Things to do in London in August 2024

This summer may have its disappointing weather moments, but London's summer of fun is in full swing and shows no signs of slowing down. With the festival season continuing strong through August, there's no shortage of exciting events to look forward to. Highlights include All Points East, Hospitality In The Woods, and the return of beloved summer staples like the BBC Proms, Notting Hill Carnival and the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival for theatre and performing arts. Here's our guide to what you can do in London this August.

Notting Hill Carnival 2024

Notting Hill Carnival 2019. Photo by Nike Akinfenwa.

#FLODown: The Notting Hill Carnival is a vibrant celebration held during the August bank holiday. With roots dating back to the 1960s, this beloved tradition emerged from community spirit and resilience in the face of racial tensions. The event has since evolved into a beautiful showcase of West Indian culture, history, and contributions, attracting thousands of visitors.

Date: 24 August – 16 August  2024. Location: Notting Hill. Click here for all you need to know about this year’s festival.

Greenwich + Docklands International Festival 2024

Life Lines by Lézards Bleus-Antoine Le Menestrel_Lignes de vie_4-Valladolid©Luisa Valares.

#FLODown: Greenwich+Docklands International Festival (GDIF) 2024 returns in August and will showcase over 50 free outdoor performances of theatre and performing arts. Highlights include the opening night’s Silence! by Les Commandos Perçu in Woolwich, a spectacular Parkour display by Lézards Bleus, and the climate-focused THAW by Legs On The Wall. Theatre premieres include From Here On by Good Chance and Gecko, and Bodies of Water by Actors Touring Company. The festival will also feature the annual Dancing City in Stratford's East Bank and family-friendly events in Stratford Park. GDIF 2024 will expand to new locations across Greenwich, Newham, and the City of London.

Date: 23 August - 8 September 2024.Click here for information about the upcoming GDIF 2024 programme.

BBC Proms 2024

BBC Proms returns to London until 14 September 2024.

#FLODown: The 2024 BBC Proms, which launched on 19 July, will continue throughout August, offering eight weeks of concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. With a total of 90 Proms showcasing over 3,000 musicians, headline performers include Yo-Yo Ma, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Simon Rattle, Daniel Barenboim, Sam Smith, Florence Welch, Yunchan Lim, and Sheku, Braimah, and Isata Kanneh-Mason. If you don't get to experience the performances live, they will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3, with many of them being aired live.

Date: 19 July – 14 September 2024. Location: Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP. Click here for the full programme of performances.

Camden Fringe

Camden. Photo by zexplorer.

#FLODown: The Camden Fringe is a performing arts festival, established in 2006, held in Camden each August. Open to all, it features various acts like new writing, opera, musicals, stand-up, and more, with shows lasting about an hour. It was created as an alternative to the Edinburgh Festival, offering a supportive environment for performers with less time and financial commitment. The festival supports acts by providing helpful information and guidance.

Date: the 18th Camden Fringe will take place from 29 July - 25 August 2024. Location: Camden. Click here to discover the full line- up of events.

Cocktails in the City

Cocktails in the City returns to Bedford Square Gardens from 8 - 10 August for its Summer Series. Photo courtesy of Cocktails in the City.

#FLODown: Cocktails in the City will be back again at Bedford Square, featuring 20 of London's best bars. There will also be street food stalls, live music, a silent disco, ice carving, cocktail-making workshops, and plenty of games.

Click here for a visual preview of Cocktails in the City.

Date: 8- 10 August  2024 Location: Bedford Square Garden, Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3ES. Price: £22 per person, including welcome cocktail, live music and tasting sessions. Book now.

 Music Festivals

Hospitality in the Woods. @khaliphotography.

#FLODown: In continuation of London’s summer festival season, August will feature a fantastic lineup of festivals. Highlights include All Points East from 17-25 August, RALLY on 24 August, Battersea Park in Concert 2024 from 24-26 August, Field Day on 24 August, Hospitality in the Woods on 17 August, and Cloud X on 2 August.

Click here for more on London Festivals this summer.

Hampton Court Palace Food Festival

Hampton Court Palace Food Festival will take place from 24 - 26 August 2024.

#FLODown:  Join the annual Hampton Court Palace Food Festival for a perfect summer bank holiday weekend in Henry VIII's beautiful gardens. Enjoy more street food than ever, pop-up bars with craft beers and wines, and over 150 fantastic brands offering a variety of delicious foods. Your ticket also grants access to explore the historic palace.

Date: 24 - 26 August 2024. Location: Hampton Court Palace, Hampton Ct Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU. Price: adult/child £27.20/£13.60. Book now. 

Sculpture in the City

Temple, Richard Mackness, part of the 13th edition of Sculpture in the City. © Richard Mackness. Photo © Nick Turpin.

#FLODown: Sculpture in the City returns for its 13th edition in 2024, featuring 17 new artworks by artists like Samuel Ross, Richard Mackness, and Julian Opie. This free public art exhibition transforms the City’s spaces into a vibrant open-air gallery. Highlights include Maya Rose Edwards' Kissing Gate and Hilary Jack’s Deluge. An activation programme with workshops, tours, and talks will run from summer to March 2025.

Click here to read our review of the 13th Edition of Sculpture in the City.  

Date: until early spring 2025. Location: City of London. Website: sculptureinthecity.org.uk.

Barbican Outdoor Cinema

The Barbican Cinema returns from 21 August - 1 September 2024.

#FLODown: The Barbicans outdoor cinema experience is back in August. This season's lineup is a treasure trove of classics and international hits, featuring Blur: Live at Wembley, Sofia Coppola's lavish period drama Marie Antoinette, Wes Anderson's whimsical masterpiece The Grand Budapest Hotel, and the iconic Gene Kelly-starring An American in Paris. To make it an unforgettable evening, delicious street food and refreshing drinks will be on offer to satisfy your cravings!

Date: 21 August - 1 September 2024. Location: Barbican Centre, Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS. Price: £18+BF. Book now.

Olympic and Paralympic Games 2024

The 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games are taking place in Paris. All the live action will be on show at various locations throughout the city, including the dedicated Team GB Fanzones. Photo by Amada Ma.

#FLODown: The summer of sports continues with the 2024 Paris Olympics from 26 July to 11 August, and the Paralympics from 30 August to 8 September. Londoners will enjoy convenient viewing times due to Paris being just one hour ahead. Click here to discover where you can watch the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.