August is one of the warmest months of the year in London, when you can enjoy the capital’s many outdoor and open-air activities and make the most of the long summer days.
Children are on school summer holidays during August, so there are always plenty of family-friendly things to do in London.
You can make the kids' summer memorable by taking them to London's best theatre shows.
Unmissable events in London in August
- Celebrate August bank holiday weekend (24-26 Aug) at Europe's largest street festival, as the iconic Notting Hill Carnival returns to the streets of west London. 25-26 Aug
- Feel the pomp at BBC Proms, an annual celebration of classical music at the Royal Albert Hall, which is in full swing in August.
- Attend a workshop, tour or talk at the Chelsea Physic Garden, London's oldest botanical garden.
- Immerse yourself in all sorts of artsy performances in south-east London during the Greenwich+Docklands International Festival. 23 Aug-8 Sep
- Fill your tummy with street food and sip on refreshing coolers at the Hampton Court Palace Food Festival. 24-26 Aug
- Join more than 100 producers at the London Craft Beer Festival in Tobacco Dock for a celebration of brewing. 9-10 Aug
- Don't miss The National Gallery's beloved Summer on the Square festival that promises creative fun for all the family with workshops, talks and more. 1 Aug-1 Sep
- Get a behind-the-scenes look at the London Transport Museum on their Hidden London tour, or venture to the museum after hours for the return of its late night events.
- Check out The Royal Parks exciting summer programme for some outdoor fun including Discovery Days and Nature Roadshows.
- Visit the Taylor on Tour Photo Exhibition at Wembley Park ahead of Taylor Swift's return to the UK. Until Sep
- Grab a comfy corner of the blanket for an evening and check out London's best outdoor cinemas.
- Embrace pop icon fever with a Taylor Swift-inspired Afternoon Tea Bus Tour. Until 1 Sep
- Enjoy movie magic and a summer of sport at Seething Lane Garden. Catch both sporting events and sporty movie classics on an outdoor screen. Until 8 Sep
- Or get together with friends and dance under the stars at London's annual music festivals.
- Head to Canary Wharf for some open water swimming and experience some relief from the summer heat! Until Oct
- Visit Westminster Abbey family events for an array of trails, storytelling and craft activities in the garden. Until 19 Aug
- Head down to the Barbican for the Our Street takeover for workshops, parties, lates and more. Until 23 Aug
- Enjoy an unlikely family farm day in Covent Garden! Meet and feed animals in this unique experience. 12 Aug
- Explore the rich story telling in music at Abbey Road Studios Presents: Stories in Sound. 2-10 Aug
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Save 25% on ticketsTheatre shows in London in August
- Be dazzled by London's top theatre shows and see long-running musicals, classic comedy and innovative plays on the West End stage.
- Enjoy outdoor entertainment at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre and see one its many family-friendly shows.
- Feel the warmth of the Serengeti as you follow Simba the lion cub on his adventures in The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre.
- See the award-winning Matilda The Musical at the Cambridge Theatre, where one extraordinary girl takes on her terrifying headmistress Miss Trunchbull.
- Laugh out loud at the hilarious Mrs Doubtfire, a brand-new comedy musical that brings the hit film to London's theatreland.
- Get into the holiday spirit, as you are whisked away to an unforgettable Greek island wedding with Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre.
- Sing along to your favourite rock'n'roll anthems at The Tina Turner Musical at the Aldwych Theatre, and see how the famous singer became a global superstar.
- Catch a performance of the Broadway comedy hit, Something Rotten! Have your mind blown by this modern mashup of Shakespeare and musical theatre.
Check back nearer the time for more theatre shows in August in London.
Fun things to do in London in August
- Find plenty of family fun in London with top tips on things to do during the summer holidays and top family experiences in London right now.
- Make the most of the extra day off during the August bank holiday weekend and discover many top London attractions from your must-see list.
- Pick up a money-saving pass such as The London Pass or the Go City London Explorer Pass, which give you access to multiple attractions.
- Tick off some of London's top attractions for kids, including movie magic at Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter.
- Scale some of London’s most recognisable sights with the thrilling Up at The O2 climb or the Dare Skywalk.
- Stop off at key sights and attractions on a hop-on-hop-off bus tour and head up to the top deck for great views on other London bus tours.
- Or take to the river and discover key landmarks from a different angle, as you enjoy a boat tour on the Thames.
- Laugh out loud at Shrek’s Adventure! London, an indoor walk-and-ride attraction inspired by the hit DreamWorks film.
- Get that perfect Instagram shot as you glide over London in the London Cable Car.
- Test your nerves as you cross Tower Bridge’s glass-bottomed walkway or book a special family tour.
- Discover how tiny hatchlings become gigantic tortoises and meet an array of wonderful wildlife from around the world at London Zoo.
- Immerse yourself in underwater wonders at the SEA LIFE London Aquarium located on London's lively South Bank.
- Tip toe across the Treetop Walkway at Kew Gardens to experience the forest canopy and enjoy magical views of the gardens.
London exhibitions in August
- Soak up the sun and some culture in London this summer, with a world-class lineup of free museums and galleries across the capital.
- Immerse yourself in world-famous artworks by Van Gogh, Monet and more at the popular Frameless experience.
- Let the experts lead the way and uncover the history of an impressive collection at The National Gallery Official Highlights Tour with Afternoon Tea.
- Don't miss the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, showcasing innovative works from emerging artists around the world. 18 Jun-18 Aug
- See the highly anticipated Yoko Ono Music of the Mind exhibition at Tate Modern which delves into the powerful and participatory work of the artist and activist. Until 1 Sep
- Bear witness to the radical Impressionist masterwork "Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando" at Discover Degas & Miss La La at the National Gallery. 6 Jun-1 Sep
- Marvel at the world's most extraordinary photographs of space at Astronomy Photographer of the Year at the National Maritime Museum. Until 27 Aug
- Take a deeper look into the human experience of conflict at Storyteller by Tim Hetherington at IWM London. Until 29 Sep
Check back closer to the time for more art and exhibitions in London in August.
Festivals and concerts in London in August
- Enjoy summer nights filled with great music at Battersea Park in Concert with their series of open-air picnic concerts. 24-26 Aug
- Join the warehouse party movement at Eastern Electrics and enjoy music from Jamie Jones, Groove Armada, Seth Troxler and many more. 24 Aug
- Celebrate some of the world's most legendary soul and disco singers of all time at Soultasia London in Moredon Park. 9 Aug
- Discover the UK's leading independent festival for R&B, soul and alt rap at Cloud X Festival whose lineup includes Ghetts, Bellah and Tim Garcia. 2 Aug
- Don't miss the Ministry of Sound 51st State Festival this August where partygoers can carry on the night at the iconic venue's festival afterparty. 3 Aug
- Music fans flock to All Points East for a weekend of epic tunes and entertainment from the likes of Loyle Carner, Nas, Arlo Parks and Beabadoobee. 16-25 Aug
- Head to Crystal Palace Bowl in south London for the South Facing festival, which features acts such as Damian Marley and The Originals. 26 Jul-11 Aug
- Get involved with the one-day celebration of all things drum and bass at Hospitality in the Woods. 17 Aug
More August ideas
For more things to do in August in London, take a look at our events calendar and guide to what's on in London. And catch the best of the London stage with our guide to London theatre.
Fancy a spontaneous break to London? Find out what you can do this weekend and what is on today. Make sure to download the Visit London app for on-the-go inspiration.
What is the weather like in London in August?
August in London boasts some of the UK's best weather, as the temperatures average around 25C (77F) and often reach much higher on a particularly warm day.
Be sure to pack a good selection of summer clothes for your trip to London in August including light layers that can be thrown on should it get cooler in the evening.
For average seasonal temperatures and rainfall, see our London weather page.
