Events in London in August 2026: Festivals, Exhibitions + Things to Do
August is a vibrant time to visit London as Londoners and tourists alike try to make the most of long summer days and balmy nights. Due to coinciding with British school holidays, London in August has a different, more youthful vibe than other months.
You’ll have lots of opportunities for extended summer sightseeing plus there’s a range of fantastic activities to make the most of late summer evenings.
Schools in the UK (and Europe) will be on summer holidays so you’ll experience busy attractions and public transport but if you plan your sightseeing carefully you can still enjoy attractions at quieter times.
This guide focuses on the best events and experiences happening in London in August 2026 so that you can plan your perfect trip.
If you want to know what weather to expect in August and what to pack, read our comprehensive guide to visiting London in August.
Planning ahead? August is one of London’s busiest months with the school holidays in full swing, so a couple of things are worth sorting before you arrive:
- Where to stay: hotels book up fast in August, so we’d lock in your accommodation early. Check availability and prices here.
- Buckingham Palace tour: a guided tour is a great way to see it with the summer crowds about. We rate the Buckingham Palace tours with Walks.
Key events in London in August 2026
A visit to London in August is all about enjoying outdoor activities and visiting indoor ones at quieter times.
Buckingham Palace Summer Opening
The seasonal opening of Buckingham Palace is a highlight of London’s summer for both tourists and locals alike.
You can explore 19 furnished rooms within the palace including the Throne Room, the Blue Drawing Room, Ballroom and Grand Staircase. Your entry fee includes a multimedia guide which is packed with information and facts.
Buckingham Palace is an iconic landmark and should be on every August visitor’s list.
Tickets must be pre-booked in advance and are likely to sell out. Tickets can be purchased here. Book an early slot if you wish to visit at a quieter time.
- Where: Buckingham Palace
- When : July 9th – September 27th
- How to get there: Green Park or St. James’s Park
Notting Hill Carnival
One of London’s most colourful festivals, the Notting Hill Carnival, takes place over the bank holiday weekend at the end of August. It’s a kaleidoscope of colour, music and food.
The first day of the festival (Saturday 29th) is a ticket-only steel band competition. Sunday 30th is Children’s Day which features a parade and carnival whilst Monday 31st is aimed at adults who want to party. Both Sunday and Monday are free to attend.
You’ll see masquerade bands (mas bands), steel bands, Brazilian bands and live stages hosting local music and dance acts. You’ll also get the chance to sample some of the best Caribbean food the UK has to offer – there are over 300 street food stalls to choose from!
As this is Europe’s largest festival, you must expect large crowds. In 2026, it’s expected that up to two million people will visit to enjoy 50,000 performers.
Check out the full schedule and events map here.
- Where: The carnival takes place in the W10 and W11 parts of London covering Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Park, Kensal Road and Westbourne Grove.
- When: 29th – 31st August 2026
- How to get there: Notting Hill or Ladbroke Grove tube stations
The Proms 2026
The Proms is a summer-long festival of music held in the iconic Royal Albert Hall. Wide-ranging matinee and evening performances include music by Beethoven, Gershwin, Miles Davis and Mozart as well as a performance of Disney and James Bond themes plus other movie classics.
There’s something for everyone of all ages.
Tickets start from as little as £19 but prices vary according to the artist and day of the week you’re attending.
The full schedule and prices can be found here.
- Where: The Royal Albert Hall
- When: Friday 17th July – Saturday 12th September
- How to get there: It’s a 15 minute walk from South Kensington and High St. Kensington tube stations. You can also catch a number 9, 52, 70, 360, 452 or 702 bus to get to the hall.
Summertime in royal parks
Enjoy the last month of summer in one of the capital’s famous parks.
Choose between St. James’s Park, Green Park, Regent’s Park, Kensington Palace gardens, Hyde Park or Greenwich Park. We love the summer blooms in St. James’s Park.
You can enjoy boating on the Serpentine in Hyde Park or gather a picnic and climb the hill in Greenwich Park for one of the best views of the capital. It’s a very popular spot with locals on August summer evenings.
Alternatively, head to Kew Gardens, London’s largest UNESCO site. August events include the largest collection of outdoor sculptures of renowned British artist Henry Moore, outdoor Tai Chi, forest bathing, guided tours and temperate yoga in Kew’s famous glasshouses.
- What: Henry Moore: Monumental Nature
- When: May 9th 2026 to 31st January 2027
- How to get there: Kew Bridge overland station or Kew Gardens tube station.
London Festivals in August 2026
Battersea Park Music Festival
Fancy a picnic whilst enjoying open-air performances from world-class musicians? Then head to Battersea Park for its three-day music festival.
This year the line-up includes the famous Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic playing pop classics and a Movies and Musicals Night.
General admission tickets start from £45 – cheaper than a night at the theatre!
- What: Battersea Park Music Festival
- When: 28th – 31st August
- How to get there: Battersea Power Station and Victoria tube stations
Hampton Court Food Festival
This family friendly festival has something for everyone.
History fans can enjoy the palace whilst foodies will love the street food and pop-up bars. There’s also live music, live cooking demonstrations, a silent disco, plus traditional games, face painting and popular TV characters for the kids.
Plus, with a wide range of food stalls it’s a great place to pick up a tasty souvenir to bring home.
Hampton Court Food Festival is included in the normal entry fee which costs £29 per adult. Concessions are available for seniors, children and students.
Pre-booking is advised for this popular event.
- When: 29th – 31st August
- How to get there: Overland train from London Waterloo to Hampton Court (Zone 6) which takes approximately 30 minutes. In the summer you can also catch a boat from Westminster (though it takes around four hours!)
Outdoor theatre and cinema in August
Enjoy the last warm nights of summer at one of the capital’s outdoor theatres or cinemas.
Regent’s Park open-air theatre is performing the musical ‘Cats’ and a family friendly show of West African and Caribbean folk tales called ‘Anansi the Spider.’ Evening and matinee performances are available with tickets starting from as little as £15pp. Regents Park is best reached by Regents Park tube station or Great Portland Street tube.
The most famous outdoor theatre in London, The Globe, is performing modern adaptations of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, a flamenco-inspired version of ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost’ and ‘As You Like It.’ Evening performances cost £10 for standing tickets and between £25 and £65 for seats.
If you are visiting London in August with kids, you can watch the family-friendly ‘A Worlds End’ during the day at The Globe. You can also book onto pre-show age appropriate workshops. It’s a fantastic opportunity to introduce kids to Shakespeare.
The schedule varies from day to day in August so check here which show is being performed on the day you’re visiting.
- Where: The Globe Theatre, Bankside Cultural Quarter
- How to get there: London Bridge, Blackfriars, Mansion House, St. Pauls and Southwark tube stations are all within a 10-15 minute walk of the theatre.
Outdoor cinemas pop up all over London in August. One of my favourites is along the canal towpath at Kings Cross / Coal Drop Yards which is open until August 16th.
The stepped landscaping is perfect for seating and you can expect this summer’s lineup to include classics such as ‘Some Like It Hot’ and ‘Grease.’
Best of all, it’s completely free!
You can check what’s on here.
- Where: Regent’s Canal Towpath
- When: 29th June – 16th August
- How to get there: Kings Cross tube
Exhibitions or events you won’t want to miss in August 2026
Queen Elizabeth: Her Life in Style
This exhibition showcases the largest ever collection of clothing worn by Queen Elizabeth II. We visited earlier in the summer and highly recommend it.
You’ll see over 200 pieces of clothing, jewellery and accessories from throughout the late Queen’s life including her christening gown, wedding dress and coronation dress. It’s a must visit for Royal fans but also for fans of fashion.
We recommend booking your tickets for August as soon as possible here as it’s likely to sell out.
- Where: The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace
- When: 10th April 2026 – 18th April 2027
- How to get there: St. James’s Park or Green Park tube stations
Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts
If you love art, there’s still time to catch this annual exhibition of work by new and emerging British artists. The summer exhibition has been held here every year since 1769.
In addition to paintings, you’ll see sculpture, architectural works, photography and films. Plus, if you’re looking for a unique souvenir, many works of the art works are for sale.
Tickets start from £23.50 and must be booked in advance
- Where: Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly
- When: June 16th – August 23rd
- How to get there: Piccadilly or Green Park tube
London’s major museums and galleries
Most major museums and galleries in London are free to enter but will charge admission fees to limited-time exhibitions, including the ones listed below.
The British Museum hosts an exhibition this August on ‘Early Netherlandish Art.’
Furthermore, to capitalise on high visitor numbers this month, the museum also offers daily ‘out of hours’ tours around a specific subject or theme. The tours start at 8.50 am before the museum opens and it’s a great opportunity to visit the museum when it’s quiet. Check here for the schedule in August.
Want a guided way in? The British Museum holds over 8 million objects, so it’s easy to feel lost. LivTours runs small-group British Museum tours (max six people, entry ticket included) that pick out the highlights and bring the stories to life.
- Semi-private: share with a small group of up to six. Check dates and prices.
- Private: just your party, tailored to your interests. Check dates and prices.
If you love modern art, head to the Tate Modern for the ‘Tracey Emin – A Second Life’ exhibition or the much anticipated ‘Frida – the Making of an Icon’ featuring the works of Frida Kahlo.
One of the many exhibitions the V&A is hosting this August is ‘Schiaparelli:Fashion Becomes Art.’ Alternatively, you can visit the new V&A East Storehouse to see their collection of David Bowie memorabilia.
The V&A also offers several drop-in child friendly activities this August which are free to attend. You can check out the ‘Summer of 2026’ schedule of events here.
August in London offers something for everyone. Plan your schedule carefully to maximise your time and allow plenty of time between attractions as transport is busy.
Just don’t forget to plan some downtime to enjoy a lazy picnic in the park or a pint in a sunny beer garden!
Read more – Events in London in June | Events in London in July | London in September
