London in August 2027: Discover the city’s best things to do

Step inside Buckingham Palace during its summer opening and explore the royal residence. Beyond the famous gates, visitors can admire grand staircases, glittering chandeliers and beautifully decorated State Rooms still used for official ceremonies. Highlights include 19 rooms such as the Throne Room, along with works by artists including Rembrandt and Rubens, brought to life through a multimedia guide.

Extend your visit with a royal walking tour to explore nearby landmarks or include a stop at the Royal Mews. We recommend including Windsor Castle, which offers further insight into Britain’s royal heritage and perfect for a whole day filled with exploring royal residences.

Bringing musical magic to the London Coliseum this summer is a brand new production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, with A-list star Michael Ball stepping into the role of Willy Wonka.

Expect plenty of songs from the 1971 film – including the classic Pure Imagination – but expect some surprises along the way thanks to a new musical score. The adaptation is helmed by Nikolai Foster, the director of the 2026 production of Kinky Boots, and it's certain to be packed with comedic touches and memorable moments that will delight the entire family.

Are London's iconic attractions and landmarks on your summer bucket list? Grab a ticket for the hop-on hop-off bus tour to make the most of sightseeing in London; with more than 60 stops in central London, it makes it quick and easy to cover many attractions. Just sit back, grab a top-deck seat and get on and off at your leisure on this hassle-free tour – options include one-day sightseeing, 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours. What's more, a free walking tour is included, and there's also an optional river cruise, which is perfect for sunny August days.

Notting Hill Carnival is set to draw more than two million revellers to the streets of W11 over the August bank holiday weekend. One of the world’s largest street festivals, it is a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture, featuring colourful floats, lively dance groups, steel bands and feel-good music, with performers and many attendees dressed in striking, elaborate costumes.

Festivities run from 28 to 30 August; Sunday offers a more family-focused programme, including the children’s parade, while Monday brings the main celebrations to a close with high-energy performances and large-scale celebrations across the area.

Olympia has quickly become one of London's most exciting new destinations following its grand reopening last summer.

Whether you're planning lunch, dinner or sunset drinks, there are plenty of reasons to stay awhile. Head to Wolves of Tokyo for Japanese dishes and rooftop views, sip cocktails at Bar Arriba, or settle in for British small plates and English sparkling wine at Lillie's Wine Bar & Restaurant.

Beyond the food, Olympia is also set to host a packed programme of events. Last year, it played host to the London Premier Padel P1 tournament – the UK's first elite professional padel competition. Check back soon to find out what's in store this summer.

Watch world-class theatre at the Shakespeare’s Globe on the South Bank. Last year, August performances included A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Love’s Labour’s Lost and Much Ado About Nothing, and 2027 is sure to bring an equally impressive lineup of plays to this historic open-air venue.

The Globe is known for its dynamic casting, showcasing a mix of established and emerging talent. For a more affordable option, we advise selecting the standing tickets as they are cheaper and offer a special experience close to the stage. Keep an eye out for special one-night performances and book in advance to secure your seats. 

Fly along the river Thames on a Thames Rocket speedboat tour on a rigid inflatable boat with up to 35 miles per hour (55km per hour). Listen to some London facts from an expert guides before you prepare for the speed to crank up. Enjoy a thrilling ride on the Thames while soaking in the epic views along the way.

Choose between the Ultimate London Adventure, a 50-minute tour that takes you past sights including Big Ben and Tower Bridge or pick the Thames Barrier Explorers Voyage where your journey takes you right up to the Thames Barrier. 

Summer in the capital might be too good to miss, but it's always worth setting aside some time to explore other iconic UK cities on a day trip. We recommend a Windsor, Stonehenge and Oxford tour to anyone looking for an adventure; it's the perfect opportunity to see some world-famous attractions and visit three gorgeous locations in just one day.

Begin your tour with a trip to Windsor Castle, where you can admire the lavish State Apartments and the breathtaking St George's Chapel. Then, discover the ancient mystery of Stonehenge, snapping plenty of photos before your final stop: the magnificent city of Oxford. Enjoy a guided walking tour before you hop on the coach and head back to London.

Experience the magic of the West End with your little ones during the school summer holidays. Choose from much-loved family favourites such as Matilda or The Lion King, which we love for its unforgettable score, and Wicked, with its spectacular costumes, or discover newer productions including Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular, where impressive acrobatics are sure to keep children captivated until the final curtain. Another new show for summer 2027 is Zog and the Flying Doctors, a charming story based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

With a wide range of shows to suit all ages, it’s worth planning ahead to secure tickets. Take a look at our best kids’ theatre section to find the perfect production for your visit. 

Enjoy Battersea Park in Concert, a weekend of curated live music events in Battersea Park this August bank holida. The programme brings together a range of performances in an open-air setting, designed to showcase music in a relaxed environment. The 2027 lineup is yet to be announced, but the event usually covers everything from jazz to pop and musical theatre. 

While in the neighbourhood, we always love visiting nearby Battersea Power Station to take for stunning views of the London skyline, particularly at night. 

Hampton Court Palace Food Festival returns this summer, bringing together more than 150 artisan producers at this historic royal setting. The festival celebrates global flavours, with street food from cuisines such as Sri Lankan, Indian and Korean, alongside craft beers, books, crafts and condiments.

Best of all, tickets also include access to Hampton Court Palace, the former home of Henry VIII, making it easy to turn your visit into a full day out. Take time to explore the impressive interiors, wander through the grounds, and don’t miss the kitchen gardens, where a variety of fruits and vegetables are grown.

Unlock access to more than 90 top sights in the capital with this convenient digital pass. Whether you’re in London for a long weekend or planning to stay longer, the Go City Explorer Pass lets you choose how many attractions you want to see. The pass also offers an unlimited access option making it a flexible option depending on budget and itinerary.

You can download the pass to your phone and enjoy hassle-free entry to iconic landmarks such as the Tower of London, London Eye, and Kew Gardens.  

Discover a range of museum late openings across the city, offering after-hours access with a lively and social atmosphere. Science Museum Lates usually take place on the last Wednesday of each month, featuring interactive demonstrations, silent discos and adults-only activities in a relaxed evening setting.

The V&A Friday Late usually runs on the final Friday of the month, with a rotating programme of artist-led events, performances and creative takeovers. At Tate Modern Lates, meanwhile, evenings include extended gallery hours, live music and hands-on workshops, providing a different way to experience the museum after dark.

London’s favourite art show returns for its latest edition, with around 1,200 prints, paintings, sculptures and film on show the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.

Curated by a different leading artist each year, the Summer Exhibition is known for its open-submission format, welcoming entries from both emerging and established names. Past exhibitors have included David Hockney, Tracey Emin and Wolfgang Tillmans, making it a dynamic and ever-evolving highlight of the city’s cultural calendar.  

The BBC Proms returns with an extensive summer programme of live music, centred around the Royal Albert Hall. Featuring more than 80 performances, the festival brings together world-class orchestras, soloists and conductors for a celebration of classical music and beyond. 

Every year, the programme includes a mix of traditional concerts and genre-spanning performances, from orchestral interpretations of contemporary music to themed shows. The season opens with leading international performers and concludes with the much-anticipated Last Night of the Proms. 

Rooftop Cinema Club, with locations in Stratford and Peckham, offers a relaxed open-air film experience with a choice of seating, from deep-cushioned deckchairs to cosy two-person love seats. Past programmes have featured a mix of crowd-pleasing classics such as La La Land, How to Lose a Guy in 10 days, Notting Hill, Zootopia 2 and Good Will Hunting.

The Barbican’s Outdoor Cinema also returns during the summer season, screening a curated selection of award-winning and international films. Elsewhere across the city, look out for programmes at Lower Marsh Lates, Everyman on the Canal in King’s Cross and Vauxhall’s Summer Screens for more open-air entertainment. 

Discover a wide range of rooftop bars across London, from scenic spots with sweeping views to stylish venues known for creative cocktails in central locations. For elevated views and refined drinks, visit Radio Rooftop at the ME London, set on the 10th floor and offering spectacular city panoramas.

Alternatively, Netil360 in Hackney offers a more relaxed setting, with panoramic skyline views alongside craft beers, playful cocktails and wood-fired pizzas. 

East London’s flagship All Points East festival arrives once again at Victoria Park, bringing a standout music lineup to the capital. This year’s programme features headliners including Phoebe Bridgers, with Caroline Polachek, Kelsey Lu, Danielle Ponder and jasmine.4.t as supporting artists.

Taking place across two weekends, the festival offers much more than music. Expect a curated selection of street food from east London vendors, alongside drinks from local breweries in Tower Hamlets and Hackney. There is also a programme of community-focused events and workshops, including theatre, sports and wellbeing sessions.

Explore a collection spanning two million years of history at the British Museum. From ancient Greece and Egypt to Africa and China, more than 60 free galleries showcase artefacts from across the world, centred around the striking Great Court. Highlights include one of our favourites the Rosetta Stone and the Parthenon sculptures.

Enhance your experience with a two-hour British Museum guided tour or combine your visit with an afternoon tea at the museum. We suggest arriving early on a weekday to avoid the big crowds or taking advantage of the late Friday opening for a more relaxed experience.

The Camden Fringe returns to north London with a packed and diverse programme, featuring more than 370 shows across 33 venues. From theatre and comedy to music, opera, improv, dance and even game shows, there is something to suit every interest, as the festival transforms the area into a lively hub of creativity.

Enjoy both emerging and established performers in a supportive environment allowing them to test their new material. Tickets are affordable and many shows can be booked on the door making it easy to explore the programme and discover something unexpected.