Every summer in London you can be wowed by outdoor performance art, sample street food in the grounds of a palace and shimmy through the world’s second biggest carnival
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Charon by Peter Hudson c Mitzi Peirone
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Sky is Filled with Thunder 2 c Fevered Sleep
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c Hampton Court Food Festival
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c Hampton Court Food Festival
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What’s on in August in London
Greenwich+Docklands International Festival
Journey across London to attend this high-energy, family-friendly outdoor festival, which celebrates theatre, dance, art and music. Tightrope walkers, puppets the size of buildings and 1,500 pigeons tagged with LED lights let loose in the sky are just some of the highlights from previous editions.
26 August to 11 September, 2022
Multiple locations around Greenwich and Docklands
Hampton Court Palace Food Festival
The palace rises to the occasion again, and this time it’s banging the drum for foodies. Live bands perform as you browse tantalising food stalls selling everything from burritos and wood-fired pizza to new dishes from around the world, as well as pop up bars serving craft beer and pink gin. Little ones can have their faces painted.
27 to 29 August, 2022
Hampton Court Way, Molesey, East Molesey, KT8 9AU
Floats, steel bands and dancers celebrate Caribbean culture during this parade through Notting Hill. After Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival, this is the world’s second largest street fiesta, attracting two million people. While the 5.6km procession is the main attraction, you can also watch a Caribbean queen beauty contest, sample island cuisine and listen to calypso folk. Carnival Sunday is dedicated to families, and entry to the weekend’s festivities are complimentary – just meander through the streets to join the party.
27 to 29 August, 2022
Multiple locations around Notting Hill
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Out of The Deep Blue c Melissa Hommel
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Unfurl c Emma Powell
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© Historic Royal Palaces/Peter Li
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© Historic Royal Palaces
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© Historic Royal Palaces
What’s on in September
Enjoy free rein to peek inside some of London’s most fascinating buildings as part of Open House London, which unlocks the doors of 800 private properties across the capital for one weekend only. Highlights include William Hogarth’s wall paintings in the Grade I-listed north wing of St Bartholomew’s Hospital, live potters at work in Turning Earth’s airy art studio, as well as a virtual tour of the gloriously ornate interiors of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and HM Treasury.
8 to 21 September, 2022
Multiple locations
Nearly 20 years old, this festival attracts creatives from around the globe. Hundreds of events take place across the city, including an annual line up of projects at the V&A and talks by leading designers. Previous highlights have included the designer Tom Dixon giving away 500 polystyrene chairs; eight Audi robots creating calligraphy from visitor’s texts and a giant chess board inspired by Alice through the Looking Glass.
17 to 25 September, 2022
Multiple locations
Discover what’s on in London all summer long, from Regents Park Open Air Theatre to The Luna Open Air Cinema.