10 things to do in London in July 2023
Welcome to July, a month filled with music, food, culture festivals, and iconic traditions like the Wimbledon Tennis tournament and the celebrated BBC Proms. To help you make the most of this exciting time, we have compiled a guide of ten fantastic things to do in the city in July 2023.
Flamenco Festival 2023
Image: Si, Quiero @ Beatrix Mexi Molnar
#FLODown: The Flamenco Festival is returning to Sadler's Wells from 5- 15 July. The festival will feature a variety of performances that celebrate Andalusian culture and explore flamenco's roots. Highlights include Sara Baras' Alma, Vicente Amigo's boundary-pushing guitar concert, and Olga Pericet's surreal solo performance, La Leona. Other acts will explore flamenco's history, gender dynamics, and contemporary interpretations. The festival will conclude with a DJ night combining electronica, queer flamenco, and experimental reggaeton. It promises to be a vibrant and diverse celebration of flamenco at one of London's renowned venues.
Date: 5 July - 15 July 2023. Location: Sadler's Wells, Rosebery Ave, London EC1R 4TN. Price: from £15 - £75. Book now.
Body Movements Festival
Image: Body Movements 2022. Photo by Gemma Bell
#FLODown: Don't miss the highly anticipated third summer edition of Body Movements Festival this month. Celebrating the vibrant queer club culture, this festival brings together LGBTQI+ crews from the underground dance music scene. Experience a diverse musical journey with a lineup of LGBTQI+ artists, including Gideön, HAAi, Tygapaw, Jaye Ward, Octo Octa, and more. Mark your calendars and be part of this inclusive and energetic celebration of queer identity at Body Movements Festival!
Date: 29 July 2023. Location: Hackney Wick, London. Price: from £25.90. Website: bodymovements.co.uk
Wimbledon Tennis Championship
Image: Wimbledon Championships, July 2019. © MTotoe
#FLODown: The world's oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament, the Wimbledon Championships will return this month. This iconic event, spanning two weeks, captures the essence of British summertime in all its glory. For players, winning Wimbledon is a pinnacle achievement. Don't worry if you don't have tickets; you can still be a part of the excitement by joining the queue. Whether you're hoping for a seat in the show courts or just ground admission, the queue offers a chance to be a part of this historic event. With Wimbledon currently sold out, camping in the queue is often the way people gain entry, and it can be as fun as the tournament itself. If you'd rather watch Wimbledon on TV instead of attending the live event, click here to explore the different venues where you can enjoy the Wimbledon action on the big screen.
Date: 3-16 July 2023. Location: All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon, Surrey. Website: wimbledon.com
Islington Festival of Music and Art
Image: Islington Festival 2022, Marc Gascoigne
#FLODown: The Islington Festival of Music and Art is returning this summer from 13-22 July 2023. The festival will take place in five iconic venues around Islington and will feature a programme based on Van Gogh's Starry Night over the Rhône. Highlights include performances of Chopin's Complete Nocturnes, Schoenberg's Verklachte Nacht, five Mozart Masterpieces, solo Bach for violin and cello, a street photography workshop, live sketching during concerts, and a photography exhibition about Islington. Additionally, there will be a yoga session with live harp music and a Bastille Day celebration. Very good deals, including early bird passes and bundles, are available, and young people can get free tickets.
Date: 13-22 July 2023. Location: Various locations in Islington. Click here for the full programme and to book events. Website: islingtonfestival.com
Korea Art London
Image: Blue Moon F22, 2021. Sang Woon Nam. Image courtesy of Korean Art London
#FLODown: Korean Art London is a new art fair opening in London this month. With 33 exhibitors and a diverse exhibition program, it offers a comprehensive view of contemporary South Korean art. Renowned artists like Sang Woon Nam and Na Ri Choi will be featured, showcasing their unique styles and perspectives. The fair will be organised into different galleries with distinct themes, highlighting traditional culture, expressive use of colour, and more. Visitors can also enjoy South Korean culture, including street food, live performances, and music, making Korean Art London an exciting platform for discovering and collecting South Korean art.
Date: 7-22 July 2023. Location: Mall Galleries, The Mall, London SW1. Price: from £10.80. Concessions available. Book now.
Savour Festival
Image: Savour Festival
#FLODown: Savour Festival is London's beloved food and drink event held at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. From 21 - 23 July 2023, visitors can explore over 120 showcases featuring local restaurants, artisan markets, and tipis. Enjoy mouthwatering taster dishes for £3, engaging workshops, live music, and chef demonstrations. It's a perfect destination for friends and family to create unforgettable memories and discover the best of London's culinary scene. Don't miss out on this incredible gastronomic journey – book your tickets today!
Date: 21 - 23 July 2023. Location: Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 4SR. Price: from £19.50pp. Book now.
Community Festival
Image: TDCC and The Wombats
#FLODown: London's indie-rock event, Community, presents a special one-day show at Crystal Palace Park on 7 July 2023. Headlined by Two Door Cinema Club (TDCC) and The Wombats, the lineup also includes The Vaccines, Sea Girls, and Baby Queen. Expect a sunny indie-rock party with sing-along anthems and energetic performances. It's the ultimate celebration of guitar music and the thriving indie scene in London.
Date: 7 July 2023. Location: Crystal Palace Park.Price: from £54.45. Book now.
Click here for more music festivals in London.
Happy Place Festival
Image: Happy Place Festival, Chiswick House & Garden
#FLODown: Experience the joy and inspiration of the Happy Place Festival as it returns to Chiswick this July. Join Fearne Cotton and an incredible lineup of guests, including Vicky Pattison, Adele Roberts, Kate Holderness, Jonny Wilkinson, Tom Grennan, Giovanna Fletcher, Tom Fletcher, Sophie Morgan, and Aaron Roach Bridgeman. Engage in uplifting conversations, immersive workshops, and delicious food. This festival promises a celebration of happiness and well-being.
Date: 15 - 16 July 2023. Location: Chiswick House and Gardens, Burlington Ln, Chiswick, London W4 2RP. Price: from £35. Book now.
Kensington and Chelsea Festival
Image: Mars Photo by Luke Jerram. Chelsea & Kensington Festival 2023
#FLODown: The Kensington and Chelsea Festival is returning for its third year, taking place from 1 July - 31 August 2023. The festival will utilise various venues and outdoor spaces in the borough to host a wide range of live art performances, showcasing established artists and emerging talent. It offers a diverse cultural program including theatre, circus, opera, dance, music, outdoor arts, family shows, participatory activities, talks, walks, and public art pieces. The festival's highlights include the installation of Luke Jerram's Mars artwork, an extensive outdoor arts program featuring various performances, and collaborations with the Chelsea Theatre and Notting Hill Carnival.
Date: 1 July – 31 August 2023. Location: venues throughout Chelsea & Kensington. Website: kcfestival.co.uk
BBC Proms
Image The Royal Albert Hall. © MTotoe
#FLODown: The BBC Proms, the world's largest classical music festival, is set to return this month. Dating back to 1895, this annual event series has become an integral part of British culture, featuring orchestral classical music concerts, ballet and opera performances for children, and special events exploring diverse musical genres. The majority of concerts take place at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, while smaller venues like Cadogan Hall and outdoor spaces also host performances. This year's Proms, taking place from 14 July to 9 September, will showcase a wide range of programming spanning classical to contemporary music. Attendees can look forward to symphonic and choral works, chamber concerts, and captivating debuts. They are offering good deals including early bird passes, bundles and young people can get free tickets.
Date: 14 July – 9 September 2023. Location: various locations. Several at the Royal Albert Hall. click here to discover Proms events.
