Not only does July bring about the warmer weather, but it also comes with an explosion of open-air events and incredible things to do in London in July taking place all around the city. Whether you want to have a picnic with the city skyline as your backdrop or watch a movie under the stars at a rooftop cinema night, here’s our list of our favourite events taking place in London this July.
(WA = Wheelchair Accessible)
Image courtesy of Taste of the Caribbean Food and Drink Festival
Embrace Caribbean culture at the Taste of the Caribbean Food and Drink Festival
Celebrate creativity, culture and cuisine at the Taste of the Caribbean Food and Drink Festival in Hammersmith. This annual event brings together people and cultures from all over the world to enjoy live music, cooking demonstrations, activities, eating competitions, and delicious Caribbean street food from traders serving hot food, desserts and homemade snacks. Sit back, relax and jam to the sound of the Bob Marley tribute band whilst chowing down on authentic jerk chicken and sipping on fruity rum cocktails.
Taste of the Caribbean Food and Drink Festival | Hammersmith | 13th of July 2024
Image courtesy of Canary Wharf
Watch Wimbledon on screens across the city
Wimbledon is one of the most quintessentially British events you can attend in the city and is certainly one of the top things to do in London in July. You can buy tickets on the day (but be prepared to queue from the early hours, but that’s part of the fun), or do as the locals do and find one of the many outdoor screens across the city broadcasting the matches. Just pull up a deck chair, grab a glass of Pimms and some strawberries and watch as world-class players battle it out in live time. Some of the most well-loved screens are at Canary Wharf, Merchant Square in Paddington and King’s Cross. You’ll also find then dotted across other venues in the city.
Wimbledon Championship | Wimbledon | 1st – 14th July 2024
Image courtesy of RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
Visit the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
The RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival returns for another year of horticultural highlights in the iconic grounds of Hampton Court Palace (once the famous seat of Henry VIII and his many wives). The six-day event offers displays of sprawling gardens which are the perfect inspiration for the upcoming warmer months. You’ll be able to pick up artisan food and drink as well as attend talks, masterclasses, and jam to live music.
RHS Garden Festival | WA | Hampton Court Palace | 2nd – 7th July 2024
Have a picnic in one of London’s lush green parks
Pack your hamper and head for one of London’s lush green parks – from Brockwell Park with its pretty ponds to Primrose Hill with its iconic panorama of the city, there are countless places to enjoy a packed lunch al fresco in the city, an activity that has forever been one of the best things to do in London in July. A few other favourites are Greenwich Park for awesome views of Canary Wharf, Richmond Park for shaded ancient trees, and Victoria Park for the best coffee and cardamom buns from local hot spot, Pavilion.
Image Courtesy of Instagram via Rooftop Film Club
Head to an outdoor cinema
When July comes around, the outdoor cinema season in London is already in full-force, and there are many places where you can enjoy a movie under the stars all around the city. Catch a film at outdoor cinemas, which are located all over London. If you’re heading East, then Rooftop Film Club in the heart of Stratford is the ideal spot for crowd-pleasers at sunset (make sure you grab one of their wood-fired pizzas). The Luna Cinema is another favourite, and has outdoor venues at 13 different locations across the city and is consistently one of the top things to do in July in London.
Visit during Spring/Summer
Image Courtesy of BBC
See a performance at the Proms
The BBC Proms Classical Music Festival has been returning to the Royal Albert Hall every summer since 1941 for 8 weeks of performances, talks, classes, and more. Performances take place in the grand Royal Albert Hall, one of London’s most remarkable venues and tickets for concerts start at just £8 (if you purchase on the day). The concerts are a wonderful way to get acquainted with Western classical music in an iconic London space and is one of the best things to do in London in July for music-enthusiasts.
Proms | WA | Kensington | 19th July – 14th September 2024
Image Courtesy of Go Boat
Take a GoBoat
When the sun comes out in London, people tend to flock to the waterways. Whether that be for a picnic or a bike ride along the canal, there’s something about the warmer weather that makes people want to be by the water. If you’re one of these people that prefer to be on the water, then GoBoat is an excellent way to explore London from the comfort of a self-drive boat. Don your sailor cap and hop aboard down Regent’s Canal from their Paddington location, or explore London’s Docklands from Canary Wharf. Don’t forget to pack some beers or Prosecco for the ride (if you’re not the designated driver!).
Go Boat | Paddington | Visit during Spring/Summer
We featured GoBoat in our video about fun things to do in the warm weather in London:
Image Courtesy of ChessFest
Nerd out at ChessFest
Whether you’re an experienced chess player or you’re keen to learn the basics, ChessFest is a free event for all levels taking place at London’s iconic Trafalgar Square. There will be life-sized chess boards, as well as a game of living chess with actors taking on the role of chess pieces. You can also expect free chess lessons for everyone and anyone, as well as hundreds of chess tables for people to compete on.
ChessFest | Trafalgar Square | 7th July 2024
Image Courtesy of National Theatre
Bring out your inner theatre kid at River Stage
The National Theatre’s River Stage is back on the Southbank, offering a jam-packed line-up of all things outdoor live music, dance, performances, workshops and family activities. Special takeover weekends will include contributions from The Glory, Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, Rambert and the National Theatre itself.
Riverstage | Southbank | 5th – 28th July 2024
If you head along to any of these events, make sure to tag us in your pictures and videos at @loveandlondon, we don’t want to get FOMO!
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