Top Things To Do in London in July

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)

This is an image of an outdoor theatre with people watching Wimbledon on little canvas chairs up on a big screen.

Image courtesy of Merchant Square Paddington

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 them dotted across other venues in the city.

Wimbledon Championship | Wimbledon | 30th June – 13th July 2025

This is an image of a family looking at a fresh flower bed with roses.

Image courtesy of RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival via Facebook

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 | 1st – 6th July 2025

This is an image of our London Itinerary product.

This is an image of a bunch of small groups sitting on Primrose Hill. The London City is in the distance and it is a nice, clear day.

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.

This is an image of a screen on a rooftop with lots of canvas seats and big buildings behind.

Image Courtesy of Rooftop Film Club via Instagram

Head to an outdoor cinema

When July comes around, the outdoor cinema season in London is already in full-force, and there’s a couple of 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, one of our favourites is Rooftop Film Club (WA) in the heart of Stratford. They also have a sister venue down south in Peckham. It’s the ideal spot for crowd-pleasers at sunset (make sure you grab one of their wood-fired pizzas).

Adventure Cinema (WA) also has a cracking screen in the heart of Kew Gardens, which is definitely worth a visit.

Visit during Spring/Summer

This is an image of a BBC book that has a nice colourful cover.

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 | 18th July – 13th September 2025

This is an image of people riding a GoBoat through the canals of London with a table full of picnic goodies.

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:

This is an image of an outdoor contemporary art space with paintings underneath each staircase.

Image courtesy of Sculpture in the City

Check out a fresh selection of contemporary art

Now in its 13th year, Sculpture in the City returns to animate the streets of London’s Square Mile with a fresh selection of contemporary artworks. Returning in July, the annual exhibition brings together internationally renowned and emerging artists, transforming the City’s iconic architecture into a vibrant backdrop for public art.

Sculpture in the City | Bank | Dates TBD

Top things to do in London in July - Best things to do in London in July

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 | 13th July 2025

This is an image of a bunch of performers on stage waving at the audience.

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 | Every Friday to Sunday from 5th – 28th July 2025

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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