This August promises sun, fun and plenty to do — from carnivals and comedy to food and festivals, and from open-air cinema and live music to anime and an urban beach.
Notting Hill Carnival
This year’s Notting Hill Carnival is back and bigger than ever. Taking over the streets of London for the August Bank holiday weekend, London’s largest street festival is more family-friendly on the Sunday with a Children’s Parade in the morning.
Monday gets a bit more chaotic as everyone gets into the carnival vibe – expect parades, DJs, steel bands, Caribbean food and LOTS of dancing. The grand finale will feature over 60 bands performing in Powis Square on Monday, although once the parades have finished there are plenty of after-parties to keep the tempo going. No need to travel miles for a whole month of edgy, offbeat comedy; come to Camden, have fun, and be the first to catch a star of the future. This fabulous free outdoor performing arts festival has events at a number of locations across London. Check the website for details of the full programme, including theatre, circus, dance and street arts. Don’t miss some breathtaking performance art – all for free! Run by the guys at Animeleague, London Anime and Gaming Con returns once again for a full weekend of fun. Despite the name, the event covers a wide variety of anime-adjacent interests, including manga, western animation and lots of gaming stuff. Hit the Bank Holiday weekend running with this four-day freebie in Victoria Park. There’s street food, free outdoor cinema, live music, theatre, family fun, sports activities and loads more. Check out their website for full details. This summer there are two huge outdoor screens in Canary Wharf, one in Cabot Square and one in Canada Square Park, showing sporting events and movies for free. Grab a picnic and settle down in the sun/shade/endless drizzle. You don’t have to go to the beach – we’ve brought the beach to you. Classic English seaside vibes with deckchairs, fish & chips and ice cream. Beat inflation with a cheap day at the power station. Get your south east London culture fix, for free. London gets fully lit up over the dark winter months, come and enjoy the glow. From its Roman origins to Modernist architecture, there's a lot to discover in The City-within-a-city Everything you need for all the festive feels; bundle up in your big scarf and let's go. Bundle up with your big scarf and let's get festive. And save some money while you're at it. And you want to get in for free. Well, we might know a guy who knows a guy... Let us help you save money for what's really important: a nice cup of cocoa or mulled wine. It's panto season (Oh yes it is!). Here's our rundown of the most bonkers seasonal stage shows in town.
Camden Fringe
GDIF: Greenwich & Docklands International Festival
London Anime & Gaming Con
In The Neighbourhood (NBHD) from All Points East
Summer Screens
Walthamstow-on-Sea
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