Our TOP 10
things to do in London this July
This July, London is buzzing with exciting events for everyone. From watching EURO 2024 at Box Park Wembley and exploring Eel Pie Island Artists' Summer Open Studio to enjoying the Somerset House Series and Wimbledon screenings at Paddington Merchant Square. Experience the BST Hyde Park festival, witness the Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta, and visit the Hampstead Summer Festival on Heath Street. Don’t miss the River Stage performances, the eclectic Idler Festival, and the vibrant Classical Pride celebration. Get ready for an unforgettable summer in the capital! Read below for all the details.
Somerset House Series
Get ready for an unforgettable summer! Somerset House Series 2024 is back, bringing you a spectacular lineup of music, art, and culture, at one of London's most iconic venues.
With a stellar lineup of music, art, and culture! Some the live performances you can enjoy are : on the 13th July: DBN GOGO Multi-platinum South African Amapiano DJ and producer, taking over with special guest DJs and live band sets. Then on the 14th July: CORINNE BAILEY RAE PRESENTS BLACK RAINBOWS Returning for her third appearance at Summer Series, promising an enchanting evening. Catch HAK BAKER, on the 20th July, hailed as one of Britain’s most respected artists of his generation and finishing, then with 21st July: PATTI SMITH QUARTET A mesmeric live presence, Patti Smith’s achievements as a performer, author, and artist are celebrated worldwide. But there are so many more acts, plus immersive art installations, outdoor film screenings and delicious food and drink from local vendors
🎟️ Tickets and full lineup: Somerset House Website
Date: 11th July to 21st July
Location: Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
Price: from £30 - £40
Eel Pie Island Artists Summer Open Studio
Eel Pie Island, nestled in the tidal Thames in west London, hosts a diverse community of artists' studios alongside working boatyards and private residences. While the island remains private and inaccessible to visitors, we open our studios to the public twice a year, typically in early July and early December. Thanks to the generosity of our residents, you can step inside working studios, browse, purchase, or commission unique artworks during these special events.
Date: 29/30th June & 6/7th July
Location: Eel Pie Boatyard, Eel Pie Island, TW1 3DY
Times & price: free, walk across the footbridge, 11am - 6pm
THE ULTIMATE EURO 2024 DESTINATION! - Box Park Wembley
EURO 2024 LIVE SCREENINGS - unbeatable atmosphere you’ve seen on TV!
🎟️ Tickets are required and selling out fast! 🎟️ Get yours now at boxpark.co.uk/euro-2024
Ticket prices start from £8 per person, with various packages available that include food and drink. Prices vary depending on the game being screened. For a full breakdown of ticket types for each screening, visit our website.
Experience all the action and magic of the tournament as we bring you the ultimate summer of football. Enjoy your favorite BOXPARK pint and indulge in delicious offerings from our mighty street food traders, keeping you well-fed as you soak in the atmosphere.
Dates: now until 14th July 2024
Location: Wembley Park, HA9 0JT
Prices: vary, depending on the game - start from £8
Watch Wimbledon on the big screen - Paddington Merchant Square
There are plenty of places throughout London to catch Wimbledon action live. They not head to Merchant Square, London. No booking needed to watch Alcaraz and Vondroušová daily from 12 pm on our big screen by the canal. Enjoy fresh strawberries with cream, ice cream, or Belgian chocolate, plus British cocktails from 12 pm – 9 pm.
Don’t miss free beach pop-up tennis activities on selected days (3rd-4th and 10th-11th July) with Game Set Beach. Join mini-tournaments, serving challenges, and more fun for all ages. Dress as a tennis legend for a chance to win prizes in our fancy dress competition!
Date: 1st July -14th July
Location: Merchant Square Big Screen, W2 1JX
Price: free
Times: 11am – 7pm (later if the games run over)
BST Hyde Park
Experience 8 days of activities and free entry in the heart of Hyde Park.
Experience beloved Open House essentials: Wimbledon screenings, children’s workshops, theatre, arts and crafts, Street Food Market, pop-up bars, and live music. The event kicks off on the 28th June with All Things Orchestral and Pride Celebration, hosted by Myleene Klass, featuring the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra conducted by Michael England, with special guests Esther Abrami and MILOŠ. Enjoy a free open-air cinema, pop-up bars, discussion panels, and opportunities to play tennis, cricket, and football. Plus djing by Norman Jay MBE and Brew//LDN will take over the Hydeaway Garden.
🎟️ Tickets and full lineup: https://www.bst-hydepark.com/open-house/
Dates: 28th June: All Things Orchestral and Pride Celebration / Week 1: Monday 1st July - 3rd July /Week 2:8th July -11th July.
Location: Hyde Park, London, W2 4RU
Times & prices: Event times vary, with some requiring tickets and others being free. Please visit the website for more information.
Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta 2024
The Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta® is London’s official ballooning event, extending the tradition of the Lord Mayor’s Show. Up to fifty hot air balloons fly over central London annually, raising funds for The Lord Mayor’s Appeal. In 2019, 46 balloons launched from Battersea Park, raising £76,000. The 2020 and 2021 events were canceled due to the pandemic, and weather conditions affected 2022 and 2023. Standby dates for 2024. Follow our Updates page and social media : xballooning for details.
Dates : 7th July, 21st July & 28th July TBC
Location: over central London
Times and price: free
Hampstead Summer Festival -Big Fair 2024 in Heath Street
Heath Street is car-free and transformed with over 100 stalls offering artisan crafts, designer fashion, and delicious international cuisine. Prepare to indulge as the street food here is irresistible. Plan ahead and allow ample time. It’s a fantastic family day out with entertainment for all, including a funfair, Sport Zone, and Circus School for kids. Enjoy live music on stage—it’s the perfect backdrop for dancing in the street!
Date: 7th July
Location: Heath Street NW3
Times and price: free
River Stage
Throughout every weekend in July, the River Stage sets up outside the National Theatre on the South Bank, featuring free performances including music, theatre, dance, family workshops, and club nights. The opening weekend is curated by the team from the former Hackney LGBTQ+ bar, The Glory. Following weekends showcase the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, dance company Rambert, and performances by the National Theatre.
Date: 5th July – 28th July
Location: River Stage, National Theatre, Upper Ground, SE1 9PX
Times & price: free, every Friday – Sunday in July
Idler Festival
The Idler returns to Fenton House in Hampstead from Friday 5th July to Sunday 7th July 2024. Experience dancing on the lawn, DJ sessions in the 400-year-old orchard, and harpsichord recitals inside the historic house. Engage in beekeeping, ukulele lessons, bibliotherapy, enriching talks, workshops, and guided walks. Where you can mingle with fellow idlers amidst the tranquil walled gardens of Fenton House. Enjoy captivating performances and enlightening discussions led by acclaimed comedians, writers, musicians, philosophers, and tutors.
Don't miss headliners like Zadie Smith, Rowan Williams, Dominic West, Tim Key, Rosie Holt, DJ Paulette, Nina Stibbe, Arthur Smith, Olivia Laing, and Georgia Mann.
🎟️ Tickets and full lineup: https://www.idler.co.uk/festival/
Date: 5th July - 7th July
Location: Fenton House, Hampstead Grove, Hampstead, London NW3 6SP
Times & Price: from £50
Classical Pride
Following its successful debut, Classical Pride is expanding to a five-day festival from 3-7 July. Highlights include:
Wednesday 3 July: Classical Drag at Outernet in Soho, featuring drag and classical music talents like Barbs, Snow White Trash, and Vinegar Strokes, judged by celebrities including Monét X Change and Thorgy Thor.
Choral Concert: World premiere of a new work by Isobel Waller-Bridge.
Showcase: Top LGBTQ+ musicians from London music colleges.
Performance: Julian Eastman’s Gay Guerilla.
Sunday 7 July: The London Symphony Orchestra with Oliver Zeffman, Nick Grimshaw, and soloists Pavel Kolesnikov, Pumeza Matshikiza, and Russell Thomas, along with an LGBTQ+ Community Choir at the Barbican. The program features a new work by Jake Heggie, with text by Taylor Mac.
Oliver Zeffman expressed excitement about the expanded festival, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community's contributions to classical music and his first appearance in a drag show.
🎟️ Tickets and full lineup: https://www.classicalpride.uk/#cp-event-list
Date: 3rd July - 7th July
Location: various location in central London
Times & price: from £15
