossed for a rain-free tournament.
1. Celebrate Pride with Nazar at the Southbank Centre
Celebrate Pride at the Southbank Centre with Nazar, an open-air party for the queer SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) and South Asian diaspora. Curated by Ryan Lanji (@hungama_ldn) and Drew Demetry (@nafs.space), the event will run from 4pm with an incredible lineup of live performances and QPOC DJs spinning Bollywood sounds, Arab anthems and club classics until the early hours. Entry to Nazar is FREE and open to everyone, though this is a rare space for queer South Asian and SWANA communities – find out how you can help keep that space safe here.
Sat 1st July 2023, 4pm – 1am
Riverside Terrace, Level 2, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
southbankcentre.co.uk
2. Explore the Art of Banksy
Banksy fans, if you missed this huge exhibition on the most famous street artist in the world the first time round, we’ve got some good news because it’s coming back to town. The Art of Banksy first landed in London in the spring of 2021 after touring the world, popping up in cities from Melbourne to Miami, and following another international jaunt, it’s returning to the capital this summer bigger and better than ever.
Weds 5th – Mon 31st July 2023
84-86 Regent St, London, W1B 5HB
artofbanksy.co.uk
3. Catch This Fleeting Burger Special
Way back in 2018, Bleecker brought SMOKESTAK onboard to put out a spesh burger for one night only and now – a whole *five* years later – they’re working together again. Also a limited-time deal, this year’s collab will be served up at Bleecker’s Bloomburg Arcade site from 6pm until they sell out. In 2018, the team put out a DC Burger & Fries, which saw a Bleecker beef patty topped with SMOKESTAK pastrami, pickles, shallots and dill sauce and served alongside parmesan and anchovy sauce-topped fries on the side. DROOL. Just exactly what 2023’s special will involve is being kept pretty hush-hush at the moment, but expect a burger and fries combo that’s just as killer as it was last time. Keep the 6th of July free and don’t miss out.
Thurs 6th July 2023, from 6pm
16 Bloomberg Arcade, London EC4N 8AR
bleeckerburger.co.uk
4. Dine at This Brand New Spot at 180 Strand
Not just a place to grab a bite to eat and admire some art, Outcrop is designed to be an oasis in the heart of the city, connecting people to the natural world using food, drink and culture. AngloThai’s John Chantarasak will be taking charge of the food, blending Thai flavours with seasonal British veg (including UK-grown ginger, chillies, lemongrass and Thai basil), native breed meat and line-caught fish, and cooking it all over charcoal. Desiree Chantarasak of AngloThai is curating the wine list, selecting low-intervention European wines to be served on tap. Rob Simpson (ex-The Clove Club and Gymkhana) is taking care of the cocktails, with UK ingredients and spirits featuring heavily, with serves like the British Margarita (with barley eau de vie, London honey & gooseberry) and the Outcrop Martini (with London dry gin & homemade herb garden vermouth).
Fri 7th – Mon 31st July 2023
1 Surrey St, London, WC2R 2ND
outcrop.social
5. March for Trans+ Rights
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 2023. LT+P continues the legacy of Pride being a protest, so the march will serve as a way to protest against transphobic legislation and to advocate for changes to trans+ healthcare. This year, the event is set to start at Trafalgar Square as they’ve had to change their route to accommodate for growing numbers of attendees. As with previous editions of the march, the LT+P team is encouraging cis allies to join alongside their trans siblings and for all taking part to wear flowers and bring signs.
Sat 8th July 2023, 1pm
Trafalgar Sq, London WC2N 5DS
@londontranspride
6. Dive into DIVA at the V&A
The V&A is celebrating some of the biggest divas of our time with major exhibition DIVA. The show will dive into the origins of the diva, explore how some of the best-known performers shaped popular culture, and celebrate how the divas of past and present express their power and creativity. Over 60 outfits will be on display, (some for the very first time), including Marilyn Monroe’s fringed dress from Some Like It Hot, Bob Mackie designs for Cher and Tina Turner, and Sandy Powell’s 50th birthday ensemble for Elton John, alongside lyrics, photographs, sketches and other personal items.
Sat 1st – Mon 31st July 2023
V&A, Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL
vam.ac.uk
7. Catch Some Screenings at Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival is back in London this July with a packed programme, including eleven feature films that premiered in Utah earlier in the year. Picturehouse Central is hosting the film fest, which’ll open with the UK premiere of Scrapper, written and directed by Londoner Charlotte Regan, and close with the UK premiere of comedy-drama You Hurt My Feelings, from Nicole Holofcener, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Tobias Menzies. In between those two movies, you’ll also be able to catch Passages, starring Ben Wishaw and Adèle Exarchopoulos; Anton Corbijn’s feature documentary debut, Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis); Mutt, a tale of a trans guy in NYC directed, written, and produced by Chilean-Serbian filmmaker Vuk Lungulov-Klotz; a doc following a high-school mariachi band in Texas; eight UK-produced short films, and more.
Thurs 6th – Sun 9th July 2023
Picturehouse Central, Corner of Great Windmill Street and Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 7DH
picturehouses.com
8. See Your Fave Artists at Somerset House’s Summer Series
Somerset House has put together a pretty incredible lineup for this year’s Summer Series, marking the festival’s 20th anniversary with a bang. Over 11 nights this July, the likes of Gabriels, Alison Goldfrapp, Beabadoobee, Interpol, Young Fathers, Gabzy, The Comet is Coming, Tinariwen and more will take to the stage in Somerset House’s courtyard – there’s gonna be something for everyone.
Thurs 6th – Sun 16th July 2023
Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
somersethouse.org.uk
9. Welcome Junction 2 Back To Boston Manor Park After Three Years Away
Junction 2 is finally returning to Boston Manor Park this summer, meaning you can rave under the M4 once again. Taking place across two days in July, the line-up is absolutely stacked with plenty of b2b sets on offer ensuring that you’ll be experiencing something very special at this year’s festival.
Fri 21st & Sat 22nd July 2023
Boston Manor Park, London
junction2.london
10. Party With the Biggest Talent From the Queer Underground
Body Movements, a celebration of queer club culture, is returning for its third summer session this July. The festival will bring together 29 LGBTQI+ collectives from around the UK and beyond for a full day of music and dance held across various venues in Hackney Wick. Expect to see the likes of B*tch, Please!, Chapter 10, Fèmmme Fraîche, GGI, Inferno, Jungle Kitty, KAOS, Koodeta, Let’s Have A Kiki, LITTLE GAY BROTHER, Nite Dykez, Polyglamorous, Pxssy Palace, Queer House Party, Rat Party and TechnoMate, among others.
Sat 29th July 2023
Various venues in Hackney Wick
bodymovements.co.uk