What’s On in London: July

London is heating up, and so is our list of things to do in the capital this month. The UK might lack air-conditioning, but you won’t need it (because why would you want to be inside?) From Pride parade antics to quiet days on a (fake) beach and even more festivals, it’s time to slap on the sunscreen and explore.

Plus, the rescheduled hot air balloon regatta is finally happening – hopefully this time for real. The flight is scheduled for either the 20th or 27th of July, but check here for ongoing updates.

Our Top 3 Free Activities

1) London Pride Parade (5th July)

The UK’s biggest Pride event returns with a huge celebration this Saturday, starting from Hyde Park Corner and ending at Whitehall Place. Expect wonderful community vibes, fabulous costumes, and heaps of free performances from LGBTQ+ artists. There’s a grand total of five stages, and if that’s not enough, join the official Pride afterparty at 194 Piccadilly and dance the night away.

For more Pride events this month:

• Explore the queer history of the British Museum's collections on a free tour
• Pick up a free book from an LGBTQ+ author at Aesop's Queer Library (3rd-6th July)
• Join the Trans+ Pride Parade from Trafalgar Square to Hyde Park Corner (26th July)

2) Lavender Fields

Get Insta-worthy views for the price of a train ticket. London’s surrounding lavender fields are at their peak in July, and Mayfield Farm’s secret lavender garden is the closest you’ll get to a dreamland while awake. Stroll through 25 acres of purple blooms surrounded by the English countryside, before indulging in a special Lavender Cream Tea at the farm’s idyllic Glasshouse Café.

3) Summer Splash Lido at Royal Docks

Head to London’s famous Royal Docks this summer for sun, sand, and swimming. From the 25th of July, a free lido – or open-air pool – will open for locals and tourists alike to cool off from the summer heatwaves. Adults can also work up a sweat in the

wood-fired Sweheat Sauna or dance at one of the Docks’ late-night DJ series. Not a big swimmer? Kick back on a classic deck chair and soak up the summer vibes.

Cultural Spotlight: The Ice Cream Van

While ice-cream-on-wheels isn’t an exclusively British phenomenon, nothing screams UK summer like the distant jingle of an ice cream van pulling into your street. These pastel-coloured vans have been serving Mr Whippy to excitable kids (and adults) since the 1950s.

From the legendary 99 Flake – a swirl of vanilla soft serve crowned with a Cadbury Flake – to retro rainbow ice lollies, the ice cream van has the power to turn an ordinary afternoon into sun-soaked nostalgia.

Their jingles – said by some to be a little creepy – are the soundtrack of British childhoods. While they vary from van to van, the old folk song “Greensleeves” or the 1902 piano classic, “The Entertainer” are classics.

Most vans are still very traditional, but modern ones can offer anything from vegan gelato to boozy sorbets. So next time you hear the faint tune of “Greensleeves”, grab your wallet and run outside before you miss your chance!

Learn more about UK ice cream in our handy guide!

Things To Do This July

Walthamstow-on-Sea

Speaking of soft-serve – grab a cone at Walthamstow-on-Sea, the Big Penny Social’s own fake beach, complete with real sand, vintage beach huts, deck chairs, food, and frozen cocktails. You can even buy a postcard to send to your family and friends! Entry is £4 and requires advance booking.

National Geographic Traveller Food Festival (19th-20th July)

Another great food festival this month: the National Geographic Traveller Food Fest, a chance to broaden your horizons and taste food and drink from around the world. Expect talks from famous cookbook authors, expert-led tasting sessions, and masterclasses in global cuisine.

WingFest (25th-27th July)

Who doesn’t love wings? Wingfest is the world’s largest chicken wing festival and is coming to London Stadium this July to bring live music, entertainment, rides, eating competitions, and of course, lots of award-winning wings. Don your WingFest Trucker hat and get stuck in.

Rooftop Film Club

Watch the sun set behind your favourite movie at London’s Rooftop Film Club. From Pretty Woman to American Psycho and Asteroid City, there’s something for everyone.

Women's Euro Screenings with Baller FC (2nd-27th July)

Discover why the Brits love football so much at one of the Euros screenings at Signature Brew Haggerston. These extra special screenings are organised by Baller FC to make football more inclusive (and even more fun).

Craft Beer Fest (18th-19th July)

Explore the UK’s best breweries at London’s Craft Beer Festival alongside delicious food, music, and entertainment. Tickets to this boozy festival might seem expensive, but it’s because it’s all-inclusive. That means unlimited craft beer all day long.

Music & Festivals

Wireless Festival (11th-13th July)

Headlined by Drake all three days, Wireless Festival is taking over Finsbury Park with hip-hop, R&B and Afrobeats legends.

Kew the Music (8th-13th July)

Kew the Music’s weeklong festival is set on the stunning grounds of Kew Gardens and will see performances from Craig David, The Human League, Gipsy Kings and more.

BBC Proms (18th July-23rd September)

Classical music fans are finally getting their moment, because the BBC Proms brings an eight-week extravaganza of classical music, featuring 86 concerts across London and beyond. You can purchase live tickets to select performances or tune in for free on BBC iPlayer.

Kaleidoscope Fest (12th July)

At London’s beloved ‘Ally Pally’ is Kaleidoscope Festival, offering panoramic views of the city, art, and music. This year’s lineup includes Faithless, Goldie, Eats Everything and more.

London Theatre Highlights

Inter Alia at National Theatre (10th July-13th September)

From the same team behind the critically-acclaimed Prima Facie, this new play stars Rosamund Pike in a play about modern masculinity and motherhood. Don’t forget you can unlock £5 and £10 tickets if you’re 16-25. Over 25? Check out the £10 Friday Rush tickets available from the 4th of July.

Evita at the London Palladium (until 6th September)

See Golden Globe winner Rachel Zegler star as Eva Perón, Argentina’s iconic First Lady in this legendary musical packed with powerful songs and drama. It’s a must-see for musical lovers.

The Fifth Step at Sohoplace (30th June-26th July)

Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden star in The Fifth Step, a black comedy about addiction, friendship, and recovery. Tickets start from £25.

Special Exhibitions & Museum Events

Aboriginal Art at the Tate (10th July-11th January)

A new exhibition at The Tate Modern showcases the striking art of Emily Kam Kngwarray, an Anmatyerr woman born in Alkalker in the Northern Territory of Australia. This is the first large-scale presentation of her work ever held in Europe.

Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur (until 26th October)

In the largest contemporary exhibition ever held at The Wallace Collection, see brand new ceramics, tapestries, and paper works from Britain’s iconic artist, Grayson Perry.

July's Cheap Eat

The Shoap

Eager to expand your knowledge of British cuisine on a budget? A short tube ride from Camden, The Shoap has you covered.

Pick up one of their morning rolls for £5.50 with classic Scottish fillings like haggis, tattie scones, bacon, square sausage, black pudding, and even an entire Scotch pie smothered in gravy. They also have veggie options and a classic Macaroni pie: a pastry case filled with Galloway mustard and Isle of Mull cheddar macaroni cheese. The Shoap celebrates the joys of carb-on-carb cuisine.

Wash it down the Scottish way – with a bright orange can of Irn Bru.

Feeling Inspired?

Whether you’re basking in the sun at the Royal Docks Lido or eating your bodyweight in chicken wings, it’s time to get out and experience everything the city has to offer this month. Just pack sunscreen – and an umbrella, because British weather can never be trusted.

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