London This Summer: Events You Won’t Want to Miss

The weather's warming and days are longer! Time to make the most of London this summer with our guide to top events you don't want to miss!

London summer events: the time for Londoners to embrace the longer evenings, warmer weather and holiday atmosphere. From rooftop bars to open-air festivals, the diverse capital caters to everyone! Check out our guide to summer events that are sure to keep you entertained, courtesy of the team at the London Pass.

Open-air entertainment

Londoners love summer and watching a play at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is a perfect way to while away a sunny evening. This year’s programme includes Oliver Twist and A Tale of Two Cities. Or you could enjoy one of Shakespeare’s plays in the famous open-roofed Globe Theatre. Watch Twelfth Night or Romeo and Juliet under the stars with two special performances starting at midnight in June. If these don’t tickle your fancy, pick up some popcorn and catch a movie at one of the Rooftop Film Club venues in Peckham, Shoreditch, Stratford and Kensington. The summer programme varies from classic to contemporary with old and new films regularly shown.

Sporting successes

Wimbledon tennis fever sweeps the capital in July, as world-class players swing into action. Tickets are so hotly sought after that queueing for Wimbledon day-tickets has become a tradition in itself. Over the course of the tournament, around 54,000 tennis balls (and more than 140,000 portions of strawberries) are served. Didn’t manage to get any tickets? Don’t fret, you can experience the grandeur of Wimbledon and learn all about this world-famous tournament with a visit to the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum. This July and August, the Olympic Park will once again welcome sporting legends as the venue roars into life at the IAAF World Championships and World Para Athletics Championships. Book your tickets online to secure your seat in the stands and cheer on champions from around the world.

The capital in colour

Celebrating the Queen’s official birthday, Trooping the Colour has over 1400 officers and men on parade, with 200 horses and more than 400 musicians. On 17 June, find a spot along The Mall or the edge of St James’ Park overlooking Horse Guards to get the best views of this impressive display of pageantry, and watch as the Red Arrows fly past. Notting Hill Carnival is a highlight of London summer events. Every year since 1964, the streets around Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park burst into an amazing spectacle of colour, music and dance on the last Sunday and Monday in August. Plan your trip carefully: around two million people descend on the area and public transport becomes very busy!

A flurry of festivals

From Phil Collins and Green Day at British Summer Time in Hyde Park, to dance and club classics at the South West Four Weekender in Clapham, London has it all! Read our Guide to London Summer Festivals to find out more. If you want something a little different, check out the Underbelly Festival on the Southbank with its combination of cutting-edge comedy, cabaret and circus acts. Big names on the comedy circuit make appearances throughout the summer and there’s some family-friendly entertainment, too. Combine it with a trip to the Southbank Centre Market to buy some street food and farmers’ produce. The market runs every weekend in summer. Make the most of the warm and sunny weather by sampling some of the city's best alfresco street food markets!

The best of British

This June, come and celebrate the first London Evening Standard Food Month. One of more than 400 events across the capital, there will be a bustling outdoor night market at Perks Field in Kensington, featuring 50 diverse and exciting food stalls from London’s favourite chefs, restaurants and street food stars. Tickets should be bought in advance. Everyone wants to see the inside of Buckingham Palace and catch a sneaky glimpse into the life of the Royal Family. Every summer the Palace opens the doors of some of its State Rooms to the public and, this year, there’s also a special exhibition of Royal gifts the Queen has received over the past 65 years. Tickets must be bought in advance online! Whatever your interests, there are London summer events to suit everyone. Wishing you a great trip and many sunny summer evenings!